It’s time for another running of the words column. The words might be fact or fiction. The ball is in your court to determine which is which. 

I’m in the car at a four-way stop just behind a car practicing Minnesota nice while at the same time, three other cars coming from the other three directions are practicing Minnesota nice. The four drivers all decided they could proceed. Twas then I saw and heard the end of Minnesota nice!!

Spring arrived the week of Monday February 13th. I saw Blackbirds, snow geese, Canadian geese plus other spring birds as all the snow vanished. The temperature was in the high fifties, low sixties until Thursday evening February 23rd. (I had started my walk routine as I told myself, “an early spring has sprung.)

On Thursday evening February 23rd, that famous Yogi Berra saying came true. (It’s not over till it’s over) (Winter that is.)

The blizzard ended in the early a.m. Saturday February 25th before daylight, after 13 inches of snow and high winds in Albert Lea.

Late Saturday morning I’m doing my 15 minutes on, 30 minutes off, snow shoveling. Twas then a John Deere with a snow blower came to my rescue. I watched as a random act of kindness was performed by Scott Thompson. Scott, thanks for the driveway snow removal. 

I’m hoping our tulips will survive, as they were about two inches above the ground. I was told some small bushes had started to bud.

The high piles of snow at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church brought back by popular demand, the “guess when all the snow will be gone contest.” Pastor Matt Griggs submitted February 22, only to be politely informed the contest couldn’t start before the snow arrived. 

The 10 days of spring-like weather caused the county sheriff to restrict vehicle traffic on Leech Lake. This put a damper on the annual Eel Pout Festival in Walker, Minnesota. The festival was held with lake traffic restricted to snowmobiles, four wheelers or walking. This caused Genie and I not to attend this year. (The county sheriff in Minnesota has the authority to restrict traffic on the ice. The sheriff in Freeborn County also restricted vehicle traffic.)

The sure sign of spring around the corner is when bald eagles start nesting. Two adduct bald eagles were seen just before the blizzard feasting on a yummy (to them) raccoon by the Gene and Diane Wangen residence just north of Albert Lea. It is thought they are the nesting pair from by St. John’s in Albert Lea. 

What is the color of the day on March 17?

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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.