We subscribe to the National Geographic magazine. In an excellent article in the June 2018 issue, the reader was warned that our human love for plastic bags could be the downfall of the human race. The issue was mailed to all subscribers in a plastic bag: “a classic example of ‘do as I say, not as I do.’”
I suspect this was brought to the attention of National Geographic powers that be, as we received the August magazine in a paper wrapping. The following paragraph was printed on the wrapping:
“At National Geographic we choose the planet. We pledge to wrap our magazine in recyclable paper instead of plastic. This one act eliminated nearly 30 million plastic bags per year. Join us and take your pledge today at natgeo.com/plasticpledge.”
You know you’re a true blue-blooded Minnesotan if: your answer to the question, “What do you grow in Minnesota?” is “older and older.”
In regards to growing older, take heed if you know any of the following: Cindy Crabtree, Genie Hanson or Gale Nelson. Sunday, August 12 is their national holiday of growing (Chuck Crabtree will most certainly need a reminder).
While attending Senior Day at the Freeborn County Fair in Albert Lea, Genie and I decided it was time for some good church stand food. We didn’t want to sit in the sun, so we took the side in the shade. Problematically, there was room for just one on each end of the bench currently occupied by five men in their late sixties, early seventies. Genie and I had to communicate as best we could. The guys were good Minnesota Nice believers, and in a short period of time it was a seven-person gabfest. We found out they were all Lutheran, but each a member of a different local Lutheran church. Their pastor’s name was “Pastor Matt.”
Genie and I were certain they must all be members of the Local Liars’ Club, as five guys couldn’t be a member of a different Lutheran church yet all have a “Pastor Matt.” We later found out they were truthful Lutherans—can you tell us how that was possible? (Five men—five different Lutheran churches—pastor’s name is Matt.)
The average life span of a baseball at a Twins game is five pitches. Regarding the Twins, the team is down but not quite out. It will take a miracle, like Cleveland losing most of their remaining games and the Twins winning most of their remaining games. If the Twins could win all of their remaining games with Cleveland they could make the playoffs. (Miracles do happen!)
Short shorts:
A. The Danish mermaid in Fountain Lake is now wearing a “save our hospital” T-shirt
B. “Taps” is now played by the military at burial and memorial services, to accompany the lowering of the flag to signal the “lights out” command at day’s end. Just the playing of “Taps,” live or recorded at military funerals is permissible
C. The one of two “must attend” social events of the year, Soup and Pie Supper at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church, is Monday, September 24 (details forthcoming).
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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.