It’s time for another “running of the words” column. Some of it will be fact, some will be fiction—you decide. (Hint: most of this column is fact.)
My plugged stomach pipe is now working! I have gained my strength back; it took one week of literally just laying around the house obeying the orders of my in-house private registered nurse named Genie (I called it house arrest). After much deliberation, Genie the nurse declared I could have a full day of activities and she would see how I was doing after that.
My first day of liberty was exactly one week after being discharged from the Albert Lea hospital on a Sunday, late evening—St. Patrick’s Day, to be exact, but no green liquid allowed. I was allowed to go to church, choir practice, brunch at the Alstad Club in Albert Lea and my grandnephew Bennet Combs’s spring concert in the Trinity Chapel at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, followed by a fish sandwich from Arby’s in Albert Lea that evening.
After much pleading, Genie did let me sport a bright green four-leaf clover on my shirt lapel all day in honor of my Irish grandparents, the McFarlands from the Ellendale area. I was not allowed to iron the four-leaf clover, as that would be pressing my luck.
The spring concert was proudly presented by the Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra, or MAYSO. Any area youth is welcome to audition for a chair in the 27-member orchestra. If selected, one is then a member of the youth choir. Benny, age 16, auditioned and was selected to play clarinet. After the concert it was picture-taking time—guess whose relatives beamed with pride!
It was the first time Genie and I had been inside Trinity Chapel. We were very impressed with the excellent acoustics. Even a flock of robins at the entryway was enjoying the concert.
As we came home on St. Patrick’s Day after Arby’s, a pleasant surprise occurred at the junction of Hammer Road and Bridge Street in Albert Lea. The pretty pink pig was wearing bright green with a big bottle of green beverage, plus empty glasses if one was so inclined to toast the holiday. We stopped, as I was curious about the green. I asked the pretty pink pig how he came to recognize St. Patrick’s Day. His reply of “my last name is O’Pig” was the perfect explanation.
One week later, this column was completed. My strength is back, I’m exercising daily, I’m eating normally, the stomach pipes are functioning normally. Genie told me my abnormal Norwegian way is back!
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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.