If you’re a veteran, are you aware of the veteran break in getting into the U.S. Federal National parks? Genie and I have used my military I.D. as a veteran to tour the Badlands in South Dakota, the Badlands in North Dakota, Mount Rushmore, Glacier National Park in Montana, Great Smoky Mountains National, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Yosemite National Park, California, Zion National Park, Utah, and best of all, Big Island Park in Albert Lea.
Spring is here!! How do I know? Because the robin has seen snow on its back three times and Jerry and Linda have migrated back to Minnesota.
Earth Day is Saturday, April 22, 2023. It seems to me that spring is having a tough time to get here this year. As I’m writing this column, we haven’t had one day of temperature in the mid seventies this spring.
Our tulips were just starting to show their green leaves and then two nights of hard frost (temp in the high teens to low twenties). The green leaves are now black.
We were in Harrison, Arkansas the 22rd through the 26th of March. Only one day in excess of 70 degrees. Every day the forecast was windy and cooler than normal with possible tornadoes. (Some did considerable damage in bordering states.)
The beginning of winter (2022) started out with lots of snow. (It snowed 10 days in a row while we were deer hunting, staying at Blue Water Lodge on Leech Lake, Walker, Minnesota.)
This spring has had later snowfall and cooler-than-normal temps in NRHEG Land.
That’s enough complaining about the weather. (I must admit I’m wondering if Man isn’t responsible for the late 2023 spring.)
We were given the following titled “Heaven’s Grocery Store” in an Easter card (Thanks, Russ and Marie Tesch).
HEAVEN'S GROCERY STORE
I was walking down life's highway a long time ago.
One day I saw a sign that read, "Heaven's Grocery Store."
As I got a little closer, the door came open wide,
and when I came to myself I was standing inside.
I saw a host of Angels, they were standing everywhere.
One handed me a blanket and said,
"My Child shop with care."
Everything a Christian needs is in that grocery store,
and all you can't carry, come back the next day for more.
First, I got some Patience, Love was in the same row.
Further down was Understanding, needed everywhere you go.
I got a box or two of Wisdom, a bag or two of Faith,
[just couldn't miss the Holy Ghost, it was all over the place.
I stopped to get some Strength and Courage to help me run this race,
But then my blanket was getting full, and I remembered
I needed Grace.
I didn't forget Salvation, which like the others was free,
so I tried to get enough of that to save both you and me.
Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill,
for I thought I had everything to do my master's will.
As I went up the able, I saw Prayer and had to put it in,
for I knew when I stepped outside, I would run right into sin.
Song and Praises were hanging near, so I just helped myself.
Then I said to the Angel, "How much do I owe?"
The Angel smiled and said,
"Just take them everywhere you go.'
Again, I politely asked,
"How much do I really owe?"
The Angel smiled again and said,
"My Child, Jesus paid your bill
a long time ago."
—Ron DeMarco & Friend
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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 New York. 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.