Some of the more important dates in June are:
1. Wednesday, June 14th (Flag Day). I hope you said thanks as you gave a thumbs up to “Old Glory.” I did as I clicked my shoes and saluted.
2. Daughter Deb’s birthday on the 17th of June. Deb says she is no longer a Minnesotan, but now a North Carolinian. (35 years a resident of North Carolina) Genie and I enjoy going there except June, July, and August – just too hot. Our favorite place in North Carolina is the Outer Banks.
3. Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18th. Whether living or deceased, say “Thanks” to that special Dad of yours.
4. Wednesday, June 21st is the first official day of summer. In many states, especially Minnesota, it is the start of “No Long John’s Day” until the fall equinox Saturday, September 23rd.
While fishing on Leech Lake we had a lot of time to reminisce about previous fishing trips. For example:
A. The tine it was so cold you had to put the end of the fishing rod to thaw out the line in your mouth.
B. Mama wood duck hanging out of the wood duck house as it was 93°.
C. The cottonwood trees were shedding so bad it would prevent you from winding in your line.
D. After a great steak supper the Friday of arriving and then playing cribbage the next five days because it was too windy to go out in a boat.
E. Many times getting wet and cold and returning to the cabin with no fish.
F. Regardless of the fishing conditions or few caught, the week was one of the highlights of the year.
When I got home after the week fishing at Leech Lake, I mentioned our reminiscing the previous times while the guys were fishing.
Genie mentioned September 28, 2023 was our 60th wedding anniversary and we could reminisce. I agreed. (Maybe you the Reader should do your own reminiscing).
A. How we first met at the liquor store in Twin Lakes, Minnesota while planning a wedding for people we knew. (Genie was a student at Naeve School of Nursing in Albert Lea and I was a student at Mankato College).
B. After our wedding, touring the sites of Minnesota for a week, then returning to a rental house in Rochester.
C. Genie working as an RN at the Mayo Clinic and me at the Kahler Hotel.
D. The birth of our daughter Deb at St. Mary’s on Father’s day weekend and the birth of our son Dan at Olmsted County Hospital in Rochester.
E. Our buying a house in the country by the Girl Scout Camp in Rochester.
F. Watching Deb and Dan as they boarded the school bus.
G. Our excitement of moving to a house in the country outside of Albert Lea in 1974 with new jobs.
H. Purchasing a cabin on Beaver Lake in 1976.
I. Deb in 1982 and Dan in 1984 graduating from Albert Lea High School and both on to college.
J. Selling our big house in Albert Lea and buying a small house in Albert Lea. Selling our lake home in 2012.
K. Genie retiring at age 53, I retired at age 61. Both active in various volunteer activities.
L. We’re not octogenarians and enjoying Minnesota life as best we can. Deb is living in North Carolina and Dan in New York.
P.S.: This may not be the best column I have written bur the reminiscing about Genie and me was most enjoyable.
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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.