January 31, 2012

January is over and what a nice month it was. And, with February starting, that means Fitness Fever is coming to Crookston. On each Sunday afternoon during the month, many activities are planned for all ages indoors and outdoors and all free. Many sporting events are coming close to tournament time so there is plenty to do. 

I watched the Minnesota Gopher wrestling team and Iowa wrestle on Sunday on the Big Ten Network. I’m not sure which was the most fun to watch, the wrestlers or their coaches. They really get into it and then there was a story about Dan Gable, a 21 year coach at Iowa with a long history of winning. So there is always something interesting on the Big Ten Network. Another good show this weekend was on Sunday evening with a special education class that went to Space Camp thanks to a great coach and community support. 

The Minnesota legislature got started and already they are crabbing at each other and then they held a meeting at University of Minnesota to discuss the challenges facing the state and the meeting was closed to the public which caused some consternation . The open meeting law is always being reviewed by all government agencies. As one who attends these meetings, it is rare when they get closed as that is when they discuss personnel or negotiations. I just leave the room until the discussion is over and the door is once again open. No doubt there is a special law for the state legislature, but it still makes you wonder why the discussion has to be closed. What is being hidden at such a meeting where no action is being taken? No doubt those who come to listen will do that and not disrupt the meeting. Reporters can ask the questions when the meeting is over and generally get some idea of what went on. Eventually most of the discussion gets out in the open anyway, so leave the doors open.

Places I’ve been and haven’t been…….. 
I have been in many places, but I’ve never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can’t go along. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. 
I’ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognized you there. 
I have however been in Sane. They don’t have an airport: you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work. 
I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I’m not too much on physical activity anymore. 
I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go and I try not to visit there too often. 
I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm. 
Sometimes I’m in Capable and I go there more often as I’m getting older. 
One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get! 
I may have been in Continent, but I don’t remember what country I was in. It’s an age thing.

Super Bowl Sunday coming up and no doubt people are preparing with food and liquid refreshments for the game. It’s hard to get excited when the two teams playing are about 200 miles apart but I’m sure Indiana is getting excited about all the money they will make. 

Twins Fest was over the weekend and I was nice to hear catcher Joe Mauer sound like he was in good health, so maybe we will have a good year. No doubt a lot of the snowbirds in Florida will be taking in some spring training games next month. The Arizona snowbirds will also find a game or two to catch.

You know….time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young , just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all…..And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes And dreams…..But, here it is…..the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise…. How did I get here so fast? Where did the year go and where did my youth go? I remember well…seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like….but here it is…my friends are retired and getting grey….they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape then me….but, I see the great change….not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant…but like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore….it’s mandatory! Cause if I don’t on my own free will, I just fall asleep where I sit. And so…now I enter into this season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did! But, at least I know, That though the winter has come, and I’m not sure how long it will last…this I know, that when it’s over……it’s over. Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done….things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime….So, if you’re nor in your winter yet….let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long! Life goes by quickly…so, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter of not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life…so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember…..and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past! Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. Live it well! Enjoy today! Do something fun! Be happy! Be thankful! Have a great day! It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold or silver.

Precinct caucuses will be held in Minnesota on February 7 at 7 p.m. Find out where your caucus will be and attend to express your ideas and vote in the straw poll. A Republican caucus will be held in Crookston at the Law Enforcement Center at 600 Bruce Street for the cities of Climax, Crookston, Nielsville and the townships of Andover, Belgium, Crookston, Euclid, Fairfax, Fanny, Gentlly, Hammond, Hubbard, Kertsonville, Lowell, Parnell, Russia and Vineland. The Democratic Caucus in Crookston will be held at Highland School for Crookston and the townships of Andover, Angus, Belgium, Brandt, Brislet, Euclid, Fairfax, Fanny, Gentilly, Hammond, Helgeland, Kertsonville, Lowell, Parnell and Russia. I always thought that Polk County had some very interesting township names and finding out where they came from is also interesting. 

Well have a good week, enjoy February, get ready for Valentine’s Day, stay safe and work for peace.