Highlights of past couple weeks have been informal contacts with lengthy list of respected old friends with so many common values, checking in from far and wide. Phone calls, e-mails and sit-down visits have been tools of choice for communications received and sent. Reflecting on these connections, old adventurer’s heart warms from these catch-up discussions with wide-ranging friendship experiences. That wide-ranging merits notice.
It’s last week of February, bringing annual televised state high school athletic tournaments beginning with girls’ hockey. Boys’ hockey and basketball will soon claim TV time at state level as sectional eliminations are now setting that stage. Old former athlete here began following this year’s TV “Tourney Times” by watching Warroad’s girls hockey team move into championship game once again. Old adrenaline still surged witnessing this level of competition with historical records.
NEARLY NORTH OF TWO We’re past the middle of February and times seem to have gotten a little dull around here. Not much for big news it seems, but closer look at last couple weeks reveals much more… Recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have killed a reported nearly 45,000 humans.
Feb. 10 edition of Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that a proposed $440 million oriented strand board (OSB) plant in nextdoor Cohasset was canceled following a recent Minnesota Court of Appeals ruling--a major loss for our greater Northland community North and nearly North of Highway #2, as also reported in Feb. 12 Grand Rapids Herald- Review. Reportedly, this court ruled adversely on two points: 1.) an Environmental Impact Statement should have been required, 2.) wetland impacts were not adequately taken into account. Also reported, both the Minnesota Legislature and the city of Cohasset earlier decided that an Environmental Impact Statement was not necessary, and that the Leech Lake Ojibwe community had not been meaningfully consulted at project start. It’s somewhat of a mystery as to why state legislature and a city should be decision- makers for an Environmental Impact Statement requirement when environmental permits must be managed and enforced by MPCA, DNR, and Corps of Engineers consistent with federal law.
This week brings a Super Bowl football game once again for the 57th time. Old adventurer here and longterm bride, sweetheart and best friend reflect on some history connected to this sport’s highlight that is likely to be around forever.
A couple of charitable contributions and a meat market care package pickup produced a quick round trip to South Metro hometowns in that Minnesota River Valley some 200 miles South of Highway #2 last week. A noteworthy adventure resulted despite only one, fast destination hour.
Death Bell was heard here again recently as another member of “Our Hourglass” slipped from the upper, living chamber of “Friends Funds” (7-1819 Journal entry) down to “Lives List” (1-11-19 Journal entry) lower chamber. Mike reached the end of his trail this recent January 11, 2023.
Dick Majestic Pines is the name of our fine, comprehensive senior living camp nearly North of Highway #2, at once-grand rapids in our dandy Mississippi. Reminders of pre-camp construction days suggest pines here that may very well have been so very majestic.
Dick Approaching fourscore rides on Planet Earth in its dance around Boss Star, old adventurer with longterm bride, sweetheart and best friend here try to understand old-age management questions concerning long-term care insurance. An early such insurance product was available for this employee and spouse some 25 years ago when retirement arrived; it was portable, taken into future old age years.
NEARLY NORTH OF TWO Dec. 27, 2022, edition of our Star Tribune reported Dakota riders had arrived in Mankato from Lower Brule, South Dakota.