Special WED Edition of Free-for-All Friday

Memorial Weekend Odyssey + Whimsical Weather + Good Character

Apologies to my plethora of blog followers . . . We left for the Twin Cities last THU 5/24. I inadvertently left my laptop on the dining room table, so I was unable to entertain & inform you with daily posts throughout the long weekend. Fortunately for you, I kept extensive notes of our . . . 

Memorial Weekend Odyssey

. . . and here they are.

THU 5/24:  We barely dodged a major t-storm as we arrived at Nathan & Laura's just after 9:00p. When we left Norfolk the temp was in the 90s. When we got to Eagan, the temp had dropped into the 60s. [There is no place like MN.]

FRI 5/25:  Record-breaking heat. We took care of our 2-yr-old grandson Calvin while Nathan & Laura were at work. He kept us thoroughly entertained w/his antics & comments. Example:  ME:  Calvin, would you like to play in your sandbox? CALVIN:  Of course.

SAT 5/26:  More record-breaking heat. Calvin kept us thoroughly entertained w/his antics & comments. We took care of him while Nathan & Laura ran a 5K. I got some walking in at that park. I made a solo trip to the Mall of America in order to get the rest of my walking in. I enjoyed a free cookie.

SUN 5/27:  More record-breaking heat. Calvin kept us thoroughly entertained w/his antics & comments. We all traveled to the M.O.A. I got my walking in.

MON 5/28:  Calvin kept us thoroughly entertained w/his antics & comments. We traveled from Eagan to Lakefield, MN, where we visited my Uncle Royce & cousins Dan & Elizabeth. Then we spent the night in Okoboji, IA.

TUE 5/29:  We did some sight-seeing around Lake Okoboji, including visits to Arnold's Park, the Gardner cabin, the site of my grandpa's Dairy Sweet (no longer there), my grandparents' former house in Wahpeton, just up the street from Miller's Bay, & the Walther League (Camp Okoboji) camp. Then we traveled to Mapleton, IA, for a tour of Mission Central.

WHIMSICAL WEATHER

We left Mission Central at 3:00p & headed home. When we left Mapleton, IA, the temp was around 86 degrees. We drove into a thunderstorm, & between Mapleton & west of Decatur, NE, where we crossed the Missouri River, the temp dropped to 62 degrees. That was a temp change of 26 degrees in a little over 30 miles & one hour. There is no place like Nebraska! 

Thought for Today:  Fame vs. Character

Norfolk Daily News (5/21), column by Lori Borgman.  "We are all wooed by the allure of fame these days. The varied possibilities of fame are the opioids of social media--follow me, friend me, like me, share my post, retweet my tweet. We are nearly desperate for fame . . . Character is rarely circumstantial & not subject to the whims of others. Character is built w/self-discipline, a willingness to learn from difficulties & humility. Character grows internally & needs no applause.
          "Fame depends on people looking. Character is who you are when no one is looking. Fame is often laced w/an inherent jealousy, a constant, low-grade anxiety that the clock is ticking, fear that someone better to please the crowd is closing in from behind.
          "Character is marked by contentment & generosity. There is satisfaction that comes w/the reward of accomplishment, but at the same time, good character willingly holds the door for others also hoping to achieve . . . 
          "The best way to build a better world is to build character, the kind that runs deep & can carry you through life's storms. Build character w/prudence, courage, justice, & fortitude. Build character by respecting yourself & respecting others, because we have all been made in the image of God. Build character w/faith, hope & love."