A Duck Day
Showers have been hitting off and on all day. What do two old timers do on a duck day? Dennis backed out both vehicles onto the drive and let the soft water loosen some of the road grim. In between showers we got busy and took off the season’s bug juice.
Is this what would have been the ultimate 85th birthday bash? In Dennis’ eyes it was the perfect thing to do for his celebration. Dennis got his wish . . . being home with me on Stauffer Avenue. There is also an oven dish to enjoy for supper followed by a piece of cake.
We did beg off on a celebration taking place at the WOW ZONE in Mankato starting at five this afternoon. It is an event center behind the hill top Hy-Vee store. Great granddaughter Luella turns four today and shares the October 2nd date with Dennis. We sucked it up last year and went to the same location for her third birthday. Noise from one ear drum to the other. Parents buy tickets for kids to play machines noisier than slot machines. The party room is paid for by all guests ordering off the pizza and burger menus. I told Dennis I would go if he wanted to spend the late afternoon with his family. He put his foot down and I got the big “No.” I was relieved. Dennis made sure there was a gift to be sent along with his daughter. Sweet.
Instead, we played in the rain together and enjoyed the time and took pride in the clean vehicles as well. The best part is that we will be in our home by the time it’s our bedtime and it’s dark out . . . just like farmyard roasters and hens on the roosts getting some good shut-eye and feeling rested the next morning. Neither Dennis nor I care to drive in the dark as our night vision isn’t what it used to be. That would have been a given had we motored to Mankato for an event that didn’t begin at five or later. Our mamas didn’t raise fools.
Surprisingly, it feels good to make decisions for our comfort. We have earned that. Our “Welcome” mat is always out. Come one, come all. We do go when it suits us and when the gatherings are such that we feel we can contribute to and in audible conversations.
Tomorrow is a Sunday with much the same prediction in the weather forecast. Small rain showers eventually allow our dry conditions to lessen. The farmers are due a break from the fast-paced harvest season they have been participating in within the last weeks.
Happy duck day!