Dennis and I had a great road trip on this fall day. Yes, the sun was out, yes, the temperatures were agreeable, no, visibility was not good. No matter what direction we looked; harvest combines, stock choppers, corn stock bailers, gravel roads, all making rolls of dust. Dennis ran the little red pickup through the car wash before we left St. James and now as we pulled into our drive, there was no difference from earlier in the day.
Our first stop was in Fairfax. No way, can we drive through Fairfax, or be within miles of Fairfax, can we not stop for friendly, loving hugs.
Ever onward north, to Bird Island for the sewing machine repair shop. We were greeted as return customers. Karen and her husband also sell Bernina sewing machines. They were ready for a new machine sale right on the spot. I did take a brochure. It is a full color brochure, no less. I do know that Bernina has been a one family owned business from their inception and they are workhorse machines in the sewing and quilting line. I will try not to ware the ink off of the printed pages as I thumb through it, over and over and over. It may be a possibility, but not right now.
The best visit ever was with my brother Michael and his wife JoAnn, who live on the family home farm, north of Stewart. Lots of laughs and reminiscing. How could coffee not be enjoyed when served with fresh apple crisp?
We did make a quick top in Sleepy Eye for a potty break and to give me a chance to wash out my eyes. The dust in the air really did a number on my eyes. While we were at it, a bit of business was given to the Dairy Queen.
We will make a return visit to Bird Island to retrieve my Kenmore sewing machine in time to come. It was brand new in 1968 and it has not missed a beat through all these decades. That machine will not go by the wayside easily or for a few infractions of utility. We are in it together until the last sewing machine needle is broken due to misaligned gears.