Feeling slow to change to the new year

It’s that time of the year when one isn’t quite ready to advance to the current year of 2026. (If you are still in “2025”- don’t feel behind as you know lots of people slow to change.)

 

With the major changes in the daily temperature from the day before it most certainly qualifies as the weather axiom of: Weather will be weather whether you like it or not. (For example: A change of 25 below zero to 25 above zero in 24 hours!! This happened on December 07, 2025.)

 

Genie and I attended the annual service club’s Christmas luncheon at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Nice service clubs took their turn at telling what their club was involved in the year of 2025. The events of Doing Good in the Albert Lea area were far beyond being a good neighbor. There were Doing good things “For” your neighbor!! Each service club had their own bragging rights. (As a long time Lion, I have the honor of a few bragging rights!!!)

 

In case you’re wondering, the noon meal was prepared by executive chef for LaFrance served by Bonnie Schneider, Bonnie Trampel and other VIP First Lutheran Church ladies. As per other years, entertainment was by the Albert Lea High School Choral members.

 

We had an unusual Christmas event at our house this Christmas season. For lack of better English, we called it a “Christmas Tree Bashing.” Yes, the Christmas tree fell over on its own on December 5, 2025. Did you know Iowa lease the nation in hog production? Isn’t it strange that most area family Christmas meals feature poultry?

 

Speaking of poultry, do you know where the 2024 presidential pardoned turkeys are spending their retirement days? Peach and Blossom are roosting at Farmamerica by Waseca, Minnesota.

 

One of the unusual events this December 2025 is the temperature has been getting warmer after the sun goes down!! Most of you male readers are aware of the term “wanderlust.” One particular young male in Wyoming got the wanderlust urge and went wandering. The most recent place he has been seen after leaving North Dakota is Duluth, Minnesota. This young male is really confused as most mountain lions don’t wander east. There just aren’t any female mountain lions east of Minnesota. (He is being tracked by the radio transmitter attached to him as a young lion in Wyoming.”

 

Genie and I attended the Sunday school Christmas program held at Central freeborn Lutheran Church on Sunday, December 21, 2025. It was very, very good. In fact, is not the best it was a close second. I didn’t realize how good the teachers were. Many, many thanks to all involved for an excellent job in presenting the news of a baby named Jesus.  

 

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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in New York. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.