'Minnesota nice': snow plow caravan

For a change this column will start out with “Odd’s and End’s” followed by weather related items.

 

Do you know where in Albert Lea you can purchase BaBa Ghanoush?? Try the new grocery store called Aldies.

 

If you plan on honoring a special Valentine person with Valentine candy, I suggest “Lindor chocolate truffles candy.”

 

Genie and I were reminiscing about changes in Albert Lea over the last five years: for example the tearing down of the Broadway Theater; the moving of the July fourth fireworks; the various locations of the Albert Lea Chamber of Commerce, etc. 

 

This has been a tough winter. The most unusual thing is we don't have much snow on the ground.

 

In describing the local cold temperature, one weatherman said: It was so cold the bird's poop was frozen before it hit the ground!!

 

During one of the snowstorm blizzards, a bunch of cars got behind a snowplow on I35 North bound. The caravan followed the snowplow to Casey's in Ellendale. The snowplow driver waited for those who wanted to use the bathroom, get food or beverages etc.

 

The snowplow driver called another snowplow driver headed north. The caravan followed north bound. To me, this was a classic illustration of “Minnesota nice.” 

 

Genie and I had this happen to us in going from Denver, Colorado southbound and ending staying in Raton, New Mexico overnight. (We followed the caravan for about 50 miles.) We stayed in one of the last rooms in Raton. (The National Rifle Association opened their headquarters outside of Raton for stranded motorists.) 

 

An interesting thing was the snowplow driver pulled into a rest stop, so those in the caravan could use the facility. (There was a lot of yellow snow as the caravan of about 70 vehicles left!!

 

Do you know where the capital of catfishing is? Floodwood, Minnesota is the answer per highway signs coming into town.

 

Apparently sasquatch lives in the area because there are lots of life-like signs letting you know to watch out for them. (I compared the signs to the horse and buggy Amish signs to remind you of traffic on the road.)

 

The following was the schedule of two octogenarians on Sun., February 1, 2026. To 9:30 a.m. church coffee hour hosting and cleaning up afterwards, leaving church about 11 a.m. Valentine cards were put on a table for attendees to sign and later mailed just before Valentine's Day. 

 

Home to read the Sunday paper followed by a great nap. 

 

About 3:15 p.m. to the Bremseth benefit at the Moose Club in Albert Lea. 

 

A sightseeing trip to Big Island State Park in Albert Lea. We saw deer, turkeys and one eagle. 

 

Lights out at 11 p.m. 

 

And now you know the secret of helping your body to live to be an octogenarian.

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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.