The world is changing too fast for me

“Windy,” many times is the term used to describe someone who likes to talk. 

 

“Windy” has taken on a new way to describe something. If you have been in and out of your residence the month of January, you will agree “Windy” is an often used word by the local weatherman. In my case I used a few other choice words as the wind caused the car door to help me get into the car before I was ready.

 

(I suspect many of you readers know what I'm thinking about; I’ll bet we used some of the same words in our windy experience.) 

 

It is very interesting the many uses found by Thrivent members for the $250 Thrivent will provide for an event (a $250 debit card). For example: A bus to a Twins ballgame, a lunch at a church annual meeting, a youth + chaperones for a youth activity. One of the most unusual I'm aware of was Hartland, Minnesota ladies using the $250 to buy physical equipment to be used in workouts for ladies at their church on Tuesday and Thursday. 

 

I've been told the men of Hartland, Minnesota are in the process of doing the same thing on Monday and Wednesday.

 

This world is changing too fast for me; it used to be we cancelled things because of the snow. Now we cancel things because of lack of snow!!

 

It has been said if you wait long enough, history will repeat itself. This might be the case for the NRHEG girls to repeat as Minnesota girls basketball champs. (Genie and I went to the game the girls won to become state champions. We’re ready to repeat!!

 

There is now a southern trapping season for Bobcats and fishers in Minnesota. It started Saturday, January 3 and ended Sunday, January 18. In my lifetime I've seen one fisher in southern Minnesota at Big Island State Park and have heard many Bobcats by the parking lot at Beaver Lake by Ellendale. They make a sound like a baby crying - this caused a resident of Beaver Lake to look for the baby while getting up and going outside in her nightie. (She didn't find the baby.) 

 

On Friday, January 16, 2026 I felt very honored to be presented “A quilt of valor” at the American Legion Albert Lea, Minnesota. (I was the 162nd person to receive this honor.)

Along with the quilt of valor, a label was sewn into the quilt, reading: Awarded to Robert Hanson on January 16, 2026, pieced by Rea Peterson, quilted by Elaine Hart, binding by Lynda Harig, presented by Post 56 Auxiliary.

 

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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.