Long Weekend: July 5 and 6, 2009

You get at least a four day weekend when the 4th comes on a Saturday, we started on Thursday night and went through Monday. On Sunday, Brother Gregory joined me for an annual thing I do, which is drive my Mustang Convertible in the 4th of July parade which always happens on Sunday no matter when the 4th is. It's an off-election year, so not quite the participation there will be next year. Former DFL chair Roy Nelson of Ponemah rode in the back seat while Gregory and I played 60's protest tunes on the radio. We escorted SD 4 Senator Mary Olson, newly elected DFL Rep John Persell, and Lois Quam very wealthy spouse of Gubernatorial candidate Matt Entenza. A great day again, saw several friends along the route, even saw some who thought we were so cool that they moved from Beltrami Ave. to Minnesota Ave. to watch us go by again.

Later, we decided to go boating again, and even jumped in the water. The entourage was what has become the usual crowd, the five Meuers', a Houle or Toule and we added Barbara's great friend Tonya Prim. Yeah, her name is Prim, but it doesn't fit, she's hardly proper or prissy or straitlaced. Oh my, no where near. The exact opposite. She's loads of fun, and the best thing...she makes Barbara laugh. They are fast friends. There's more, but I'll wait for a photo.

Barbie looking pretty pleased with herself, as she is beating Gregory and Lizette at croquet. A great game that we've all been playing since we were kids.
Gregory and Lizette mildly amused as Barbara puts her ball through the hoops. Should have gotten some action shots, especially of the Red Queen and Alice who arrived through the looking glass. And the White Queen said to Alice "It's a poor sort of memory that only works backwards".

Ashley Houle, no more than toule plus a dozen. (Getting sick of that play on words yet?) She looks thirsty so she jumps in the water, hope the Grinch isn't about. Must not be by the huge smile on her face. She's got braces, but not the least bit self-conscious about it, she knows who she is. What a warm and wonderful young lady she is. She "got" me right away and she laughs at my jokes no matter how stupid, so Ashley is alright by me.

Here she is, Barbara's great friend Tonya. She's a hoot. Barb and Tonya wound up working together at CAP, and realized they go way back. Tonya is the daughter or Sandy Henson, who lived across the parking lot from Barbara Ann a quarter century ago. She's about five years older than Erin, (so more than twenty years younger than Barb) but she'd be around from time to time at birthday parties etc. Anyway, they hit it off right off the bat. When you connect, age means nothing. You should see them together, good times, lots of laughs, clever banter. Yup, they're two peas in a pod.
So, Tonya's kin was babysitting daughter Maya at a place on Lake Irvine, which one can boat to from Lake Bemidji. So, we all decided to go pick up Maya to share the trip with us, much to Maya's delight. She loves being on the water, but doesn't swim too good yet, so here Mama fits Maya with a life vest just her size.
Coming back from Lake Irvine to Lake Bemidji after picking up Maya. Such a pretty bridge going over the main drag near Paul and Babe, don't ya think? And pretty girls of all ages too of course.
Ashley at that age that we all remember our daughters, half woman and half little girl. Here Ashley warms up after the water that never really warmed this year with her Mom. Funny are the ways of the god's, they create these wonderful creatures called little girls, and then they turn them into wives. How dare I write this, I'm willing to bet no wives read this blog. Not sure anyone does. So maybe all this is just a diary?
Tonya in a cocoon, while Maya busy herself removing candy from a cup. Do those two strawberries balancing precariously on the right side of the box bother anyone else. Gravity, balance. Fascinating stuff for sure.
Maya is a busy girl. She decides to try her hand at boat driving much to the amusement of one of her greater fans.
Sugar and spice, and everything nice. Until she gets more room to move. Then she's everywhere, she has two parents to keep an eye on her, and it's two full time jobs. And we love her. Character plus.
Yup, we went to the Dairy Queen. Pull up to the shore, walk up a short hill, cross a busy street and instant ice cream. I just love my Chocolate malts. Is that that box of two strawberries on the right?