Labor Day Afternoon, 9/7/09

The last day of summer, Labor Day 2009. Three of four brothers and family meet over at Turtle Lake Heights for brunch and conversation. Another beautiful summer day. John, Cindy and Jenna will head back to St. Cloud in mid-afternoon. This is the same bunch that started out the summer way last Memorial Day, and this is where we started at TLake. And YNot? But case you were getting your hopes up, summer is not over 'til sometime after dark tonight, and so I have one more post of the summer.

When I started, I said I didn't know if I'd go beyond the summer's happenings. I probably will. I will at least catch up to today. However, the thought doth cross my mind that if I keep crap-shooting into the future, will it be possible for bygones to catch up to the now? And if it did, could it go further? My time is warped much like my mind.

Because of the power bestowed upon me by this blog, I exist in the future. Therefore, I can see the past and know that Autumn slows if not time. And I slow as well, spending more time in my Lazy Boy. On the dock of upcoming attractions is a birthday or two and All Hallows Eve. By that time too, it may be past Thanksgiving, in fact I'm sure of it. And we all know how time flies 'twixt turkey and Times Square.

Permit me to think out loud or is that literally impossible? Perhaps I will digress from time to time, and write of other things, of shoes and ships and ceiling wax, of cabbages and kings. As I move forward perhaps I will maybe take my camera more places to record the past for the future. Maybe I'll add work that I do - to the play. Maybe I'll do a picture story of a time way past, events stored in the wayback machine. Don't think I'll be on any bully pulpit, never did like bullies nor will I tolerate such things. And pulpit? Oh come now. I might make a sarcastic comment or two, that might be fun. Maybe I'll figure a way to add a layer, such as adding the sound of music to the songs we have sung for a thousand years.

Back to TLake and brunch with the brothers, two of my best friends. (Someone tell me. Can one have two best friends or more, or more than one?) Here's a few close-ups of family.
Lizette. Grew up near Monterey, CA She retired about a year ago, and under age 60. She met Gregory in Alaska. She is an aquatic biologist. Not sure what that is or what brought her there. I went to their wedding 28 years ago (as did John and my folks), just after meeting Barbara. They were married at Carmel Mission. A simple but elegant wedding. I played guitar and sang Let it Be Me, by the Everly Bros. They adopted a little girl from Peru, and a boy from Romania. They are big now. She loves antiquing, but doesn't Red Meat.
Brother John. The youngest of four boys. I remember him coming home from the hospital, and his attitude hasn't changed. Walter Mondale was the keynote speaker at his graduation from the U of M law school. He spent sometime in Northome while practicing for the courts at BSU. He got married and has three daughters. We lived together for awhile, we were both quite active in politics for a time, and we have both been Presidential Electors. What's the chances of that? We both have nothing to do with such things any more.
Cynthia. A good friend of Barbara's long before John and I met them. She's originally, from Minneapolis and has a half dozen brothers and sisters. She and John met in Bemidji, later moving to Minneapolis again. They moved to St. Cloud with outdoor wedding. She looks like that a lot.
Alexandru. He spells his name that way, as he was born in Romania. No matter how hard I try, I cannot convince him he is Irish now. He's but 19. He had been away from Alaska for a bit at the time his parents moved to Bemidji. He went back home not knowing he couldn't. He then came to Bemidji to grow. Never having a son, he graciously agreed to move in with us for about 6.5 months. Although we had disagreements, he taught us much and value the time he spent with us. Doesn't he look thoughtful? But what does he think? No one knows for sure including the thinker...I think.
Gregory. Number 3 among the Meuers Boys. He and I both graduated from Catholic High Schools, he DeLaSalle and I Benilde. The other two, both with February 9 birthdays did not. Gregory is a child psychologist, well a mean he's an adult who works with children. He also worked with a really "special" guy he called Ed, before retiring along with Lizette about a year ago, he also under age 60. Doesn't he look smug?
Michael, not Mike. I know nothing else about him, he's a bit mysterious, and if I did...I wouldn't tell. I wouldn't dare.
Barbara. She grew up in Fergus Falls, MN She got a big brother who lives in Indiana, and a little sister who lives here. She's lived a few places including Colorado Springs and St. Paul. She moved north to give birth to a beautiful baby girl, who I was fortunate to later Father. She is a social worker currently working with the homeless. She also is a Bemidji City Councilor, only the 4th woman to serve in 115 years, a down right dirty shame and a particular embarrassment for the City of Bemidji in my view.
Younger brother perks up his ears, when the elder speaks. He is an excellent listener, and has helped me through many a tight spot, especially after my successful at-tempting recovery from Demon Rum. A thoughtful and sensitive man, I listen closely when he speaks although he may not know it.
John became a grandfather not all that long ago, here he goes off to a more secluded part of the deck to speak with his granddaughter. I do believe he likes that roll, especially cinnamon, which are a staple at his household, often times made from scratch. He also goes into lofty ecstasy when the scratch is on his back.Let's try it one more time. You got me rockin' and ah rollin', boppin' with the rhythm Barbara Ann.
With these hands, I hope a picture to paint,

I see it right here in my mind,

I dream it be one of a kind,

And when I am through, you will see it too.

With these hands, I will plant a tree,

I'll watch it grow and I'll protect it,

Give it love and I'll respect it,

And one day you'll see, it will yield fruit for thee.

With these hands I hope to offer much,

With these hands, I may create,

And with these hands, I will offer love,

Perhaps beautiful things, with these hands!

With these hands, I may write a song,

A song of peace for all to hear,

A song that may catch someone's ear,

And when they hear the song,

They may sing along.

With these hands, I'll reach out to the world,

I will join with other hands,

Everywhere in all the lands,

Working for the love the world's been dreaming of!