Here’s to another week of picking up sticks; Cruise Night is Aug. 14

Hello again from the community of Hampton. I hope life has been treating everyone well since our last visit. I know into everyone’s life some rain must fall, and hopefully not all at once. In my own life, it has been more like twigs - or sticks.

As I go around my yard, an old nursery rhyme keeps popping up, and I revised it a little to suit my situation -- “Onetwo, put on my shoe, three-four, go out the door, five-six pick up sticks, seven-eight pick up sticks, nine-ten pick up sticks.” It’s an every day thing. And then another old one-liner showed up the other day -- “I love my wife, but O you kids.” -- has become “I love my trees, but O you sticks.”

Then, in thinking of a solution, I decided I could have my trees all cut down, but I would need to win the lottery to pay for that, and what would I do without trees? Cook in the summer heat and blow away with the winter blizzards. And I wouldn’t have any birds or squirrels to watch. Here again, I think it’s mind over matter, and it does matter, so for me, it’s back out the door, and pick up more sticks.

Very seldom do we have a gentle enough wind that some sticks don’t fall. As if that weren’t enough, that pretty, but nasty, little green ash beetle has been busy again, and dry-lacy leaves lay all around. When they first appeared about two or three years ago, I tried all the insecticides and ways they said to control them, to no avail. They just kept chomping away. I carried many to the dumpster, but not enough. Along with this COVID-19 bug, the beetle is no respector of persons or trees. Every tree is his delight, as well as other green vegetation. I don’t know about the farmer’s corn, but I do know they have enough other bugs to worry about -- I’m sure they don’t need this bug too. Not complaining exactly, just explaining. It seems we need some of these little negative things to help keep life interesting. You think?

Not many community birthdays to report this third week of July, but we send wishes for a good day to all, whether you are listed or unlisted, that includes Brandi (Roehrs) Hansen on the 19th; Katie McNish on the 18th; Wyatt Klute and Karla Senff on the 21st; Tom Weber and Luke Jacobsen on the 22nd.

Celebrating anniversaries will be Larry and Euni Hansen on July 20; John and Regina Farris and Kurt and Nancy Troester on July 22.

In an article written June 20, they tell of a Sarasota, Fla. couple who tool around the neighborhood in a red convertible. He is 107 and his “fiance,” Anita, is 100. In Austin, Texas, John and Charlotte Henderson claim the honor of being the oldest married couple in America. They met at the University there and married in 1939 -- he is 107 and she 105. They are known as “super-agers,” winning the longevity lottery with the right mix of genetics and biochemistry. Researchers say that until the late 80s or 90s, genes get only a fourth of the credit. The rest is down to simple health behaviors. The average healthy life expectancy is 69. Two other “super-agers” are Ruth Kundsin of Massachusetts at 103 and Ida Keeling of New York is 105. She holds a world record in sprinting.

Members of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 141 will get together for their first meeting since the lock-down on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Fire Barn. Lucille will be hostess, new yearbooks will be passed out and dues may be paid. Tickets for the annual quilt raffle are still available for $1 each or six for $5. They may be purchased from any member, or on Friday evening, Aug. 14, during the T.D.L’s annual Cruise Night on Main Street. Plans are a go ahead for this annual event sponsored by the Roger B. family. A date has not been finalized for the quilt give-away -- possibly in November at the Veteran’s Day luncheon.

Harleen Bicknase accompanied her daughter Jackie and Tom Staley of Lincoln to Arvada, Colo. early in July where they visited his mother, Ann Staley. Granddaughter Bre Bicknase also lives and works in Arvada, so she was included in some of the activities.

Yours truly was a recent morning coffee guest of Nitta Regier along with Jane Bierbower and Linda Gustafson.

Former resident, Anita Purdy, now makes her home at the Central City Care Center and would enjoy hearing from friends in the community, or a visit. Her address is 2720 17th Ave., Central City, 68826.

A community graduation ceremony is planned for Saturday, July 18 at 2 p.m. All social distancing guidelines will be followed in the high school gym. It will also be live streamed for those who have the equipment.

Before saying adios for this week, I think it’s about time we check in with Ole and Lena.

Ole and Sven are working on a barn. The wind comes up and blows their ladder over. Ole asks Sven, “how are ve going ta get down?” Sven looks around the roof for awhile, and then says, “Well, ders a manure pile on dat side of da barn, ve could yump in it to soften da landing.” Ole says, “Ok. Sven, you go first - it vas your idea!” So Sven jumps off into the manure. Ole yells down to him, “how deep is it, Sven?” Sven yells back, “It’s only up to my ankles!” So Ole jumped down too, and they both climb out of the pile. Ole turns to Sven and says, “Sven, vat da h---- did you mean it vas only up to yer ankles? It vas up to my ears!” Sven replied, “Ya, but I jumped in head first.” Three cheers for Ole and and Sven. They say the Norwegian government doesn’t draft men until they are 45. Ole explains, “Dey vant to get dem right outta high school.”

That’s it for this week. Have a good one, hang in there, and keep looking up. “When your heart is feeling heavy, And your brain is rather sad, Don’t think about your troubles, But of the fun you’ve had.”

P.S. to Shirley. What a clever way to say thank you. You are welcome.