Super Pete, friends and chicken chili

The following was never intended to be published on the blog. It was written as a private note between two good friends. But the trailboss got a copy of it and, with permission, reprints it for us here. The letter is actually a sweet essay about the importance of enduring friendships and the value they add to the places we love. Besides, it was deemed more interesting than hearing the cub whine about his mailbox. Please enjoy the change of seasons and your friends. -- TB

Will took the boat to the marina Sunday with Steve and Nicky helping - BRRRRRRRRR - He said it was SOOOOO cold, not higher than 38 degrees. He always wants to be about the last one off of the lake. Tries to get in all he can. Oh, by the way, he has his motorcycle today, silly guy -- the long goodbye. :-)
Had a great time in Alex. So fun to actually know people there. Had a great visit with Tom and Ruth at a cute coffee place. Walked with them to the senior center where they were going to eat pancakes! I know their motive was not the fundraiser but the fact that they just wanted to FEEL and LOOK young!

Yogurt covered pretzels
I walked around Broadway a bit, and then off to lunch with Diane Hoffman and Bonita Olson at Doolittles. Three hours -- not long enough! As always, no gossip. JUST discussed world peace and the upcoming elections :-)! Left there, stopped at Super Pete’s (different name now) and ran into Bonita again. I was looking for yogurt covered pretzels for a salad and Pete’s didn’t have any but they thought maybe a store in Peterson’s Drug (they didn’t say that) might have some special foods like that. :-)
I drove there, circled, looking for the parking lot and saw Tom’s Republican SUV at the new wine place. Very cute, -- the place, not the car! So stopped in there to say Hi.

Chicken chili
Then off to Rob’s for the annual fall-terry’s-hunting slumber party. We fixed snacks and Lynn showed up about 7:30 p.m. with chicken chili....we ate and ate. Something we all do well!
Rob and I got up about 6 on Sat. I threw together carmel rolls the night before and they raised beautifully.Rob made a great egg and sausage dish, with lots of cheese! We tossed all in the oven and woke Lynn about 8 for breakfast . After lots of eating and conversation, we went off to shop.
Wouldn’t Priscilla just laugh to hear I now shop in Alex? Friday after leaving Ruth and Tom, I stopped at Charlie's Bazaar and bought some rugs. Well, Saturday morning that was our first stop! When paying for more purchases, the gal was chatting with me, and, long story short, Denny Sherry sold all her family their insurance. She knew him well. :-)

Purse and slippers
There are great stores in Alex now. We also toured the new maritime museum that Rob works for (fantastic) and saw her office! She (and others) has been working with this for years and now it is wonderful to see how their hard work has paid off. Poked around main street for a couple of hours, then off to D Michael Bs for lunch. Then Herbergers, bought a new purse and slippers. There is a Herbergers on 494 but its not the same as shopping in Alex!!!! HA.

Tried retirement
Do you remember me telling you that G'ma Jen worked for Herbergers in St. Cloud for 47 years??!! When we were cruisin' thru Herbergers, I heard, “Kathy Sherry!” It was Lynne Spellman! :-)
She works there in, hmmmm, maybe the makeup department or similar. She tried retirement for 18 months and said, "how often can you vacuum?" She is happy to be busy again!
So, long story short. It was fun to see so many. For years, going to Alex every other Saturday, I didn't see ANYONE. What a difference. Even makes the town look more inviting to me. Hee Hee.

Gotta go to work
later, k