On the eve of Sunday, February 24, 2019, after I indulged in another snow-shoveling experience, I walked down the street in front of our house with my prized shovel on my shoulder. I’m pretty sure that if Aunt Bee was peering out her picture window in Fountain, Minn., she would have mistaken my silhouette for that of a hobo (looking for shoveling relief).
As I looked to my left and then to my right, I observed narrowing streets lined with white sidewalls.
Little did we know we’d be staring at broken records on Blizzard Eve — February 23, 2019. Broken snowblowers. Broken shovels. Broken ladders. Broken furnaces. Broken vehicles. Broken backs. Broken spirits.
And, how many of us really wanted a broken record in the snowfall category? The State of Minnesota has been breaking records like a snowman on steroids. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport received over 36 inches of snow in February, compared to 7.7 inches for an average February.
This most recent blizzard blasted us with snowfall totals between 10 and 12 inches throughout Fillmore and Houston Counties. And, with 55 mile-per-hour wind gusts, drifting and road closures became the norm.
From Pine Island, Minn., to Decorah, Ia., Highway 52 was closed. From La Crosse, Wis., to Worthington, Minn., I-90 was closed.
Oh, and here’s the bad news. March usually outperforms February with snowfall.
It’s been a winter, and particularly February, full of brokenness. I remember when I could see the grass in January, and I liked it.
I remember when I said I’d rather have snow to shovel than temperatures dropping to 40 degrees below zero. I may have jinxed us.
Everywhere we go, we hear people talking about the weather. We’re starting to sound like broken records. Do you remember that movie Groundhog Day? I’m pretty sure I saw Bill Murray trying to hitch a ride out of town the other day. And, then the next day. And, the day after that. He’s still here with the rest of us. Say hello to Bill if you see him!
But, the reality is that we can’t change the cards we are dealt by Mother Nature. She’s holding the entire deck of cards, and this recent blizzard was equivalent to her asking us if we wanted to play “52 Pickup.” Do you remember the first time you were asked to play that game, and you had never heard of it? I’ll bet you didn’t need a shovel to clean up the mess.
The brighter side
As we hope and pray for sunny days, I think it’s important to always look on the bright side of life, a Monty Python (Eric Idle) reference.
Throughout the past couple weeks, I’ve witnessed some shining moments in people. One in particular is Bertram Boyum of Rushford, Minn.
A few weeks back, I wrote a commentary about how nobody sends hand-written letters and cards anymore. Apparently, Bertram took me up on that challenge.
The famous Bertram Boyum, who at 100, still drives, still tells Ole and Lena jokes, and still auctioneers. He still writes letters, too.
I received a card from Bertram and here’s what he wrote inside.
“Hi Friend Jason,
I look forward to each Monday to get the Journal. I usually can’t wait so I pick it up on a Saturday. I like the easy reading, well written articles and all the other informative news.
This week, the “One Moment, Please” must have been written to me. About 86 years ago I was pretty speedy on my manual Royal typewriter. Electric ones had not been invented then, but have not used it since but I still have it in a drawer somewhere, so I do all my corresponding by handwritten letters. I get feedback now and then how rare it is to get handwritten letters. I received several handwritten notes on my 100th birthday, which I cherish and will keep.
Just thought I would let you know that there is one more hand letter writer.
As ever, Bertram Boyum”
Included with his letter was a picture of him with his 100th birthday cake.
Naturally, I had to respond, and I knew it had to be handwritten. So, I sent Bertram a thank you card. Guess what? Bertram sent me a card that I received in the mail on the same day we were going to press with this issue. So, I had to share some news that I hope makes our readers smile.
The card he sent to me as of press time was called a “Norwegian Greeting Card” and the inside of the card explained the meaning of “UFF DA.” There is much more to the meaning of UFF DA than you’d think.
Bertram is an entertaining, positive, uplifting person, and I always enjoy running into him at Norsland Lefse in Rushford, Minn. While we cannot control the weather, as Bertram demonstrates, we can control how much of a positive influence we can have on others.
Leave a Reply