Weinzierl

Jewelers

Victoria’s Corner Bar.  Nightly Specials and Menus.  952-443-9944

8 First Street in Waconia.  952-442-2885

942-443-2078

Funeral Home & Cremation Services

952-474-9595

Pediatric Rehabilitation Clinic.

Occupational Therapy.  Speech Therapy.

952-443-9888

Huber

City of Lakes & Parks  952-443-2363

“Trees Are Our Roots”

8099 Bavaria Rd * Victoria * 952-443-2990

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         I was sitting in a theater watching "The Hobbit:  The Battle of the Five Armies," thoroughly involved in the movie and remembering my own day in the Shire.  It dawned on me that at the time I didn't know I was living in the Shire.

         Only when we look back do we see a peace and tranquility that is not so grasped  when we're in the throes of life.  For example, today I can see myself in the Shire of My Childhood, climbing trees and walking down to the bridge.  I can see myself in the Shire of My Babies, holding and feeding my little ones.  I can see myself in the Shire of My Young Neighborhood, playing cards and going for a pontoon ride on Schutz Lake.

         Today, in 2015, I see armies waiting in ambush, attacking, or trying to attack.

***

         I was sitting in a theater watching "American Sniper," asking myself questions about War and Peace.  It took the great Tolstoy hundreds of pages of tiny print to broach the subject.  It took the likes of Henry Fonda and Audrey Hepburn to portray the novel on the big screen; I've got the movie downstairs.  The topic doesn't seem to wear itself out.

         It is true that the end doesn't justify the means, but I suspect when it comes to justifiable war and self defense of family and country, the rules change.  I've also heard it said, "As you live, so shall you die."  It is a tragedy that Chris Kyle, an American sniper, was shot and killed.  My friend Germaine fell asleep and died peacefully in her chair in front of the television.

***

         I was sitting in a comfortable chair at the new Victoria City Hall, amazed how well I could hear the Council's conversation and proceedings at hand, without straining.  Back at the Old Hall, the acoustics were terrible, and when the heat or air conditioning kicked in, hearing got worse, especially for those of us sitting in the large hollow audience space of the former gymnasium. 

         I'm always glad I'm in the audience on those Monday evenings of city council meetings, rather than bearing the brunt and responsibilities of Council and Staff.  We each have our own burdens, of course, but all I've got to do at city council meetings is try to repeat accurately what I've seen and heard.

***

         I was sitting in my home office, wondering how many other people are choosing not to go to the Mall of America at this dangerous time.  It's been said that we're not supposed to let the terrorists dictate our lives because then they've already won.  Well, only a fool wouldn't think twice about terror threats today.  Christians are being kidnapped, corralled, raped, tortured, beheaded, burned alive, and crucified.  Did you ever think we'd live in such times?

         I love the Mall of America -- the shops, the restaurants, the sights, the sounds, the activity, the life -- and I'll probably take my chances and visit there again soon.  But we  can't escape the fact that we live in scary times.  Evil people used to do their dirty deeds in the dark.  Now they come into the daylight and broadcast their evil deeds worldwide for all to see. 

***

         I was sitting in bed reading the final chapters of Lord of the World by Robert Hugh Benson.  I didn't like it.  It's depressing and discouraging.  I don't want to read it again.  And I don't want to talk about it.  I see the reality of it today, though it was written in 1907.  Why did I order the book?  Because Pope Francis has been advising people to read it. 

***

         I was sitting at the piano in church one evening blinded by the bright setting sun and there wasn't much I could do about it.  There's a certain angle the sun acquires this time of year that hits the piano around 5 o'clock on Saturday evenings.  I squint at the brightness of the white music sheets  and the black notes that appear like a Rorschach test.  The song is done.  I turn the page.  The sun moves lower in the sky and all is well that ends well. 

***

         I was sitting in a cabin Up North playing Dominoes, a game I've never before played with dice dots that went higher than six.  In fact, I didn't know that dice dots could number twelve on one surface.  It was fun once I caught on to the rules and strategy.  Now I'm going to order a set for myself, to teach my kids and grandkids.

***

         I was sitting on the heated seats of my car, on the way back from Costco to Victoria, and I had just purchased a frozen bag of shrimp that I wanted thawed out pronto.  So I laid the bag of shrimp on the empty passenger seat next to me and turned on the seat heat.   By the time I got to Julianne's house, the shrimp was pretty much thawed.

         It's a different kind of exercise we get when we're sitting glued to our seat.

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From the Editor

Dedicated to the sunshine of truth,

the moonshine of meeting deadlines,

and the starshine of Victoria.

The Victoria GAZETTE

Sue’s Album

A symphony of photos

and fewer than a thousand words

at www.VictoriaGazette.com

March 2015