Weinzierl

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

Specialized assisted living for those

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Victoria.  952-908-2215

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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         A day on the lake, a wonderful day with our son Nick and his baby girls.  It was a respite beyond compare, a delicious time to savor each other on Lake Minnetonka, cruising slowly while Sophie and Mia adjusted to their new surroundings. 

         At first they wanted to stay below in the cuddy cab, within sight of us, of course. sitting around the table with their dolls, coloring and sipping on their juice.  The cuddy was cozy and comfortable, not wide open to the blue sky and vast expanse of this huge lake.  In the eyes of little 4 and 5-year olds, it probably seemed like an ocean.

         We didn't push them to come up by us, but we did prod a little bit.  And then the perfect opportunity arose when we cruised near a shoreline.  Seagulls were perched on top of each of the dozens or so dock posts, like sentinels, sitting so still you'd swear they weren't real, that they were made out of wood or stone and placed there to keep real seagulls away.

         I had told Sophie and Mia that we will throw popcorn to seagulls and that the seagulls will fly to our boat one at a time until we're surrounded by them.  I told them that seagulls love popcorn.  And I told them we have to be a little bit careful and on the lookout because seagulls will poop in the air and we don't want it to land on us.

         Allan edged closer to the docks and, sure enough, the dock itself was covered with it.  We veered further away from shore and I pulled out the bag of popcorn.  With excitement and adventure in my voice, I beckoned to Sophie and Mia.  "Come and see the birds," I said.  "They're waiting for you!  They're waiting for the popcorn."

         The little girls were interested.  They came up to join us and we supported them in their new space on the big waters under the big sky.  Then I threw the first handful of popcorn, to show them how it's done, and there came a seagull in our direction.  Then another one.  Sophie's and Mia's eyes widened and brightened and they wanted to throw popcorn too. 

         It was amazing to see the transformation in their demeanor.  They forgot about being scared on the boat.  They giggled and laughed when the breeze blew some of the popcorn back at us.  Birds were flying all around us and eating our popcorn.

         It didn't take long before Allan said, "It's time to move on."  And so we did.  Nick stepped below, reached for paper towels, moistened them at the sink, and handed them to me so I could wipe away a couple droppings that had hit the windshield.  We were all spared the splatter because we had the canvas tarp up to protect us from the hot sun.  It protected us in this way too.

         Then Sophie and Mia took turns driving the boat in the lap of Captain Al, and they didn't complain when we went a little bit faster.  It was lunch time and Lord Fletcher's was still a few minutes away.  The place was busy but there was an empty table waiting for us next to the dock where we could watch the ducks paddle around waiting to be fed, just like us.

         After we placed our order, Sophie and Mia asked if they could feed the ducks.  Of course, they could!  I walked with them to the edge of the dock, just next to our table, telling them to be very careful, that they have to sit down before throwing the popcorn, in case they would lose their balance.  It would be awful if the clean and sweet little girls would slip into the green  algae-infested water.

         Well, wouldn't you know, the ducks acted as though the popcorn wasn't even floating on the water in front of their beaks.  What a disappointment.  Instead, the ducks kept swimming to the french fries.  Two other little kids were throwing french fires and that's all the ducks were interested in.

         Then our order arrived.  The kids ate their chicken tenders but saved a handful of french fries for the ducks.  This time Sophie and Mia stepped to the edge of the dock by themselves with a little basket of fries.  The ducks were pleased, but Sophie and Mia were more pleased.  When the fries were gone, Sophie exclaimed, "Let's go back to the boat now.  This is all super fun!" 

         Wow.  That made Grandma Sue's day, and Grandpa Al's too. 

         Next we headed for the Excelsior dock where, again, a parking spot seemed to be waiting just for us, like an angel helped us out.  We disembarked and walked up to the ice cream shop for dessert.  That has sort of become our ritual, even when we don't have the kids with us.  Sophie had her favorite strawberry ice cream, and Mia had her favorite chocolate chip ice cream.

         Then we slowly moved across the big lake back to our own slip, everyone with heavy eyelids.  A day in the fresh air will do that.  Was it a good day, sweetie pies? 

         "Yes, I love the speed boats," said Mia.

         "Yes!" declared an exuberant Sophie.  "And I learned that seagulls like popcorn and ducks like french fries." 

         To see things through the eyes of a child is to get a glimpse of heaven.  To hear a child laugh is to hear the music of heaven.  To wrap your arms around a child is to hold a bit of heaven.  It was a glorious heavenly day under the sun.

         ~Sue

From the Editor

Dedicated to the sunshine of truth,

the moonshine of meeting deadlines,

and the starshine of Victoria.

The Victoria GAZETTE

October 2014