By Harold Brutlag
I had a few questions about the lack of column in last week’s Messenger which I didn’t get done because of a dermatology appointment at the Minneapolis Veteran’s Clinic on Monday. I had four skin cancer spots removed surgically and I wouldn’t have had to wear a mask had I been going tricks or treats on Halloween. The bandages took care of that!
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Apparently we had some bright moonlight prior to the Hunter’s Moon on Oct. 28. At least that’s what I’m blaming a couple of sleepless nights on. Fortunately the World Series game Friday night between Arizona and the Texas Rangers took up some of the slack when it went extra innings with Rangers winning in the bottom of the 11th with a walk off home run. They tied it up in the bottom of the ninth with a two-run homer after the Arizona pitcher walked the first batter up. Things were different in game 2 when Arizona pitcher Merrill Kelly handcuffed Texas sluggers and won 9-1.
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One of the extra ordinary things that has happened in my lifetime was the tremendous fall colors during this year’s autumn. The Maple trees red colors were redder than normal and the yellows were also more brilliant. If you missed them you’ll have to head south before they have disappeared completely. By October 26th the leaves were beginning to fall even though we hadn’t had a frost and by Saturday the wood lots were taking on a grey appearance. I’m sure the Ruffed grouse hunters appreciated the change and I can remember one particular valley north of Motley and Staples that was especially beautiful when the colors were at their peak. Apparently someone in Minnesota’s Highway Dept. felt the same way and a turn-off was created for motorists to stop and take in all the colors… I stopped and talked with Daryl Hennen on the street Wednesday and he said he was headed back to North Dakota in a day or so for more duck and goose hunting. He was concerned about the cold weather freezing up the duck ponds. If that happens he felt the migrating ducks wouldn’t bother to stop without open water to give them a spot to spend the night. I reminded him of the pheasant hunting trip to Bowman, ND, Daryl, his dad Ken, Ron Rassat and Rick Heberling (I think). The weather changed rapidly and Daryl suggested we head back to ML. Mike Muller and I were also part of the group and the two of us decided we’d stay to hunt pheasants a few more days and then head back through Aberdeen. Anyway to make a long story short, Daryl, Ken and Ron headed back through Minot and soon were driving in ice and snow. They were fortunate to get back safely despite the adverse weather conditions.