Be Prepared

Yesterday afternoon Makita rolled back into town after two days of Irish Drunkenness (aka St. Patrick's Day celebration) in St. Paul. He barely hit town and he had to go to Wadena to fix something at the radio stations there. I was worried he wouldn't make it back for our pre-planned outing of "Little Italy" night at the American Legion.

About 5:30 he called and said he was 25 minutes out. I decided I could use a little exercise prior to gorging myself with pasta, so I told him I was going to take a stroll toward the Legion which is in downtown Brainerd. So off I went.

I don't know what I was thinking but I didn't bring an "ear-brassiere" to cover my ears. The wind is howling and by the time I hiked a half a mile I have an ear ache and can't feel my face nor my earlobes anymore.

I also neglected to bring any Kleenex. Before long I have a serious snot problem. I believe if I could have felt my face I would have felt a steady stream of snot running down it.

At one point it starts to rain. This may have been a snot washing blessing in disguise. Although it didn't mix well with the hairspray I had sprayed on to what now is a rats nest of a hairdo.

I walk down cemetery hill. Nice and quiet. Walk up the other side. Burning calfs, freezing ears, snot faced and crazy hair'd. Then came a ray of light. The cutest little dog you ever did see being lead on a leash by what looks to be a nice young man. I'm a huge sucker for dogs. As they approach I start talking doggie (baby) talk to the little guy. The doggie lets me pet him. The doggie's daddy is terrified of me. Probably thought I was going to ask him for some money which he would decline to give me because he would suspect all I would do with it is buy more alcohol.

I made it all the way to Stella's house and was about to go beg for her to let me in but then here came Makita. He offered me a Hardee's napkin to clean off my face….must have been bad.

The Italian food at the Legion was good. The swelling of my ears went down after a horrible bout of red throbbing. So let this be a lesson, be prepared. I believe that's why they made backpacks.