The Many Faces of Minnesota Hotdishes...

Wow. That's about the only way to sum up last night's lenten dinner at Trinity. I'm quite certain I've never seen so many variations on a goulash theme in one place since I left TRF almost a quarter century ago. For Norwegians/Swedes, they have the Hungarian food business down pat. I had no idea lasagne could be made in so many different ways either. I'm thinking they used just about every species of macaroni imaginable on the store shelf... It was all good, though, especially the garlic Texas toast on the side.

I was sitting at a table with the boys by ourselves over by the stairs leading up to the sanctuary/narthex, actually with just Aaron as Daniel had already gone exploring after eating about two macaroni pieces and two brownies he snuck by me. A guy I thought had looked familiar in the food line came over and introduced himself, saying he didn't think he knew me, but shook my hand and said his name was...Terry Soine! I responded, well... I sure do know you! He and his wife are apparently members at Trinity and Terry is actually in the choir too. He hasn't been at choir lately, so was pleasantly surprised to hear I would be at practice. He's gone a bit grey/white with a goatee and appears about Dad's age. He was happy to hear the update on the family and that Mom and Dad will be visiting again this summer. He said they didn't really tell people where they needed to be at the all school reunion last year, so he and some other old teachers/administrators showed up late.

I don't know if I mentioned it earlier, but Andrew got a third call for a job yesterday at Pamida. He says he's plenty occupied now, though, with his full-time job at St. Hilaire Seed (which incidentally is just outside of St. Hilaire on your way down to Red Lake Falls) and working at Pizza Hut. He worked around 8-5 at the seed company, then came home and changed and left for work at Pizza Hut until 9 pm last night. Apparently they're talking about giving him some overtime coming up soon at the seed company and perhaps through the summer, so he's looking at a princely sum per month, it would appear. It's great to see him busy and enjoying himself at his new jobs. It beats pounding the pavement with applications at least. He seems to be making new friends too and mentioned last night he doesn't miss the Seattle rain (not Reign).

I guess Keith called Shirley recently and said he'd be coming out again this summer for the marathon he's been running the past few years with Steve Dalager. They've made a bit of a ritual out of it, I guess. I guess he was surprised to hear from Shirley that I was out here. Dusty is still sick, but may return to school by tomorrow.

In other news, I think I actually found a record-breaking icicle on the building across from Trinity's backside last night, maybe even two. My eyes had trouble comprehending it's size at first and it must've weighted about 5 pounds when I pulled it off the eave. It was approximately 4 1/2 feet long!!! I used it as a walking stick to church. The boys had eyes like silver dollars too, taking in its grand appearance. I'm looking forward to the next melt/freeze cycle so I can maybe take a picture for you all to prove it... :o) Well, back to work for now. Catch you later....