Take the time to go on adventures

Published 9:00 am Sunday, June 14, 2015

Have you thought about starting a new adventure, taking a trip, imagining what it would be like to do something you haven’t done or going somewhere you haven’t been? I remember as a child packing a snack or a lunch and walking out across the field with my cousins or my younger sister to a shaded area under a tree along the fence line. We would spread out a blanket and pretend we were on a trip. We would have our lunch and giggle and laugh. When we ran out of things to talk about or the 6 o’clock whistle blew, we would head back home.

Pat Mulso

Pat Mulso

Reading was another way to escape to far off places or unravel a good mystery. During the summer I was always in line in front of our local church waiting for the bookmobile to come to find new books to read. My problem was once I started reading a book I didn’t want to quit until I was finished with the book. I wasn’t a fast reader, but I liked to read.  When I was about 9 or 10 I decided I should publish a local newspaper. So I sold ads to our neighborhood grocery and I talked with all the neighbors to get the latest news.  What I had not thought about was how I was going to duplicate them for distribution. What I ended up doing was hand copying them. I enlisted one of my older sisters to help with that project. She was a much neater printer and much faster than I was. The paper sold for 2 cents. Needless to say, after all the copying, I only authored one edition of the Ellerton News.

My next adventure was to write a mystery story; I still have it somewhere. I believe I was maybe 12 by then and, of course, I had read every Nancy Drew mystery book. I had all sorts of ideas. My story of course included all of my local friends and relatives.

Email newsletter signup

I also wrote to different places to get info on locations such as Nova Scotia and far away states like Vermont and Maine so I would be able to read about them and know what it was like in those areas. I was quite serious about this writing project. Who knows, maybe I will pursue that dream again after I retire.

My point is this: have you shared your dreams or thoughts with your children or grandchildren? Will they know what your childhood was like or what you wanted to be when you grew up? Have you spent time with them and let their imaginations run wild?

My grandchildren and I used to love to put a blanket over a table and then crawl underneath and we could pretend we were anywhere in the world. I had as much fun as they did and they still remember those special times, even though they are teenagers now.

Remember to take time to use your imagination and help them to do the same. You will be building memories for the future, not only for you, but for future generations.

Preserving the Past by Pat Mulso

We will be hosting our annual style show brunch at 9:30 a.m. this coming Saturday at Bethany Hall. We are probably sold out by now, but you can check with the museum to see if there are any tickets left. Our theme this year is “special occasions.” Many thanks to everyone involved in this fundraiser.

The museum will host a four-hour refresher defensive driving class from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. July 16. The cost is $20 for AARP members and $25 for nonmembers. This fee includes the AARP class materials and an administrative host fee. Those would like to register will need their driver’s license number when registering as well as their AARP number if they are a member at the time of registration. Pre-registration is required.

Mark your calendar; the museum is having a swiss steak fundraiser, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. July 23 at the American Legion Post 56, 142 North Broadway in Albert Lea. Tickets are $9 and may be purchased at the museum. Proceeds will be used for museum programs and projects.

 

Pat Mulso is the executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum in Albert Lea. Pat Mulso is the executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library and Village, 1031 Bridge Ave.