Memory Lane.

        Life on a South Dakota farm in the 1940's  provided a very narrow horizon. Our parents were both fluent in Norwegian, though their dialects were very different, Both born and raised in America so English was their usual language. When they'd suddenly begin speaking Norwegian we children knew something was up. We'd ask "Can we go along?" assuming a trip to town was being planned. This excitement was generated by the thought of going to SINAI!  In those days main street had two grocery stores, a cafe, and a bank. The town also boasted a grain elevator and two car repair shops. Even this little village was respite from the confines of the farm. We didn't even get to town on Sunday becasue the church was in the country.

     Imagine our excitement, my older brother and I, invited to go with my Aunt and her family to St. Paul, MN. Aunt Agnes, Uncle Harold and cousins Louise and Priscilla spent two weeks with us every summer. In 1948 we accompanied them to St. Paul, where we stayed for two weeks and then took a bus home. They took us to almost every interesting site in, and around the Twin Cities. We went up in the Foshay Tower, visited the Minnesota State Capitol, rode the streetcar to the end of the line and back, etc. 

     Then Aunt Agnes made scrapbooks for us with lists of everything we saw, and included postcards from many to the sites. My brother recently found his scrapbook and lent it to me. It was such a memorable event for this sheltered farm boy that much of it sticks in my memory. The scrapbook is a fun reminder and confirmation of a very special event.

    A little side note about Aunt Agnes and cousin Louise. They and Joanne were neighbors and friends when Joanne was growing up in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood of St. Paul. It was Aunt Agnes who introduced me to Joanne.

Takk for alt,

Al