RAYMO’S RAMBLINGS – ENJOYING LIFE
ENJOYING LIFE
Sitting at my computer Sunday evening and just thinking about how much I really enjoy life! I am blessed to have a loving family and many friends that I love. That got me thinking about the last three days and all the events that I was involved in and the many people that I crossed paths with that make my life full.
It all began on Friday as I boarded a Southwest coach bus at LQPV high school to ride down to New Ulm with the football team. The Eagles played the Greyhounds from New Ulm Cathedral for the first time in school history. I sat up front with head coach Tony Smith and coach Josh Benson. The ride down coach Smith popped in the movie The Titans. One of my favorite movies, which I have seen many times. Sitting in my comfortable seat and visiting with the coaches and watching the movie for two hours was enjoyable.
Going to New Ulm was special for me as well. I spent my first thirteen years of my life growing up in New Ulm before moving to Madison. We arrived at New Ulm Cathedral high school and as the team got ready and prepared to play football. I walked around the Catholic high school. I went to catholic schools in New Ulm growing up and so it brought back many memories walking down the hallways and looking into the classrooms, walking through the gym. It still looked like the 60’s but was a well maintained building.
We boarded the bus again and drove the 7 or 8 blocks to the football field. It’s the same football field my dad took my brother Greg and me to watch the New Ulm Eagles play high school football in the late 60’s. I climbed the ladder to the tall press box to broadcast the game. What a football game it was. The Eagles played great and won on a field goal by Isaac Gerdes. That made for a very fun ride home, arriving back at LQPV around 12:45am. Friday was so much fun and I enjoyed every minute. Life is good!
Up early Saturday morning to do the Coaches Show on the radio. Then left for the cities around ten for my daughter’s bridal shower in Maple Grove. Two of my sons and I helped get the room ready for the shower with our wives, then left and watched the Gopher football game in their motel room in downtown Minneapolis. After the bridal shower was over we visited with family and friends for a while. Family is everything and sometimes I need to remind myself that I need to spend more time with my family. Love my grandkids to death, and enjoy every moment with all of them.
Roxie and I headed back to Madison, I dropped her off at home around 8pm and headed to Appleton for Applefest festivities Saturday evening. The fireworks display in Appleton Saturday night was the best I have ever seen. It was amazing!
Saturday was a whirlwind, but so much fun and enjoyed every minute. Life is good!
Sunday, a full day of Applefest events. I attended the showing of The Spirit of Appleton play at the 52 wing. I played Governor Elmer Benson, who was from Appleton, in the play. The Spirit of Appleton was produced into a movie for the screen. It was weird seeing myself on the big screen and my name in the credits at the end of the movie.
Later, I went down to the fairgrounds and enjoyed the car show and all the vendors. My favorite Applefest event is the parade. It was a beautiful day, and so many people along the parade route. I pull the Miss Madison float and enjoyed throwing candy to the children and some adults.
After the parade I headed back down to the fairgrounds for a pie and ice cream social and sweepstakes drawing. The Chuck Brown Building was full of people, a great turnout. The chamber served the pie and ice cream and I was the MC, along with the Miss Appleton royalty. Sweepstakes winners were announced and the cleanup began.
I was home by 6:30 to watch The Vietnam War on PBS, the first part was about local Vietnam veterans telling of their experiences in the war. I enjoyed listening to two friends of mine that were in the piece.
Sunday ended with me thinking of how much I love life! How much I enjoy living this life God has given me. I’m so thankful for my family and my friends that make this journey enjoyable. Life is good!
