"Vouchers" blamed for Minnesota Weather: Tales From Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Just got the text today from the guys at Betty Lou's Coffee Shop in Normal, Mn.....they are very sure that the extreme weather in Minnesota lately...with a snowstorm this week...all this weather was caused by private school "vouchers." I did text them back and asked for clarification...They said that they were considering blaming foreign terrorism, due to religious extremism, but after thinking about it, there has been so little religion of any sort in Normal, Mn. that it did not seem reasonable..Then again, years ago before vouchers, the weather was so much more regular...and thus vouchers must be the cause. Local labor pundits were pleased...after all, that had been their mantra for years. Stay tuned as I follow this story.

Realtors say demand high for Minn Homes---cannot meet demand---folks dying to see snow on April 20th: Tales From Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Just got the text today from the guys in Normal, Mn....at Betty Lou's coffee shop...the buzz is that folks all over the country are just dying to buy some property in Minnesota..in fact there is just not enough homes on the market...and yes of course many citizens cannot sell their homes cause they are under water with their mortgages...but...because of the high demand of buyers who just want to see the novelty of SNOW in MAY...that alone has created quite a bit of traffic...ya just have to know that the quality of life is high when you can skate on ice...that is the symbol of high quality...stay tuned as I follow the story.

After 5 Years of Slanderous Comments, Newspaper considers moderation...maybe: Tales from Normal, Mn.

Well..well..well...just got the text today that the local newspaper in these here parts, the "Fishgut News" which has been online now for almost 5 years now, and has had a free wheeling comment section where folks could put almost anything imaginable to slander one another on...well...after reaching a peak of slander in the recent election where articles from the paper were followed by slanderous input from folks online...the editor said...that maybe..after a thorough review...they might do something....and that same slow..methodical...oily like slow process is probably the same reason that the news biz is dying...stay tuned as I follow this story.

Gov says he ripped the fish nets, burned the bread--all for love: Tales from Normal, Mn.: Fiction

Just got the startling text today from Normal, Mn. from the guys at Betty Lou's coffee shop---seems that the Gov of that fair state has said that he has ripped the safety nets, and destroyed the bread of the poor---all out of love for their independence...and that no greater love any man has but to vanquish another to make them strong....wow...stay tuned as I follow this story.

Elementary School Children chosen for Planning Commission Duties: Tales from Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Just got the text today that the word has gone out from city hall in Normal, Mn. that elementary school kids have been asked for who would like to participate in the planning process for the community....Relax...the kids would have to be in Kindergarten, and at least six years old.... The theory is that since few adults of the community care or in the alternative will risk saying anything at public meetings, and mostly just wait till they are told how to vote...at least the kids will have fresh ideas, and will be a little less controlled... This could be kind of "wild and crazy"---at least the elders do not expect any historic districts to be on the front burner...Stay tuned as I follow this story.

A Rules Official for Each and Every Golfer in Normal, Mn: Tales From Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Just got the text today that the guys in Normal, Mn. at Betty Lou's coffee shop were just stunned this morning on the morning news shows when it was proposed that a rules official be with each group of golfers...as an innovation. The guys just snickered---shucks they said: Up here in Normal, Mn we assign a rules guy to each and every golfer---it is a sign of pride and of the very high moxie that we recognize that the top heavy hitters are very prone to indiscretions...even such indiscretions as rule violations....and a bad lie, or a bad lay are all part of the same game...stay tuned as I follow this story.

Guys looking for a "Safe Haven" : Tales from Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Friday morning was quite an event in Normal, Mn. at Betty Lou's Coffee Shop---I got the blow by blow account by text this morn---it seems that when the job numbers were released---only 88000 jobs were created, and in fact the job participation rate had gone down...not because the old folks were retiring, but because the young had just given up.... And the guys were just staring up at those tv screens with the S&P graphs all over the place...with the guys from "FAST MONEY" talking fast...so fast that the guys were waiting for "SLOW MONEY" to come on...anyway...the buzz over coffee was where a "SAFE HAVEN" might be. Ya they knew there was a town called Gullhaven, but that was not a safe haven, but just a town of old... Then the guys hit on it....Why not let the safe haven be Phoenix in February---it would snow real hard...but then in two weeks it would get warm as blazes....maybe that is what would be safe....They never could agree on where the Safe Haven might be...Maybe you have some ideas.. Stay tuned as I follow this story.

"Wall Street is Excited that People are Giving Up": Tales From Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Just got the text from the guys at Betty Lou's Coffee Shop in Normal, Mn. that they were a little puzzled that so much of the Wall Street Gurus are very excited that the unemployment rate has fallen because so many Americans have left the workforce, and have given up on looking for work--which is the key thing to have them removed from the statistics. To a man, those walleye fisherman felt that it was bad when we motivate politicians to look better when regular Americans are harmed...I just stared at the phone text with wonder---it is real special when regular fishermen get it, even when the only investment they have is in bait and tackle. Stay tuned as I follow this story.

All the COACHES are "Volunteer" in Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Just got the text today,,that all the coaches in Normal, Mn. High School, and in fact the entire school system, have been placed on volunteer status, and at their own request...they just love the sport, they just are dedicated to the kids and their health, and they are loyal to their community....I was just stunned to hear the good news.....Hats off to these fine folks.