We celebrated our 24th anniversary in Midas, Nevada with dinner at Edyth’s Bar.  While we were eating, our “good friends” decided to pull a trick on us! They said we were going to have cake and ice cream at our house but when we got into their vehicle, they took us to the dump that was 2 miles out of town and handcuffed us to an old car body. They left us with a three wheeler and a very dim flashlight.
It was very  dark, but I was able to squeeze my hand through the handcuff and we drove back to town before they came to get us because  one of the little girls  felt sorry for us and she was crying. We all met at the bar and had a good time even though we never got cake or ice cream! They had pots and pans for noise and the sign that read “only turkeys are married 24 years”. This was 39 years ago as today would have been our 63rd anniversary!

I woke up this morning, on the 4th of July, thinking of Dan and the Bennett Family.  For the past 30 years or so, my 4th of July has been spent in Midas, NV.  I remember the first being an "honorary" carrying of the 4th of July Banner with my new girlfriend, Sheri...I remember the countless horseshoe tournaments between the NOBs and the SOBs...I remember the kids games....the homemade parade floats....the flag waving spectators...the many dances after the day was done...the many BBQs taking in the beautiful weather...but most of all, I remember Dan leading the charge to get as many of the family & friends he could each year to join Joan and him for a celebration on the deck.  You see, 4th of July isn't just fireworks, BBQs, and flag waving. It is the gathering of family & friends year after year on a special day to celebrate.  Thank you, Dan, for sharing your special tradition.  Forever grateful.

Our Grand Island Nebraska Senior Quartet, 1958.  Left to right, Dan, bob Thomazin, Dean Wiegert , me

One of my favorite memories of. City cousin Danny was he visited the farm and wanted to see a chicken lay an egg.  So Patsy and Danny got two sticks and went to the chicken house.  We tried to hold the hen up and wait for the egg to fall.    But to no avail...no egg fell.  I am sure the hen  was thinking what is going on...Only one of many adventures.  I got to visit Danny and we would go to the movies.  Lots of fun for country cousin Patsy.  My heart hurts for your family.  Such a full life Dan had.  A real tribute to him.