Great Minds Think Alike

I am still pinching myself.  I was so lucky.  One day at the Museum I was so busy getting ready for the garage sale..marking “stuff”..and polishing silver.  I barely heard the two enter the museum.

You might know how it is, a feeling that someone or something pleasant is about to happen.  The old gentleman walked with a walking stick, along with him was his grandson..a lanky towheaded youngster.  I welcomed them and in turn I was greeted warmly..

You all know how much I respect and admire the writings of Aldo Leopold.  I have always said it is too bad he died before I was born..because he is one man that I would have enjoyed meeting. 

I am not sure..but I think that if I had met Leopold before I read him..that I would have liked him as a person first and then as a writer.  He would have been one of those friends who you could glean information from by osmosis.  He would just ooze conservation ethics and love for the land.

Jim is the older man with the cane.  A kindred spirit. His eyes sparkled when I mentioned Aldo Leopold.  He said “There are few men who I believe are real Saints and Leopold is one.”  I knew right then and there that we were going to be friends.

We have talked.  We had a formal meeting of the minds.  He is my newest member and my newest volunteer.  He is going to help me with the newsletter.  He is going to write a newspaper column for the Historical Museum twice a month!  He is going to help me label all the firearms..he is a certified weapons appraiser.   We discussed volunteerism, membership and my vision for the museum.  He is a “Go Getter.”

He is an author and he gave me a signed copy of his book.  Kayaking A Moonbeam  .. Up North Balm For the Modern Overloaded Mind. I have not yet read it all..but from what I have read..he could be related to Aldo Leopold.

I still cannot believe it.  One of the local newspaper reporters will interview him next week and do a feature article on him before his first column runs.  He will write mainly history articles for the museum.  He is an expert on the Minnesota Fur Trade.  This is just exactly the shot in the arm I needed to perk me up..someone to take on a project..someone to bring the museum to the attention of a different readership.

Jim and his wife have just recently moved from Becker County to Hubbard County, he was very active in The Big Sugar Bush Lake Association and is a Friend of Tamarac Wildlife Refuge.  He is not a grant writer..but he indicated that perhaps he would know of some different places to look for funding.  I am pleased as punch:)