Scott McLean
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February 26, 2024

Fairgrounds

Up a lot tonight so here goes.

Our parents would take us to the fair every year. We had to go through the livestock barns and exhibit buildings first every year. They always looked at Highland’s FFA booth which was a perennial favorite.

Roy Hallstrom knew his stuff and taught Gary Slagg. When other schools started winning the instructor was often a Highland grad.

We watched the rodeo a few times and once or twice saw the musical headliner. There was always the requisite corn dog (often called pronto pups) or other fair food.

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February 25, 2024

Benoit`s Mill

Back to the brothers saga.

Things were different back then and kids had free range for the most part. Usually, the biggest danger to them was themselves!

On one adventure I had planned a camping trip for Steve and I up the Cowiche. My family always had a close connection to there and my Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson camped up there at a place called Cold Springs on their honeymoon. It was the gateway to many areas for us.

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February 25, 2024

Sandwiches

When I’m having a bad nerve night, weird things go through my head both when awake and the smaller amount of time when I sleep.

I’ll state right now, not looking for sympathy. This is just Scott 2.0, the new me and I’ve just got to make the best of it. It’s just not an improved version other than a slight bit more tolerance for idiots. Not much, mind you!

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February 23, 2024

Punch

I’m going to write three little tales about my family and punch. My Aunt Joyce and Mom were hosting a baby shower at Joyce’s house.

They decided to spike the punch.

I guess they weren’t sure about what beverage and what amounts. They had already set some little pranks up like a device that squirted your butt when you sat on the toilet seat. They ended up raiding Joyce’s husband’s liquor cabinet and if reports are accurate poured two bottles of tequila, two bottles of rum, and one of whiskey in the punch bowl. End result was a bunch of drunk women.

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February 22, 2024

Kamloops

More tales about childhood tales and travels.

We traveled to Kamloops BC one summer. My folks usually looked for a motel with a kitchenette so Mom could cook supper and breakfast to save money. A lot of the old motels had them back then.

I distinctly remember Dad griping about it being highway robbery that the motel cost eleven dollars a night.

I have touched on this story before but want to get it in the collection.

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February 21, 2024

Sick Days

I’ve told some of these before but I’m trying to get a bunch recorded before I’m gone.

Steve and I would sometimes develop mysterious ailments that kept us from going to school but we miraculously recovered from by the time the folks got home. I don’t know how many remember the morning moneyman movie with Bob Iver, but something like a good Abbot and Costello film brought on sudden sickness.

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February 21, 2024

Potty Humor

You’ll have to excuse me for the “potty” humor in this one.

I’ve mentioned that Steve sometimes sleepwalked and that our house came with a ghost.

Steve got spooked one night by thinking he saw our resident spook and asked if he could sleep in my room. I reluctantly said yes.

I woke up feeling wet and turned to look at Steve. He was laying on his back and peeing straight in the air with his eyes open. I hollered and jumped out of bed. He then shook his head and looked confused. I realized he had not really been awake.

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February 19, 2024

Lutefisk

Didn’t sleep much last night and just got back from the Y so here’s another couple of Grandpa Sorenson stories.

We made a trip up there when I was 14 and Steve 11. Grandpa corralled me to go to a lutefisk dinner at the local sons of Norway hall. Everyone else was smart enough to make an escape. Steve went with Dad to Port Angeles to buy some gear at Swain’s for a fishing trip the next day. Mom and Sherri went with Dorothea to bingo at the grange hall.

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