From Prep Subject: PlainSilly Reflections Some bits and pieces to bring PlainSilly to a close: I did drop the ball on Andy's arrival, but he still got to see Paul Molitor's high school... I could not find a store in the Mall of America which sold 4 day fishing licenses, but Andy still enjoyed Camp Snoopy enough to walk through it a second time... We arrived at the cabin within an hour of one another, even though Hans stopped for a business meeting in Cloquet, Dave and I stopped at a roadside stand for fresh tomatoes, and Andy didn't stop to ask for directions. He and Gabes did discover, though, that he good folks at Mark's Bar in MacGregor are, as advertised, "Dispensers of Sociability"... We were chased off the water by a storm on Thursday night and into Mr. Roberts' restaurant, where Pam rustled up some good sandwiches and shared some fishing secrets... We returned to the cabin and logged on to the Cyberzahm and box scores pages. Gabes was treated to a recap of the day's baseball and golf stats as he got acquainted with the living room couch... Andy asked us for the score of the Mudville 9, and then launched into a stirring rendition of "Casey at the Bat", appropriately sprinkled with the "F" word... And who better than Andy could calm an irate manager or player simply with a slow pointing of one arm over the other, a firm but understanding tone of voice, and these words of farewell: "Have a nice day." The next morning, at my request, Gabes graciously walked down to the boat to search for the boat keys, which in truth were in my pocket. We used the diversion to set up a life-size picture of Greg Norman, which then greeted Gabes at the front door with the balloon thought, "Nice pick, Gabes." Thanks to Andy for trucking it all the way from Fairport. Perhaps it will surface again someday... Hans, who professed to know little about fishing, caught the first fish that morning and hit the triple crown for the weekend with the largest and the most as well... A steady breeze followed us around the Mesaba Country Club, where Hans continued his winning ways by taking low gross honors. (Willo, send the low net plaque to me so I can salvage some honor from the weekend.) Hans played a low draw into the wind all afternoon, and made a brilliant recover after a shaky start over the first few holes. Andy played well around the green all day and started booming the drives as the round progressed. I let brain farts on 17 and 18 which led to double bogies and a second place finish. Gabes, my partner for the day, was erratic until I suggested he move his hand over slightly on his shaft. He improved even more when I told him how to grip his golf club... Friday night fishing was slow, but the scat action was fast and "Cookie" DeVita's presentation was once again excellent. By now, the stubble was emerging on chins and cheeks, and the combination of whiskers, a hardbitten stogie and a weatherbeaten baseball cap earned Andy the nickname, "Brutus"... Saturday morning, we sat in the sun and had little to show for our fishing efforts until Gabes pulled out the magic lure. One cast and we had a fish, the second cast and another fish took the lure... The early afternoon was devoted to naps, the PGA on TV or a game of bocce ball depending on who you are talking to. Then off to the middle of the lake to dive in chigger-free water and take some semblance of a bath. Four of us scrambled back into the boat so we could have a good view of the fifth rise from the depths of Swan Lake, teeter momentarily, and land with a mighty splash on the stern seat of the boat. Call me Ishmael. Saturday night we fished without success for walleyes, then found some crappie action at Sunfish Rock. Cookie once again rose to the occasion and presented a feast featuring the day's catch. Before we began the meal, we each took a turn giving thanks for opportunities and for friends near and far. The dishes were cleared, and room was made for more scat. Greg Norman looked over Gabes' shoulder throughout the evening and brought him as much money as Norman has earned for him on the golf course this year. I thought I heard Norman say, "Gabes, I'd much rather be here with you this weekend, anyway"... Andy was kind enough to share his wedding album with us. I, too, would probably have shit in my grin if my mother and mother-in-law stood beside me while my new bride "worked the crowd"... At 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning I found myself on the dock with Gabes and Andy, weathering a steady southeast wind that promised rain before long. Gabes summarized all that Cyberzahm means to me when he said, "Johnny O'Brien's death brought us back together." It is important that we stay that way. Sunday morning, Gabes assured us that H.A.M. would be on the menu for Vegas, the bags were packed, and we bade farewell. The squall moved in as promised a few hours before. I emptied the beer cans, secured the boat, and swept the old wooden floors. In the solitude of a cabin which has served my family faithfully for 75 years, I thanked God and my parents for my education at Notre Dame. Until next year, Prep