HOME FROM MOORHEAD FEBRUARY 25, 2005 - (3)

I spent two and a half hours

in Alexandria. When I arrived at noon, Floyd Bolin had just gone downstairs to his lunch and wasn't expected to come back to his room until one o'clock. I went off and got some lunch myself.

I came back at one o'clock and waited for Floyd at his room for fifteen or twenty minutes. When he hadn't returned in that time, I asked someone in the hallway where Floyd might be. He said Floyd was probably downstairs in a lounge area; I got directions and went down there.

I surprised Floyd. I think perhaps he had forgotten he'd called me on Sunday and that I'd promised to see him as I came past. Still, he was very glad to see me, enthusiastic that I'd stopped to visit. We sat and talked for a good hour, re-covering some of the things we'd talked about during my interview with him in 2004 - pasteurizing milk at his dairy in Alexandria, and what he calls the "magic" chain that a wood carver in Sweden invented. He also told me that he'd turn 96 years of age next week.

It was enjoyable talking with Floyd. I love his enthusiasm, his energy. I'm not sure that he remembered I'd interviewed him for four or five hours on my first visit to Alexandria. And I'm not sure that he remembered he had talked to me on Sunday. But he is certainly clear and coherent and, as I say, full of energy and enthusiasm.

Such a lovely man.