"Normal" and other mysteries

I have been reflecting a lot lately on what is normal----mostly in regard to weather, mean historical temperature stuff. The question has come up during these reflections of what is "Normal" .....what is "mysterious" .....and what is flat out "miraculous"

In researching, I have started with where every researcher begins----on Yahoo... When you search on "Normal" you always begin with "Normal, Illinois." Right there is the oxymoron. How can anything in Illinois be considered "normal?" Even before looking at the data, questions arise. O.K.

If you click on the post, you will see the website for Normal, Illinois. Note its history, its Redevelopment Authority, and its restoration of the downtown. One of the things that leaps out at you on the site is that you can make a tee-time reservation through their web site for golf. Now is that a miracle or what? We should do that immediately. And, you can even type in a suggestion for city government. Is that a miracle in Illinois, or is that "normal?"

Few folks know that there is also a town called "Normal" in Minnesota. It has no web address. It's not listed on any official map. The cartographers made an error while doing their survey in the late 1800's and it has stuck ever since. The map maker in the wagon shouted, "Look at that bait shop with all the colored rocks" What is that? " "That's just "Normal" was the reply. Ever since then, the small town just outside of Garrison, Mn. has had the alternative name of "Normal", Minnesota. In that town, if you ask any question, the answer is "That's normal." Such as, " Why is the Mayor--- Rex--- also the constable, dog catcher, snow plow driver, city assessor and the electric meter reader all in one?

"That's just normal," is the reply.

Last week, there was just a little panic in Normal, Minnesota when Rex was taken suddenly to the hospital for a heart procedure. Did I mention that Rex also ran the bait shop? or more precisely, the beer, bait and ammo shop?

In one terrifying moment, the whole city of Normal, Minnesota was on the verge of meltdown. They were on the cliff of a reorganizational meeting of vast proportions.

Right in the middle of the panic, right in the eye of the storm stepped the solution----Louise, the wife of Rex. She boldly strode in the bait shop and took charge. She had always wanted to have a shop of her own. She was ready to make a contribution. She knew she needed to act quickly before Rex returned or was buried. She put some tasteful red ruffled curtains up and proceeded to spruce up the bait shop with a real woman's touch.

Well. Rex came home from the hospital after a day. Just a scare. He resumed all his duties. He never mentioned the red ruffled curtains. He just let it be. Some said his vision was goin and he never even saw them. Others said he was just older and wiser. We will never know.

Even today, when folks driving by ask, 'What's with the bait shop with the red curtains?", the answer is just automatic.

"Oh, that's just Normal."