Picture a Ping Pong Spring

Right now we are on the “pong.” for the 11th time. Last night the weatherman drew a big circle around our area on the northern Minnesota with a “to be determined” announcement as the time approaches. If this…then that type statements gave me a ray of hope for that profession. I have to admit, honestyContinue reading “Picture a Ping Pong Spring”

Wander Into Wonder

I wonder about wonder and wander here and there. Large fluffy flakes with no wind in subzero temps perched loosely wherever. The most fragile of loosely knit flakes. Rare. A thousand flakes might equal one raindrop. Brilliant white cotton candy snow. I long to share what can’t be seen. Words fall short as time withContinue reading “Wander Into Wonder”

When Second Best Is Okay

A couple miles from our house is a good size very shallow lake with weeds, reeds, and wild rice. In the fall before freeze up the ducks, geese and swans use the lake as a stop over in migrating south. This week there is a swan convention. I spotted the big flock of birds spreadContinue reading “When Second Best Is Okay”

Raging Waters Rescue

Sue separated herself from our group and sat above the small cliff on a bold mossy rock. Drenched and weak from her own capsized canoe experience, she began to weep as she watched a life and death drama unfold. Sue knew the big man, a total stranger yelling “I can’t swim,” was going to die.Continue reading “Raging Waters Rescue”

Really Living

Bear! Bear! The teenagers were yelling and running back to the campsite. They ran up to me and began to tell me a bear was coming our way through the woods. I pointed behind me to the rope hung over a high tree limb and attached to the food pack…”pull the food pack up quickly”Continue reading “Really Living”

Stunt Double

One of my dad’s sayings when I was young was “If you pull another stunt like that…” then some type of age-appropriate consequence was named. The bad part was he often didn’t mention which stunt he was talking about. Throughout my life, my risk/reward analysis system of decision making has been lopsided. I will admitContinue reading “Stunt Double”

Invasive Maneuvers

Yesterday I wanted to invade another world. I meticulously planned it out (that means I finally found my go pro camera) and gathered my ice fishing stuff together for the invasion. I needed drilling equipment (ice auger) to penetrate the barrier to the underworld. I needed a stick(I cut a thick willow stick), line (veryContinue reading “Invasive Maneuvers”

Stoked

Marriage for us was like a bird taking a flying leap off a treetop before spreading its wings to fly. We were young but very committed to each other. I think the word “stoked” fits well. By the time this picture was taken we were 9 years into adventuring life together. We had survived myContinue reading “Stoked”

Stalking Beaver

Here I was, drifting in a canoe and minding my own business on an absolutely calm evening with the lake all to myself. I was catching a limit of crappies in the moon lit evening when the water was torpedoed by this angry beaver. Picture a cartoon character almost tipping the canoe over both waysContinue reading “Stalking Beaver”

Unwinding Time

If I could stop the clock and unwind time. If only. My thoughts as I have been converting old photos, slides and negatives to digital. Reliving feelings, adventures, projects,  kids, parents and siblings. Re-feeling hugs, challenges, adrenaline, splashing water. Re-hearing voices now gone, treasured moments and hard times. I thought I would share this ideaContinue reading “Unwinding Time”