Fabulous 4th

After not being invited to my brother's house to spend a hot and humid day on his pontoon for the 4th of July, Amy and I celebrated a little more quietly and oh so beautifully.   On the 4th of July proper, we had ourselves an intimate fire in our yard.   Meeka did great, after her initial barks, at the loud booms and pops of neighborhood fireworks being lit off around us.  After a while, she became a bit more desensitized to the intrusion and settled in with us at the fire.  Following that, Amy and I watched from the comfort of our couch the city's firework display on YouTube.

Ever since we moved to the home on our little lake, I have always wanted to do a nighttime kayak under the light of a full moon.  When we learned that Mont Du Lac would be lighting off their own firework show on the 5th of July, we were hoping for good weather to make a nighttime kayak come true.

Alas, the weather was absolutely perfect for a Duluth summer night.  Nighttime temps in the mid 70's with absolutely no wind, accompanied by a nearly full moon, made for a perfect opportunity to venture out on the water.  Plus with the addition of fireworks, how we could turn that down.

So out we went at about 9:15 PM (we kept Meeka at home for this excursion and had ourselves a "kid-free" date).  Once we got out on our lake, the beauty was only beginning.  We paddled through a magical galaxy of shimmering dragonflies, each one a flicker of summer's breath.  Peaceful and Serene, they enveloped us with their delicate wings as we made our way out to the most breathtaking sunset over the river.  

Amazingly mosquitoes were not bad!  Normally, mosquitoes make outside water time unbearable, but this year, they are a little more scarce.  Not absent completely, but definitely noticeably very few.

Once we got to the bay to watch the fireworks, the moon started to get covered up by some clouds leaving us a little concerned about paddling home in the absolute darkness.  While we waited for the celebration in the sky to begin, the current of the river started to slowly slowly take us towards home.  We just quietly flowed with the current allowing the river to be our navigator while we watched the distant sparks light up the night sky.  A beautiful reminder of our Independence especially when the outside world is a bit unsettled.   

Once the show was over, we made our way through the pitch black tunnel to return home to another mystical scene of hundreds of illuminated fireflies greeting us at our dock.  Pulling up to the fairy-tale scene  was the perfect ending to a perfect evening spent just with my lady love and God above.  

Life doesn't get much better than this, folks.  

Facing Fears for Birthdays

 This year for our Birthdays, we opted for having an experience rather than giving gifts.  Inadvertently we ended up choosing activities that challenged us to face a fear of ours.  OK, so maybe not those life altering fears that get songs and movies, but fears nonetheless.  

Amy wanted a quiet, low key experience for her big 4-0 and she opted for a petting zoo!  So fun!  

How is this facing fears you might ask?  Well, see that llama there (or maybe that's an alpaca.... I don't really know the difference between the two)?   Llamas are notorious for spitting on people, and that is just not something either one of us want to encounter.  We have both been too afraid to approach llamas at zoos until this day.  The lady at the petting zoo ensured us that her llamas did not spit.  True to her word, we remained dry and got to pet and feed this furry little guy.  

When it was time for me to pick my Birthday experience, I opted to do an instructional art activity.   I have always had this belief that I am not creative nor can I do art.  These instructional art classes are kind of trendy right now, and I have been curious by people's finished projects they have posted on social media.  Certainly, I could not make a beautiful picture like they did...or could I? 

By Golly, I can!!  This is my painting.   It was a class of about 20 people all making this same picture so it was easy to look at the progress of neighboring painters, which is dangerous for me since I have a tendency to compare and criticize my own work.  Alas, I suspended my own self judgement and just let my own picture develop from my own brain and hands (and the guidance of our instructor).  

Side by side of my picture (left) and Amy's picture (right).  Of course, there are a few places in my picture that are not perfect or exactly how I imagined it.  However, it is a piece I am quite proud of.  A symbol to face fears, to allow imperfection, and to focus on what is beautiful rather than what is wrong.  This painting has so much beauty AND imperfection.  

And I created it!   

Spontaneity at its Finest

 Yesterday was such a fun, spontaneous day that I wanted to capture it.  Capturing these fun days and moments are something I want to focus on.  First, to formulate those feel good pathways in my brain, and second, to remember them!  

We woke up yesterday to a cool, foggy, humid July morning.  My first day off after a full five days.  Nothing was on my agenda but maybe to do some messy yard work.  The idea of taking a road trip to Michigan was kind of in the back of both of our heads, but we also kind of postponed it for later in the week so when Amy suggested Michigan, I wasn't mentally prepared.  After a few minutes of thinking about it, I thought it sounded like the most perfect way to spend an overcast and cool summer day.  

After packing ourselves some organic ham sandwiches and tossing some water in a cooler, off we went.  No plans.  No agenda.  Just take a road trip and see what we see.  These are often our most fun outings usually with fun surprises and few, if any, disappointments.  

Neither one of us was dressed for the coolness of the day (lowest recorded temp from the car thermometer was 57 despite the forecast of a day in the high 70s).  We had planned to get out to stretch our legs,  take a few hikes, but the weather was not super inviting.  We had wanted to sit outside somewhere beautiful to eat our brought-from-home food.  Alas, our tummies and our body temperature had us settle for the parking lot of the Ironwood rest stop where we watched old people slowly walk into the building and back out again.  

After that, our next spontaneous stop was non other than WAL-MART!  This was actually fun, and we even bought a few things.  Me:  a new outfit for work.  Her:  a knee brace for her bum knee.  Plus on the drive there, we got to go through a cool, old, downtown looking area of Michigan that was reminiscent of a ghost town.  

One more stop to get what we could obtain legally from Michigan before heading back home.  On our way we drove past a sign for Interstate Falls.  Should we stop?  Should we continue home?  Amy had a bum knee, and I didn't have warm clothes to hike in 57 degree, rainy weather.  We both figured, "what the heck, why not?", so I turned the car around and headed back to the trail head.  This was not a mistake.  

As luck and preparation would have it, I carry some extra clothes in my car that included a rain poncho, long pants, and my work jacket.  Amy now had her knee brace which made walking a bit less painful for her.  I was warm.  She was mobile.  The trail was short.

This foggy dampness only added to the beauty of the woods.  Dewey moss, dripping leaves, trees, roots, unseen critters, and of course running water with mini waterfalls kept pulling us to adventure.  Waterfalls are my medicine.  I love them, find them healing, and am often called to play in them.  After arriving at the big waterfall, I wanted to do just that, so play I did!  

Outdoor temperature was chilly.  Waterfall water temperature was sure to be cold, but something was calling me to play in the waters.  I wanted to swim and play.....until I saw the crayfish.  Or I should say "Michigan Lobsters".  

These things were swimming and scattering all over the rocky bottom of where I wanted to play.  Big.  Creepy.  Eerie. And so many!  But I  didn't let them stop me.  After stripping down to my bra and undies,  and screeching reluctantly for several minutes, I surveyed the water, reminded myself they likely were not going to hurt me, and took a dive right in.  (Seeing strangers approaching from up above also expedited my dip in the frigid water as they were on their way down and I was half naked.)

It was a quick dip, but it was a full dip indeed!  No crayfish got me and I emerged feeling victorious, proud, and rejuvenated.  As a cosmic reward, the sun begin to shine and miraculously the temperature spiked up to 75 keeping me warm on the hike back to the car.  One seldom regrets the things they do, but often regret the things they do not do.  I left this trail without any regrets.  Thanks to my lady for her photography and pep talk.  Not sure I would have done it without her undying support and encouragement.   

Our trip didn't stop there.   We visited a small, but beautiful cemetery where we wondered about those who passed, and enjoyed the beautiful vegetation and insects along the border.  Another stop in Ashland where I wanted to take another dip in Lake Superior, but opted against it while making plans to revisit in the very near future.

This was a wonderful, beautiful, day filled with spontaneous moments and mood lifting experiences.  Waterfalls are healing indeed. 

Canadia Land

Living just two hours from the Canadian Border my whole life, I have always wanted to venture to Canada.  A bucket list item you might say.  Actually, my bucket list item was to cross the Canadian Border, not necessarily go to Canada.  After Covid prevented this from happening two years ago, this was the year to make it happen.  It also happened to be Amy's and my seven year Anniversary so it was extra special.  

We have seen the border before, but never crossed it.   It was a little nerve wracking approaching the border patrol agent even though we weren't international smuggles of any kind.  Unless you count egg salad sandwiches.  We packed our own lunch to have lovely picnic at our first Canadian stop: Kakabeka Falls.  When the patrol agent started to question us if we had any poultry items on board including turkey, chicken, or eggs, I began to panic.  What do I say?  Do I tell the truth and risk them confiscating our organic egg salad sandwich lunch we were eagerly anticipating?  No, don't lie.  Just tell the truth.  So I came clean.  Admitted the contraband we had on board.  Thankfully he let us enter since the poultry items he was referring to was LIVE poultry and unprocessed egg items.  At least we could eat our sandwiches without a guilty conscious thinking the Canadian Mounted Police would come get us.

Next up:  Kakabeka Falls!  Also known as the "Niagra of the North" because of its sheer size.  Though no comparison to the real Niagara Falls (also on my bucket list), Kakabeka was definitely the biggest waterfall either one of us have ever seen. 

We enjoyed our almost illegal sandwiches and then went on a lovely hike in the Canadian wilderness.  It was a perfect hike with just the right amount of hills, climbs, miles, and surprises like this one below. 

Another smaller waterfall put a giant smile on my face and some pep in my step.  This hike was one of the longer and effort inducing hikes I have been on since recovering from Lyme, and I am happy to report that I was able to do it without much struggle.  

Canada was pretty much like home.  Only different.  We rode our bikes around our equivalent of Bayfront Park and Canal Park.  We found ourselves in the middle of a lovely outdoor festival where we partook in some legalized greenery and some delicious ice cream. 

Our hotel was an interesting experience.   Our room number was 217, which is well known to be one of the most haunted rooms in the Stanley Hotel from the Shining.  Though cool in and of itself, our room was anything but.  Amy got a horrible asthmatic reaction from a horrible odor or from the incredibly moldy air conditioner that blocked what should have been our lake view.  Instead, we had a teeny tiny window that we had to stand up to enjoy any view of the lake.  

Still, we had a wonderful vacation.  Before heading home we hiked another hike at Cascade Falls where there was reported to be a group of "mermaids" hanging about.  Though we did not see the mermaids, we saw plenty of trees, mushrooms, squirrels, and babbling rivers of water....just like home.  Also we made a must do stop at Walmart to see the different food items they had available.  We packed our bags with chips (All dressed chips) and several different chocolate candy bars (afterall, we were still in Canada where weed is legal) and headed back home, across the border once again.  Reentering the US was equally intimidating with camera taking pictures of the vehicle and yet another border patrol agent questioning what we were bringing back.  Again, I got all nervous and confessed our smuggle.  Chips and candy.  Though it was "just Canada", it was a little sigh of relief to be back on American soil where the speed limit is posted in Miles and not Kilometers.  

Though I got a bucket list item knocked off, the best part of the whole trip was just spending time with my lady on our 7th Anniversary.  I could not ask for a better travel partner nor a better life partner.  I am excited to continue crossing bucket list items off as we continue to venture through this weird and wonderful world together.  

Middle Aged Travelers

 April 2022 was a nice time to get away to Florida.  We left Duluth on a nice spring day, temps in the mid 50's.  We were a little sad to be leaving our nice weather, but once we arrived in 90 degree Florida, Duluth had a messy spring storm for nearly the entire time we were basking in the sun.  Not gonna lie, we were a bit elated to know folks back home were in a slushy, snowy mess while we swam in the hot sun.

Our vacation was an intentional one of relaxation so we did not have a big agenda.  It was a perfect reset full of fun, laughs, and intimate pool chats.

Here we are a couple of middle aged women doing pool Olympics complete with handstands, handwalking, judging and critiques.  We each took home a gold medal in the handstand competition.  We are both professionals after our years of practice and expertise.  It is fun to be a kid still!  In addition to our handstands, we participated in another juvenile pool activity.  Yup, we peed in the pool (Sshh, don't tell).  We kept track of how many times we relieved ourselves by holding up our fingers for each time we were too lazy to get out of the pool.  We got upwards of over 5 times each by the end of pool time.   Gross, I know.

Ice cream was a perfect way to cool off in the humid, 90 degree heat.  But eating it outside was not the perfect way in which to eat the ice cream.  We were a sloppy mess covered in rapidly melting ice cream.  We had to eat it so fast that I don't think either one of us tasted much of our delicious dessert.  We ate it on the dock so the drips could just fall into the water below.  And this is where we discovered  the relaxi-taxi!  The water taxi was a cheap way to get a boat ride in right from our hotel.  We wish we would have discovered the water taxi earlier in our trip, but this night we opted for ice cream instead of liquor.  Once you get over a certain age, you have to make choices and sacrifices.  

Also, as a middle aged woman, it seems I have classified the Red Hot Chili Peppers as "heavy metal music".  For some reason, Amy finds this hilarious.  I guess they are not heavy metal after all.  

Right from our hotel room, we have views of dolphins and manatees swimming off in the distance.  My middle aged eyes also discovered there were black pelicans on the beach next to our hotel.  I was so excited to go visit the pelicans especially once I saw another woman walk near them and they didn't move.  They must be friendly pelicans!  Imagine our disappointment to find that my eyes deceived us and they weren't pelicans after all, but rather they were tires on the beach.  I wanted to go see these mysterious pelicans not only once, but twice!  After realizing they were just tires, I was still in denial, and got excited moments later when I again thought I saw pelicans.....Amy had to remind me that my eyes were playing tricks on me!

On our final day there, we went to a butterfly conservatory which was beautiful and lovely.  This solidified my middle aged-ness when I found out that they considered a senior citizen to be aged 50!  Just two short years away, and I would have been able to get reduced senior rates!

When it came time to pack the suitcase to head home, our suitcase gained over 5 pounds, not from all of our travel souvenirs we bought, but because of all the food we stole from the continental breakfast each morning.  Oh, those Florida oranges sure were tasty back home in Duluth!

More highlights of the vacation included a mama manatee with two babies seen while kayaking, dolphins from our hotel, a dead rat at the hotel restaurant, and a mascot parrot named "Blue" (who was kind of scary)!

Though traveling is always a nice getaway, coming back home is even sweeter.  There simply is no place like home!

Tonya Harding Day

 Years ago, my lady and I created our very own holiday.  It happened after seeing the movie "I Tonya" and learning about the spirit of Tonya Harding.  She is who she is.  Feisty.  Unapologetic. Unstoppable (albeit a bit questionable).  A fighter with a winning spirit.  So we took those qualities and made our own holiday that became a day for us to be unapologetic, indulgent, and hilarious.  In years past, we picked an "enemy" to pour all of our negative energy into.  Last year, that enemy was woodticks (some past honorable mentions belong to a jacket from work, geese, and who knows what else).

This year, we celebrated a little differently.  It has been a difficult year emotionally for both of us.  Motivation to celebrate anything has been challenging, and I am not even certain we celebrated Tonya Harding Day last year.  The year before we had planned to take the DTA city bus, but covid happened and public outings were banned.  

So this year on Feb 6th, Tonya Harding Day proper, we decided to finally take the bus downtown and just have an adventure.  See what we see.  Just let the day unfold as it shall and experience the day for what it is.

We were pleasantly surprised.  

I didn't know what to expect on the bus, but figured that I would see some shady characters on the bus and perhaps feel a little uncomfortable not having been on local public transportation since high school, which is far too many years ago to even count.

Some differences I noticed was that there was a bin in the front of the bus designated for groceries so that people could place their grocery bags in a secure bin rather than on the dirty floor.  Another was the difference in the request for the bus to stop.  In years past, it was just an annoying "DING".  Now, it was a very quiet ding followed by the robotic voice pronouncing "Stop requested".  

The passengers were surprisingly thankful.  Nearly every single person who departed the bus via the back door, thanked the bus driver at the front of the bus for the ride.  It brought tears to my eyes to see the humanity, the gratitude, and the kindness.  If the passenger did not say thank you, the bus driver saluted "have a nice day" as the passengers departed.  Heartwarming!  This happened on both the initial trip as well as the return trip which led me to assume this was a common occurrence on the bus.  Local culture on public transportation.  

Examples of the generosity of the human spirit were ever present.  One guy boarded the bus unable to pay.  The bus driver gave him a free ride.  A rough looking young couple in the front of the bus gladly moved to the back to free up closer seats when cane using passengers boarded.  A little dog toting lady in a wheelchair also boarded.  The driver took a few minutes to help secure her safely in her spot only to have to patiently unbuckle her just two blocks later.  

Yes, it was a lovely holiday.  The actual bus ride was the highlight, but we also enjoyed a delicious lunch (with a gift card), and a stroll through part of our skyway system.  

It did not escape us that we were using the bus voluntarily as a form of entertainment.  Something different.  New.  Most, if not all, people on the bus were riding it because they had to.  Though we had blast, we were very glad to not have to rely on public transportation on a daily basis.  It took one hour.....each way....to travel what would take about 20 minutes in our vehicle.  It was loud, dirty, cold, long, tiring.  But what we will remember is the heartwarming experience.

Both of us enjoy being at home and venturing with strange people can be anxiety inducing.  But once you leave the house, it isn't as scary as the imagination makes it out to be.  In fact, people are good and goodness exists all around, especially if your eyes are open to it.  Tonya Harding Day 2022 was an eye opening reminder of the goodness of people.   This year, a symbol of hope and light and love.  

Thanks, Tonya! 

Fun Finds Up the North Shore

So the other day my friend and I took a drive up the "North Shore".  What a fun treasure that was!  I've lived here my whole life, and I have been up the North Shore several times, yet I discovered a whole new undiscovered (by me) world!

Nearly halfway between Duluth and Canada lives a little town called Silver Bay and there is a whole lot to see and do in Silver Bay.  Who knew!?

The first exciting fun find was giant chairs!

I have always wanted to sit in giant chairs, and there they were just calling our name on the side of the freeway.  So we took that as a sign and got our photo opp.  How can you not smile sitting in giant chairs?  When we were leaving, an older couple was pulling up to also sit in the giant chairs.  The excited smile on the lady's face described exactly what we were feeling.

Next we drove up this mountainous terrain called Palisadehead.  This was quite the fun find! High up on rocky cliffs gazing down at the Caribbean looking Lake Superior was breathtaking in every sense of the word.

I had to crouch kind of low to the ground to keep my bearings and my sanity.  It was scary being up so high with no real protection in between you and the ledge where you would plummet to the bottom of the rocky cliff into the frigid and quite rocky water below.  When we were done, I had the Jello legs.  But it was well well worth it.

Then we headed to Black Beach where we were in search of black rocks.  Instead we found nothing but a bunch of NO TRESPASSING signs.  They were every few feet, clearly marked, with a "Violators will be Prosecuted" warning.  We decided to risk it.  We ventured out of the car down a path toward the beach.  We hear a vehicle slowly approaching.  And what do you know, its a cop.

I start kind of running back to the car and the cop.  Heart is pounding.  Cop asks, "Having fun?"  Our reply, "We are trying to".  He questions, "Trying to?"  We explain we were trying to get to the Black Beach and asked if he knew how we could get there.  His response was "Not legally.  What do those signs say?"  We hung our heads in shame as we solemnly answered, "No Trespassing......"  However, the cop then directed us to follow him while he showed us the correct, though still illegal, path to get to the Black Beach.  I thanked him for not arresting us.

On our way home, we really wished we would have answered differently when he asked us what the sign said.  After having a significant conversation in English, we wish we would have answered, "Senor, no hablo Ingles".  Though funny to us, it may not have been funny to the cop so we were pleased with our result.

The beach was different than we expected.  Still cool.  A beach full of taconite, which gives it the black color for which it is named.  We didn't stay long, but just took a glimpse since we were there illegally.  We were both so angry that someone (mining company) could claim a whole cool beach for themselves and not share it with the public.  How can that be?!

Our fun find adventure ended with a trip to the candy store!  What a sweet finish for an awesome day.  Can't wait to return next year to see what other hidden gems await us Up the North Shore.

My New Hobby

Earlier this month, I bought myself a new "toy", and let me tell you, its been fun!

Its a reminder of what really matters.

A feeling of connectedness.

Peace.

Road Tripping with Prairie Dogs

Just two days home from a fabulous road trip through South Dakota, I want to go back.  Or at least go on another road trip somewhere.  Initially, "South Dakota" elicits "what is in SOUTH DAKOTA?", "why THERE?"  But let me tell ya, it has some of the most breathtaking landscape and scenery I have ever seen.

So below is basically just my itinerary.  Nothing funny, fancy, or thought provoking.  Just a recap of my Fun Trip mostly for my own memory....

Day 1 (Monday):  On the road by 7:15 on our way to pick up our rental car (a Blue Chevy Cruz) in a torrential downpour.  By 7:30, we were "married".  That's right.  "Married".  After learning that it would cost an additional $10 a day to add another driver for the rental car, some random guy informed us that it does not cost extra for spouses to be added on as extra drivers.  So, in that instant, we were spouses.  We just saved ourselves about $100! 

We were so overpacked that we had to cram all of our gear into the car.  Literally.  It was one of those "Quick!  Shut the trunk" things where if you were to open the trunk from here on out, you had to use extreme caution for falling duffel bags.  For real.  Our back seat was plum full too.  The down pour of rain and our impatience to get rolling may have impacted our organization skills.  But we were off!  My mission was to see buffalo and prairie dogs! 

Ten hours later, we made it to South Dakota and toured the World's Only Corn Palace.  We were curious as to what a Corn Palace was, and here it is a Palace made of Corn.  Go figure.  Its more like an entertainment auditorium for concerts and whatnot.  The outside is made out of corn and the design is changed every year.  When we saw a hungry pigeon gnawing on the outside of the building, we knew it was real corn. 

After 13 hours of car concerting, we finally made it to Wall.  Signs for Wall Drug litter the entire freeway as soon as you cross the Minnesota/South Dakota border.  By this time, it was around 10:00 PM, so we just got our hotel and turned in for the night.

Day 2 (Tuesday):  More rain and wind.  Turns out Wall is a tiny tourist town with kitchy shops for rinky dink souvenirs and fun photo opportunities. 

Our breath was first stripped away when we saw the rolling prairie hills.  Grey sky, green grass dotted with tons of black cows. 

South Dakota is Super windy.  My vanity had to take a back seat and I rocked hats and bandannas.  Not my best look, but it made for a much more pleasant and relaxing trip to not have to worry about my hair.

Then on to Sitting Bull cave.  This is home of the world's largest specimen of Dog Tooth Spar. 

We had to climb down 180 stairs to get into the depths of the cave.  That meant we had to then climb 180 stairs OUT of the cave too.

Did you know that if you fart in a cave, the stench lingers for a long time and follows you?  Thanks to me, we learned that lesson!

Some of the dog tooth spar.

Back in the car to head to the Black Hills.  On our way there, we stopped at Bear Country where we drove around a free roaming zoo of sorts.  All kind of animals roamed in sectioned off areas.  The highlight was the hundreds of bears that came right up to the car.

This guy made us chuckle.  He was just sitting there looking at the
scenery.  We called him the "meditating bear"

We saw Mt. Rushmore

And then drove by the Crazy Horse Monument.

And some of the most stunning terrain on the Needles Highway.  Rock formations and spooky, windy roads proved to be truly Awesome.  One could think they were on a different planet by the unearthly feel that the Needles emit. 

That night we stayed in Hill city to return to the Black Hills the next day to explore and hike.

Day 3 (Wednesday):  Weather is finally cooperating.  In the mid 50's, some sun, Breezy.  We venture to hike Harney's Peak, which is the highest point between the Rockies and the Andes.  This was the Mother of all hikes.  Six miles round trip, 3 of which is uphill, climbing this ancient "mountain".

We hiked to that "castle" in the background.  In actuality, it used to be a fire tower

At the top of Harney's Peak.

The return trip was much easier, but we were both ready to relax in the car and drive the Custer Wildlife Loop.  My mission of seeing "Buffalo" (more properly called "Bison") and Prairie Dogs came true!  Bison everywhere!

Where there is Bison, there are Prairie dogs as well.  So cute!

In addition, we saw Pronghorn deer

And the "begging burros"

My biggest regret is not hanging out with these burros longer.  I fed this guy carrots.  Next time, I will park, chill, and talk to my buddies longer. 

After talking to all the critters, we headed back to Wall so that we could spend the following day in the Badlands.

Day 4 (Thursday):  Windy (Badlands was under a "wind advisory"), but sunny and warmer.  On our way to the Badlands, we found this little spot where we could hang out with the Prairie Dogs!  Dream come true!  We got to feed them and hang out with the little critters.

We spent the rest of the day here, in the sacred, spiritual lands.    The Badlands!

Initially, we were going to camp here, but because of the weather (there was also some threats of a thunder storm) and our eagerness to start our long trek back home, we decided against camping.  Next time, we said.  So, East we went towards home and ended up staying in Pierre, the capital.

Did not see a rattlesnake, though I was calling for them.
I only wanted to see one from a distance.  A long distance.

Day 5 (Friday).  Severe Weather alerts in the Black Hills and Badlands...Mostly a driving day for us.  Destination DeSmet, Home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, three hours away.   Once we arrived in DeSmet, we were just eager to get home to pet our cats we left behind at home.  Neither one of us wanted to take the hour long tour of the Ingalls homestead so we attempted to drive around to see the building of interest ourselves.  Disappointed to see a more developed town than I anticipated, and feeling pressure from the 7 hour drive ahead of us, we decided to just head home and not play around in DeSmet.  Next time maybe.

So, I came to see "Buffalo" and Prairie Dogs, and got to see so much more.  More than I ever thought was possible in South Dakota. 

On my journey, I couldn't help but think of the Native Indians who were forced to give up their sacred land and now live in some of the worst poverty in America.  But that is a blog for another day, another time. 

For now, I will relish in the beautiful landscape that is America and give thanks for the beautiful perfection that surrounds us each and every day.

Memorable Quotes:

Me:  Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Her:  Water is life.  Hydrate or die.
both of us:  Winning!  In reference to farting and who had the stinkiest ones.  Cows won, but I came in second. 

Getting My Ski On

January and February can be a funky time in these parts, especially if there is no snow in which to have fun.  The dead of winter.  Dark, grey days can create dark, grey spirits.  Knowing all too well the heaviness of this time of year in the Northland, I took some days off work so that I can have some FUN and lift the heaviness that has fallen on my soul yet again.

Finally we have a winter that has substantial snow suitable for snowshoeing and skiing.  During these 6 days off, I am embracing Every. Single. Moment.  Perfect weather, and fun friends, has made for some of the best skiing I have had in years.  The other night, I skied under the light of the full moon and had one of the best laughs I have had in a very long time.

Some days have been super ski days with skiing in the morning AND the afternoon.  I feel like I need to get all my skiing in during these 6 days because once I head back to work, its no turning back.  I will be working 12 shifts in 11 days.  Just thinking about that makes me tired.....

BUT for THIS week, I am enjoying quality time with nature. 

Snowshoeing with the dogs is always great fun.  They roll around in the snow collecting snowballs.......

Or becoming one.........

 

 

 

Before too long, skiing and snowshoeing season will be over and we will morph into ucky mucky spring, but I intend to take advantage of this glorious snow that has been absent the past few years.  Lots of good skiing can still be had; its only March!

And just as easily as it sneaks in, the darkness lifts and once again I can think a little straighter, breathe a little lighter, and laugh a little easier.

The Energy of the Moon

Bundling up on a frigid Winter night to face the bitter cold is a fun challenge.  There is just something about putting on enough layers to feel toasty warm when the temperature says 2 degrees.  Sure, a person might feel a bit like Ralphie's brother, Randy, in the movie "A Christmas Story", but its like an act of defiance.

Mother Nature, or maybe Jack Frost, dares you to get out and experience the chilly air.  Add to that a full moon and cloudless night, and its an unavoidable temptation. 

A temptation I succumbed to tonight.  The moon was crazy gorgeous as it was rising so I put on my snow pants, my down jacket, hat, boots, mittens, and all the necessary winter gear and ventured out for a full moon experience.  Last year I wanted to experience every full moon of the winter, but succeeded in only enjoying about 3 full moon lit nights.

Off to Enger Tower I went, good buddy in tow.  Peering down over our beautiful city under a full moon was awesome.  The silvery moon shone down on the calm Lake, perfectly highlighting a single ship waiting to enter the Harbor.  Just below, the lights of Bentlyville (a Christmas light show spectacular) twinkled and blinked to unheard Christmas carols. 

Spooky shadows danced upon the frozen ground as we made our way back to the vehicle.  Though it was brisk, we took refuge beneath our furry hoods which served as a wind shield for our faces.  Yes, we beat the cold.  We won.  The cold did not prevent us from taking in the beautiful sights our city has to offer.  And, in fact, we stayed warm.

Each full moon brings about a new found energy.  Rumor has it nursing homes and.....mental health units....are a bit more unsettled during the full moon.  I certainly feel how this could be true since I become exhilarated from soaking up the energy of the moon. 

Like last year, I again intend to appreciate each full moon of the season.

My Favorite Night of the Year!

Cozy Pajamas. 

Paper hats.

 Delicious food. 

Hearty laughs.

Hot Cocoa.

Christmas lights.

Fun Friends.

Make for one Fun Elf Night!



Feeling the Spirit

Pissed as I am about having to work on yet another Christmas, I keep reminding myself how unforgettable last year's Christmas was which eases the amount of anger even if for a little while.  As an act of rebellion, I vowed to not put up my tree or any decorations.  That would sure show them!  Besides that, it somehow seems pointless to put up a present-less tree for the cats. They just undecorate it and chew on the power cords anyway. Its just a bunch of unnecessary work putting up a gawdy tree in a teeny tiny living room.  So no tree or lights for me this year.

Then something happened after listening to some Christmas songs on the radio (Little Drummer Boy, anyone?)  Perhaps like the Grinch, my "heart grew three sizes" after hearing that song, but the spirit came over me. 

The Spirit of Christmas and the Spirit of Elf.  Yes, Elf.  Its time for my annual Elf party on Tuesday.  Usually I like to decorate for my buddies to help us get into the Spirit of Elf.  I was going to consider not decorating, but I am just so excited to host Elf that I decided to decorate! 

First, it was just going to be lights.  Then, I figured "what the hell" and got out the tree.  Then the ornaments.  Then the shelf of snowmen and Santas.  Yes, it looks a little like Will Ferrel vomited Christmas in here :)

 I am more excited for Elf Night than I am for Christmas, so why NOT decorate?  Yet another newcomer will be making an appearance making the grand count at 5 humans, 3 felines, and one overgrown Elf.

Tino had to help me decorate :)