November Reflections

What is it about November?

November just seems to bring out the strange melancholy in me.  I was up north at the cabin with Maggie's brother Steve this weekend for some chores and the final shut-down. We had a great time together.

When evening rolled around we went down to the lake, that's when the light began to fade, and the chill ran up my back.  I don't mind too much, in fact I kind of like it.  The reflections on the water echoed our thoughts of winter's approach.

Winter's Exhalation

Winter's Exhalation

For the past week the warming temperatures and melting snow have resulted in a string of beautifully foggy mornings.  Their eerie nature drew me to Foster Cemetery, one of the lonely, lovely spots hidden around town.

I found myself high on the hill above the Kinnickinnic River, sitting with my back turned to the old settler’s grave stones.  I listened to geese flying through the gray soup.  Every now and then a pair would emerge from the fog of winter’s final breath, only to disappear again a moment later, headed downstream.

~ Hal

Duck Stamp

Duck Stamp

I was up early on Saturday to drop Garth off at school for his 

choir concert trip.  After saying goodbye, I headed over to Glen 

Park and followed the trail down the hill to the Kinnickinnic River.

If you’ve ever been traveling away from home and stopped into 

a small-town cafe mid-morning, you know the feeling I had as I 

emerged from the woods;   heads turned to eye my entrance when 

I joined these mallard ducks at their regular gathering spot.

After a moment, they went back to stamping their feet and discussing 

their plans for the day.  I took this photo, then wandered further up 

the river.

~ Hal

Barn Bluff

Barn Bluff

On Saturday morning I woke up early to go for a hike on 

Barn Bluff (down in Red Wing, Minnesota).  Over the years 

I’ve rock climbed there and I wondered what it would be like 

to hike along the stone walls in winter.

I don’t usually get excited about “grey” snow days, I tend to 

favor the bright winter sun.  This morning, however, I 

rediscovered a soft, reflective quiet that had me thinking 

about past summer adventures.

I took this photo as I walked along the quarry trail, revisiting 

old familiar haunts cast in a different light.

~ Hal

Winter Fishing

Winter Fishing

This Saturday was the winter trout (catch and release) fly-fishing

opener. A small group of us showed up at Chris's house with our

gear, hoping for the best.

Joe and Ben reported that the river was running high and dark.

Below the dam in River Falls there was seven inches of foam on

the water's surface.

After some discussion, we decided to take a look at the rivers

east of town rather than climb down the icy trail to the lower

Kinnickinic. We drove about 5 miles to the Rush, then headed

further on to the Eau Galle.

Parking below the Spring Valley impoundment, we walked

along the Eau Galle river. My catch of the morning turned out

to be this brief moment on the trail.

~ Hal

When the Blue Hour Comes

When the Blue Hour Comes

Melting snow's fog settling in at dusk.

Next to the old cemetery,

a soybean field with a tree at its center.

~ Hal

Frozen Memories

Frozen Memories

We're in a "freeze and thaw" weather pattern right now, a

warm-up last week created lakes of melted snow in the yard.

The boys were out hacking at the surface with the ice axe,

flows of ancient lava burbling and gushing forth as they

rode the tectonic plates from here to there.

I went peering below the surface and found a few ancient

memories lurking in suspended animation.

~ Hal

Winter's Gifts

Winter's Gifts

Thursdays are my “work-from-home” days. No commute, good coffee,

and (at least when the kids are at school) few interruptions.

One of the side benefits is that it’s easy to pop outside when the

opportunity for a photo presents itself. I was standing at our kitchen

window when I noticed these flowers (bee balm) basking in my

neighbor Eric’s back yard.

It has been a very cold, snowy week and the visual geometry of the

landscape has shifted dramatically. Some days, the cold can really

sap your spirit; but I’ve also noticed that when everyone is wearing

a fluffy white cap it’s not all that hard to spot winter’s gifts.

~ Hal

Bittersweet

Bittersweet

I guess winter is really here. I stepped outside to examine the 

bittersweet growing to the side of our patio and was pelted by sleet.

I love this plant, it reminds me of our wedding. Maggie and her 

mother gathered bittersweet together and then used it in the flower 

arrangements.

On our patio it grows really well. And at this time of the year, 

entwined with honeysuckle, it is by far the brightest thing seen 

from our kitchen window.

~ Hal