snowbirdredux

BREATHE

Posted on August 23, 2011 by snowbirdredux

Along with all the good and exciting discoveries these days on Mt. Faith, we’re also going through a difficult patch due to a personal happenstance not of our making, but nevertheless hard to put to rest. And so, out of the blue I suddenly find myself “holding my breath”. Or telling myself something preposterous on the surface, like “I can’t GET my breath”, as if it had mysteriously fled.

It makes me remember doing just that when Noelle pushed off on her two-wheeler for the first time. Or the doctor came out of surgery to report on T.M.’s cancer procedure. Or I took the dare at Arrowbear Music Camp and mincingly crept across the chasm. Undoubtedly I could dredge up memories and then some. We all do it. We stop breathing there for a time as we wait for the last minute count in a presidential election, or invoke an act of will for the outfielder to catch the ball – or not – or force one’s self not to cry out in alarm as the film’s protagonist opens the cellar door.

There’s a reason why the whole science of the breath is so much a part of all the spiritual and religious traditions, and why we’re taught to inhale and exhale with such precision and intent in meditation, and even why the very oxygenation of the blood leads to physical health. God himself, we are told, started life on earth by breathing into the very nostrils of his own creation.

I think about these issues especially because of my sister/cousin Maryanne who now needs help with this whole complex and convoluted process. Here, I’m worrying about “catching my breath” and she is consigned to exceptional measures. It’s not fair. And it’s very important. On multiple levels.

My most profound experiences with the breathing process came first with Grandma Marie after she softly whispered “that’s enough now” and I stayed at her hospital bed, holding her hand while I deliberately breathed in and out in what I thought might be some small measure of light and assurance. The second was similar, but I had more experience by then in the whole meditative process, and I consciously breathed as I held a focus for the passing of my son.

On a lighter note, here at Mt. Faith we had a serendipitous discovery this week when T.M. began to uncover the sorry state of the old added-on three season porch.

As he ripped into the rotted wood, what was first to be a remodel which would include a half storage area / half take-off-your-boots-and-scarfs-before-entering sit-down, became a new open old-fashioned porch. And we may have second thoughts in the winter when the snow is blowing in from the west, and we may have lost a serviceable and practical entry, but seeing as there were previously two closed off living room windows against the add-on, when the light suddenly flooded into the interior, the results were immediate and remarkable. And, honestly, the old house breathed.

NEW PORCH IN PROGRESS - to be continued - - - -

Posted in faith, In Memorium, introspection, minnesota life, remodeling | 7 Comments

IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

Posted on August 19, 2011 by snowbirdredux

As we remodel this old house on Mt. Faith and uncover bits of construction quality made “when quality was popular”, and also unearth traces of tacky, second-rate add-ons, it makes me think of the saying – “Excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.” Sound familiar? But I had to “google it” to track down the origin and not surprisingly it came from John W. Gardiner who was the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare under Lyndon Johnson. That made him practically the head honcho for the implementation of the Great Society and consequently the establishment of Medicare, special funding for poor students, Common Cause and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting among other worthy endeavors. Yeah for him! What I didn’t know was that he was a registered Republican – obviously of the Old School – and resigned the Secretariat because of his objection to the Viet Nam War. More cheers. Can you imagine what the Grand Old Party would think of him today?

But all of this line of thought about the meaning of excellence actually ties in with something amazing we have discovered right here in Fergus Falls. To cite another quote – this one from Grandma Marie – “I always give credit where credit is due”. And while it’s not my favorite Marie-ism, which would have to be – “There’s another day in the East” – it definitely fits the bill, for who would ever imagine that the most excellent bakery and the most excellent meat and fish market would not be found in San Francisco, Chicago or New York, but in our opinion right in our own little backyard.

And actually the Falls Baking Company was started by Scot Erickson who DID train at the renowned San Francisco Baking Institute and creates breads which have put me out of business! I love to bake and fully intended to make the long Minnesota winters part of the process, but the Falls Bakery is over the top, all organic, no preservatives and make it impossible to pick a favorite loaf. I have NEVER eaten better bread.

THE DAILY ARRAY

Raisin Cinnamon, Baguette, Sourdough, Multigrain, and BROWNIE!

They have six daily varieties and different specialties each day and we’ve made the rounds of most – sourdough, multigrain, pecan golden raisin, French boule, on and on, and ALWAYS take home a few brownies to share which are unbelievable and knock mine out of the park. Oh well – Winter? – there’s always knitting.

The other Excellent Award goes to Premier Meats and Seafoods which was started just six years ago by two local butchers, Brian Oliphant and John Anderson, who decided to go for only the best. And it is. I suppose it’s the lingering aroma of a light smoking process, but just walking in the door makes me hungry. They make their own sausages of every variety of course, and there’s a freezer labeled “Elk and Buffalo” if that’s your taste, and pickled herring (it IS Minnesota), ground sirloin which makes the ultimate A-One burger, and the bacon is like no other. T.M., who is mainly the “meat buyer” in the family, says he has never seen such beautifully trimmed meat.

T.M. headed for the Torsk

On a first foray into Premier, Krissi (who has been our favorite go-to counter person) suggested their brand of sauerkraut which I must admit was a first for me, in spite of the fact that Uncle Earl and Aunt Lilah both married Germans.

The fresh sauerkraut came refrigerated in a bag, and the best preparation trick was to open the top, poke some holes in the bottom of the bag, and rinse water through it. Then we put it in a large pot (a crock pot would work too) along with 1 cup of white wine, ½ chopped onion, 1 peeled and chopped apple, 2 slices chopped bacon, salt and pepper and 1 Tbs. of olive oil. (You could also add 10 cracked juniper berries). Let simmer for 30-45 minutes until the onions are soft. I must say – I liked it!

But my favorite choice at Premier Meat and Seafood is the Torsk. That’s Norweigian for Cod Fillet and there are more traditional ways to prepare it – but my own personal chef wins again.

T.M. sautés the cod fillets in a combo of butter and olive oil, just enough to be a bit golden brown on both sides. Then he puts the whole skillet into a moderate oven with a leek/tomato sauce on top and bakes until flakey, about 5-6 minutes. The sauce is definitely worth mentioning and can be used other than just on cod – use your imagination.

Here it is: In a little olive oil, sauté 1 well-washed, finely sliced leek, chopped garlic clove, and a scant handful of chopped sun-dried tomatoes. When it is judged “saucy” enough, add a handful of chopped mixed fresh herbs. We have had chives, basil, thyme and mint available this summer, but take your pick, although the basil is probably the most important.

That’s excellence for you.

Posted in COMMUNITY, favorite things, food, minnesota life | 1 Comment

THE LINEAGE

Posted on August 18, 2011 by snowbirdredux

The most difficult thing, bar none, about moving from California to Minnesota, was leaving behind five children and four grandchildren. We’ve attempted to entice with tales of lakes and prairies, snow sledding at Roosevelt Park, hay rides at Rick and Debbie’s, more extended family fun, and downright bribery – “If you want to see us!”

This was the momentous week of the First Family Visit. Or any visit for that matter, and it took some doing to spiff up the not-yet-complete guest bedroom and enhance as well as possible a futon on the future living room floor. Since it is a long family tradition – going back to Grandpa Graves – to have ultra-competitive killer games of croquet, that was actually the immediate order of business and it was a formidable first to be able to finally have a yard that accommodated the court and not have to heft the set down to a local park.

THE COURT AT MT. FAITH

While T.M. set the hoops into PVC pipe buried in the ground, I began to dig the fire pit and hoped against odds that the crazy Minnesota weather would accommodate.

As it turned out – the weather came and went and came some more, but just enough to make it interesting and possibly a novel experience for coastal visitors. Number One Son, Kevin and Number Two Grandson, Sam, made it to the Ottertail River Walk with only a few Minnesota mosquitoes to intervene.

SAM AND KEVIN

SAM AND KEVIN AND (YOU KNOW WHAT)

And Sam got a driving practice session around the grounds of the now deserted but architecturally impressive former State Mental Hospital.

FERGUS FALLS, MN - STATE MENTAL HOSPITAL

SAM SHOWING SUPREME CONFIDENCE

But it was all about the game. In spite of the fact that my side of the aisle relishes a good round of croquet as well, I am usually toast against these venerable diehards. They take it most seriously.

And hearkening back to the patriarch, J.S.G., T.M. has often said that the only time he saw his stately, serious and dignified grandfather smile with undeniable delight, was when he happened to blast his own grandson’s ball, no matter his age, across the court to hell and gone.

JOHN SAMUEL AND LITTLE BOBBIE

John Samuel must have been smiling down at his namesake this day, for Sam Johnson, against all odds and near-unbeatable opponents, triumphed over dad and grandfather on the day before he left for his first year of college.

The Lineage

Bravo Sam!

Posted in Family, favorite things, In Memorium, minnesota life | 3 Comments

MINNESOTA VETS

Posted on August 16, 2011 by snowbirdredux

Fergus Falls - Any holiday

I’m feeling patriotic today. And I’m not talking about animal doctors. It’s about the quality of life and what is commonly referred to here as “Minnesota Nice”. It’s simply a way of being. It must be built into the genetic Minnesota code somehow, so that it’s the norm to have pleasant, you-bet-cha responses from every front and encounter. We’re shaking our heads on a daily basis, chuckling aloud, giving each other knowing glances and nods each time it happens. And, believe me, it happens EVERYWHERE – the Pamida pharmacy, the state licensed liquor store, the DMV, the State Bank and Trust where they bake six kinds of fresh cookies each day and call out – “Thank You Johnsons!” when we complete our transaction. It makes me wonder just how Minnesotans (and I include North Dakota here) must feel when they move to other locales. Like a Walleye out of water, evidently.

In the years when my son, Kevin Grey (as we call him to distinquish from our other Kevin and the yet “other Kevin Johnson”) was in Aid’s homes, nursing centers, hospitals, and finally hospice, and in the brief time I spent with Harriet in her last few months at the Danish Center Rehab, I realize I have had a lifetime of experience in care facilities. That is not to disparage any of the above. For the most part we lucked out. But today I entered a new dimension.

Veteran's Home and Clinic - Fergus Falls

It began when T. M. transferred his medical care from Fort Ord in Monterey County California to the Veteran’s clinic in Fergus Falls which is also part and parcel of a “Veteran’s Home”. We previously thought that Fort Ord was a pleasant and admirable facility. And it is. But today we came face to face with Minnesota Nice to the Max.

Entry to the Vet's home and clinic

As I waited in the comfy lobby and worked on my Sunday New York Times Crossword, I encountered three older gents who shuffled by on their walkers or wheelchairs and stopped to chat about something only known to their personal inner life. But they were all sweet and, even if in some parallel universe, part of a benevolent new society. One of them even told me that I was much beloved and appreciated. Was he an angel? One old darling tried to shuffle out the front door and his personal alarm system triggered all the bells and whistles. The nurse that arrived post haste, began (not by scolding for his near escape and off-limits exit) but by complimenting Bob on his cap and how well it fit and suited him, and then enticed him down the hall for cookies and coffee (cookies again). Brad, at the reception desk, set aside pressing calls to take the time to chat about trucking and managed to wend his way through a sea of confusion with another old vet. It was an hour steeped in nostalgia and grace.

We ran into my angel, actually, when we took a quick tour down the hall and found that his name was Lyle Alystad and his life was pictured just outside of his room, and he too had been a Marine, but in the second W.W.

Lyle Alystad and Room Mate

From there we meandered past one of the nostalgic rec rooms and the blown up photos of Fergus Falls, as known so long ago to many of the residents.

In the Old Days

But the best part of all was in the inner courtyard garden where one old vet watered the flowers and I marveled at the tomatoes (so much better than mine) and the perennials reigned supreme.

Here is something I never thought I would ever say – but – “Thank you for your service!”

Posted in COMMUNITY, faith, Family, HEALTH, introspection, minnesota life, retirement | Leave a comment

CONCERT IN THE PARK

Posted on August 13, 2011 by snowbirdredux

It’s a sure sign that summer is winding down when I realize that there are only two more evening concerts in the park here in Fergus Falls. Most every Thursday evening we’ve hauled our fold-up chairs the few blocks to Roosevelt Park where we have been serenaded with everything from Blues, Bluegrass, Country, Rock, Jazz, Folk and even Fiddle and Tap. This week it was Gospel – the Haining Family – and while that would not necessarily be my genre of choice, they were darn good musicians and made a new, strong case for the art of yodeling and that was most definitely a hard sell for my personal taste. We were even treated to a version of “Jesus Put a Yodel in my Soul” which was a good follow-up to the excellent folk singer, Mark Fogelson, a few weeks ago who sang – “What if Jesus was Norwegian”. Can you picture Cowboy-Swiss-Norski with sandals and a beard? Uff Da – these Minnesotans.

The Haining Family

Each week the food is provided by a local café or organization and it was definitely a testament to the popularity of the Underwood Elks who must have barbecued hundreds, maybe thousands of pork chops. All I know is the food line extended far into the trees and never diminished for one solid hour.

The endless line for chops to the left -

GRILLING THE CHOPS

Finally - the front of the line!

Resting on their laurels!

The concert also provides a venue for a mini farmer’s market and we have become regular customers of Pat of Boyum Farms.

Pat in appropriate gospel shirt - "Praise the Lard" (he sells pastured hogs)

He and his wife, Gretchen moved back to her four generations family farm and have converted it to what’s known as sustainable agriculture, which means “farming in a manner that nourishes the land, using natural, renewable resources and seasonal production methods”. Right up my alley – I say hurrah for that. We have even been able to purchase “pastured” no-antibiotic chickens and first class eggs on occasion, but Pat always has tempting vegetables of outstanding quality.

Bounty from Boyum

His beets, in fact, led to a modification of a recipe which, I admit, comes originally from The Silver Palate and I will share because we thought it was so, so good. Ordinarily I like beets roasted in the oven, which intensely caramelizes the flavor. This dish is prepared in the microwave and having now lived through a Minnesota summer, I would appreciate it just for that alone if it wasn’t so yummy. So prepare: 4 beets, trimmed, peeled and cut into ¼ inch thick pieces; 2 slices bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces; ¾ cup homemade (preferably) chicken stock; 1 small head of escarole greens, cut into lengths; 1 cup onions – halved the long way, and cut into strips; 2 teasp. flour. In a 2 quart microwave safe baking dish, cook the bacon, covered at full power for approximately 3 minutes. Stir the beets and broth into casserole, cover and cook 4 minutes. Stir, cook 2 more minutes. Stir in the escarole, onions and flour, cover and cook 5 minutes. Remove and stir in all the following: 2 T. butter, 2 T. chopped fresh dill, 1 T. snipped fresh chives, 2 tsp. Balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp. Grated lemon zest, ¾ tsp. Salt, ½ tsp. Sugar, freshly grated black pepper and freshly grated nutmeg.

I think this was originally a French recipe, but no matter – I’m in Minnesota now and I’ll say – Tak fur maten!

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THE SWIMMING HOLE

Posted on August 10, 2011 by snowbirdredux

Although the Otter Tail River runs along just across the street here on Mt. Faith, other houses have been constructed over the years and the trees now obstruct all but a few thumbnail views. However, on the steamiest day yet this summer, we discovered the go-to spot just two blocks away. The water was flowing apace but not too swiftly, having left behind the rapids by the Broken Down Dam a mile upstream, just beginning to curl back into the biggest bend downstream where it lanquishes for a while into a wide lagoon before rushing for the bigger falls beyond. Now I get it. There’s a reason that scantily clad groups hoisting inner tubes have walked by the house this summer. They’re locals that know about the “in” spots. The temperature that day was the proverbial bathwater yet gratefully far cooler than the air. And there was a very large rock which serves as a perfect diving board – notice the person in the picture perched atop and the splash below. I’ll save the diving for T.M., but I love to “tube”. This swimming hole on the river also provides an access/egress point for kayakers and two of them just happened to pull in when we were there, and gave us a good account of the rapids upstream -“a bit dicey”, and a short lesson on equipment and all we needed to know -“kayaks are more stable than canoes”. (And thank you to Sheridan who recently gave us the same advice.) In Long Beach when we lived by the canals, we often took our canoe out into the bay on a moonlit night – or went across and tied up at the Safeway for groceries or at Hoolihan’s for a martini. And when we lived in Humboldt County in northern California we had our favorite swimming hole in the redwoods, known only to locals, where I could float in the beautiful Eel River. And so – who would have known – we have the best of both worlds here on the Ottertail and while I’m not so sure I’m too keen on rapids, it does seem a shame not to take advantage of our own backyard. So, we’ll see.

The Ottertail Bend

Two blocks in the other direction the river slows and swells into a wide bend which provides a perfect home for the Canadian Geese and other waterfowl.

Canadian Geese

Mrs. Mallard and child

Egrets in Tree

As T.M. says – “Life is Good!”

Posted in Birds, favorite things, minnesota life, Wild Life | Leave a comment

HOLE IN THE WALL

Posted on August 9, 2011 by snowbirdredux

Our friend Trudy liked to say – “If you can’t fix it, feature it!” And that is how my latest gardening adventure came about. Because of a hole in the wall. It all began when T.M. decided to replace the small downstairs bedroom window with a double pane, never imagining that 120 year old plaster could be so unforgiving. And so he cleverly decided to build a planter box around the new window, featuring by concealing whatever it was he was unable to fix. If you follow.

And since the latest garage sale had recently yielded two half barrels, I started creating plant combinations in my head and decided to start the day with a stop at the local nursery. The first tip-off that I was still thinking California and not yet attuned to my new clime, should have come when I noticed with some annoyance that what I had judged in May to be a splendid horticultural heaven was now dreary and mostly depleted. But I pluckily persevered, pulling and filling my cart with what I imagined to be appropriate partly shade and zone 3 tolerant plants, which also balanced color and harmony and various heights and textures. The second tip-off might have come if I had stopped to realize that I was the only customer in the place. And when I asked about lightweight planter soil for a wall box and whether they had an appropriate vine to add to the mix – the not busy clerk hesitated, looked at my cart, and asked if I didn’t want to settle for annuals. But I had picked HARDY perennials, I said, feeling somewhat proud that I had known enough to go for zone 3 and not 4. But if they were going into a planter and not into the ground, she said, there is no way they can and will survive the winter. Gardeners around here ONLY plant annuals in their containers. And they do it in May to get the most bang for their bucks. Of course. I should have thought of that. And here I was, not only with a cart full of perennials, but faced with only a few months to go, and the further annoyance of being directed to Impatiens as my lone and singular choice. And I won’t go so far as to say I loathe impatiens, but they have never been my plant of choice.

Needless to say, I thanked her for her help, mumbled something about being new to the area, didn’t dare admit I have a Master Gardener Certificate, and went home empty handed to re-group and re-think the hole in the wall planter.

And so, after some deliberation, we decided that I should combine some annuals with a few perennials, even if they DO succumb to the throes of winter, if only to satisfy our need to see the hole in the wall celebrated and properly adorned, and Home Depot was having an end-of-season Sale. We’ll see how it all works out.

My first choice in fact was something labeled “Swedish Ivy” and the tag said “weather tough, chosen to stand up to the toughest weather conditions”. But my Sunset Western Garden Book lists it as an inside or tropical tender vine and so I’m confused, as well as by the other two (also labeled “weather tough”) – Sweet potato vine and Jewels of Opar?

Swedish Ivy? Sweet Potato vine? Jewels of Opar???

The "overall" look - pre-winter

For one of the barrels I used fountain grass and double impatiens with licorice plants –

For the other – a Russian sage, more impatiens (oh well) and a ground cover that was not listed in any garden book of mine.

Russian Sage to get larger - hopefully.

In fact, the plant names were most unfamiliar – “Joyas de Opar”, Hiedra Sueca”, “Batata”, “Floracion Verano-otonio” – on the Russian Sage and the Fountain Grass – and “Floracion primavera-verano” on the chartreuse ground cover. Home Depot, it seems, has out-sourced. But the plantings look good for now and I will say thank you to Trudy and to T.M., but the very best thing is that I have satisfied my inner planting fix.

HOLE IN THE WALL REDUX!

Posted in favorite things, Gardening, minnesota life, remodeling | 1 Comment

GARDEN NOTES

Posted on August 6, 2011 by snowbirdredux

THE GOOD:

Going into August, I imagined that every new horticultural treat had already popped up and I had run the gamut of gardening surprises. Not so. Just yesterday while in the back of the garage, digging up my Black Gold Good Feng Shui compost, I saw something that looked like jeweled grapes on a large shrub intermingled with the lilac hedge. So beautiful, especially with the sun shining through the branches and now I am at a loss, even after picking my way through various shrub/berries web sites. Help! Any thoughts? Marlene, Susan, Barbara? Anyone?

And there’s more. Another large shrub – again among the lilacs – also has red berries, but redder and smaller like a current and sprinkled throughout the branches rather than in a cluster. Again – new to me. One would think the birds would be in heaven, but as yet I haven’t seen any having a snack in either locale. But they’re quick.

THE BAD:

JULIET, GOLDEN JUBILEE AND BIG BEEF

The tomatoes have been a new and frustrating experience, and this after my cockiness from last year’s splendid crop. In other words – they have blossom rot! Not a pretty sight.

BLOSSOM ROT ON GOLDEN JUBILEE AND JULIET

I felt somewhat off the personal responsibility hook when a front page article in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune this morning devoted sufficient space to bemoaning the “tomato problem” in the mid-west. It seems it was at first too cold and rainy and is now too hot (and rainy) and the on-again, off-again moisture schizophrenia is simply too much to produce the usually great Minnesota tomato. But I have to also own up to my own personal failure. I used my favorite formula when planting Juliet, Golden Jubilee and Big Beef – by sprinkling bone meal and placing two aspiran tablets under each plant, but I grabbed the only “tomato food” I found at the Home Depot and fed without looking at the specifics on the label. Too late I noticed that the numbers were 8-5-5, meaning that the fertilizer was heavy on nitrogen which produces lots of green leaves, and was low on phosphorus which is needed for flowering. And this in a red container shaped like a tomato! What tomato food would want to stress green growth and not blossoms? And not only was that a mistake in general, but it turns out that not having the phosphorus in abundance meant that the plants were not able to absorb enough calcium (don’t ask) and coupled with the crazy moisture inconsistencies – they were ripe candidates for blossom end rot. At our local nursery I found “Jack’s Classic” with 10-30-20 and I think we’re on the mend.

Valiant Juliet

THE THRILLING

Is it any wonder that I found a special affinity with the mighty Ash tree I contemplate from my meditation window? This is one of those times when only “DUH!” will suffice. In other words, I did some Folklore snooping and found that the Ash is actually Yggdrasil – the immense tree in Norse Mythology, the holiest of holy, whose branches extend into the heavens and whose roots connect with all the kingdoms, including Asgard, the home of the Gods; Jotenheim, the land of the Giants; and Niflheim, the primeval world. I wanted to connect to my ancestral roots and familial stomping grounds by moving from California to Minnesota, and this is the topping on the cake (or should I say the “kaka”).

YGGDRASIL - "Odin's Horse"

ONE MORE THING: The giant water lily goes on and on.

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WE PASSED!

Posted on August 4, 2011 by snowbirdredux

After a lot of stalling, a little studying, and some measure of trepidation, we took the test and now possess Minnesota Driver’s Licenses. The whole process was delayed, however, because of the state government shutdown in July which closed not only the state parks and other facilities, but also the offices which entitle one to drive, shoot, or (heaven forbid) FISH! The last entitlement provided the biggest uproar during the whole debacle, with the exception of the announcement that all restaurants and bars which were needing to renew their liquor licenses would be out of luck. And even the biggest beer distributor in the state would be “out” of business and unable to provide any provisions at all. That did it! Any worry about the old, poor and disabled getting their care aside, the state of Minnesota was brought to its knees and forced to compromise in a preplay of the debacle which soon was to take place on the national stage.

But we are now legal to drive as true Minnesotans and T.M. will be able to buy his own liquor as soon as he gets his photo driving I.D. in the mail approximately one month from now. If that seems strange to our friends and family from California – like many states across our nation, liquor is only sold in state licensed stores. And they require a photo I.D. and not a temporary replacement without photo that someone has had to procure after losing his license on a long road trip.

Studying up for the test was a bit stressful after we were told that there was a 50% failure in first time test takers. The booklet didn’t seem too hard but it was a bit disconcerting to learn that we had been illegally parking in a yellow “loading zone” which in Minnesota is actually a NO PARKING ZONE. And they really lost me with the flashing downward yellow arrow as opposed to the flashing X – which seemed to signal the same thing – drive along in that lane, but get out of it soon. Or something like that.

THE GEESE KNOW WHICH WAY TO GO!

But we passed. Only missing 5 and 6 out of a possible 8. You guess who is the smartest? We were also required to bring along birth certificates and if my birth name had not coincidently been the same as my married name, I would have had to supply a marriage license as well. But all of the extra caution – alcohol and driving alike – is more than made up for in the, once again, “you betcha” attitude and a decidedly un-bureaucratic public personality. Yep. Yep. Yep.

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AUGUST THE LION

Posted on August 1, 2011 by snowbirdredux

This month, which also notes our first two months in Minnesota, began with a dilly of a storm. It began last night about eleven p.m. and raged all night, often with thunder that seemed stuck into one long cascading vroom, rolling and rolling on and on and on. And just as the reverberations of the bolts all mushed together, the lightning too flashed continuously – one long night of neon explosions gone mad. By morning I began to wonder if it would ever pass.

Whenever there has been an electrical storm my first thought has been for the grand and stately Ash which I look up and into from my meditation room. It’s at the highest point on the property and it would sorely be the most missed if we were to lose any tree at all. It never seemed in the night that the wind picked up too severely, but when I finally dragged my sleep deprived and electrically tensed body to the morning window it was not the worst sight I could have seen, but it did strike fear at the possibility we narrowly escaped.

The Ash was still standing but of all the trees in the garden, had sustained a loping off of one large limb which, as it crashed, had taken down the wires from the cornerside utility pole. Ottertail Power has been out to inspect and now we are waiting for them to return to put the lines back in place. It could have been a much, much worse disaster if we had lost the entire tree, but it did put into perspective the very vulnerability which made me anxious in the first place.

It’s now early afternoon on this first day of August, and the sun is peeking through the clouds at just this brief and shining moment, but Sven is intoning on and on about the coming severe thunderstorms tonight and tomorrow which are deemed to be far more intense than the interminable previous evening.

Calling on all spirits of the Mighty Ash!

Upon hearing that we’re California wusses, many people pointingly snicker about our yet-to-be-experienced Winter. Whether they speak it out loud, or just knowingly nod, I can hear the “You’ll see” loud and clear. And I’m sure they’re right. I can’t even imagine the scope of a blizzard. Or the down to the bone chills of winter. Or sliding about on an ice slick road. Or having to shovel the driveway. But thanks to loyal compatriots like Susan and Mary Lou who have repeatedly given us the hi-ho sign and inferred that “we can do it!” and new friends like Katy who proclaims to love winter and asks if we cross-country – I’m holding a positive thought and hoping that all of my Norwegian genes shine forth.

But I must admit that this double cell, tornado prone, bang and crash and flash, accompanied by the heaviest air most likely on the planet – is a bit disconcerting. Aunt Lilah says that it hasn’t always been like this. And Aunt Lil says that she has only had to go to the basement three times in all the years she has lived in the ancestral home in Hickson and two of them have been this summer. And that could be reassuring if I were not so sure that it most likely is the new normal.

So today I will say a prayer to the devas of the Mighty Ash –

And enjoy the Echinicea which suddenly appeared.

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