A Letter from the Woods

Hello, Friends

It’s been a while. Re-entry into a blog is an interesting thing. How do I recover the memories of the last four years to share with you? Pretty much impossible. I find myself missing the blog and sharing things about the woods, with whomever comes upon it. I have been hanging out on Instagram and Facebook during that time, posting images and a few words there. I miss the ability to go more in depth on topics, to share more details regarding whatever it is that I am posting about. To explore the stories that make up the fabric of this life. As I reflect on this, I have been led back to this space. Feel free to join me as I write an occasional letter, like in the old days of snail mail.

March is winding down, leaving us with snowbanks larger than in most years. Once again, it has been what I would call a healthy winter, filled with several inches of snow, seasonable temperatures, and a good mix of sunshine and clouds. We are now on the cusp of the fifth season, Mud. Patches of gravel and dirt are visible on the road. Early in the morning, the tracks left behind are cemented in. By afternoon, water pools in them, waiting to be obliterated by whatever next intersects them. I miss the smell of early spring awakening. When we cross the bridge of overnight lows above freezing, those, too, will return.

The birds are ravenous at this time of year, emptying the feeders in a matter of hours. Throughout the day, the calls of the pine siskins, chickadees and nuthatches fill the air. The early mornings, however, just prior to sunrise, are still silent. It won’t be long before the lengthening daylight causes those moments to be filled with a plethora of bird song, as they begin to start mating and nest building.

A large wolf, judging by his tracks, has moved in to the neighborhood. Some neighbors have reported seeing two or three wolves at a time, sauntering through. It would be awesome to have a pack re-establish residence here on Gunflint Lake. We have many wonderful memories of sightings and sounds from the past.

I hope that the sun is shining brightly in your world today. Until next time, find some time to get outside and enjoy the early change in the seasons.

Cheers,

Barb