I got up and out of the house before dawn yesterday, in search of a photograph to show a Minnesota winter morning.  The air was cold, but not bitterly so, and the wind was still.  The eastern sky promised a bit of color so I headed to a city lake.  Our winter has been cold enough, long enough to freeze the lakes and they are now a winter wonderland of activities.  Hockey nets are in place on many lakes, snow has been dusted off to allow skating areas, ice houses are seen with people fishing, and even cars are driving on the frozen lakes.  This scene caught my attention –  the summer swimming beach is anything but hospitable in winter, yet we are reminded that the lifeguard is off duty, at least until the winds blow summer temperatures our way.