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.
Author: lindastaatsphoto
The color white
The color white evokes so many feelings and emotions. For those on the east coast, white is the color of the snow that has enveloped their area. For brides it is the color of newness and purity. For funerals it is the color of new life and light. As we celebrated the life of a family member recently departed, we were surrounded by flowers and plants of many colors and scents. The white roses seemed to be strong and yet tender all at the same time. A symbol of hope and love, circling around and around as the petals unfold from the bud.
How to honor 99 1/2 years of life
Sadly we’ve said good-bye to a family member who passed the milestone of 99 1/2 years of life. After coming back from so many stumbling blocks and minor health issues, the medical event yesterday was too much for Ed to overcome. A Minnesota man throughout his life, he enjoyed fishing and hunting, boating and snowmobiling. He was a large man with a gentle demeanor. His shared life with his wife Vi covered 45 years of adventures and travels. And as time passed by, they remained devoted to one another. I will always remember his smile and laugh – a laugh that erupted and was truly delivered from delight. The last time I saw him alive he flashed that smile at me and I couldn’t help but smile back, returning the joy on his face. Thanks for the joy you brought to us all, Ed.
A perfect snowfall
Friday morning we awoke to a fresh snowfall. The dingy remnants of the earlier snow were whitened, the snow that fell overnight lay coating the trees, the wind was still, and the temperature was hovering around freezing – all the elements of a perfect snowfall. As I headed out the door to work, I made a “scheduled” detour to Como Park and the McNeely Conservatory. The lights inside the conservatory gave off a warm glow to the glass in contrast to the blue and white of the snow. And the snow-covered trees were sentinels of the beauty of this winter morning. In the stillness and beauty of the early morning it was just me photographing, and the snowplow driver clearing the roads and paths in the park.
An approach to this new year
A new year — new ideas, new hopes, new resolutions. Or maybe not. As I look back on last year I realize that sometimes the most memorable times were the ones that were unplanned. They came about, perhaps with a seed of thought, but they developed into something wonderful. One grandson, then a second grandson, a marriage proposal, friends near and far, and family that came to visit. This year I have many things to look forward to: two family weddings (one which is my own!), a honeymoon, a nephew’s college graduation, followed by his brother’s high school graduation. Yesterday we took a drive through the Wisconsin countryside. We had a general idea where we were headed, but the route developed as we wandered. We found undulating hills and valleys in dairy country, fields of fresh snow, a creek where the hoarfrost was still evident in the late morning, and a military veteran who was brought to tears when we thanked him for his service in World War II. All these adventures came about because we were present in the day and 0pen to the discoveries that developed. My wish for the new year is to be open to all that each day offers, and embrace it fully – life, friends, family, adventures, and memories.
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