We were lucky to have family from Kansas visiting us in Minnesota this past weekend. Knowing that they are all avid fishermen we decided to share some of the wonderful lake fishing we have in our state of 10,000+ lakes. Yesterday started with some (successful) Northern Pike fishing on a small lake near the Twin Cities. Then we headed north for an evening launch on Mille Lacs Lake. After a day of clouds and overcast skies and even a few raindrops, we were hopeful our trip on the big lake would not be rained out. As luck would have it, the clouds parted and we enjoyed some sun, blue skies, and a wonderful sunset over the lake. As luck would not have it, our fishing success was somewhat limited; one perch, and a couple of walleye that were too big to keep. But we did keep the experience of a shared night of fun, laughter, a beautiful sunset, and the camaraderie of family and friends. Thanks to them all for a memorable weekend!
Minnesota
Anemones
Because of our cooler-than-normal weather, the usual flowering season for all of our plants has been delayed. The other night I went over to the horticulture garden at the University of Minnesota, not knowing what if anything I would find blooming. It was a cool, overcast evening with a slight breeze, and I was delighted to find these beautiful white anemones dancing as the wind blew through them. Their slender stems seemed barely able to support the blossoms as they swayed back and forth, but their brightness was a wonderful contrast to the gray evening. I have read of places where there are fields of anemones, and I can only imagine how delightful it would be to see an entire acre of dancing anemones!
Lilacs
Spring is here. Abundantly. Everywhere we have flowering trees in bloom, tulips that are reaching upward toward the sunlight, and leaves that have burst forth. But one of my favorite blooms (and scents) of spring are the lilacs. We are fortunate to have them throughout the Twin Cities; not only do they grace yards and alleys, but they are also planted along the highways, streets, and county roads. On a warm and sunny day it’s a delight to drive along a road edged with lilacs and have their wonderful light scent float into the car. We have both the purple and white lilacs in our yard. Because of their delicateness and short life-span once they’ve been cut, I find I cherish them even more. Soon the blooms will be gone and the bushes covered with full leaves. But for now I will revel in their beauty and smell of everything spring!
Spring, at last
Our spring has been delayed. Repeatedly. Yet just when we’d survived two snowfalls in the past week, the temperature surged above 60 degrees for the first time since last November. And then it topped 70 degrees, creating a mass exodus of everyone to the outdoors. The switch had been flipped and it gave us the sunshine and warmth we were all craving. I spent yesterday working in the yard and flower beds, removing the covering of marsh grass we had laid down last fall. And much to my surprise I found tulips; here they stood as a testament to surviving our cold and long winter, reaching up about two inches through the recently thawed topsoil. The emerging stalks were multi-colored with shades of green, brown, and even a deep purple. How simple and yet how resilient, and so representative of spring.
Bonsai garden opening
This weekend was the grand opening of the Ordway Gardens at Como Park. The new addition to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory allows for the viewing of one of North America’s top ten public collections of bonsai. After a seven-inch snowfall on Thursday into Friday, the opening took on a non-springlike look. How unusual to see a Ponderosa Pine bonsai with snow at its base! It seemed a true testament to the hardiness and the beauty of bonsai. And with the conservatory dome reflecting in the glass panel behind the tree it was a perfect representation of the beauty and the specialness of the conservatory and the new gardens.
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