I was reading another photographer’s blog and she had posted her 12 favorite photos of the past year. With a nod to Kim Manley Ort, I culled through 4,142 images to pick 12 photos that were my favorites. Some have personal meanings, like the family photo after my mother’s death or the Royal typewriter that has been passed down through my father’s family. Others transport me to a cold winter morning (much like today!) or an unusually emerald-green lake with a sandy beach in north central Minnesota. The year took twists and turns that weren’t expected, yet I’m learning to embrace the changes, meet the challenges, and appreciate each day that is given – with joy and wonder. May the coming year be filled with 365 such days!
Photography
Free air in a winter landscape
After a “brown” Christmas with many Minnesotans grumbling about the lack of white, we awoke to a 6-inch snow on Saturday morning. The landscape was once again white and clean. I was wandering around the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota and found these bicycles and “Free Air.” The snow had piled up precariously on top of the handlebars, tires, and bicycle seats – almost like frosting on a cake. The colors of the bikes and the chains added a bright contrast to the white and brown scenery all around. With the forecast of colder temperatures I doubt this snow will be melting anytime soon.
An old dusty typewriter
We stopped to pause many times while cleaning out my mom and dad’s house last weekend. There were hidden treasures with memories and stories shared, along with mysteries that were uncovered. We found two old Royal typewriters that belonged to our grandfather. One was a portable model, secured in its case. When we clicked opened the case, it was as shiny and clean as the day it was purchased. The other was an old heavy tabletop style. This one was weathered with age and dust-covered. The keys and the carriage return still worked and the ribbon still had some color to it. I wonder at its age, and all the stories and reports that had been typed on it. The desk that my grandfather used remains in the family, and perhaps this old typewriter will feel at home where it once sat.
Fog and stillness at Como Park
The cold and crisp of winter moderated the past two days with temperatures in the 40’s. With our layer of snow and cold temperatures on the ground we awoke this morning to a beautiful landscape of fog. The stillness of early morning and the fog’s softening effect made the landscape magical. Everything stood quietly as the fog moved in and out, becoming thicker and then lessening to a thin veil. I was at the McNeely Conservatory at Como Park this morning, where the thin ice of the Frog Pond allowed the fog to form above it in a narrow band, still leaving the dome of the conservatory visible above.
Early morning at Gull Lake
I was lucky to have a great friend visit this past weekend. No matter that our beautiful autumn has passed and the colors are gone, we went exploring and hiking and got caught up on each others lives. We headed north to the central lakes region of Minnesota and stayed at the historic Grand View Lodge on Gull Lake. Two days before our arrival they had a couple of inches of snow, and although it was chilly the weather was fine for us. In the morning we walked along the lake, and this scene truly seemed to represent a lovely late summer’s day (although in reality the temperature was 34 degrees and the wind was blowing). I feel fortunate to have wonderful friends in my life, and this long weekend reminded me of a quote I read recently: “You can always tell when two people are best friends because they are having more fun than it makes sense for them to be having (author unknown).” And so it was for us!
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