Why We Live Here

    The front door after hours of shoveling to get to it.
     We're nearly ready for Christmas.

The snow fell and fell and fell! I shoveled for more than five hours, just to keep the path to the garage open and the walkway up to the house clear. I cussed a few times, but, deep-down, I really loved it. While I shovel snow I have time to think clearly about lots of things.
by Charlie Leck

One thing I know for sure is that I would be nowhere else – well almost nowhere else. I love it here in winter, but I’m always thrilled to see springtime roll in.

Most of my readers are not Minnesotans. Many of them are from places like SC, GA, FL, AZ and CA. The only sense of understanding I get from them comes because nearly all of them were once northerners. They understand. They remember snow and they remember loving it; however, that was when they were young, free spirited and a bit on the crazy side. Now they want warm and dry roads to drive on and driveways that don’t need to be cleared of snow.

Pity them!

Winter has roared back to Minnesota – and this after a nearly snowless and coldless winter last year. What fun to have the season return and settle on the land as it should.

Some of you, reading in other places about the terror of the snow in Minnesota, forget it! Don’t believe it! All is well and beautiful here and those of us who are real Minnesotans are happy as all get out about the return of the real season.

Here are a few pictures that I took on Monday morning right here around the house. Have a nice toddy on the patio for me tonight and shake your head, if you must, about that dumb son-of-a-bitch up there in Minnesota.

    The view from the west side of the house, out into the woods
     that lead down to Pioneer Creek that ambles through our property.

    That's our quarter-mile long driveway that can be a bit
    challenging on a day like today.

    That's a stairway leading up to a little guest apartment
    above our detached garage. It's difficult to get up there
    during a winter like this one.

    An attractive little welcome slate greet guests
    who will stay in our little apartment.

    The view from our kitchen window, looking south toward the
    creek and the farm.

All is well. I am happy! Life is good.

_________________________

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The Nippiness of Autumn Arrives

I would have you read something poignant and stirring!
by Charlie Leck

The phase of autumn that tips the meteorologic scales from summer to winter has arrived in Minnesota. When I walked the dog this morning, I realized I should have pulled on a pair of gloves and that my woolen sweater was not enough to keep me warm. The tip of my nose and the rims of my ears felt as if they’d been nipped. They (you know who they are) say we are to have frost on Tuesday night – Wednesday morning.

How I love it!

It’s why we live here – to feel the coming of the great northern chill and to know that roaring, crackling fires are right behind. I fell so madly in love with Minnesota many years ago and I can’t get it out of my system. These dramatic changes of season are part of the attractiveness of this state and I never tire of watching and feeling the changes.

So, mix yourself a hot toddy and go to PRAIRIE PONDERINGS and read one of the most thought provoking blogs you’ll encounter this fall: The Importance of Being Earnest! Then, send it on to your friends – especially to those friends who confound you by their commitment to John McCain.

By the way, the dog loved the chilly morning. He was somehow extraordinarily excited by the sharpness of the brisk, crisp air.