One of my favorite Minnesota Winter events is witnessing the first whisper of Spring! Yes, you read that right! The moment looks, feels, smells, and sounds like ‘hope’. It is at that moment I begin to believe the ice and snow will eventually yield to a glorious refrain of seasonal civility. Yes, a far cry from today as Winter arrives again.
Winter in Minnesota can be a fascinating study. At first glance one only views a barren, monochrome landscape. A person might initially sense the rush of nothing except an expansive, calming stillness. Closer examination, however, reveals tracks – evidence of life, bustling organisms, and much activity. There are cross-country skiing tracks, deer tracks, and ‘alfalfa-flaking-off-hay-bale tracks’ (as farmers haul behemoth bales of fodder for their livestock).
Along the highway right-of-ways we find snowmobile tracks. We can discover the hurried tracks of turkey and coyote as they course open breaks of pasture. Rumbling snow plows leave ‘tracks’ everywhere. Chickadee tracks and empty sunflower hulls are scattered at my doorstep. Winter in Minnesota: It bustles with the many varied signatures of life. It is vital. I would miss it.
Six months winter, six months rough sleddin’
I’ve heard people refer to the Minnesota year of seasons as such on countless occasions. Minnesota has four seasons. There are twelve months in the year. Twelve divided by four is three. We should have three months of Winter, not six, as it seems. It’s like a blink of an eye and we pass through spring, summer and fall when winter arrives again.
Making the best of it!
When winter gives you snow, make ice cream! That’s right. We take advantage of what the season has to offer and make the best of the situation. It really comes down to facing winter with the right attitude and embracing the season rather than shunning it. Get outside, breath the crisp air. Let it burn your nostrils. I guarantee you will feel invigorated. You may need your sunglasses, it gets bright out!
There is so much a person can do in a Minnesota Winter but probably my favorite thing is to take a walk with camera in tow. The Woodpeckers and Chickadees are all over, as are Nuthatches, Cardinals, Juncos and Squirrels. Lots of Squirrels! By the way, the photo included with this post is from early this morning off my back step. Yes, I live in a bramble, and wildlife loves it! So do I. It is so peaceful, so serene. Need a little warmth? Head into the shop and fire up the wood stove. No shop? No problem. A Minnesota winter bonfire is a glorious source of warmth. That and a cup of hot coffee or chocolate can really make for a fine situation.
Winter arrives again like clockwork
It is a seasonal thing. Another winter, another year older. And I’ve gotten smarter with my snow removal over the years. Today I have an ATV with a blade attachment and better still, I have a good friend with a truck and a blade. It is a welcome sight to see him pull into the drive with his rig after a significant snowfall!
I have a great blog post from a few years back called, “Diary of a Minnesota Snow Shoveler.” It is too long to enter here but I’ll try to remember to post it in the near future. Author unknown. I read it every winter and every winter it makes me laugh. So true.
I hope you find enjoyment, safety and peace in your winter season. Not everyone experiences winter the same way. Many of my friends head to Arizona and Texas to enjoy their winters. As for me, I’m staying right here in Minnesota.
Please take a moment to view my Galleries. I offer a fine selection of gifts and prints starting under $10. Check it out. Have questions? Contact me! In closing, and as always, peace.
