Our view from the porch until April.
So. Here we are. It’s early November and this is what our world looks like. We’re anticipating that the view won’t change hardly at all until April.
Mother Nature has entered reboot mode.
It gets so cold here that Mother Nature literally reboots herself. It’s like the slate is wiped clean with the subzero cold and snow, ready to start over again with the arrival of Spring. I dig that idea.
This is one of the many reasons we decided to return to northern Minnesota. No, we don’t ski or snowmobile. We don’t ice skate or ice fish. Dave doesn’t put knobby tires on the bikes and continue cycling. I may take a shot at snowshoeing at some point, but that remains to be seen. That doesn’t mean we’ll be housebound for months. Dave has a short walk to work. I can still walk when feasible, i.e., not blowing a gale (literally) and conditions outdoors are tolerable. One still gets out and about with errands or whatever, but I do try to schedule my outings to days when it’s not actively storming. The main reason for that is it’s just less messy with bringing in groceries and the like when it’s not actively snowing.
Not only does one still need to run these types of errands, but you really do need to get out during Winter. It would be too easy to sit indoors and become a total hermit. Even if it’s just a stroll around the parking lot a few times, get out and acclimate, embrace the environment.
I’ve been known to fire up the outdoor grill during snowfall when we lived in Hibbing years ago. Almost surreal, that.
Towns up here are equipped for harsh (yes, I used the term “harsh” ) Winters. Snowplows are of the “we ain’t kiddin’ around” variety, with plows on both the front and side.
When we were on-site security in New Jersey – February 2014. That’s me clearing a path. What amazing times those were. What adventures. What memories! We’ve done stuff, ya know?
A year ago, we were in Texas probably sweltering in the 80-degree November weather, occasionally commenting that we wondered if we’d ever see snow again. Perhaps that’s when our idea of returning to Minnesota at some point began to emerge.
So here we are. Momma Nature is in reboot mode. We have it easy compared to the photo above. Living in a 55+ community, management clears sidewalks and parking lot. We don’t have to buy propane to fuel the furnace in our townhome. Dave doesn’t have to get on the roof to clear snow. Makes a difference!
Experienced my first Face Time chat a couple of days ago, connecting with a dear girlfriend from college days. We visit via phone now then, but the addition of video to our “yap session” was such a joy! We carried on like a couple of … college gals … and it was such fun! Of course, visiting with her always does my soul good, but this was just about over the top fun. We’ll be doing that more frequently in the future.
Life percolates along smoothly, and I am very grateful for that. Seems like I have a lot to be grateful for these days.
Better water the plants, then get geared up for another work day. Yes, working from home is another thing I’m grateful for every day.
Thanks for stopping by! Stay safe out there, okay?
