THIS LITTLE BONSAI—a Chinese Elm—has been struggling through an attack by a nasty fungus, lasting all summer. It’s lost a lot of leaves and some vigor, and I regularly tend it and treat with fungicides. It is hanging in there and new growth is appearing. Sometimes—just like our people and our pets—our plant and tree friends need extra care and
KODA (originally Koda-the-Forest-Kitten after coming out of the woods as a tiny black ball of fluff one wintry night) was VERY glad to see me on my return from our Road Scholar adventure. Much hugging and purring. Kathy says we are kindred spirits, alter-egos, best buds, etc… Can’t argue. Here is Koda trying to settle in for his mid-morning nap
ON A WINDY and rainy day in which we were unable to paddle among Lake Kabetogama’s Grassy Islands and picnic on Woodenfrog Point as planned, we instead had a lovely lunch at nearby Arrowhead Lodge. Nearly 100 years old, it is a classic Minnesota North Woods resort. We still hiked Woodenfrog and another trail along the shore, finding pine knots,
SCENES FROM OUR day-trip boat tour to Kettle Falls and back. With my friend, Head Park Naturalist and Interpreter, Ranger Mark Miller as our guide. What a treat. The temperature was… crisp. The skies a bit cloudy. But we got some sunshine at the Falls, providing good light for a shot or two of the tiny, iconic island used in
OUT AND ABOUT in the North Woods. Explaining to my Road Scholars the history of the Voyageurs, and of the fur trade in which beaver pelts were sought to make fashionable felt hats for the gentlemen back east and across the pond. Also stopped along the trail to point out wintergreen and bunchberry and say hi to a birch tree.
A TRIP TO Sigurd Olson’s iconic Listening Point always has much to offer. There is the historic cabin, and the ‘portage trail’ to and from. The musical leaf-counting of a red-eyed vireo.The peaceful view out to the pine-clad islands. Making friends with a tiny gray tree frog. The delicate beauty of a pale pink corydalis, my favorite Northwoods plant. The
IT IS AUGUST and Fall appears on the horizon. A good time for a reminder about our upcoming ‘Writers in the Woods’ Workshop, October 8-11. We’re looking to fill out the last few spots! A follow-up to last year’s delightful gathering (people are still staying in touch) which featured a warmth and camaraderie that was lovely and empowering, this is
IT IS NOT an easy job being an Island Panther. There are outhouses to scale, trees to climb, mice to catch, dragonflies to chase, docks to monitor—with boats coming and going and all needing official greetings and send-offs, fish-cleaning operations to supervise, red squirrels to annoy, kids to play with, and all manner of chores and adventures that humans may
EVENING MEAL PREPARATION on Fawn Island while Kathy Ann chills and relaxes. Not really the tradition over the last 30 years, but a very good one to establish. Knee-boarding and waterskiing and dock-diving and fishing also accomplished today, along with suntanning and screen door repair. And some intermittent water-taxi service to and from the harbor leading to Frostbite Falls, Minnesota.
AT THE CHURCH O’ THE ISLAND, outside the slammin’ screen door of the Dear Old Cabin (100 years old next year) things are green and growing. Except for the rocks which are gray and weathering. A morning thunderstorm helps with both processes (albeit microscopically with the rock part). Yesterday saw the arrival of Son #1 and family, today Son #2