ON OUR FAWN ISLAND, near the Canadian border on Rainy Lake, there is a 30 foot cliff face. From which grow bearberry and harebells and junipers. I love the spot and have long referred to it as Moonlight Ledge—for it is a fine observatory from which to watch the ascending moon, or falling stars, or the northern lights. It is
AT THE CHURCH OF PEACE outhouse on Fawn Island, after last evening’s arrival, all has been swept and dusted to within an inch of its life. Sort of. At least, most of the cobwebs have been removed. The ‘Pay Toilet, 5 cents’ cat food can collection tin has been examined to make sure folks are following protocol. Surprisingly, as a
HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED how sometimes things that are delicate and fragile and beautiful can be stronger and tougher than those who brag about being strong and tough? Have you ever noticed that? I have. And occasionally, if I forget, this little harebell by the Fawn Island cabin reminds me. Or the ones growing out of the sheer granite cliff
IT IS ONE of my favorite places on the island—the old outhouse—also known as the Church Of Peace. After 30 years here, Kathy intimated that was long enough to wait for a flush toilet and a shower. And so she dreamed and planned and outlined and caused to be built a new guest cottage. Which has both—shower and toilet. But
SOMETIMES STORMS ANNOUNCE themselves. And announce and announce and announce. And rumble and grumble and threaten. And we should believe them when they do. But sometimes they blow up quickly and leave just as fast. Like this one, this little cell that came out of nowhere and whacked Fawn Island with a single, wild squall-line gust— perhaps 70-80 mph. It
AT FAWN ISLAND on Rainy Lake, it has been a bit of a rainy, drizzly, cold and windy day. But things are clearing up a bit this evening. (And the rain is GOOD for moistening the woods and suppressing North Woods forest fires). Meanwhile the 7 year old granddaughter has been practicing casting off the dock. And petting Koda the
AT THE CHURCH O’ FAWN ISLAND, the sun rises through the morning clouds. The coffee steams. The ravens croak overhead. A jay calls his name. A young eaglet screams and a red squirrel trills. And Paddy looks out at the world. And then finds Kathy’s lap.
ALL WEEK THE KIDS and grandkids have been at the island. Boating and swimming and knee-boarding and tubing and fishing (10lb northern! 23” walleye! Six-year-old’s first perch!!!) A new grand-dog bounding and bouncing around the island (No leash! I can go wherever I want!! Cats!!!) Board games and visiting and joking and laughing. Good night and good morning hugs. It
SCENES from an afternoon island nap. Even though I was mostly in charge of Paddy for the first 4-6 weeks, he soon bonded with Kathy much more strongly. I didn’t mind—just glad to see him safe and happy. But this last week on the island Paddy and I have had a breakthrough. So very nice. We have discovered/decided that the
CASTLE DANGER is a very small community on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The name comes from the tall, rugged cliffs found there, said to be the site of long-ago shipwrecks. Castle Danger Beer is brewed in the scenic, nearby community of Two Harbors, and it has the coolest name for a beer that I’ve ever heard of. Or