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
ON OUR NORTHWOODS ISLAND, there are little birds that sing their high, pure song from dawn to dusk. And even in the moonlight. They are called white-throated sparrows. They sing because they exist, because it is their nature to say, ‘I am here. This is my home. I am alive, I am here.’ They tell their truth. Sometimes, on this
AS READERS may have gathered, we are at Fawn Island on Rainy Lake this week. One of the small pleasures of living in this old island cabin is being surrounded by old stuff. Family stuff. When I was 12 or so I gave my Grandmother this hot pad for a Christmas present. I thought the corny inscription was the cleverest
SO ON FAWN ISLAND, home of Koda, Simon, and Paddy, we now have a new arrival/family member. This is Dingo, late of Houston, Texas, found by granddaughter Maya on ‘Petfinder.’ He is a 14 month-old Golden Shepherd rescue, and he fills the empty spot left by the kids’ Nellie, who died last year. In just 2 weeks, he has adapted
FOR ALL YOU friends and admirers of little Paddy the cat, our St. Patrick’s Day waif, what a change. And what adaptions he has made! You will recall that Paddy was terrified of the world, and wouldn’t let us approach, let alone touch him. Now, here is Paddy on Fawn Island, having done beautifully with the 250 mile car-ride. And
AT THE OLD FAWN ISLAND CABIN, a century next year, we have many photos, mementos and keepsakes adorning the log walls. Sometimes, when it is quiet, or when I am here alone, I wander around and look at them. And remember. And ponder. One item is different from all the others. It is a framed poem, written and given to
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.