Valerie – Page 40 – Valerie's Voice

Still A Favorite

Cannon Valley Trail is a favorite bike trail that we ride several times a season.

The CVT is a sanctuary for me. A canopy of trees welcomes me and I feel I’m entering a special space. The trail is mostly shaded, and a lot of it follows the Cannon River, which adds to the ambiance of the trail.

When out of tree cover, the Cannon Valley Trail passes fields of wild flowers. I like that it was an old railroad line and therefore fairly flat, and it’s paved. And… it is close to home. After traveling to other trails to ride in new territory, it is always good to come home to this sanctuary trail.

Recently we discovered another trail that we really enjoyed. It’s the Trout Run Trail in Decorah, Iowa. Although it’s not very convenient location-wise, it is very scenic and now another favorite.

The route is only eleven miles but seems longer because there are many hills on half of the trail. It makes a loop around Decorah and travels through a farmer’s field, rolling hills, and city parks. The vistas at the top of the hills are breathtaking…beautiful landscapes, small farms and fields, winding roads, and green forests.

At the top of the first hill we climbed on the Trout Run Trail.

Through corn fields, on both sides of the trail.

This loop also passes Decorah’s Fish Hatchery where the well-known eagle cam is but we couldn’t spot the eagle’s nest. The rainbow trout in the tanks were fun to watch…several tanks filled with hundreds of trout in one tank, all swimming and splashing about. We didn’t see an eagle at the hatchery, although they are often seen hanging out there we’re told.

However, on our ride through a city park, along the Root River, we spotted an eagle in a field eating, what looked to be, a rabbit, and a vulture was close by waiting for leftovers I guess.

We watched this eagle eating his prey…In this photo the eagle took flight for a short distance.

At the end of our ride on a very hot and humid day, we drove into town and bought ourselves some ice cream from the Whippy Dip, a popular local ice cream place in Decorah.

Ice cream and bike rides go together. It’s a fun treat to look forward to at the end of a ride.

Corn Lilies

There are several beautiful yellow lilies growing in my front flower garden.

I don’t remember planting them, but I must have. I don’t know the name of them…but I’ve nick-named them “corn lilies” because they remind me of corn stalks. They start to shoot up around the time corn is planted in the fields and they grow very fast, they grow very tall, and their stem and foliage remind me of corn stalks. The blossom is yellow…it’s a mystery to me…I know there is an official name but I like the name I have given them.

When the corn lilies finish blooming my Star Gazer lilies open up. I remember planting them…they are my favorite lily and I look forward to seeing their blossoms every year. It will be a few more weeks before they bloom.

Another favorite flower that has just started to bloom is my Cardinal Wyszynski clematis. I bought this in memory of my mother and it climbs up the arbor on our deck, opposite the honeysuckle. I love the color of this clematis (and the name).

On my daily walk I pass a lot of gardens and wildflowers and enjoy seeing this perky sunflower in bloom right now.

Matthew 6:28-29 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”

Lenora Methodist Church

I didn’t know there was a small town in southeastern Minnesota named Lenora. The name reminded me of my mom’s sister Lenore. It was a fun, fleeting thought.

Of course, there are many small towns in southeastern Minnesota that I have not heard of, but I do know the beauty of the rolling hills dotted with quaint farms and fields, and magnificent vistas in the area. It makes for an amazing place to drive around and appreciate. We spent three days in the area this week; driving around in our car and also riding around on our bicycles.

This is also part Amish country. We caught glimpses of the nostalgic scenes with horses pulling farm equipment in the fields, and buggy’s traveling along the road.

Our friends had told us about an old stone church in Lenora. Lenora is an unincorporated community in Fillmore County. A post office was established at Lenora in 1856, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1905. But an old stone church remains.

The Lenora Methodist Church was built in 1856, which was two years before Minnesota became a state in 1858.

When we drove to see the stone church we were expecting to admire the church from the outside and not expecting to go inside but alas, the door was unlocked. There was a sign in the entryway reminding people to “social distance” but feel welcome to look around.

This chalkboard sign greeted us in the wooden entryway of the church.

It was a beautiful stone structure, with a wooden ramp up to an add-on wooden entryway. The ramp was lined with huge hosta plants and there was a bell hanging on a pole on one side of the ramp and an old kerosene lantern hanging from a pole on the other side.

The wood stove greeting you as you enter the church.

Immediately inside the church was a wood-burning stove. There were wooden pews lined up facing front towards the altar and an organ.

Hanging on the wall behind the altar was a 44-star American flag. Here’s what I found out about that flag from GOOGLE… The 44-Star flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1891. A star was added for the admission of Wyoming (July 10, 1890) and was to last for 5 years.

You could tell the flag was an original; it had been repaired several times. It was very interesting to see it hanging there.

A picture of the church’s first pastor, Rev. John L. Dryer was hanging on one wall. He was a circuit rider.

Reverend John L. Dryer, a circuit rider and the first pastor of Lenora Methodist Church.

According to Wikipedia circuit rider clergy, “in the earliest years of the United States, were clergy assigned to travel around specific geographic territories to minister to settlers and organize congregations. Circuit riders were clergy in the Methodist Episcopal Church and related denominations, although similar itinerant preachers could be found in other faiths as well, particularly among minority faith groups.”

It’s curious to think about who all worshiped within these walls over the years…to think of the families that attended this church and the baptisms and funerals and many social gatherings and other events in the last almost 200 years. As the sign on the chalkboard said, “This historic building has known pandemics before! 1918 flu”

Looking out one of the windows of the church.

The lights were kerosene lanterns and I didn’t notice if there was any electricity …but apparently they still use the church for special services to this day.

The lantern hanging out in front of the church.

Lenora Methodist church is on the National Register of Historic places. It was fun to discover this church.

The Nineties

I had a delightful visit with my cousin and our 99-year-old aunt. She’s not really our aunt…but she’s been a part of the family since before my cousin or I were born so that makes her an aunt in our eyes.

My cousin picked up some Chow Mein and I brought flowers and we set her table – she still lives in her own home – and we enjoyed a meal together and visited. We had a great time. As I was leaving she asked me if I could mail something for her. She handed me an envelope and said it’s to the Publisher’s Clearing House. She’s been trying to win the jackpot for 47 years! So I dutifully put her letter in the mailbox, smiling all the way.

Her longevity reminded me of my grandfather, Charlie. He was 98 when he died. We would go visit him in the nursing home (he became blind so he had to live in a nursing home). We would bring him his favorite…M&M’s. I remember the nurses telling us M&M’s are not good for him because they spoil his appetite. I thought, he’s 98-years-old, if he wants M&M’s I’m happy to bring him some and let him enjoy them!

Grandpa Charlie and four great-grandchildren.

I wonder what I’ll be like when I’m in my 90’s?

A Social-Distance Baby Shower

I was invited to a baby shower recently. A baby shower during a pandemic is difficult to plan. Originally it was going to be held using Zoom, the communication app that has become popular these days. However, as the date grew closer and the weather became nicer the event planners figured out a way to bring people together for the shower.

The hostesses created a festive atmosphere that adhered to “physical distancing” guidelines…(I heard a commentator say it’s not really social distancing but physical distancing – we still need to continue socializing). They also had Zoom up and running since there were out of town guests participating.

So, I put on a dress for the first time in months and added a touch of make up and headed out the door for an exciting event that almost felt “normal”.

It was a lovely Minnesota morning. The gathering was outdoors. Chairs were set up in a circle, all 6 feet apart, in a beautifully landscaped front yard.

Next to each chair was a white paper bucket filled with ice and a small bottle of prosecco and a small bottle of orange juice and a plastic flute glass to make our own mimosas. I thought that was a clever idea.

The individual goodie box placed on each chair.

On each chair was a box with a muffin from Martha’s (a local bakery), a jar of yogurt, a clementine, a cookie, and the paper and pen needed for games. No prizes were awarded however, due to the participants on Zoom…how would they get their prize?

The mom-to-be was able to enjoy opening her gifts with others surrounding her with love and attention.

People are definitely finding creative ways to make things work in this strange world we are living in right now.

Summer Solstice

Today, June 20, is the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. Let’s celebrate the beginning of summer. Here are a couple of prayers/readings I hope you enjoy.

Outside my window…freshly washed window!

**Creator God
who breathed this world into being,
who is discernible within 
the harmony of nature, 
the perfection of a butterfly's wing,
the grandeur of a mountain range,
the soaring eagle and hummingbird,
thank you for this world
which you have created.
Thank you for summer sun,
which reminds us 
that your creative breath 
is still alive and active. 
Thank you for the warmth of your love, 
sustaining this world...

your garden

+++++++

{Creator God}
**Your creation
Rolled into a sphere
Packaged in sunshine
Gift-wrapped in love
Given to us
Thank you

**Found on: http://www.faithandworship.com/Prayers_Summer.htm

***For the first showings of the morning light
and the emerging outline of the day
thanks be to you, O God.
For the earth’s colors to be drawn forth by the sun
its brilliance piercing clouds of darkness
and shimmering through leaves and flowing waters
thanks be to you,
Show to me this day
amidst life’s dark streaks of wrong and suffering
the light that endures in every person.
Dispel the confusions that cling close to my soul
that I may see with eyes washed by your grace
that I may see myself and all people
with eyes cleansed by the freshness of the new day’s light.
                     ***Celtic Benediction by J. Philip Newell

Aspelund Peony Gardens

‘Tis the season for peonies. After the lilacs finish blooming next comes the peonies to enjoy.

I have a couple of peony bushes in my yard. I love the shape and color and smell of them, and I always cut a few stems to have in the house. But the flowers, like lilacs, do not stay blooming for long.

So I was glad to be reminded on a friend’s blog site, Minnesota Prairie Roots, that the peonies were in bloom at Aspelund Peony Gardens, near Aspelund, MN, about a half hour from Northfield. It was a beautiful afternoon so we took a drive to have a look.

The gardens were full. As with many flowers, there are a lot of varieties and colors of peonies. It is amazing. We took our time to stop and smell the flowers and “ouu and ahh” over each color and variation.

A tire swing from a tall old tree. I was focused on peonies so I didn’t look to see what kind of tree it is. But it was fun to see it being used by children.

There is also a winery on site but we did not stay for a sample…it was a very busy place and all the outdoor seating was taken, so we passed.

I took a lot of photos…too many photos to share. The proprietors have a list of each variety of peony they grow on their property. The intention is for you to identify which kind you would like to purchase. Then the chosen bush stays in the garden until fall when you go pick it up and transplant it into your own yard.

But they welcome all visitors. We chose just to simply walk through the peony gardens, and meander in the wide-open yard taking in the vast country views. It was a sunny and pleasant day… a wonderful time to delight in the beauty of the outdoors.

Nine Mile Creek Trail

Last week, on a most beautiful Minnesota summer day, we took our bikes up to Edina and biked on the Nine Mile Creek Trail.

The temperatures were just right for riding, the humidity was low, and the sky was bright blue.

My husband rode on this trail with his bike club last year and found it fascinating. He wanted me to experience it, so off we went.

What set this trail apart from other bike trails is there are lengthy stretches of boardwalk…spanning over the marsh and through the woods with lots of shady areas. It runs along Nine Mile Creek but there are landmarks to remind you that you are in the city…a concrete bridge over Highway 100, a stretch along the back side of Edina High School, and other industrial buildings, shops and businesses…and then the trail bends and once again you’re back in the woods.

There were numerous bridges made from wood and one boardwalk was almost a mile long (.85 miles). The bridges are wider than a normal bike trail which added to the beauty of the trail.

It’s always fun to discover new trails…and this one was very unique. We are grateful for the many bicycle trails in Minnesota.

Mr. Turtle, the only wildlife we saw on the trail.

Breath

The simple but powerful word, breath, is heard a lot these days.

I believe all breath begins with God. He is the giver of breath, the giver of life. “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33:4

But a little over a week ago breath was taken from George Floyd at the hand of a police officer. “I can’t breath”, were some of George’s last words and became the chant of thousands of protesters to his deplorable murder. Unfortunately some of the protests erupted into horrible acts of violence and looting…and broke our hearts and took away from what we are all looking for – justice and an end to racism.

I read this quote in a comments section of a blog. “Let us all take a breath. Let us all take a breath. Everyone in the country needs to take a breath for peace. Take a breath….because Mr.Floyd could not.” ~ anonymous.

Later that day I picked up the book my friend and I use for writing group to check on our next assignment and I was surprised and suddenly overcome with emotion…the next assignment was titled “Breathe“. I immediately texted my friend and asked her if she had looked at the assignment yet. She had not and without telling her what it was about she looked it up and it caused an emotional reaction for her too.

This word…it keeps showing up…and is so apropos to our current situation…this week, this death, these unsettling times.

As we continue to process all that is going on in this world right now, let us take deep breaths for peace, be kind to one another, and remember God is among us.

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6

Canadian Geese

For a short period of time it seemed almost dangerous to walk the paths along the ponds in our neighborhood because of the geese…they were protecting their nests and their young.

A big, adult goose would be near the path, turn, look straight at me and hiss…

I would stop to take pictures…poor geese, they didn’t know I wasn’t going to harm their babies, but I didn’t hang around long.

There were several goose families along this pond trail so it happened more than once.

Now it’s fun to see the goose families swimming along and growing up.

How many goslings does one goose have? Looks like 14 in this family.