Valerie's Voice – Page 100

Cannon Valley Trail

CVT

The other day we went for a bike ride on one of my favorite bike trails. The trail follows an abandoned Chicago Great Western Railway corridor for 20 miles between Cannon Falls and Red Wing, Minnesota. It’s a beautiful tree-canopied trail and on this particularly fine morning with the sun was shining through the trees on the beautiful purple rockets and yellow wild flowers…it was stunning and the temperature was just right for cycling. This trail is a sanctuary for me. I get on my bike, ready to roll, and a sense of peace starts to wash over me. The trail has a slight downward grade which makes the first half of the ride easier.

As we travel along the Cannon River on the paved trail we go through woods and fields, and open spaces with views of the river, cliffs, and a cave. It runs by a rifle range too, which is an odd thing. Another odd, but fun, point is a space someone created along the trail…they installed a Little Free Library and a bench for anyone who wants to stop and read awhile if so inspired. So whimsical and fun. library

We often see wild life on the trail: lots of birds including my favorite, the cardinal, squirrels, bunnies, deer and snakes.

We usually stop at the 10-mile mark rest stop and turn around. It’s a slight upward grade back to town and I need to work a little harder and am tired by the end of the ride. However the reward is seeing the falls and it was flowing strong after the recent rains.

As we were getting off the trail many people were just starting their ride on this beautiful afternoon. We headed to the local Dairy Inn for an ice cream cone and it tasted delicious.

Surprises

It really is fun to be surprised, when you truly are surprised.

M&A House A week ago my son and his wife invited us to a picnic in a wonderful neighborhood park in the cities. They suggested we go for a walk before we eat and so we did. I mentioned to my husband on the way up that I love the charming houses in this neighborhood so it was fun to stroll along the tree shaded sidewalks to get a closer look. Right on cue (little did I know) I said, “I love these charming houses, wouldn’t it be fun tour the inside of them?” and they said, “Yes, let’s go in this one.”

I was confused but then realized the house was theirs! They had bought the house and had already moved in three days before. It truly was a surprise. We were all excited and it was great to go inside this lovely house.

My older son surprised me one other time…on a special birthday a few years ago. He invited me to go to London with him on a mother/son trip. I loved the idea and we made plans. After flying first class, we arrived in London and taxied to the hotel. Later we learned the tube was so much easier and cheaper! We took a train out of London the first day to spend time walking around Oxford, because my son studied there for one semester back in college. The next day we were going to stay in London and I was in for a surprise. We ate breakfast at the hotel. I had a traditional English breakfast and my son had a bowl of muesli. When he went up for a second bowl I just got another cup of coffee while he ate. Then he went up for a third bowl but I didn’t think anything of it…just that he was hungry and we were not in any hurry. And then my younger son walks up to our table! Surprise! I could hardly believe my eyes. I cried. My older son had arranged for his younger brother to join us from Africa. He flew him from Mozambique to England to surprise me! They did!!! What a wonderful gift…to be together in a cosmopolitan city with my two sons. I have no words to describe the feelings of excitement, pride and love I felt. And my husband had graciously kept the secret and helped the guys with their plan. It was the best birthday ever.

Fairy Garden

fairy

A few weeks ago a friend and I were enjoying all the flowers in a garden center when we came to a display of all things fairy – the new fad that has caught on…called fairy gardens. Miniature fairies and miniature accessories of all kinds. We had so much fun looking at all the merchandise and we each bought a small fairy. I placed it in my front garden and when I see it I smile. As the plant its near grows it will not be visible but for now I see it every morning.

I love the idea of my little granddaughter coming to my house and looking in my gardens for the hidden fairy. The only problem is my granddaughter is nine thousand miles away and will not be at our house this summer. I do keep a journal for my granddaughter. I told her I hid a fairy and someday she will be able to come to my house and hunt for it in my garden.

In the meantime, I will enjoy my fairy, hidden more every day as my gardens grow and become more beautiful as spring turns into summer.

Blog to Book

I just hit the “summit order” button and ordered a book that I made from my previous blog site. I tried hard to find all the grammatical mistakes…and all other mistakes with titles, photos etc…and the book order site itself did not let me edit much but I’m excited to get the finished product! Writing a blog is a learning experience and a great adventure and needed some courage on my part. But it was/is fun for me and I will continue to write.

I found a quote for the dedication page and I included the above photo,

A Writing Adventure

“You don’t always need a logical reason for doing everything in your life. Do it because you want to, because it’s fun, because it makes you happy.” unknown

A Blooming Hibiscus

Spring in Minnesota teases us. Warm, then cool temperatures change daily, but the emerging multiple shades of greens in the budding trees, the blooming pink, white and crimson ornamental trees, the bright and colorful spring flowers popping up and lawns greening are a beautiful sight. The air is so fresh and that is why it feels good to be living in Minnesota with its changing seasons.

My husband and I have been working hard in our yard…cleaning up the gardens, trimming trees (the tree trimmer was too expensive so my husband got out the ladder and hacksaw and trimmed them himself….I’m grateful its done and he’s unharmed), dividing and transplanting perennials to reduce the maintenance of the gardens. I am now ready to plant annuals when the weather warms back up!

Over the weekend we bought our annuals. I planted some in the flower boxes on our deck in time for Mother’s Day. As gifts, I received a yellow and purple Millions Bells in a hanging plant and a container full of colorful Gerbera Daisies for the deck. I have a Hibiscus to add to the mix…its one I bring it in every fall to winter over in the house (after I threaten to toss in the compost ~ I’m not an indoor plant person.) A friend encourages me to keep it…and when it blooms I’m glad I have. During the summer the hibiscus gathers fresh air, warmth and energy from the sun so it blooms over the winter. I’m always happy to get out of the house though. It’s blooming now and is so lovely…I think it knows I could get rid of it at any time so it tries its best to perform for me.

So with the flower boxes planted, the hanging basket in place, a fresh flower pot with colorful and perky flowers, and my good old standby Hibiscus in bloom, our little outdoor room is shaping up. We’ve cleaned up our deck furniture and I anticipate spending a lot of time on the deck this summer

Small Town Life

Small town living is special. On my way to the book fair this morning for the last day bag sale I diverted and went to a local bakery coffee shop for some savory scones and coffee. I never made it to the book sale…I decided I had enough books…for now. At the shop I placed my order and then realized I didn’t have much cash. I wondered if they took credit cards. The answer was no however, I knew the gal serving me and she told me I could pay her on Monday. I did find a hidden five-dollar bill so I was able to pay in full but I loved the idea that I could buy on credit if I needed to.

That brought me back to when we moved to this small town of 16,000, in 1994. After moving into our new house I decided we needed a new lampshade. I had noticed a local store had stock so I went there determined to find a couple shades I liked, pay for them, and bring them home to decide which looked best. This time I was new in town and nobody knew me. I found two lampshades I liked and brought them up to the counter and told the clerk (found out later she was the owner) my plans. She said…just take them home and bring back the one you don’t want. She didn’t ask my name or take phone number…I just walked out of the store with two lampshades I had not paid for. Of course I brought them home and decided right away which one looked best, drove back to the store to pay for the new lampshade and return the one I didn’t want. I remember thinking how refreshing it was to be in a town where people trusted others, even new folks in town.

Tonight’s Light

books

I went to the annual used book sale in our town last night and found some wonderful treasures to bring home and read, and some books to give away since I found some of my favorite books like new!

One book I bought was on seeing light in the world and that reminded me of something I wrote a few years ago on a 4^th of July evening as I walked home after watching our town’s fireworks display.

Tonight’s LIGHT

Twilight

Moonlight

Starlight

Fireworks!

Lightening Bugs

Street lights

Car lights

Garage lights

Porch lights

Indoor lights through the windows

Celestial light

and on the walk back home….fire light! (in a fire pit!)

Full Moon

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There was a beautiful full moon the other night and whenever I see one it always leaves me breathless. I was reminded of a poem my son wrote for me several years ago. He wrote it after we witnessed a beautiful moon rise over a field of wheat moving with the wind that reminded us of the sea, or Lake Superior.

MOONWALK

Where the sky touches the water,

the field of wheat meets God’s beautiful creation.

Isn’t it neat?

The water displays its glistening haze,

The golden wheat stands tall, with no fear at all.

The sky shines bright in the beginning of night,

The moon is snow-blinding white.

Good Night.

Random Acts of Kindness

flowers

In the last few days I have had several random acts of kindness done on my behalf…it’s amazing to be on the receiving end…

A friend sent an encouraging card

A colleague brought me a bouquet of flowers

Another friend shared, via email, a fun memory of meeting me

Another gave me a piece of chocolate

All unexpected, all sweet and all meaningful to me…I will pay it forward but first will enjoy the moments they were gifted to me.

Dwarf Trout Lily

This is a re-post from my previous blog site. Looking for the Dwarf Trout Lily has now become an annual spring event for me…I love Nerstrand and wildflowers and springtime and walking in the woods! Naturalists are now in the park on weekends during the Dwarf Trout Lily’s bloom season to point it out to those in search of the precious flower.

My favorite park is Big Woods State Park, or affectionately known as Nerstrand. The maple-basswood forest has lovey trails and a Hidden Falls…and camping. We have camped there several times over the years but since it is really close to where we live I can hop in the car and be there in no time, so I go there often. It’s a favorite place to go…for all seasons.

I go on an annual Dwarf Trout Lily hunt. The Minnesota dwarf trout lily (Erythronium propullans) is a federally endangered forest wildflower found in Rice, Goodhue, and Steele Counties, Minnesota. Because it is known only from this small area the dwarf trout lily is considered a Minnesota “endemic” – i.e. a species that grows in Minnesota and nowhere else on earth.* Now that’s exciting.

I know one spot on the trail where they bloom among thousands of Common Trout Lilies. So I walk the trail and look for my treasure and when I find it I am delighted to have seen it once again. I use my finger as a reference point for pictures so one can see how tiny the flowers are.

Then I continue to walk along the trail and spy the Marsh Marigolds, Spring Beauties, Anemones, Violets and Dutchman’s Breeches. The trees are starting to but out and the hint of “spring” green is so beautiful. The branches are airy and you can see right through them to the hilly woods that are normally leafed-covered in the summer.

I’m grateful for this gift and the opportunity to experience nature. My heart is joyful and I praise the Lord for the beauty that surrounds me.

* Sather, N. 1990. “Minnesota dwarf trout lily: an endangered Minnesota wildflower.” Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul. 9 pages.