Tag: Outdoor spaces

Quote

“Silence alone is worthy to be heard.”

I have remembered this quote, and repeated it often, since I read it on a sign in a national park out west years ago. (It may be a Henry Thoreau but I could not confirm that.)

I am in favor of silence and quiet. My favorite time of day is early morning; sitting in my chair, in silence, drinking coffee, thinking, praying, reading, getting energized for the day.

There can be silence when standing in awe of beauty. There is the companionable silence of friends together not always conversing. There is precious silence while holding a sleeping baby in your arms.

All worthy to be heard.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Vintage Bands and Meals

One of the smaller groups playing in the Vintage Band Festival.

The Vintage Band Festival came to Northfield so we went downtown to Bridge Square and listened to several of the bands play and entertain us. It was a wonderful Minnesota summer day with blue skies, low humidity and a cool breeze. We found a spot in the shade, set up our chairs, and had a delightful afternoon listening to good music.

A good turn out for the Vintage Band Festival.
Some people brought their own shade to the festival.

That evening, for dinner, we had a “vintage-style” meal. We dusted off our 1980’s bright yellow fondue pot, bought a can of sterno, cut up meat, and boiled chicken broth (a healthier alternative to the peanut oil we used to use). We questioned our good judgment since it had been a long time since we made fondue but the meal turned out well and we had a delightful evening, outside on the deck, enjoying a wonderful Minnesota summer evening.

The “vintage” fondue pot.

Sunrise Sunset

Sunrise over Lake Superior with seagulls

“What would you pay to see you the sun rise or the sun set if it were not free entertainment?”

I don’t remember where I heard this quote years ago but I have never forgotten it. (I have not found a source to credit.)

I have quoted this quote or thought it many times over the years…whenever I see a sunset or sunrise, or see photos of them, or when someone talks or writes about them, but also when I am out enjoying nature…for free!

I love to be in nature…I love to be outside…and I find a lot of free entertainment in outdoor spaces.

I remember a time when the boys were young and we were vacation waiting for a train and the wait was going to be long. I noticed a pond nearby so we went and sat near it and watched some ducks floating around, playing together. The ducks were fun to watch and I remember telling the boys one can always find great entertainment watching birds or animals, and observing nature.​

Audrey Helbling’s Minnesota Prairie Roots blog on sunrises and sunsets prompted me to think of the quote recently. Read her beautiful  poem entitled “Writing poetry as the sun rises” here.

 

 

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Canadian Geese

The three ponds in our neighborhood attract Canadian Geese, especially this time of year, and geese have been flying over our house many times today.  I was out in the garden this morning for a couple of “fly overs”.  The windows are open so even in the house I have heard  them honking while flying over. It’s a wonderful sound! Loud too!

 

Big Bugs

Daddy longlegsgrasshopperThe Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a beautiful outdoor space:  1,200 acres of gardens and tree collections, prairie and woods in Chaska, MN. I was there earlier this spring with my friend from IN, when the peonies and the iris’ were in bloom. Oh my, so many varieties and spectacular colors!

Last week my husband and I went again and there were different plants blooming and thriving for this time of year, including roses…and there were     Big Bugs! We didn’t know the exhibit was scheduled but we did enjoy looking for the big wooden bugs which brought visitors to all different areas of the arb. The sculpture artist is David Rogers.

Click here to learn more about him and his exhibit.

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My Fairy is Missing

IMG_3996-1I was in our yard on this beautiful, sunny, low-humidity morning…just walking around with a cup of coffee, looking at the flowers and bending over to pull a few weeds here and there when I noticed my fairy is missing!

Earlier I wrote an entry about buying a fairy and hiding it in my flowers for my little grand-daughter to find, knowing that it would not be this summer since she lives n Mozambique, Africa. However, I “hid” it in a place where I could see the fairy fairly (fairy fairly?) easily. I looked around to see if she had blown over, like Babe, the Blue Ox, (an 18 1/2 feet tall, 24 feet wide, 6000 lbs. Minnesota Icon that blew over in a storm in northern Minnesota yesterday) but I couldn’t find my fairy anywhere. Her bench is still there. I will only surmise that a squirrel ran off with her and she is sitting in some lucky squirrel’s nest protecting nuts for her new friends.

Goats

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On a recent walk on Carleton College campus my friend and I came upon the unique smell of manure, and then we heard the sounds of bleating so we turned and walked towards the sound. We found several goats in a fenced-in area on campus. There was a sign that explained the goat’s presence. It said “Eco Friendly control of invasive brush and unwanted weeds.” It was a fun surprise on a routine walk – and the goats seem happy and are doing a good job!

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A Blooming Hibiscus

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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