This week I am writing my column from the confines of our cabin. I know that it has happened before, but I cannot say that I can ever remember visiting the cabin when the weather has been this consistently hot. Luckily, I did most of the mowing on Friday; after I had finished unpacking, I tried out my new riding lawnmower. I can’t believe that I waited until now to purchase one.
Saturday was a wasted day as I awoke at 6:30 a.m. To 81 degree temperatures. The air was “thick,” so I decided to hunker down in front of the fan for most of the day. I have some breathing issues, so hot and humid do not agree with me all that much. I ventured outside to check the game cameras and was greeted with pictures of a doe and two fawns and what looked like a fully grown black bear. Finding the picture of a wild animal on the game camera is always exciting to me. I guess I’d rather see a picture of a bear than be up close and personal with one in the woods. Getting a picture on a game camera is the next best thing to being there. I believe that a guy once said that in a TV commercial.
So far the only birds visiting our feeders have been the hummingbirds. I can usually depend on them to show up. Once, a hummingbird kept buzzing my head while I was hanging up the feeder. This happened a couple of years ago. Meanwhile back at the ranch (“home” to those not old enough to know what that phrase means), I was in the act of filling a suet feeder in our front yard when a Downy woodpecker landed on my shoulder for a second or two as if to tell me to hurry up. Nature is amazing, and there are many things to be experienced if we just take the time to pause, watch and explore.
The other day while I was walking down the driveway, I heard a crackling sound before a huge birch tree came crashing down about 10 feet away from me. It was parallel to me, so I wasn’t in harm's way, but it sure opened my eyes. In the 22 years since we bought this land and built our cabin, I can recall a few times that a tree has come crashing down while I was sitting by a campfire or just sitting outside. There doesn’t have to be any wind or explainable circumstance for it to happen.
Once the grandsons have grown up and gone their own ways, they don’t frequent the cabin like they once did. My wife doesn’t have any desire to come up to the cabin anymore, so it is usually just me and my sons, and one or two grandsons who visit once or twice a year. I figure I’ll take that because they have their own lives to live. I will enjoy the solitude in the woods whenever I can and do a little fishing and exploring while I’m at it.
I enjoy being at the cabin whenever I can, whether I am by myself or with family. Spending time outdoors doing different tasks keep me feeling a little younger, which puts a little extra spring in my step. We have a good view of the lake from the cabin, so I don’t always have to be outside to enjoy it.
Hunters can apply for youth deer hunt permits through Friday August 16th. The number of permits for each hunt is limited. Individual hunts will be held in state parks on various dates in the fall. These firearms hunts are for ages 12-15 at the time of the hunt and must be accompanied by an adult. Special youth deer hunts are different from the statewide youth deer season, which takes place Oct. 17-20 and does not require an application. More information is available on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.
Until next time: Take a little time to explore the outdoors. It is always a good time to take a walk. Walking is one of the best ways to get exercise and enjoy nature up close.
Please show your support for our troops who are now deployed. These service men and women are making that sacrifice, so that we may have the many freedoms that we enjoy today.