Don’t go chasing waterfalls
The month of May has always been overwhelming for me. Besides graduations, proms, weddings, Mother’s Day, anniversaries’, confirmations, first communions and the like, I have several family birthday’s including two of my three children.
By the time Memorial Day rolls around, I want to take off the entire month of June instead of the extended weekend just to recuperate and retreat.
There is so much more to do. From spring cleaning to planting the vegetable and flower garden, to storing the snow blower and servicing the mower to groom the lawn, I’ve barely time to breathe as everything gets green and blossoms here in the Northland. I want to enjoy this wonderful transitional season but between the influx of unpredictable weather and seasonal allergies, it’s difficult just carving out the time for a short a bike ride, or hike in the woods.
As the pollinators emerge, seeking nectar, I find myself yearning to sit on my deck with a hot cup of coffee, a gluten free scone from the Blue Heron and my laptop and crank out some writing as I bask in the sun. The Covid-19 pandemic has left me feeling disconnected from my readers. I miss the book signing events, a source of inspiration and renewed purpose.
The good news is, many of the book events are coming back in 2021 and I’m looking forward to mingling once again. My virtual assistant has done marvelous work arranging virtual book tours, video chats, Amazon ads and more, but it can’t quite replace the energy of a convention hall. It will be nice to see my author friends as well as readers, and some of my own idols too.
Chasing Waterfalls
With spring quickly disappearing and the first day of summer fast approaching, I want to make the most of this summer and the long sunny days ahead. To boost my spirits and creative juices, I recently joined a Facebook page, Hiking Minnesota. People are posting all sorts of fabulous pictures of their favorite hiking places. Many I’ve already enjoyed but I’m finding new places too.
The ones I like best have waterfalls. I don’t know what it is about water tumbling over a bunch of rocks, but I find it immensely awe inspiring. Whether a short drop like the one at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park or the tallest waterfalls on Pigeon River that divides Minnesota from Canada, I will drive miles out of my way just to chase a waterfall. We even have underground waterfalls like the one at Niagara Cave near Harmony, Minnesota. The best time to see them is in the spring.
Wrapping Up
I’ve always felt fortunate living surrounded by such natural beauty. I like visiting the mountains, the desert, the ocean east or west coast but it’s the lakes and rivers, the ravines and limestone of my home state that keep me rooted here. Even my home sits on top of a glacially carved bluff, affording me a spectacular view of the Hiawatha River valley.
Whether your idea of adventure is reading a book or hiking in the woods, I hope you discover something that excites you this summer and find your own little retreat.
