Spring expansion

The layer of ice is quickly disappearing on the lakes.  During my walk by the lake this weekend, I was mesmerized by the smooth water reflections of the blue sky, clouds, and trees and the feeling of a vast expanse of space.  New dimensions to the world are reappearing just in time, for these mergansers here, for the loons I heard calling on my walk this evening, and for all northwoods creatures great and small who are ready to unfurl themselves after this long winter!

Boathouse Impressions

Layered memories, stories fading in, fading out.

Downtime for a moment.

Multiple entries to moments in time.

Count the green doors.

News from Heidi Mae

Spring!  Yes!  It finally feels like spring!  The sun is shining, the days are significantly warmer, most of the snow has disappeared, some of the lakes are open...  Amazing changes took place while I was away from home for a week and a half.  

In celebration of this spring season and the opening of the lakes for Minnesota fishing enthusiasts, the "Open Water" exhibit is from April 23rd through May 31st at the Lyric Center for the Arts in Virginia, Minnesota.  This group exhibit features a number of local artists.  I will have several framed prints on display and available for purchase, including my "Smooth water" canoe image and a trio of impressionistic boathouse images.  Everyone is invited to the opening reception on April 23rd (tomorrow!) at 6 pm.

Smooth water

With snow still on the ground and ice on the lakes, we dream of open water and an abundance of green, green, green.  This image is from last fall when evenings were warm and the water was open.  

Moon over bay

The ice is holding out.  Some brave souls drive through the slush pit near shore on Lake Vermilion and out onto the lake.  They must know the lake and ice situation really well.  Today I watched them drive out and come back through an hour later.  

A day of snow squalls

Last Friday was a spring sort of day with quickly moving clouds and flurries of snow interspersed with brief moments of blue sky and sunshine.  A lovely day it was!  I enjoyed the snow, especially since it melted as it hit the ground.  The 5+ inches of slushy snow we got earlier in the week is still sitting in the driveway at the house; the snowblower quit on me 1/3 of the way down the driveway.  My 4-wheel drive truck is nice to have for times like these where the snow removal system goes "kaputz" or where I simply put it off in favor of alternative winter activities!

April fool's snow

What a beautiful spring (?) day in the north country!  I think I hear everyone chuckling as the snowplow makes another pass up the main street.   Hmmm.  That might be groans of dismay I hear...  But, surely, there are some chuckles out there due to Ely's latest shenanigans to be in the limelight.  See ely.org or ely2016.com.