Falling Forward
Weather in the Upper Midwest is always unusual. This year we enjoyed a particularly mild summer, followed by a somewhat intense Indian Summer but then it jumped straight to snow, like a record skipping a groove. Last week my son and I took our annual trek to Duluth, MN for his October school break. We left prepared for anything, with clothing to layer according to the temperatures. Our walks along the shores of Lake Superior were brisk, yes, but not uncomfortably so. And we encountered some simply stunning Fall leaves.
I Could Drive Forever
Road trip season has officially begun with my inaugural visit to Pizza Farm for 2009. Last year my first jaunt to Stockholm, WI took place a little earlier, on a cold, drizzly April day. This time around was quite different. The unexpectedly hot and green May day felt like mid-July. It was most pleasant and surprisingly not very busy on the farm. It was a good evening to take a deep breath, and take myself out of the flow of my busy, stressful life, if only for a little while. I plan many such sanity-preserving return trips before the summer is out.
Atomix Coffee Shop and The Garfield Park Conservatory
My son’s Spring Break is right around the corner. Last year it was a big production, adventuring throughout the Pacific Northwest. That’s not in the cards this go around but a more modest trip is in the works. Mainly to Madison, WI but possibly further afield. I used to get to Chicago far more often. I need more of the Ukrainian Village in my life. This deficiency shall be remedied. Hopefully soon.
