@ellens and @sueinmn, I took you both on my far different west Tx walk this morning. Your mention of MN and particularly our two years in Duluth where I taught at Birchwood Ele and my hubby completed his last 2 of 4 yr air force duty had me reminiscing about our incredible time living in and exploring your beautiful state. Lake fishing for northerns,pike and another whose name I can't recall; snowmobiles; smelt runs; tiny wild strawberry gathering along the heavily wooded streams nearby; canoe portages between lakes; ice fishing with our very own ice auger on Lake Superior; hubby taking a "real Finnish sauna" built by our good friends at their lake cabin and then bravely jumping into the lake to "finish off the dare"; observing N.Years with friends who served "Kelte?? a white fish in a white sauce?; my first attempts at ice skating on a rough frozen pond; spending much of a school day dressing and undressing 6 yr olds for school and home; making pies with a fruit? I can't remember the name of now but never see in groceries here.

Can't report a thing about the surroundings on my morning walk here but had the most incredible journey remembering that time and introduction to a wonderland I'd not imagined. But best of all were the fabulous friends who welcomed us into their tightly woven circle of family and friends. Both my Birchwood principal, Bill Lainen, and teaching partner, Carmen Arnold and I continued to correspond until a few years ago when their health failed. We considered the twin cities a trip to the Bahamas and I am so thankful for our youth and energy that propelled us to also layer up; keep emergency supplies in our vehicles and spend time outdoors in truly the land of 10,000 lakes. Love the expression: "forest bathing"; I can almost conjure up those lovely smells right now. Thank you for a happier than usual walk in the neighborhood today!

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