Some years, when it seems as though Spring will never come, we need to go looking for it. This is one of those years for My Minnesota. On Tuesday, we noted that the Mississippi River, downstream from Mill Ruins Park, is open water. Today we went in search of open water along the St. Croix from Wild River Park to Osceola Landing. There is a little open water near Taylor's Falls / Interstate Park. Most of the river, though, looks like this
or this
There are many more places where the ice is dicey than where the water's open. As we were driving around though, we did see three swans and several small flocks of Canada geese. Although there's no way to be sure, not having seen any geese or swans in all Winter in the area we drove today, I'm guessing (hoping, actually) that some of the waterfowl we saw are migrants returned and not those who over-wintered. A more certain sign of Spring was found in the nearby woods. Someone is tapping their sugar bush. The tops of the pails are snow covered from our recent storm.
Louis Jenkins knows how there is no substitute for real maple syrup and when not to "make do."
Football
I take the snap from the center, fake to the right, fade back...I've got protection. I've got a receiver open downfield...What the hell is this? This isn't a football, it's a shoe, a man'sbrown leather oxford. A cousin to a football maybe, the sameskin, but not the same, a thing made for the earth, not the air.I realize that this is a world where anything is possible and Iunderstand, also, that one often has to make do with what onehas. I have eaten pancakes, for instance, with that clear cornsyrup on them because there was no maple syrup and theyweren't very good. Well, anyway, this is different. (My mandownfield is waving his arms.) One has certain responsibilities,one has to make choices. This isn't right and I'm not goingto throw it.
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