No calm before this storm

We've been frantically getting Autumn chores done before Winter begins in a few hours. The drive is cleared of leaves so any clogging of the snowblower should be limited. The parking area for the tractor is also clear of leaves, making it more hazardous and, we hope, less appealing for mice to approach the tractor. The new snowblower has been successfully started, while there's still time to head for the dealer if we had problems. With lots of helpful assistance from the Better Half, we even managed to make a dent in the accumulation of dead, broken branches we collected during Summer and Fall. Our electric leaf blower makes a great bellows to get the blaze going in the fire pit. As things currently stand, we think we're about as ready for the forecast 6" to 12" of snow that's on its way. Even if the storm track shifts away from us, we promise not to complain about any wasted effort.

"Sigurd" sends holiday greetings from Up North

Photo by J. Harrington

Several years ago, my sister sent us a North Country Christmas figure who we eventually named Sigurd. The canoe is the giveaway. This year, for reasons best known to that self-same sister, she sent us a skiing gnome (photos later, after he has a name). Possibly to help on the Winter portages? In return, it may become necessary to send sister a copy of A Year in the Wilderness. The Boundary Waters are far from Paris, one of sister's favorite places, but they provide the Northern Minnesota context she seems to have placed us in. Who knows, I might even enjoy reading it this Winter, especially if we come close to getting snowed in.

Don't forget this Thanksgiving Week is also the last week of Native American Heritage Month. The Academy of American Poets has shared a curated list of Thanksgiving poems that we now share with you so you can then  share one or more of them at your Thanksgiving table. We're particularly fond of Native American Joy Harjo's Perhaps the World Ends Here.

“Perhaps the World Ends Here”  by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo

“When Giving Is All We Have” by Alberto Ríos

“Thanks” by W.S. Merwin

“The Thanksgivings” by Harriet Maxwell Converse

“Dusting” by Marilyn Nelson

“Red Brocade” by Naomi Shihab Nye

“A Toast” by Ilya Kaminsky

“Starfish” by Eleanor Lerman

“Earth Your Dancing Place” by May Swenson

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