What's in season?

Minnesota is known as a state with but two seasons: Winter and Road Construction. For those with broader interests, there's several other important seasons here. For example, we're now back in legislative session season. It's often as entertaining but rarely as productive as either fishing or hunting season. So far this session there are at least three pieces of legislation we'll be following, although, as with many other things theses days, we're finding it challenging to work up much enthusiasm. Part of the problem stems from the issues and considerations identified in this MinnPost article:

Emergency powers, elections and violent rhetoric: Why it may be hard to get anything done at Minnesota Legislature this year

Then there's the "suggestion" by public safety officials that we avoid the state capitol this weekend. And the continuing changes to who is a priority recipient for the COVID vaccine and when and where it may be delivered and how one is to find out, combined with a disturbing level of understandable distrust among workers about potential side effects and efficacy of the vaccine. Those who voted for Trump four years ago certainly exacerbated distrust in government and other authority figures. Then again, there's the record in court cases of the questionable integrity of the decisions made by state agencies regarding sulfide ore mining projects and honoring treaties to protect wild rice and lands within treaty areas. We've seen too much of what we have come to believe are decisions by "leaders" that depend on who's signing a leader's pay check. Both Minnesota and the rest of US have a lot of rebuilding and restoring to accomplish. Meanwhile, there's a trial to be held in the Senate in D.C.; an inauguration of the duly elected POTUS and VP; all of which may or may not be accompanied by peaceful or not-so-peaceful protests in our national and state capitols.

the soothing sight and sounds of open, running water

Photo by J. Harrington

In the midst of the turmoil summarized above, we have our doubts about how far legislation will get that addresses:

• "Prove it first" sulfide mining requirements
• Incentivizing 100% Soil Healthy Farming Bill, and
• a state companion bill to US Rep. McCollum's #SaveTheseWaters

Meanwhile, we can't wait until fishing season opens and snow and political seasons get suspended for the year. That's probably too much to hope for, isn't it? Let's settle for fishing opener for stream trout.

The Season's Campaign

By Joyce Sidman

I.  Spring

 

We burst forth,

crisp green squads

bristling with spears.

We encircle the pond.

 

II.  Summer

  

Brown velvet plumes

bob jauntily. On command,

our slim, waving arrows

rush toward the sun.

 

III.  Fall

 

All red-winged generals

desert us.  Courage

clumps and fluffs

like bursting pillows.

 

IV. Winter

 

Our feet are full of ice.

Brown bones rattle in the wind.

Sleeping, we dream of

seed-scouts, sent on ahead.

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