A Good Day

I'm lying on my cot inside my little one-pole tent this evening resting and listening to all the sounds of the Goose Creek Rendezvous around me. A thunderstorm had finally passed, and people are settling in for the evening, gathered under damp canvas awnings in front of canvas tents. Voices carry from all directions around … Continue reading A Good Day →

Candlelight Shoot

I'm spending the weekend at the Goose Creek Rendezvous in Harris MN. Tonight was the candlelight shoot, where each competitor took two shots at lit candles with muzzleloaders shooting round ball with black powder. The shot must not only put out the candle, but it also must hit the wick without hitting the candle itself. … Continue reading Candlelight Shoot →

September Showers Bring… Fungi!

One nice side-effect of a rainy September is the abundance of mushrooms and other fungi that spring forth on the forest floor. I took a brief stroll through a favorite spot full of fond memories this afternoon and was treated to a dozen or more different species. I was especially thrilled to find the elfin … Continue reading September Showers Bring… Fungi! →

Ricing App?

Technology has made it to the rice beds! I have a mapping app on my phone to track my bike rides, and I recently put it to use to show how we move through the rice beds. This was about 2 hours the other day, covering about 2 miles. I forgot to start it when … Continue reading Ricing App? →

The beginning of an epic harvest?

My friend Kathy and I went out into the rice beds today to check out the rice. It is starting to drop and got better as the day went along. It's still early, but it looks like it will be another good harvest this year! This American Dagger moth caterpillar went along for the ride, … Continue reading The beginning of an epic harvest? →

Canoe River Rendezvous

I attended the Canoe River Rendezvous in Sparta, WI last weekend. Participants enjoyed delicious food served by the Sparta Eagles Club and had a great time tossing hawks, flinging arrows, and shooting muzzleloaders. Evenings were spent around the fire singing and playing music on guitar, banjo and fiddle by candlelight. One of the highlights of … Continue reading Canoe River Rendezvous →

Wild Edible Aromatics

When I started learning and teaching others about the native prairie wildflowers and other plants found in my area, I discovered two plants that stand out because of their aroma. These are ones that are readily identified by sight but are especially remembered by my students because I would pick a few leaves from the … Continue reading Wild Edible Aromatics →

Wild Ricing Season Fast Approaching

I took a detour on the way to work this morning to conduct a cursory check of the wild rice beds I harvest on. The swarming deer flies chased me down the bumpy tote toad leading to the back side of the flowage, and fiercely greeted me as I got out of my car in … Continue reading Wild Ricing Season Fast Approaching →

Folle Avoine Fur Trade Rendezvous

We camped at the Great Folle Avoine Fur Trade Rendezvous this weekend. I participated in several shooting competitions with my percussion cap muzzleloader; didn't do that well but I had a load of fun and my shooting improved over time. I took second place in the Women's Hawk Walk, which consisted of ten throws at … Continue reading Folle Avoine Fur Trade Rendezvous →

Time Marches On…

On my morning bike ride yesterday, I happened upon a patch of yellow wildflowers that I had not yet observed this summer; Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa ssp. speciosa var. speciosa). I returned to the patch on the way to work to snap a few pictures. The appearance of the first blooming goldenrod mean that the … Continue reading Time Marches On… →