My Life on the Mississippi

September 2024

My Life on the Mississippi

September 2024

Fall again.  So many falls over the years.  Early falls in central Minnesota with the smell of burning leaves, falls at the University of Minnesota and in Minneapolis, falls in Manhattan and Central Park, falls in Michigan with our young sons, falls in California (which never seemed like fall to my Minnesota sensibilities) and falls on our annual anniversary trip to the North Shore of Lake Superior (transferred to our son and his wife this year, since we were given a case of Covid on the dates of the rental).

And, as always, fall in the Lakes Area, along the Mississippi.

This year is somewhat unique.  Although it started out much like a typical Minnesota fall, it quickly morphed into a very warm and very dry fall; it seems to be ending with a week of 80-degree temperatures, perhaps influenced by global climate change.  So far there have been no frosts and no hint of leaf changes, although there has been a profusion of acorns for the mice and squirrels and chipmunks.

Fall is a time for harvest so there are tomatoes and sweet corn available at the local farmers’ market and, of course apples from our trees…and apple pies.

It is, in north central Minnesota, a time for farmers’ harvests and hay bales.

We even harvested our meagre potato crop by the side of the woods.

It is usually a time for fall colors, but not this year.

It is also time for a change in seasonal wear…jackets and sweaters, and soon caps and gloves.

It is time to get the fireplace ready and the wood handy.

And finally, it is a time to consolidate the summer’s growth and rethink and begin to plan new directions, and, for us, a change of musical taste, more classical, more Bach, more Brandenburg Concertos and classical guitar like Andre Segovia.

And, as always, there is the comforting continuity of the river.

Happy Fall!