With the exception of a few cool days and maybe a spit or two of snow that may fall on our heads, I believe it is finally safe to say that Spring has sprung in northern Minnesota.
Some of us have had the privilege of watching eagles soar above us or gazed in awe as one or two of them perched in a tree. I had the great honor, while driving on Minnesota Highway 2, of watching a beautiful wolf cross the road in front of my vehicle. After the majestic creature ambled to the south side of the road, it stood in the sunshine and looked towards my car. For me, time seemed to stop. My heart filled with gratitude for the moment.
Last Saturday morning, I stepped outside my house at 6:15 in the morning to retrieve a book from my car. Walking back towards the house, in the early dawn light, a loon’s call filled the sky. This magical summer sound stopped me dead in my tracks. I stood, dumbfounded with eyes as big as saucers.
Standing there, alone in the woods, I inhaled deeply. Aaaah. That first cleansing breath of spring air. Each cell in my body seemed to have a little extra life breathed into it at that moment.
That evening, my daughter and I nestled in the hammock and ate marshmallows we had roasted over our first bonfire of the season. We listened intently to frogs and toads trill their mating sounds along the banks of the pond near our house.
I relish this natural environment we northern Minnesotans have the gift of living amidst.
For many of us, our natural environment is much more than something to observe; it is the backbone of existence – where we work, play, and replenish our minds, bodies, and spirits. Sustainability and living green have become common phrases in everyday language. Mother nature is a compelling, if not guiding, force of our existence here in Minnesota's northwoods.
Because of this, you will notice that stories focusing on the environment will be showcased as feature articles on NCI. Environmental stories will share the spotlight with the economic articles you are used to reading by now. You will still find other types of local news contributions on the right hand side of the community pages.
Please continue to contribute your thoughts on our articles, your blogs, and your classifieds advertisements. After all, this is Northern Community Internet. We want you, members of our community, to be a dynamic part of this experience. Without you, we would merely be Northern Internet. That sounds pretty stale. Your contributions inspire communication and breathe life into our project. Your insights and ideas allow us to live up to our name - Northern Community Internet.
Have a peaceful day,
Katie Carter
Managing Editor
Northern Community Internet
email: Katie@kaxe.org
