Sometimes, you have to “lose” something in order to find something else.
News of an expanding war is distressing to many of us military vets and retirees who served during the Iraq War and 9/11 and have studied wars through history. The “what’s-happening-now?!” question lives too much in our brains. The “what-happens-next?” question follows closely behind.
How to lose these obsessive thoughts? In my case, I continue serving (in a volunteer capacity now)…and when that’s not enough to reach “Om,” get out into nature. As often as it takes. Lately, that means daily. Sometimes twice-daily!
We are living in de-stabilizing times, maybe even historic ones. We all need to do our part to bring back stability. And civility. And, we need to take care of ourselves. Here’s how I do it, in photos and captions from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, as winter fades and re-emerges…
A week of warm temps melted a lot of snow but there was plenty left for snow-shoeing.
They’re getting lots of use this winter, as intended. I keep a pair at my Virginia home, too. Those don’t get much use. But I’m always ready. Just 3″ is enough.
Warmer temps brought mist to Huron Bay, along with a watercolor sky, and exposed dirt on the shoreline. The deer still use the ice to commute. They know when it becomes unsafe. Just like they know that “Mary’s place” is safe — more to come on that.
I love to go out when the sun is low. It’s more interesting. This is a park near Keweenaw Bay.
When the snow is wet enough, it clings to every twig. I found this lacy wonderland on the Chassell Ski Trails. Not a soul around except me. Om-m-m-m…..
The slush lasted for days. Wet snow isn’t much fun on snowshoes but it’s better than not going at all. Since nature is my primary calming influence, I don’t wait for ideal conditions.
Quiet places are necessary for my mental health, but sometimes I need “ya-ya’s.” (They help kick out obsessive thoughts, too.) That’s when I head for the hill, like this little one in my hometown.
It was such fun, I went back a 2nd day — this time with a classmate. And sunshine. We’re celebrating our 50th class reunion this year. That’s just too weird. I don’t feel old enough to say that!
Whenever I wonder if I should slow down, I meet someone my age who is more vigorous than me…like this guy, crossing the finish line of the Great Bear Ski Chase, smiling after 35 miles! This is possibly the most physically-demanding whole-body exercise that one can do.
I “worked” at the finish line. (I volunteer for national organizations but also local ones. Volunteering is big around here.) It’s a big race — about 900 racers, mostly from the Midwest but also from Maine and Montana. It was a wet snow, but advanced skiers know how to prepare their equipment for any condition.
It was so wet that the roadside looked like this on my way to my assignment. I passed three vehicles in the ditch (but not seriously stuck). I almost turned around, then realized that the snow fell so quickly that the plows couldn’t keep up. So I kept going. Within a few hours, the roads were clear.
Inspired by the racers, I stopped at Chassell Ski Trails on my way home to get on my own skis. (Winter sports fans keep skis and snowshoes in the car at all times, ready for any opportunity–and the choice.) I went just a few miles because the snow clung to my skis. I don’t do the waxing thing that hard-core skiers do to match the conditions.
During the warm spell, the ice on Lake Superior began to break up. Some towns hold contests to guess the break-up date. This is on M-203, on my way to a ski trailhead. I had the road to myself so it was safe to stop for this picture.
Speaking of safe. When deer do this near one’s home, you know they feel safe. I’ve been feeding three deer for six weeks and feel like I know them now. And they know me. I could probably hand-feed, but I don’t want to remove their distrust of humans. They deserve a fighting chance during hunting season. (Females do get hunted sometimes, as a form of herd management.)
As we get into mid-March, the deer become more competitive and aggressive. March is the most precarious month for their health and longevity, since their fat stores are depleted.
I don’t like to see them fight, but realize it’s nature at work. When it’s really cold (4 degrees as I write this), or the snow is really deep, I dump the feed nearby. I get a close-up view then.
This Mom must be pregnant again…why else would she bully her own fawn this way? Nature’s way. Survival of the next generation. Does that somehow explain what’s happening in our society lately? After all, we’re in the “animal” species too — supposedly the most advanced, but some days I wonder!
Indoors, my domestic pet continues to distract me from thoughts of war. Boo never watched TV before but when I set one up on the floor of my cabin, it was too hard to resist. I’m considering playing cat videos for her, but…too much!? (Get outside, Boo! Go play!)
The cabin itself remains a peaceful refuge. When we first started building nearly three years ago, I imagined it surrounded by snow. Like this. It’s still hard to believe it actually exists. When you do it yourself, you remember each task and each choice. Whew. A lot of stress. But I love the result.
So here we go again. After days of melt, we had short blizzard yesterday that brought about 6″. More to come soon, maybe much more. This is March in the Upper Peninsula. It can continue this way into April. I remember going to Easter services in the snow.
Here’s the forecast for the next storm. I’m in the orange zone. Dealing with big storms is also a good way to ditch obsessive thinking. Survival instinct and all that. I wonder if that same instinct somehow explains our sickly society…The view out my bedroom window this morning. I pushed 6″ off the car yesterday and will have to push off more than that soon. I wonder how much taller that snowbank will get?
Thank you for the nature walk I would never take myself! I love staying in touch with your deer/doe. Also, at Boo’s age, please let her do whatever she wants as long as it doesn’t cause you too much stress!!!
Your Reflections and photos took me into the Om-m-m-m zone, so peaceful, yet alive with changeable Spring life. I need distractions, too, and you gave me a beautiful one. Diane K
For Many Moons 
Thank you for the nature walk I would never take myself! I love staying in touch with your deer/doe. Also, at Boo’s age, please let her do whatever she wants as long as it doesn’t cause you too much stress!!!
Much love,
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Your Reflections and photos took me into the Om-m-m-m zone, so peaceful, yet alive with changeable Spring life. I need distractions, too, and you gave me a beautiful one. Diane K
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