Dick's Woods and Water

I am once again writing my column from the cabin. This time I am using a different format for my writing.

 

I arrived at the cabin Sunday morning and the weather was perfect. There was a northwest wind that gusted to 15 mph at times. It was sunny and very comfortable. I unloaded the truck in steps, taking time to rest between loads. I suppose that might lead one to believe that I had a lot of stuff, but not really; just old bones that need more breaks (pun intended) than when I was younger.

 

I slept in this morning and as I laid in bed listening to the sounds of the north woods, I didn’t feel the need to be on a schedule. I heard the loons calling during the night, along with many other critters of the night. At one time we had a beaver residing on our lake. I can recall many nights hearing what sounded like someone throwing a large rock into the lake. Then one evening as I was sitting down by the lake, the beaver appeared, dragging a tree branch through the lily pads. He looked at me, kept on swimming and came by a little later going back for more, I assumed. As he passed he dove under the water, making that boulder-like sound that I had heard many times during the night.

 

For a couple of years we also had some otters. I often liked to sit on the little deck that we have down by the lake in early morning or in the evening; both times are good. It also depends on the mosquitoes. I first spotted them as they swam past while I was sitting on the deck. They were playfully moving through the lily pads heading towards the other end of the lake. I could watch them for hours as they swim playfully along the shoreline on to their next playground. 

 

I filled our birdfeeders when I first got up here. So far no birds have visited, which is not uncommon when nobody has been here to fill the feeders. My neighbor Chris has feeders too, and he keeps them filled too. He is a good neighbor and keeps an eye on the place if I don’t make it up. He has cut trees that have fallen across my driveway. He is a good neighbor and a friend.

 

Until next time: late summer and early fall are great times to get outdoors and do a little fishing, walking, biking, have a picnic, do some camping or just enjoy being in the great outdoors.

 

Please take the time to remember our service members that have sacrificed so much and those that are serving today, so that we can enjoy the many freedoms that we have.