Frosty Morning Walk

Frost covers everything: the lawn, the woodshed roof, the cabin roof as I start my pre-dawn hike.  It is quiet, so quiet in the woods north of the cabin.  No sound except for the crunch of fallen leaves as I slowly move along, listening, looking—the oaks are about one-third full color, the maples at peak—and I am smelling the wonderful aroma of fall so different from the smells of all the other seasons.  Pungent, earthy smells recording the hand-off of fall to winter.

As I hike back toward the cabin, the sun begins to peak above my neighbor’s pine plantation to the east and soon I see the first rays of sunlight reflecting off the top of the big maple tree in front of the cabin.  This tree, a gift from my children on my 60^th birthday, shows russet red from top to bottom.  A stunning display.

Spears of green winter wheat contrast with the white frost in the garden spot—now tucked in for the winter with its green cover.

Once back in the cabin I start the wood stove for the first time this fall.   I sit at my kitchen table with a strong cup of coffee.  It will be a good day.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS:  Take an early morning walk.  It’s good for the soul.

ANNOUNCEMENT:  For those in Central Wisconsin: Mark your calendars.  Launch of my new novel, THE GREAT SAND FRACAS OF AMES COUNTY will be at The Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose, October 16, beginning with refreshments at 6:00 P.M. Everyone invited.

STILL ROOM: For those interested in writing your life stories, a few openings are still available for my November 1, 9-4 workshop at the Clearing in Door County.  Contact The Clearing for sign-up information: www.theclearing.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

October 16, 6:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose, WI. Central Wisconsin Launch of The Great Sand Fracas of Ames County

October 19, 12:30 p.m. Wisconsin Book Festival, Madison Main Library. The Great Sand Fracas of Ames County

October 23, 5:00 p.m. dinner, 6:00 p.m. presentation Green Bay Neville Museum. Horse Drawn Days. Registration required.

November 1, 9:00 to 4:00 “Writing From Your Life Workshop” The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI

November 1, 4:30 p.m., Book signing WI The Great Sand Fracas of Ames County The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI

November 8, 9:00-11:30, Plymouth Arts Center, Plymouth, WI,  Sponsored by Sheboygan County Research Center. Barns of Wisconsin.

November 12, Noon. Wisconsin Historical Society Tour, La Crosse, Weber Center for the Performing Arts.  Farm Stories.

November 14, 6:30 dinner.  Port Washington Library.  Meeting at First Congregational Church, 131 Webster Street, Port Washington.  How I became a writer.

December 7, 1:00-2:15 and 2:30-3:15 Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells (Two sessions) Wis Farm Bureau Meeting. Writing From Your Life for Children and Grandchildren.