Remedy

Today was one of those days -- you know the type, the type that keeps going and going and going. There was production -- don't get me wrong, things were getting done -- but when I finished at 5:45 there were more things on the list than when I started at 7:00.

The solution? Seeing as how a half bottle of whiskey isn't really a good call for a Wednesday; the only solution was to grab the fishing pole and head out for the first time this season. Now the fishing is good in this neck of the woods, good enough that "out-staters" (yes, you Madison & Milwaukee types, I am talking about you) regularly spend vacations in these parts with the sole purpose of spending their week of vacation in a boat.

I try and take advantage of that fact, and am hoping to spend a bit more time out on the lake this summer than I did last year. I realize I won't be located up here forever and am trying to focus on capitalizing on the assets of the locale. I still find it remarkable that within five minutes I can be the only person in a county forest, or the only one out on a lake. And since I am always traveling the area for work, I often stumble upon new spots to go check out.

So fishing, yes, I was doing it, for the first time this year.

Within fifteen minutes I was at a secluded spot (only three wrong turns later) wetting the line in Bear Lake. It was quiet in that odd way that it is when bullfrogs and birds are making all the noise they could possibly muster. But since you cannot hear the sounds of modern man, it is as quiet as it ever could be. Bald eagles were out and about soaring above, and I even caught a few fish in the clear water; so all in all a success, and just the remedy I needed after a day that offered just one too many new tasks.

I think that our Wisconsin forefathers would have been proud, as there I sat, rod and reel in hand, clad in a flannel shirt and a Brewer's ball-cap, drinking a can of Miller, watching the birds up above, and the fish down below.

The Cool of the Evening

Yeesh, after a nine-week sabbatical (the muses just weren't talking okay?) there's finally something of note to blog about. Well, not really, I've passed by many opportunities in the last couple months to get a quick post in, including: the first day of Spring, opening day of baseball season, a work trip to St. Louis/Kansas City, and more that I'm sure I'm missing, but that's life.

Just got an evening walk in and had to post about one of my favorite Spring rituals (well, all season really, but that much better in the Spring) -- the late dusk stroll. Those of you who know me well will attest that I have always been a walker. Whether it was ducking out of the dormitories at 1 AM to blow off some steam, or taking an indirect route back from the library or work, I've always been a fan of the evening walk as a way to recollect and (sometimes) make sense of the passing day, while refocusing for the upcoming one. It's also one hell of a way to try and work out a problem rolling around the brain. The Spring is an especially good season to be out though. There's that hint of freshness in the air as things are greening up again, a bit of light in the air as the sun has recently set, and an ideal temperature that calls for only a light jacket. It was a good way to stretch the muscles, clear the head after a rough Monday, and get a grasp on the coming week ahead.

Meaningless topic? Undoubtedly. Let's hope this spells the return of regular musings though. I'm hoping for a summer of documenting life in the Northwoods with some suprises thrown in for good measure.

Oh, and I ran a half-marathon this weekend, but more on that later. I'm still trying to gather my thoughts.

Giga-waabamin minawaa.