Making Tracks

Out for my walk this morning the falling snow was covering all of the old tracks with a fluffy white blanket.  So quiet, I could almost hear the big snow flakes as they touched down. 

There is something about making the first prints in the new snow that always gives me pause and pleasure.  Looking ahead was a clean untracked expanse marked out by irregular tufts of prairie grass.  Behind, the past was marked by my solitary boot tracks  accompanied stride for stride by singular holes made by my walking stick. 

A  memory of long ago came unbidden but welcome nonetheless.   I believe it was during my first winter in Montana having moved from Phoenix AZ. I was driving along the Yellowstone River between Columbus and Park City one cold, bright winter night with gentle snow still falling.  The country road  was untracked.  The big snow flakes reflected my headlights back so much that I turned on only the parking lights.  I was at peace . . .

Having arrived at Tagawa Gardens I headed back up the creek on a different path marked with other tracks.  I turned off the main trail and met myself going out.  Same solitary boot tracks  accompanied stride for stride by singular holes. 

Looking back over the years since that winter of 1973-74 and remembering some of the many tracks I have made, it occurs to me now that on that winter drive, I was making a new track in the Intermountain West the area which I would come to love and in which I would find and be found by the love of my life, my wife and partner of 32 years. 

Culinary Note

“I would like to have sweet potato tonight” “Hmm, how about a soup,” I thought.  An internet search for Sweet Potato soup revealed possible ingredients, to wit: sweet potato, red onion, red bell pepper, celery, butter, chicken broth, olive oil, garlic, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  Oh yes, real bacon grumbles for the topping. (Would have added a dollop of sour cream and chopped green onions but we were out of sour green so, no green onions either.)  Served with fresh dinner rolls and an ice cold glass of milk
Mmm, mum good and tasty too!
 It is a joy to cook especially when it is shared with someone who enjoys and appreciates it.

Monday Morning . . . 
    Up a bit earlier then usual, Weather report - 47 degrees, heavy overcast 20% chance of precipitation - breakfast with Ardie as usual.  Off to JFK Golf Course for my eleventh consecutive Monday morning for nine holes of Par 3 golf.  Shots of the tee very nice but putting still needs work.  Seated on the usual picnic table bench the score card confirmed best round including two pars!  The thunder gave way to sprinkles as I loaded up the Journey.  Rained hard on the way to the library to pick up one of nine books on my hold list: “Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Book Store” by Robin Sloan.  I was intrigued by the cover of the book which I believe I saw on Good Reads.
    Parenthetically, one of the real joys of our move to Parker is the library which reminds me a lot about the North Mankato Library which is in a nicer, newer facility.  However, a new building is coming in 2014 for Parker.
    Anyway . . . onto grocery shopping and Starbucks (grande Chai Tea Latte for Ardie and Café Mocha for me). Then home by10: 30 to begin reading  “Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Book Store.”  Oh it is going to be a fun read!  Life is good!  Routines are helpful and satisfying. Very few things can beat a good book, a comfortable room in the presence of the love of my life. So begins a new week . . .

Culinary Note
For supper tonight
   Grilled Haddock filets
   Fresh Pear/Papaya Salsa
   Steamed Broccoli
Oh yes, warm peach cobbler with pistachio/almond ice cream.
Cooking is so much fun and tasty too.

On Yards and Neighbors For the first time in my life we have a backyard with a six-foot privacy fence around it. It is also the smallest lot I have ever had. We live in a subdivision that was built in the early 1980's. Ardie and I sit out on our small deck and watch the squirrels run along the fence. They occasionally stop to peer at us. The nice young family behind us built a fort on stilts for their kids which provides a perch looking over our fence. No problems, just a new experience. Some of our neighbors along the block have placed chairs out front on small patios, or porches. The neighbors we relate to regularly are our front yard neighbors (no fences.) The 1930's neighborhood where I grew up in southwest Minneapolis had four yards front and back without any fences. Great for half block long games of tag, hide and seek, and kick the can. We pretty much lived in the back yard of our home in lower North Mankato. It was built in 1900. To be sure it was fenced, but with a chain link fence for Chloe our dog of 12 years. Like all of the houses on our block, our back yard backed up to an alley. Whether raking leaves, shoveling snow, gardening or simply relaxing with a kanupper, conversations across the fences were natural and easy. Perhaps we will need to add a porch or patio in the front yard for neighborly conversations as well as for more openness.