Monday, June 14, 2010

Moving Toward a New Life


This is my last morning on Upper Whitefish, here on this bank overlooking the lake, where I've been staying for the past few weeks. I will miss going to sleep with the song of the loon, getting up in time to greet the morning sun as it slowly rises on the horizon, changing the colors of the sky as it does so. I was thinking about all the changes that lie ahead of me, the return to a way of life that I grew up with, but put aside for several years while living in Santa Fe, and since, as I looked at the possibilities. A few weeks ago, I bought a refrigerator magnet that summed up my feelings about my return to Minnesota. It said, "Sometimes 'right back where you started from,' is right where you belong." 


I will be sleeping in my new home tomorrow night and waking up to a new way of life. One of the things that I am particularly happy about is that my land includes 147 feet of riverfront. The Pine winds along, just across the road, my place right on an elbow of the river. The former owner created steps leading down to a nice spot beside it with a fire pit. I plan to make this my little sanctuary, a place of respite. The river flows down to where Upper and Lower Whitefish join together. I love knowing that all the beauty, all the goodness that Whitefish holds, is only a short canoe trip away. I won't be leaving this behind, I will still feel its heartbeat, the island.


I didn't want to leave here without expressing my gratitude for having such a wonderful place to be for awhile, this piece of Earth that is now part of my consciousness. For whatever reason, an Alison Krauss song kept running through my mind early this morning as I stood outside and watched the growing daylight move across the water, and so I decided to post it as my way of paying homage to this time. I suppose it was all that thought about heartbeats as I looked out on the island. It was written and first recorded by Don Williams, many years ago, but Alison, who has the voice of an angel, and John Waite, a perfect match for her, have re-created this beautiful song. It just seemed to fit somehow.

P.S. Just as I  posted this, I looked up and saw a bald eagle flying over the water along the bank, right outside my door.

Here's "Lay Down Beside Me"








12 comments:

  1. Absolutely beautiful. You belong here. Peace and happiness to you.

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  2. Mark, I don't see a link to a blog for you, not that one is needed, but it would be nice to know a bit more about you, if you were willing to share... I appreciate your comments, very much.

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  3. Teresa, this is so exciting. I'm so happy for you. When I bought my house, I was determined to make it a place of peace and harmony. I did it and I love it. May your new house be filled with peace, joy and happiness! But...keep posting...ha ha ha.
    xoxox

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  4. Lynn: I, too, am going to create a place of peace and harmony. Thank you, so much, for your loving thoughts. I will definitely keep everyone "posted."

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  5. Lovely music - thanks for sharing. And I'll be looking forward to hearing about your new place.

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  6. Thanks, Linda! I was surrounded by birdsong over morning coffee. A nice way to begin...

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  7. Very excited for you. Glad your new place has the river nearby, as I feel water in its many forms is always an inspiration. I like your idea of creating a sanctuary there. Looking forward to reading more about your experiences in that sanctuary.

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  8. Hi Christopher! Nice to hear from you. I didn't find any shark teeth on the beach in Maine, but this is pretty decent compensation. I've really been enjoying your posts. They are always inspiring. Teresa

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  9. Many years ago my parents owned a place where the Pine River flows into the Whitefish Chain. It was just a beautiful spot. I don't know who owns it, now, but I hope they enjoy it as much as we did. I can just imagine you enjoying your fire pit and watching the eagles. Perfect.

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  10. And, the Pine River flows on the edge of this land, yes, on out to Whitefish! My new place is on an elbow of the river.

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  11. Teresa -- I take it you are originally from Minnesota? I lived a short stint in New Mexico in the Glorietta mountains north of Santa Fe. The landscapes and sky vistas were spectacular but I missed water as I raised in the land of 10.000 lakes, Michigan. I now prefer to live where there is water and trees as I believe you do. Your post photos are serene -- your place must be perfect for peace and harmony. And eagles -- fantastic. Wonderful post. --- barbara

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  12. Barbara, Yes, I was born and raised in Minn., leaving in 2001 for Santa Fe, where I spent about eight years, before returning to Minn. I miss the perpetual blue skies, the high desert and mountains, the spellbinding sunsets, and my job in the art gallery. But, this is where I felt drawn back to and I do love the lush summers. My sons live here and it's good to see them more frequently. The place I bought here could never have been bought in NM, not this land. :)

    Thanks for reading an earlier post. I appreciate it.

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