Everyone tells you to be a lifelong learner.  Few of us really do it.  We fall into habits, reject new information and bray against new processes because it disrupts our habits and confirmation biases.  “That’s the way we always have done it.”  Common refrain.  Another one, “My mind is made up, don’t confuse me with facts.”

In the summer, I spend my time in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA).  I am in the middle of nature all summer.  The past two days I have seen two different black bears driving down the road.  One was what we call an “H” bear, for huge.  One was an “M” bear for medium.   We were fishing the other night and my daughter spotted a wolf pup padding along the shore.  (see photo above) This is wilderness.

Since we rehabbed the cabin, I have internet, electricity, and reliable running water.  I can conduct business up here and do anything I need to do, except meet people in person.

As I am typing this, I am watching the hummingbirds feed at our feeders. They are trying to fatten up for the trip south.  You can tell the seasons are changing because the birds are a lot more active at all of our feeders.

Where I live during the summer is totally out of my comfort zone.  It’s rural.  Grand Marais is a town of 1100 people.  I have to do a lot with my hands and there is a lot of manual labor.  (Read more...)