Author: michaeljordahl

Retired Miner, loves science, reading, carving, walking, recovering alcoholic

What’s in a Name?

My son Aaron and I took a little cruise around the area today; it was so nice out, we thought we’d take the cameras and visit a few spots we haven’t seen for almost three years. It wasn’t until we got home that I realized what strange names some of these places had.

First we went to a spot out in the middle of nowhere called Skibo. It’s a huge hill with boreal forest extending to the horizon in every direction. Great for astronomy. There are a few shacks somewhere around here without electricity; we drove by them once, and I was surprised not to see any cars.

While we were up on the hill, a couple of jets roared by, and I managed to capture one. When I was fueling jets in the Air Force, we only had some f-4s, f-15s, and mostly f-16s, so I have no idea what these are, but they look pretty cool.

Next, we headed down to Frying Pan Lake. Usually there are ducks and geese here (with goslings this time of year), but we got skunked today. It’s a beautiful, somewhat remote lake with two houses and an old Finnish cemetery on its verdant shores.

We started back, but had to make a stop at the Embarrass River. Every river north of the Laurentian Divide flows north to Hudson Bay, and every river south of it flows south to the Gulf of Mexico or Lake Superior–except this one. Somehow, it winds its way through the hills and heads south. Embarrass River. I wonder how it came by that name.

Finally, we headed back home to our humble little village of Aurora. It’s not much to look at, as you may have deduced from our sign, but it has a name I can live with.

–Photos by me

wolf dream

i dreamed that wolves were chasing me

as through the woods i ran,

and when i couldn’t keep on going,

i turned to make my stand,

but now the wolves had disappeared

as far as i could see;

and standing there, i realized–

the only wolf was me!

–photos by me

Hypatia (archives)

O beautiful Hypatia

Of ancient Alexandria,

Prominent astronomer

And erudite philosopher,

They flayed your flesh

Down to your bones

With shattered shells

And sharpened stones;

The zealots thought

You blasphemed Christ,

And made you pay

An awful price.

The search for truth

Is often met

With violence

And tragic death.

–Image by A.I.

Shot of the Day 5/27/24

“Peace of Mind”

I walked down to this abandoned mine pit this morning, about a half-mile from my house. After being gone for almost three years, I’d forgotten how beautiful these pits are when they fill up with water. Because they are crystal-clear and as deep as 500 feet, the water can take on the most gorgeous shades of blue-green. I’m not sure what color I’d call it, but ‘peace of mind’ would do nicely.

–Photo by me

Freya Freaks Out

“The Woods Have Eyes”

We took Freya out to the woods surrounding our new place, thinking that she’d really enjoy it; the only outings she’d had before this were on a dirt road between two farmer’s fields. In fact, I was worried she’d like it too much and run off or climb a tree. Aaron set her down on a log, and with all the trees rustling overhead in the wind, she just froze in place. It was just too overwhelming for her, so we took her home. Next time, we’ll look for a more open setting.

we thought that our cat would embrace

our new home in a more wooded place,

but the rustling-leaf sky

was too much stimuli–

we could tell by the look on her face.

–Photo by Aaron