It’s the dead of winter in Minnesota, and that means snow. Once again, we find ourselves hunkered down while a winter storm bears down on us, promising to leave behind anywhere from 5 to 12 inches of snow. There are locals who dread these events because snow simply represents extra cold and extra work. Then…
snow
What A Difference Two Weeks Can Make
Just over two weeks ago, we had a doozy of a blizzard here in the Twin Cities that dumped almost 18 inches of snow on top of what had yet to melt from the previous 4 months of snow. Here’s what the snowbank (which I had lovingly dubbed “Mount Gracewood”) in the cul-de-sac by my…
How are the Roads?
For centuries (maybe millennia), a common way for people in China to greet each other has been to ask a simple question: “have you eaten yet?” When I lived in China’s northeast region (“dongbei”), it seemed that every chance meeting or new conversation began with “leng bu leng?” Are you cold? We are now in…
Death of a Snow Bank
Here in Minnesota, we mark the turning from winter to spring by monitoring the death of the snow banks that surround us. When they are at their highest, we wonder if they will ever melt. It seems unlikely. But the days get longer, and sun gets warmer, and even the biggest ones eventually succumb. This…
Shutterbug!
Noel and I both love to take pictures, but she also loves to organize and edit her photos right away. She is posting them on a special Shutterfly site as we go along. Please click on over if you want to see lots more pics of our trip. On that site, you will also find…