Northern Minnesota is up to her usual bag of tricks and this summer I've even seen a few new ones.
One of them are the creative weather reports put out as each weekend nears. It is most definately a conspiracy of unheard of dimensions. The object is to get the "tourons" (tourist + moron) to come here and spend their hard earned money. As the week progresses the weather gets worse and worse until Wednesday when they start with the splendid forecasts for the weekend. Mom's and Dad's start planning for the great weekend where the sun shines nonstop for 3 days. Then on Friday the storms start and last until Sunday afternoon when everyone goes back home, wet and bedraggled. The community got the tourons money and the tourons got wet.
Mosquitoes too have been on a rampage. Just to get from house to barn usually requires several blood transfusions. Those nasty critters have nearly taken over the entire state.
As I was sitting in the house having my morning coffee, I heard a racket outside behind the barn. It sounded like an oak tree in a life and death battle with a chainsaw. I quickly hosed myself down with DDT, put on three layers of clothes and a head net to cover my face. Then I slipped on my best pair of rubber boots, duct taped all the exposed areas and headed out the door.
As I came around the corner, I saw two really big mosquitoes fighting over a bear. The poor thing didn't stand a chance. They had him in a death grip and by the time I got there, all he could do was whine. Nature is sure cruel sometimes.
Other than that, summer is passing quickly. Usually around the first of July, we start thinking of how many days until the first snow storm. Cheerful thought isn't it?
And so, from the land of tall pines and tall tales, I wish you well.
Ron
www.ronshepherd.com