Learning of Life in 2025

Everywhere residents and visitors travel to many places and interact with other individuals that they encounter. Next week I will travel to my grandson’s graduation and our family will gather.

This juncture between high school and college provides lots of memories related to education and life growing through childhood and reaching adult life.

In 1965, my life led me from high school to university with a sense of who I was and what I wanted to pursue. Every being experiences at some point events and the changes that shape that life.

Every life builds history and the learning that brings them to the present and results in their future.

On this last weekend in May, large groups of staff members will spend time preparing to lead and teach younger visitors to camps in the Ely Area. Camp DuNord operated by the YMCA and Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base have a weekend of staff training activities where I can meet them and learn about their backgrounds and interests in working with others and exploring through activities and outdoor trips.

So much in life depends on teaching and learning in all life. This morning more daily black bear sightings and reports helped expand our understanding of this area and how to appreciate and understand each other.

A friend who had never seen a hummingbird in Babbitt feeder, without a doubt there will be more learned about the lives of the birds that visit.

The end of May brought a burst of Spring plant growth, migrant bird arrivals, bear cubs, fawns, wolf pup births, etc. Long-stemmed orchis have flowers ready to bloom.

Ornamental crab apple trees have an abundance of varied colored flowers. Spring wildflowers of all types have taken advantage of sunlight to blossom before all the tree leaves shade them.

Many species of fish have spawned, and loons, swans, ducks, geese, herons, ospreys, eagles, ravens, and so many other birds are nesting. Every single life you encounter has a story. You may not know the story yet, but if you are curious, there are people who will answer questions. You can watch and discover. There are experts and others with your interests. Libraries, teachers, guides, naturalists, and others form communities of knowledge and resources to share.

Everyday we learn more about ourselves, other people, and the world around us including every life.

Don’t forget to notice that small, bright, green insect that everyone sees. It is our common Laurentian Tiger Beetle. Ask me or look up its information, if you want to know more. Start learning the many fern species in our area. The Interrupted Ferns have already grown to over knee high.