2026 SOLSTICE PASSED – SUMMER FULLY ENGAGED

Morning light comes early and darkness arrives late. The first full moon of June rises late in the month on June 29. Just above the tree line on the horizon, its light reflects a second time on the lake surface. The date of Strawberry Moon this year marks the beginning of my 80th year.

The Declaration of Independence was signed 250 years ago, and the United States of America will begin its 251st year this weekend. More and larger celebrations than most years add to the long daylight hours of activities packed into the summer season. So much to do as the fruit ripens and before the leaves fall.

Planning occurs, calendars fill, families gather, trips and events offer travel experiences. Surrounding all of that, some of the most special moments come from the surrounding routine and calming blanket of the usual backdrop of summer.

Walking the dog through familiar neighborhoods and meeting neighbors engaged in regular routines. Anything unexpected, even if familiar, seems special.

Last week Veterans on the Lake Resort hosted the Ely Community Resource annual Fishing for Kids event on Fall Lake. Volunteers provide table stations for the kids to rotate through and at the end, they have lunch and receive a tackle box, fishing rod and reel. Rusty crayfish, a piece of northern pike jawbone, smallmouth bass, stories, experiences, and discoveries were all shared. A goldeneye with ducklings, an eagle’s nest, a lawn ornament that looked like a coyote (?), eastern phoebe nesting, nonnative bullheads in the live bait, and more were all unscheduled and explored.

That event was just like the Ely Farmer’s Market or other community services or gathering that result in meeting new residents (plants, animals, friends, rock formations, places, etc. Things will change, and weather conditions, fruit abundance, day length, festivals, customers, canoe and camping trips, projects etc. will fit nicely into the peace and familiarity of the lakes and forests.

While watching the full moon on June 29, a moth was fluttering around the yard light, which drew notice and the meeting of, most certainly, only one other resident yard toad out looking for a meal. As the summer goes on the list of unexpected discoveries will grow, be appreciated and shared. If not by you personally, just ask and the accounts will flow from others. Like yesterday’s pictures of a robin’s nest with three eggs from one friend, and another first photo of a fisher from a long-time resident’s trail camera.

Now is the time to take another walk, paddle, bike ride or other outing to find the unexpected that exists within the familiar. Reflect on what was and could have been and join others in making the future. A lot of projects are being pursued out there.