A look back at the end of 2016...

I walked in the woods.

I walked along several rivers and lakes.

I walked on snow, sand, mud, uncut grass, rocks, and pavement.

I dipped my toes in rivers: Mississippi, St. Croix, Redwood, Minnesota, Amnicon.

I splashed in lakes: Superior, Mille Lacs, Calhoun, Harriet, Lake of the Isles.

I kept Storm company during miles of Pokemon Go.

Storm and I watched a tiny red spider repeatedly circle a tray at the Barnes & Noble cafe.

I earned a sizable bump in pay at work.

I created poems, paintings, drawings, photos, mural panels, dreamcatchers, beaded necklaces, delicious meals, and a pipe.

In November, I celebrated 18 years of marriage with Donna.

In December, I completed my master’s degree at Hamline University.

In spring, I bought a new bike and rode several hundred miles over the summer.

I took a Vista Cruise on Lake Superior and the Duluth/Superior harbor with Donna, Bette,

Dale and Sharon.

On December 31^st, I completed writing a poem-a-day for one whole year (366 new poems).

Across 2016, I showed my art at:

            Marshall Area Fine Arts Council

                        (paintings and photos)

            Minnetonka Center for the Arts  - Menegerie: Animals in Art

                        (paintings and charcoal drawings)

            Owámni Falling Water Festival

                        (paintings and charcoal drawings)

            MN State Fair - Fine Arts Show

                        (charcoal drawing – 2^nd place winner)

            Intermedia Arts – Skins

                        (charcoal drawings and woodcut)

            All My Relations – On Fertile Ground

                        (charcoal drawings)

            Taste of Minneapolis International Festival

                        (paintings and charcoal drawing)

I had work published at Conversant (two different poet conversations... b: william

bearhart in January and Heid E. Erdrich in December), and poems at Conduit, and Sleet Magazine.

I read my poems at Birchbark Books.

I watched the sunrise over Minneapolis, St. Paul, the Mississippi, the St. Croix, Calhoun, and Lake Superior.

I made a pipe for a bear’s friend.

I watched Storm graduate from the University of Minnesota. (His major was Ecology, Evolution and Behavior.)

I reconnected with Kristin a few times.

In August, I began my tenth year working with young people.

I went to several great concerts: Aurora at the 7^th Street Entry, Missy Higgins at the Fine Line, Ingrid Michaelson at Northrup Auditorium, and Aurora at the Cedar Cultural Center.

At the Cedar show, Aurora squeezed my hand. Hers was soft and warm. Magical!

My weight is up a little, but my health is good, my brain is good, I’m creative, and I’m happy.