WARNING: If you don’t want to read about my thoughts on civic engagement, don’t read to the end of this blog.
 |
| Welcoming in 2025 on New Year’s Eve. |
The Northern Lakes Arts Association puts on a fabulous party with fancy foods, live entertainment, and of course a champagne toast.
 |
| Great evening of fun! People in Ely dressed up—something pretty uncommon for this town. |
 |
| I began the new year with a snowy hike in the woods with friends. |
Whether it’s hiking or skiing or biking on frozen lakes, Rusty and I love playing in the winter weather!
We attended a Celebration of the Night Sky. We had a bonfire, roasted marshmallows, hot cocoa and dogsled rides.
Ely’s Winter Festival lasts for over two weeks. It always includes snow sculptures in the park, crowning of a Festival Queen, a dog-sled race, and an art walk.
This year Rusty had several of his paintings in the art walk. I’m so proud of him!
My AAUW group raises money to offer scholarships to women and girls. We each have a piggy bank to collect spare coins to help with the effort.
 |
| Decorating our piggy banks. |
I took a sourdough bread-making class at the Ely Folk School.
 |
| We each brought home lots of yummy bread. |
 |
| The sauna is a great place to spend a snowy, winter afternoon. |
 |
| The local production of Romeo and Juliet was very well done. |
 |
| Rusty accompanied a local performer for a Valentine Day performance. |
I traveled to Idaho to help Mom celebrate her 99th birthday.
 |
| We had a party at Bridgeview and another one at Kelly’s. |
 |
| Mom very much enjoys being independent. |
 |
| Quinn is playing card tricks on his Grandma Dar. |
 |
| Last week enough ice had melted that the swans have returned. |
The Northern Lakes Arts Association put on “Matilda” a book, movie, and play that was unfamiliar to me. Very enjoyable!
 |
| This young lady had an enormous amount of lines to memorize. She did a great job! |
One of the many things we enjoy about Ely is that it is very low-key.
 |
We went on date night at St. Anthony’s Church basement for a Friday-in-Lent fish fry.
Then we went to the Grand Ely Lodge for an after-dinner drink. So FUN! |
I took a hat-decorating class. We learned to stencil, burn, burnish and add decorative bands.
I just did my first road ride of the year. This helps keep me sane.
 |
| West on Hwy 88. |
And then January 20th happened… and our life became way more uncomfortable.
 |
| I have the greatest respect for Cory Booker’s demonstration on the importance of saving our democracy. |
Rusty and I made signs and participated in the National (and International) “Hands Off” Protect Democracy event.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at time of challenge.” —Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
