Work in Progress

The road in front of the house leads to work ski patrolling at Elk Mountain and continues on to Chet’s Place, a great source of good food and companionship.

Absent much interest in anything else, I pass the same view near daily.

Late last Autumn, I noticed that what had been marshy seemed to be a bit wetter than usual. A couple of birch in one of my favorite stands had been fallen.

Winter white covered everything for a couple of weeks obscuring the change that had been occurring.

This recent thaw removed all ice except that on what had at once been only damp.

A slow ride with intent along the valley revealed that the tipping point had been reached.

Revealed by the contrast of dormant grass and ice a couple more beaver dens appeared southward from what had been the main community.

A gentle arc alongside the birch stand described a beautifully engineered dam. Further south, yet another dam had been built and was now holding back a considerable amount of water.

When one finally awakens from life’s routines, great change becomes evident.