View From a Prairie Home

by Hege Hernfindahl, Columnist

What does that really mean? The dog days of summer? Does it have something to do with dogs? I know I have read about it multiple times, but my mind is not working properly, so I must look it up; something I frequently do these days.

According to the Farmers Almanac, the unofficial source of all things folklore and weather-related, the dog days refer to the hottest time of the year. On August 11, the Dog Star, Sirius, rises. To the ancient Egyptians, Sirius appeared right before the river Nile would flood. It also was the time of hot, humid weather. The appearance of the Dog Star would signal this time and thus the term “dog days” was born.

I think of dog days as the lazy, hot days of summer, when dogs and people lay around, lacking energy because of the heat. I also think of the dog days of August as the last burst of summer. The air has a faint smell of decay; of rotting fruits; but also of richness. It is hard to explain, but the green of the leaves has changed, it is less vibrant, more muted. Where the grass died during our long dry spell in May and June, the recent bursts of rain have encouraged the growth of what I think of as some types of annual grass. It has a different shade of green as the grass in a perfect lawn, but I have no such goal; I like grass and I like green grass, but if it isn’t Kentucky bluegrass, so be it. It is actually quite soft to step on and I like to feel grass under my feet as I step outside in the morning.

The air this morning is still quite cool and I can sense the approaching fall. The grass is wet from dew and I feel a faint glimmer of hope. I love fall and I love cooler weather where I can be outside, without being uncomfortably hot, and enjoy God’s creation. And because I slept well, I have a small amount of energy. I ask Grant if we can do some Minnesota exploring on our bicycles today. He is always eager to explore with me, so we load our bikes into the bed of his pickup where he has a homemade bike rack. We decide to drive to the Lake Wobegon Trail and park by a really cool café called BoHo by Holdingford.

The trail has been recently resurfaced and the trees provide shade as we bike along. The air feels fresh and clean as it caresses our faces while we ride down the gentle slopes of the trail. Our goal is to ride to the Mississippi. We did this ride in the fall with some friends about ten years ago. Grant remembers the trip well, but I have just a faint recollection.

I am not in good shape after all the sitting around during the hot days, so when we finally reach the Mississippi after biking 10+ miles, I don’t even want to cross it. So, we turn around after a small photo break and again pass through the tiny town of Bowlus. I know I have to eat to make it back to Holdingford, so we stop in an unassuming café called Jordie’s. After ordering a salad, we discover the outside space of Jordie’s. It is a huge garden with a big goldfish pond and a creek that meanders around a small knoll with dwarf birches and beautiful flowers. Among the flowers are little memorial stones with pictures, names and dates of departed souls. Sitting here, in this space, is a respite for our bodies and souls.

It is with a lighter heart and more energy that we bike back to Holdingford. It was a good day, a pause in the dog days, a moment of joy as we embark on our new lives in this beautiful state of Minnesota.