You described perfectly why we have such a difficult time leaving California. Aside from a few dalliances in neighboring states, we were born and raised here. Not too many bugs/reptiles that can kill us, the weather rarely produces deadly results, and we can grow just about anything we want. I wish you all the best reacquainting yourself with your new/old state (and with your ability to have an actual root cellar that won’t bake your food)!
My Italian grandfather had a basement in the old part of Stockton, made and stored his “Dago Red” wine there….the smell down there is one of the few memories I have of him
We lost out on a house in Stockton (almost Linden) that had the most beautiful basement! That’s the only house that didn’t have a “might as well be a crawl space” basement.
Thank you for returning to the Midwest. I look forward to the evolution of your recipes taking advantage (or overcoming the obstacles) of Minnesota and the upper Midwest. It requires fortitude and flexibility in all you do to live here. As a native Minnesotan (originally from St. Paul) I welcome you!
Welcome back to the Midwest! There's always some rivalry between those gophers over there and us Badgers but in all reality we're more similar than not. Excited to have you back up here in the Northwoods!
Hank thank you for sharing your ruminations about change and moving. I hope your transition goes smoothly. Your advice, "Embrace the place, and ye shall be accepted." even if it isn't yours originally seems like sage advice (pun intended). I think I will be referring to this advice frequently in the coming year as I will be moving from Nebraska to Tempe, AZ. Grandchildren can have that affect on a person. But there will be much to learn and experience as well as much that will be missed.
I’m so touched by this. My husband is ready to go back to West Virginia and Kansas, and I can’t imagine leaving this great state. So many things to think about in these years when our kids will leave home. Thanks for all you brought to and discovered in California. I look forward to reading about the changes and challenges.
Hank, I think that you are going to love MN, with 10,000 lakes you'll have a lot of choices to fish. An old work colleague moved there many years ago. She was a PhD, sophisticated and, in a surprise to me, absolutely loved MN. A wonderful place to raise kids, classic small town values. Having said that I still have a mosquito trap (a one-inch long bear trap). Largest mosquitos I've ever seen, rumored to be MN's state bird.
lived in Sacramento for a couple of years, used to canoe the American river in town. On one of the rapids there was a wild fig overhanging the eddy, would sit in that eddy and just breathe in the figginess.. miss some things about Sacramento.
commercial fishing in AK sounds a bit horrifying..
my sons went to college in MN and I kind of love the state, having thoughts of retiring out there from the LA-by-the-Rockies that is Denver now. There is a fabulous local-food scene in St Paul and in Duluth, I think you can be happy there ;-)
Welcome to Minnesota again! I remember you saying, (in a book I think) years ago that you've never picked wild cranberries before. If you still have not, and want to, I got a spot about an hours drive from Pineridge. Love all your books!
California's lucky to have had you as long as we did. The Golden State and all the hunters/fishers/foragers in it miss you already. But very excited to see what you cook up next!
Anytime you're feeling like hunting morels or trout fishing near Mt Shasta, you know you have a place to stay! (Well, we're in Ashland for now. But once we rebuild our house! And we've got a sweet campsite til then.)
We’ll there’s another great reason to book a trip to Pineridge Grouse Camp!
You described perfectly why we have such a difficult time leaving California. Aside from a few dalliances in neighboring states, we were born and raised here. Not too many bugs/reptiles that can kill us, the weather rarely produces deadly results, and we can grow just about anything we want. I wish you all the best reacquainting yourself with your new/old state (and with your ability to have an actual root cellar that won’t bake your food)!
OMG. The basements here make me swoon! They simply don't exists in California, or at least I've never seen one.
My Italian grandfather had a basement in the old part of Stockton, made and stored his “Dago Red” wine there….the smell down there is one of the few memories I have of him
We lost out on a house in Stockton (almost Linden) that had the most beautiful basement! That’s the only house that didn’t have a “might as well be a crawl space” basement.
Welcome to Minnesota enjoy the journey it will be a huge change but that’s what makes life invigorating
Hi neighbor, I’m in Michigan but have family in Minnesota. Have you discovered Tongue in Cheek yet in St Paul. Wonderful food not your same old
I haven't really moved in yet, so no. But I'll look it up, thanks!
Again, beautifully written Hank. And, again, it resonates. Thank you for writing.
Welcome back to the Midwest Hank
Thrilled to have you here, Hank! Great piece.
Thank you for returning to the Midwest. I look forward to the evolution of your recipes taking advantage (or overcoming the obstacles) of Minnesota and the upper Midwest. It requires fortitude and flexibility in all you do to live here. As a native Minnesotan (originally from St. Paul) I welcome you!
Welcome back to the Midwest! There's always some rivalry between those gophers over there and us Badgers but in all reality we're more similar than not. Excited to have you back up here in the Northwoods!
Go Badgers, hey!!! ;-)
Hank thank you for sharing your ruminations about change and moving. I hope your transition goes smoothly. Your advice, "Embrace the place, and ye shall be accepted." even if it isn't yours originally seems like sage advice (pun intended). I think I will be referring to this advice frequently in the coming year as I will be moving from Nebraska to Tempe, AZ. Grandchildren can have that affect on a person. But there will be much to learn and experience as well as much that will be missed.
I’m so touched by this. My husband is ready to go back to West Virginia and Kansas, and I can’t imagine leaving this great state. So many things to think about in these years when our kids will leave home. Thanks for all you brought to and discovered in California. I look forward to reading about the changes and challenges.
Hank, I think that you are going to love MN, with 10,000 lakes you'll have a lot of choices to fish. An old work colleague moved there many years ago. She was a PhD, sophisticated and, in a surprise to me, absolutely loved MN. A wonderful place to raise kids, classic small town values. Having said that I still have a mosquito trap (a one-inch long bear trap). Largest mosquitos I've ever seen, rumored to be MN's state bird.
Congratulations, Hank! I'm excited for you!
Do you have room to grow stuff at your new digs?
I do. It's small, but it has good light, and my neighbor has converted her entire yard to a garden, and I plan on following suit.
lived in Sacramento for a couple of years, used to canoe the American river in town. On one of the rapids there was a wild fig overhanging the eddy, would sit in that eddy and just breathe in the figginess.. miss some things about Sacramento.
commercial fishing in AK sounds a bit horrifying..
my sons went to college in MN and I kind of love the state, having thoughts of retiring out there from the LA-by-the-Rockies that is Denver now. There is a fabulous local-food scene in St Paul and in Duluth, I think you can be happy there ;-)
Best of luck Hank..
Welcome to Minnesota again! I remember you saying, (in a book I think) years ago that you've never picked wild cranberries before. If you still have not, and want to, I got a spot about an hours drive from Pineridge. Love all your books!
Absolutely yes!!! Ping me when its season. I love love love cranberries and lingonberries
California's lucky to have had you as long as we did. The Golden State and all the hunters/fishers/foragers in it miss you already. But very excited to see what you cook up next!
Thanks, Jericha. I will miss Cali a lot, but ever forward!
Anytime you're feeling like hunting morels or trout fishing near Mt Shasta, you know you have a place to stay! (Well, we're in Ashland for now. But once we rebuild our house! And we've got a sweet campsite til then.)