23 Comments

Beautifully written, per usual, Hank. Slowing down is an art, especially if you come from a place that never seems to. I am glad you are finding your rhythm. Here in the Vegas area, we don't get much of a growing season, everything comes from elsewhere. And the weather is never really THAT bad, so we have not much to hunker down from (ok, maybe the 115° summer days). Even still, it's a constant state of GO! out west and I will, for now, live vicariously through your words and observations. And maybe just pick up a book..

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As usual, well done Hank.

However, you also describe “retirement” work. After a 40 year career of 10-12 hour days, you’d think a person wou slow down in retirement. But, I find myself doing what you shared; get up and make the coffee, think of all the things that have to get down before the “big snow” (put away the deck furniture, tear apart and store the flower pots, split wood for the fireplace, mow the lawn one more time, drain the hose, etc. , etc.). So, I find myself working furiously until sunset as the days grow shorter. When I come in, my wife asks,”why are you working so much?”. “Because I have to get it all done….NOW. And then, my super rational life partner will respond, “It can wait until tomorrow… “. But, still I go like crazy (one more goose hunt; get a deer that needs butchering and wrapping, clean up the decoys before putting them away….) until the chores are all done, the freezer is full and, I’m ready for the “big snow”. And, in the end, it feels good. But, I always try to take a few days to just do “nothing”.

Sacred Hunter, thank you for the McQuarrie reference. As a card carrying member of the “Old Duck Hunters Association “, I love his story of “Three Weeks With Nothing to Do”.

Thanks again, Hank.

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Hank, before commenting on your piece here, I’d like to preface my observation with a personal note. Gordon MacQuarrie is my favorite outdoor writer of all time. I met you years ago when you did a book tour here in Burlington VT, which, much like Minnesota, revels in slowing down in winter and enjoying the fruits of our labor over summer and fall. Your piece was so moving and so beautifully eloquent in a style similar to MacQuarrie, that I have to say, this piece was the most impactful writing I have read other than his. Seriously, your description of the walk was so perfectly visual. Your work as a chef/writer is only surpassed by your writing about the mundane and crafting it in a way that make me so grateful to be alive. Thank you!!!

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Perfect as usual... I feel like as I get older (49) , and my son has more sports I try to do it all.... But only slow down IF I go away ALONE... I need to take a page from this and do nothing some days... too often even going out to my bow stand can be ALOT of work just to get out.... Definitely going to try and do more of this when life allows...

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I really enjoy your writing- thank you for sharing this day!

It’s important to work hard and stay ahead of the game (I call it doing favors for my future self.) It’s also vital to slow down, notice, and enjoy small and beautiful things inside ourselves, outside ourselves. I think this is what makes life actually worth living.

My husband and I are considering a move from California to Michigan next summer. I’ve lived in CA for most of my 50 years- I’m looking forward to living in and through actual seasons. I’m interested in how it will affect my inner life and perspective.

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Hank, am totally with you on the slowing down. Have found that picking up a new hobby and following it at a leisurely pace can be quite rewarding and satisfying. Have never played a musical instrument and despite being over 60 decided it is never too late to learn. The instrument of choice… the Kalimba because it is extremely portable. The first piece took two months to learn and that piece is the Pachelbel Canon in D. Can almost swear the fish bite more frequently when playing it while bait fishing from the bank. Good luck to you and have pleasant holidays that are approaching quickly.

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I identify. Relearning in a different environment is a new experience. Listening to needs I have never slowed down for. Excellent post, it was needed. Thank you Hank.

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This was a wonderful read. I too garden/ weed till at least 4 stopping to make dinner. I am driven. Than you for the good advice to slow down

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You did'nt really do nothing you looked after yourself. Thats healing in so many ways I tend to plan this type of day during the long rainy stretches when I can't Catch Kill or harvest something. Here is a new book for you if by chance you don't already own a copy. It's called the Catch and the Feast by Joie and Bill Mcgrail the recipes are from the old days but extremely interesting the story is timeless and one that is repeated over and over. Just to encourage you to have another day of healing.

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HAHAHAHA! I have that book and love it. I love the part about how scarce Canada geese are. Hilarious.

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To Funny!

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“We humans are more linked to the earth and its cycles than we’d like to admit.”

So true! Like Minnesota, we have been in our finishing season here in Montana. The golden leaves have fallen, the blue bird skies are dotted more with gray puffiest and the wiley wind whirls round more fiercely. Winter’s coming!

I wish I was a bear as I’d appreciate hibernating and doing nothing. But, I will welcome the snow with open arms as I appreciate traveling down the flows she brings catching the fish she nourishes come summer and harvesting my favorite berries before the cycle happens again.

Thanks for the book title! I can use a good book to read to help do nothing.

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mmmm I love the slow down. In my 20s, an ex once reminded me that my "doing nothing" was quite different from his. He asked what I'd done for the day and when I said "Oh nothing. Load of laundry, made soup, changed the sheets, and read", he pointed out the tasks I'd done and that it wasn't "nothing". Now at 48, Im better about doing nothing, especially if my partner isn't home. Now I can find food for myself and read in front of the fire an entire day and be quite content with doing nothing which is actually the most important thing-taking a breather.

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Can’t believe no one wants the title of the book? Care to share, Hank?

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I was scrolling the comments looking for this question! 😄

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All Fours by Miranda July.

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Enjoyed that one. Unusual story but compelling.

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I love the change in seasons, especially here in MN. You've captured it nicely.

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Winter to me was always something to be endured: days way too short, too cold and too hard. But fall was the finishing season, when you slowed down and finished off your projects, sat back and just enjoyed nature. I'm enjoying my days right now: eating breakfast to a perfect sunrise, doing more yarn work as I admire the changing of the seasons. And yes, it's a good time to just sit and let yourself recharge and heal. And we all need that. Too bad business culture hasn't figured it out yet.

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Great essay - a fall painting with words - and I need to do this sometime. “Stop The World I Want To Get Off!”

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Hank, you have so eloquently highlighted the fall culture of Minnesota. Very insightful.

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