Wolves have occupied the shadows of land and lore for thousands of years, and the battle over whether to hunt them or protect them has come to light in their few modern American habitats. Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and Minnesota have become legal and political battlegrounds between advocates and adversaries of gray wolves. Many ranchers and hunters consider the wolf a blight upon livestock and game, and see wolf hunting as a solution. The environmentalists and the socially concerned who oppose this approach see the wolf as a natural, historical, and spiritual treasure. Wolves help shape our culture, balance the natural environment, and they can contribute directly and indirectly to the economy. Wolves have been successfully reintroduced to a few areas within the United States, but with their range and number still greatly diminished, allowing them to be hunted could erase them from all but memory. The United States gray wolf is beneficial to the environment, the economy, and the American psyche, so its small population should be protected rather than hunted.

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In a stunning display of first grade coping skills, Dayton has asked commissioners to skip an upcoming budget panel meeting. With a looming government shutdown in Minnesota, what we need is a governor who can roll up his sleeves and work hard alongside others to come to an agreement on a realistic budget plan. What we have is one who can’t work with others without a mediator because they might shatter his belief in a money tree.

Though I’d rather see a government shutdown than a budget that sends us dog paddling into ever deeper waters, ideally Dayton will make at least a brief visit to reality before that happens.

Starting in July, the State of Minnesota will be testing a method for one day possibly collecting a mileage tax. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is seeking 500 volunteers from Hennepin and Wright counties to have GPS systems installed on their vehicles. The idea is to track a driver’s mileage, and tax per mile.

I can find no mention of dropping any current taxes should this nifty idea take hold. Taxing us more, rather than efficiency, always seems to be the answer.

The most troublesome thing about this has nothing to do with money. It’s the loss of privacy. With GPS devices attached to our vehicles, government would be able to track our every move, without a court battle. This would be a dream come true for the DOJ.

My dream come true would be for no one to voluteer for this test. In these tough economic times, though, and with so many pushing for socialism and more government control these days, it will remain a dream.

Hubby stayed home sick today. He’s been coughing for a few days now. It sounds like he’s finally getting better. If science hadn’t proven this wrong, we might blame the fresh deep freeze our state is in. Another round of nasty winter weather. As I played taxi today for my youngest, I was extra thankful for my new truck tires. The old ones might as well have been skis. Here’s a plug for Discount Tire. Their prices and service are outstanding! I got four decent truck tires and a guarantee in case of things like nail punctures for under $500. Fast service too. The last tires, used when I got the truck, lasted to Virginia and back and beyond. The unexpected drifts across the road tonight had me wondering if these might also last for a drive towards a warmer climate. And then only back to this frozen state for visits. This daydreaming did not get in the way of stirring another batch of soap tonight. I spent too much of today trying to figure out what was wrong with my software that it wouldn’t print out a decent quality graphic for soap labels. Found out it wasn’t the graphic or the software. An alternative printer driver cleared things up. Grr. Tonight’s batch of soap has a fresh, floral smell. Truth be told, there is nothing quite as intoxicating as the real thing, and as I type this, I’m taking in the most beautiful smell of a pink hyacinth that’s on a table by my desk. And… root beer. A 2a.m. root beer was just the ticket to making today, now yesterday, all better. Now that it’s gone and the fire is dwindling, it’s time to bank the coals and grab a couple hours of sleep. All this has been just a note that I have not fallen off the face of the planet.

This is what happens when you say “Bring it!” to winter.

Here’s a peek across our front yard.

And in front of the neighbor’s, at the blotted-out highway.

We’re stocked up on essentials, and staying plenty warm. Spring already can’t come soon enough.

My! How living in a certain setting can shape a person! I recently visited the Twin Cities. Now, I did spend some years there, on and off, as a teen, and then again after marrying my husband. The Cities offered convenience, 24 hours a day. What I liked the most was chitchatting and spending time with others. One could hardly walk out of the house without meeting a friendly face.

There are still some jewels in the Twin Cities. A lot of bike trails, waterways, and parks. Manomen Park is pretty, especially with the fall foliage. The gardens around the art center at its edge are breathtaking. One could sit there and daydream forever. Fishing is a very popular pastime along the Mississippi.

Unfortunately, this recent visit had me feeling downright claustrophobic. The traffic, though mostly well-mannered, was heavy, and the roads and freeways formed a thick spiderweb. The air was uncomfortable to breathe, and the stars were completely washed out. I was in Lynchburg last year, and fell in love with it. Even Lynchburg, a city, was rural compared to the Twin Cities. At least it was clean and uncrowded.

There must be a mindset that can only be bred in a densely urban setting. It’s detached from the basics of life, and detached from the natural world. Perhaps it’s formed simply to cope with the city’s fast pace. Or maybe the conveniences make people forget what it would be without them.

Growing up in Montana and then spending most of the past 13 years in rural Minnesota has been a blessing. I can breathe here. The stars are bright and endless at night, and I never have to fear walking under them. Locals aren’t packed in like sardines, and they don’t have to rush and push through every last little. Life out here is centered on the land, not on the latest city scene.

With each mile stitched between my tires and the Cities on the way back, I could sense the true heartbeat of the land coming through stronger. There’s no question. I am a country girl, and am alive so long as that heartbeat is near.