Be, Contemplate, Imagine

Sunday, January 29 3pm pm. 4 degrees at Lake Harriet

Armed with a bigger scarf and some warm coffee, I headed out to Lake Harriet today. Another super cold day with a bit of wind and lots of sunshine. I walked out onto the edge of the lake. It’s obvious the lake has frozen over by the footprints on it where people have walked from one side of the lake to the other. I take some time to take it all in and hear a plane fly over head, a woodpecker in the tree nearby, the snow crunching under my feet again, and my own breath breathing heavy trying to keep me warmer in the cold weather.

What systems can I identify around me? Even though the lake is frozen, there’s definitely an aquatic system under there and it must still be thriving as evidenced by the ice fishing house out on the lake. There’s a deciduous tree system with roots that are dormant for the winter, but who are still supporting woodpeckers and even giving squirrels a home for the winter among other animals I can’t see today I’m sure. I heard another bird or two while I was listening so there must be a communication system among the birds, likely helping each other stay alive through the cold months. There’s a weather system: clouds, sun, wind, air. There’s a seasonal system that is currently in it’s winter season where nature it’s playing its role to prepare for spring. Then there’s me. A human system, trying to stay warm, move blood, and breathe (all systems in themselves). Beyond nature, there’s an aviation system and a city and neighborhood system in the distance which is all part of this Minneapolis ecosystem.