An end of the year post would appear to be in order. I have been remiss in making regular posts the past few months. I even failed to shout out a Christmas greeting to my readers. My reflections of late have not lent themselves to be the subjects of posts. I could make the excuse that I was waiting for the fiscal cliff matter to be resolved by our elected officials so that I could comment on the resolution that will be forthcoming. It seems like we will have to wait another week or two before that matter is resolved. "Set aside" may be a more accurate term to describe the outcome, since it appears little will be resolved with any degree of completeness and longevity.

I have come to the conclusion that we are what we read. I recently read Backes' biography of Sigurd Olson, which caused me to reread Olson's "Reflections from the North Country." During a Christmas visit, my daughter made mention of the desire for a Boundary Waters canoe trip at some time in the future. Being already primed with the Olson reads, the mere mention of a trip at some yet to be determined future date inspired me to pull the canoe country maps out of the dresser drawer--their longterm storage site--in order to identify possible routes. When we checked in with the Forest Service before heading out on our 2004 trip, a Forest Service staff person suggested the Granite River as a possible trip. I don't recall her reasons. We could put in at Gunflint Lake and follow the Pine and Granite Rivers to Saganaga Lake taking out at an outfitter at the end of the Gunflint Trail. Gunflint Lake, the Pine, and the Granite are actually on the US and Canadian border. This area was burned in the 2007 Ham Lake fire. I have gleaned from various blogs that the fire burned hot and fast in some areas and totally avoided others. Even in the badly burned areas there has been significant regrowth, which makes for some prime moose habitat. River travel itself presents some challenges with various rapids, some of which are described as easily runnable, and others, which must be portaged.

I don't plan to spend the upcoming winter months planning summer canoe trips. I fully intend to complete a few winter hikes and at least one campout before the start of the 2013 maple syrup season. The North Country Trail section, which lies between Mellen and Drummond, WI, deserves either a repeat visit to places experienced in years past or a visit to places not yet seen.

These thoughts make for a much more positive approach to the new year in stead of ruminating on the fiscal cliff, the array of possible ramifications upon one's personal finances, and the seemingly perversion of representative government.

I wish all thoughts of creative endeavors for the new year.

I simply can't resist.

Now that the Supreme Court has agreed to hear two cases related to gay marriage, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement on that action, I feel compelled to share the following link.

http://www.yawningbread.org/apdx_2004/imp-141.htm

There is nothing more that I can say at this time and certainly nothing as well-spoken as Professor Schloesser.