Rapidan

May 2

Prom

Mitchell and Marley

Isabella

Max and Isabella

Phillip

April, Again

Violette

Gordie (fresh from bath), Violette, Max, Isabella, Archie (undercover), Nick the neighbor, Phillip, and Mitchell (being glorious, of course)

my mom's

Isabella, Violette, Gracie, and the wind

Phillip and Archibald

Natalie and Isabella

Kids under the Walnut trees

Nola, Isabella, Nevada, Mom

me and Gordie

Phillip

All I want to do is hang out here

What Used To Be the Kasota Prairie

now looks like this...

Some previous photos of Kasota Prairie here (although you can find lots better with a simple google search. I just happened to have these.) : http://nicolehelget.blogspot.com/2012/09/kids-pics-at-kasota-prairie.html

I should also mention that Unimin does claim to restore after the life of the mine. How they repay for the loss of animal habitat and human enjoyment during the life of the mine is unclear. Perhaps they are pouring money into the community. I have no idea. In the meanwhile, I'm reminded, the hard way, why it's important to pay attention. I also believe that the consumers who do the most consuming should be the ones who feel it hardest. That'd be us, I guess.

Their statement here:
As the productive life of a mine is ended Unimin returns the land to an ecologically appropriate landscape. Our commitment to restoration extends beyond simple beautification. We strive to create natural ecosystems and wildlife habitats that preserve biodiversity and provide enjoyment for future generations.

Minneopa

Very soon, we may see bison out here. Quite exciting. 

Boys With Bats

I'm working on a speech, about baseball and writing (the oldest sports writing cliche in the book!) for tomorrow. It got me thinking about his old video of my uncle and my dad and the place where I grew up, Stark Baseball Diamond.