[lake of the isles, minneapolis]
it has been five years since our departure from minneapolis, and at this time of year i always start longing for it. the hot summer has ended, but the leaves haven't started turning yet. there's no sign that extraordinarily unfriendly weather is on its way. i just can't think of a more beautiful place on earth than minnesota in late august.
last fall i made my first trip back. i went to my favorite spot on lake of the isles, just a minute or two walk from our old house, and saw everything that had been part of my daily life: the minneapolis skyline, the connections to the other lakes, the ever-present two guys in a canoe, the lone kayaker, the stunning blue water, the walkers and runners, the planes preparing to land, the sometimes-present blue heron, the artists sketching on their easels, the arched bridge. nothing had changed. then came an unexpected smack of grief that i've never felt when i've returned to other places that were once mine. only then did it occur to me how deeply i missed minneapolis. none of these things belonged to me any longer. not even the nasty winters.
they were only memories of a wonderful life there.
24 comments:
My! It's mid-afternoon here, so it must be quite late where you are. This is such a serene piece. I love the happy colors, yet it's tinged with sadness. I know exactly how you feel. I see photos of my NY home all time time and it makes me sad to know that someone else has made it their own. The view of the Hudson isn't mine anymore.
I love this area of the country, too! Great imagery.
www.indigeneartforms.blogspot.com
What a beautiful image and sentiment! So many IFs... if you hadn't left Minneapolis, if you hadn't moved here, if you hadn't enrolled N at the LAC, we never would have met. I'm so glad we did.
So well illustrated and written Aimee. I remember feeling this way for a couple of years after I left Pittsburgh, PA for Leesburg, VA. It's interesting how we get so attached to a place, just like we would with people. I read a lot of folks returning "home" again after some time away. If that is impossible, I'm finding establishing more connections locally can help. Anyhow, hope you enjoy your weekend!
what an incredibly interesting blog you have! thanks for the journey of photographs they are amazing.
aimee, i understand exactly what you mean and the drawing translates it well too. i feel the same about brazil... beautiful post...
btw, space cadets zine preview on...live on tiny red. now... :)
OMG how weird! as i finished my comment here you commented on tinyred :O
Space Cadet: C E R T I F I E D
such thoughtful comments from all of you; it seems like most people has at least one spot where they've left a piece of their soul, even they are no longer there... but taking flight, discovering new places, and meeting great new friends (like you christy) make those life gambles so worthwhile...
yes tiny red... i am a certified space cadet... so i really need that book :)
i mean 'most people have' ... and 'even if'... yeesh... i do speak english, i really do; you'd think i would check the grammar of my brain dumps before i hit publish... clearly not enough coffee yet... :)
i can 'hear' the ache in your heart...sigh...
Happy to have discovered your blog quite by chance... your work is great!
i really love your pages .... do you have gobs of journals full of them ? do you do one a day? loads a day? pick and choose what to share how long have you been doing them? what did your handwriting look like before you began your unique artsy writing? when you write a note, a letter, a list, does it look gorgeous?
welcome indigene, mim and gracia :)
thanks elizabeth - my handwriting is quite plain and that's why i started lettering long ago [in high school] - to make it feel more artful and expressive. i don't keep bound journals [except for scribbly notes] but i do have lots of loose pages with captured thoughts turned into doodles over the years. but those doodles were very scattered early on; i've gone years without drawing for many reasons... blogging has been such a good motivator - it keeps me focused and encourages me to doodle more often. and the more i play, the more i want to play :)
Hey there! Nice work. Great color. Thanks for stopping by my site. Yours is way cooler. :)
I haven't been to Minneapolis but your picture and words make it quite real to me.
Darla
Great illo! I love your style!
sweet and sad and beautiful....
I like how bright this image is--you really do have a way with shapes and color. And it's a shame when we realize our lives have moved on from the places that were once a part of our everyday routine.
great story to go with a fun, bright image.
Beautiful post! And the beautiful package arrived safely; I am using them all! Thank you!
A lovely illustration although sad too. I also love the illustration of your house on the link - what a cool idea. The way you work the text in to your illustrations gives them a whole new dimension.
you make me want to visit minnesota too... every place is special when you have good memories there!
Oh how wonderful. I can't deal with cold, but sometimes the memories you have of a place make it worth a visit.
woo, a vy nice illustration with so much meaning in it. Love the little poem you have in there.
Post a Comment