I’ve taken to skating the lake.  It’s been a winter with minimal snow, so here in Minnesota the ground is brown instead of white. Normally I’d be celebrating the season with nordic skiing or snowshoeing, but that hasn’t been an option so far this winter season. This winter, it has been tempting to bemoan the lack of snow and stay inside, longing for spring. And that’s no way to spend one’s time. So this winter, I skate.

A childhood of annual treks across frozen cattle pastures to the rive...