Life Lessons From Christian Dalbec

We need a catchier title.

Christian says profound things all the time. But I haven’t been able to stop thinking about yesterday. (Like literally couldn’t sleep last night.. grrr.)

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of hanging out at Sivertson’s Gallery in Grand Marais, MN. As part of the Moose Madness festival, Christian was there and gave a presentation to talk a little about his work and process. It was a wonderful time, we love the folks at Sivertson’s.

That’s not the part that stuck in my head though. It was the drive. Over an hour and a half one way, we were treated to the most intense fall colors I have ever seen (this year). But it wasn’t the maples and it’s not considered peak fall color season.

What we witnessed was the white, peeling, twisting bark of the birch trees along the rocky shoreline. The dark green of the balsam trees, poking their pointed tops through waves of round, golden yellow aspen trees. Even the ground was covered in intense, colorful textures. Driving up the shore of Lake Superior, around every twist and curve, we couldn’t help but keep breathing out “Wow!” It was so beautiful. It was breath-taking! The textures, the colors, even in the rain they glowed so bright.

It’s no longer peak fall colors.

Christian said, “Every year, we look for those reds, we get so excited and they are beautiful. But then the yellows pop out and say, ‘Oh yeah?! Watch this!'” This man who spends his life capturing and sharing the beauty of nature, can still be surprised by the same beauty. He pointed out, “peak” leaf season is determined by the reds – by the maple trees. These intense yellows don’t count. People are reporting fall colors are over, nothing to see. Hmm..

We couldn’t help but feel this might be a life lesson. Take from it what you will. Apparently my heart needed a day of surprising breath-taking beauty. To step outside and smell the crisp, clean, fall air. To feel that joy of exploring our shoreline. We were made for this.

I hope you find some time to appreciate nature and the changing seasons around you. It’s a beautiful world out there and we get to experience it!

As always, watch out for deer. 😉

Kara

More beauty from this morning.. Do you see the heart in the clouds?