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?
11 Comments
Jeanne Nauman
Ah…so beautiful – the words, the connection to the beauty around us and remembering who it all comes from. We were in the canyon last week and hiking up the North Rim was such a sweet view – and it was all the yellows! We hadn’t remembered seeing them in year’s past. Anything to distract me from the brutal elevation gain is good. 💕
Sue Doolittle
Thank you, Kara. What a lovely, meaningful story. I enjoyed it very much.
Sandy LeTendre
Love you take on the fall colors. There is so much breathtaking beauty along the shore. If one doesn’t appreciate this, somethings wrong. I’ll never get tired of it!
Robin
As always a beautiful story and breathtaking pictures.
You two are amazing.
Jan
Hey Kara,
It was great to see you. I’m so sorry I couldn’t stay up there longer and listen to Christian’s story afresh. Love this post! I was thinking the same as I drove up and down the shore this weekend. Stunning! And the contrast between the yellow and pines is amazing! Thanks for your words! And for Christian’s words! What do we measure the beauty by?
Janene Nelson
Well said. The beauty after the supposed main even is often more breathtaking. Touches my soul..
Lisa Michalski
Love this Kara and I understand what you are talking about! I think this is the first year I realized what you shared!
Birkeland Deborah
Thank you for these beautiful reflections Kara. You speak for us all, and Christian’s photographs capture your words and emotions beautifully. What a gift you both are to all of us on the shore. God bless your artistic and spiritual gifts. Deb
Cindy Dullum
Beautiful observation from a beautiful friend! Mike took me for a ride the other day just to see the colors. They were glorious!
We were in the car this morning and I said to him that the colors are so beautiful this year! Then I wondered if working full time robbed me from appreciating Fall.
My lesson, don’t miss the everyday moments!
Sounds like this year you got to enjoy the reds and the golds!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!
❤️❤️❤️
Lynn Genter
Yes!!! Nature … and Life give us something to savor EVERY single day!
Thank you for the reminder!!!🧡💛❤️
Sandy Buss
We are given so many colors to enjoy every day of the year, but in the fall the glorious colors seem so spectacular. I think it’s because we think a head to the some times dark dismal days of winter.
There is mostly the whites, greys, dull greens & blacks that we think of at those times. We forget that every season has its beauty to show us if we look.
Thanks to Christian’s artistic eye, we can appreciate what he sees and shares with us.
We enjoy knowing someone is out there honoring the colors of the world with us.
Thank you Kara for reminding us that we need to take pleasure in those colors wherever we go. You help us keep in touch with Christian’s and your day. Giving us a look at the beauty you both see through beautiful pictures and words. Keep up the great work. We would be lost without it.