Grey skies hang over a barn and harvested cornfield west of Sleepy Eye along U.S. Highway 14 on a late October morning.
AS THE SEASON SHIFTS here in Minnesota, I struggle to hold onto the light. To the color. To memories of lush landscapes and warm days.
A bare field near Belview in southwestern Minnesota on a late October morning.
I am no fan of the transition months—November and March. I’ve always thought these the least visually inviting. Grey skies dominate. Cold winds rage. The land appears devoid of color. Black fields. Muted tones. Everywhere.
One of my favorite barns in the Springfield area along U.S. Highway 14 in southwestern Minnesota.
But then a barn flashes red in the monotone landscape.
Clouds break apart over a farm along U.S. Highway 14 in southwestern Minnesota.
Sun spotlights through the clouds beaming light upon the land. A patch of blue emerges overhead.
In the final days of October, my camera landed on this stunningly beautiful treeline near Shieldsville. I’ve seen some of the prettiest fall colors near my Faribault home. This is true every year.
Nearing the end of October, some corn remained to be harvested.
Along U.S. Highway 14 east of Springfield, this brick barn stands strong and tall.
I begin to notice patches of color—autumn leaves still hanging on, corn carpeting fields, defiant red barns still standing.
The barn with the smiling lips, between Sleepy Eye and Springfield, always makes me smile.
Harvesting corn along U.S. Highway 52 in the Rochester area in mid-October.
A country church along Interstate 90 near the Winona exit reminds me of blessings and thankfulness, especially at harvest time.
Reasons to smile. Reasons to appreciate November. This eleventh month raises my awareness of thankfulness. Thankfulness that I live in Minnesota, a state of four seasons, of changing landscapes, of bountiful harvests. And this week of unexpected November warmth.
© Copyright 2015 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
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