Lake Kohlmier in Owatonna.
WATER. What is it about this compound of hydrogen and oxygen that fascinates us? Or at least me.
The Straight River churns at the Morehouse Park dam in Owatonna.
The sound of rushing water, like rushing wind, soothes. It comforts me in the sort of way a lullaby can quiet a crying baby. It’s as if that rushing sound is locked away in our subconscious, there before birth. Undeniable, connecting us to the water womb comfort of our mothers.
Wind-churned water bobbed this mud hen along the surface of Lake Kohlmier.
Water’s powerful pull extends well beyond the audible. Water sustains us. Physically. Yet more. Visually, water draws us near to watch its movement—flowing, tumbling, rushing, rocking.
The Straight River flows toward the historic Owatonna Public Utilities building.
I am captivated by the musical, rhythmic movement of water.
Still, clear creek water in Owatonna’s Kaplan’s Woods.
Sometimes a ballad.
The turbulent waters at the Morehouse Park dam.
Other times rock-n-roll.
A close-up of the churning Straight River as photographed from the Morehouse Park recreational trail bridge.
Maybe a turbulent county western song of love lost, love found, too much booze and too many late nights. Bluesy. Sad. Hopeful.
I can rest beside a waterfall, a dam, a creek, a river for considerable time, almost hypnotized by the sights and sounds. It’s as if water washes away my worries, sending them downstream, far, far away. I find peace in water.
A creek in Kaplan’s Woods.
Water holds such power.
TELL ME: What power does it hold for you?
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Water soothes me. When I wake up each morning and see the still water on our lake I feel calm and reassured as the sun rises that all will be okay today. We both have a love of all things water, right? Tomorrow we head to the beach for a few days so I am REALLY looking forward to spending some time walking by the water.
Living along a lake is a lovely thing. For the first year Randy and I were married, we lived in a rened lake cabin. It was a bit of a dive and terribly cold in the winter, but, still it was near water.
I’ve always been drawn to the water. I love mirror images on calm days, and I find the sound of gently flowing water soothing. The rush of rapid moving or cascading power reminds me to respect nature.
Oh, yes, the mirror images on a calm day are so stunning. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on water.
Rick and I LOVE the North Shore and the mighty Lake Superior, sometimes we feel like we are at the ocean, with waves that can be surfed on and 10 foot splashes that come off the rocks. There is a lot of power in that Lake!
Power is an appropriate word for the Great Lakes. I have not been to Duluth in a long long time. You are prompting me to head that way. But not in the winter.
The gentle ‘lappin’ of the wavelets on the shore with the haunting Loon calls floating over the lake’s reflection of a setting summer sun………………….sigh…………………
What a lovely scene…I’ve only ever seen a loon once.
Tom’s dad lived on/retired to Upper Gull Lake (near Nisswa) and we would spend many weekends with his folks up there. There were few year-round homes and more of the cottage variety, now, there are “mansions” dotting the shoreline and the lake is “alive” with the roar of various watercraft. Kinda sad, I think.
What wonderful memories. Have to agree with you on kinda sad.
I’m enchanted by the ocean when I get to chance to be near it. The sound of it, the constant movement – very hypnotic. These images are beautiful and soothing – something that is much-needed right now!
Exactly: much-needed right now.
Thanks for sharing your personal love of water. I’ve ever only seen the ocean once.
It’s a bit edgy but I like Brad Paisley’s song entitled “Water.” Here is a link to the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AHnQtY1bg4
What a creative and fun video. Thanks for directing us to this country western song about water.
I, too, love being near water any chance I get. I love Lake Superior and get re-energized by being near it, but any body of water will do. It reminds me of a poem I wrote that starts “There is no place I would rather be, than by the shore or on the sea.” Notice, not in it. Growing I had many opportunities to swim in the lakes up in northern MN…now I don’t like the thought of jumping into dark water…unless I can water-ski! I enjoy your photos!
I don’t like being “in” the water either. I took swimming lessons as a child. But teachers who threatened to throw me in the deep end of the pool if I didn’t jump in, made me even more scared of water.
I spent a few days this week with my 4 daughters at Morro Bay, here in California. The ocean is so beautiful. The first day, it was very mellow, but by the time we left, the water was angry and churning fiercely. I love it when the tide comes in. I know God is talking to me when I am there. The weather was gorgeous. It was in the 70’s, and such a glorious time.l.
What a wonderful get-away with your daughters. I’m glad you had this ocean time with them.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on water.
What a beautiful post Audrey, love all the photos. I grew up by the ocean, its still ‘home’, I really don’t feel truly alive until I arrive at the beach, take that first deep breath of salty air, and go ‘Yep’ that feels just right. 🙂 Enjoying your posts.
Robynne, thank you for sharing your ocean memories, your water story of home.
Great photo imagery of water you have captures. All rather soothing.
Thank you.
Water like tornadoes has a captivating curiosity that is unfortunately sometimes underestimated! Yet what would we do without water
An accurate observation about tornadoes (wind) and water.
***musical, rhythmic movement of water***
I LOVE how you compare the water to words, ballads, rhythm, rock & roll, Audrey.
Yeah, if we listen long enough, water isn’t just the words or verse….
it becomes the entire poem.
Excellent post. xx
Thank you. I appreciate that you really get this post and the poetry I infused into it. I love when words flow into poetry as they do in this story.