Jack of Harts

The thing to know about Northern Minnesota is that it is cold. Temperatures of below zero are the rule, not the exception. We see snows nine months out of the year. The lakes are frozen a couple meters down nearly half the year. Then there are the towns ringing all the small islands up there. The blue-skinned Peloran built their houses on the water so they could go in and out whenever they wanted, and then proceeded to heat the water around their islands for good measure. It’s pretty amazing to see those towns in a January cold snap, with heat fog rising above the water and obscuring entire islands you know are right there. I used to love approaching through that fog until the houses faded into view. Wait for a pretty blue face and shining eyes to open a door and usher me into a warm place to rest and relax. Maybe swim in the warm water. I really loved those days.