to outsiders minnesota is known for cold winters, lake wobegon, the movie fargo, lake superior, maybe bob dylan. if you live here, you become familiar with lutefisk, bob mould, hotdish, the chilly warmth of “minnesota nice,” and the tradition of “on a stick.” at the minnesota state fair, you can order bacon on a stick, deep fried candy bars on a stick, pizza on a stick, teriyaki ostrich on a stick, cheesecake on a stick, tater tot hotdish on a stick, scotch egg on a stick, and the classic pronto pup on a stick. in the spirit of my strange beloved homeland, i present this composition: winter on a stick.

cattail with morning frost

turtle lake, saint paul, minnesota