sapsucker farms.

It’s November in Minnesota, so the growing season -- for most of us -- is over. All of the garden crops have been gathered, and we're now focused on finding local protein. In our small town, hunting season is a time of celebration and camouflage is back in fashion, especially when it's accessorized with blaze orange vests and hats. Conversations in diners, grocery stores, barber shops, and street corners turn to the number of pheasants in the fields, grouse in the forests, and -- importantly -- where the big bucks are lurking.

Although my dad loved the movie Kramer vs. Kramer, there was one scene in the movie he hated with a passion. The scene takes place the morning after the Meryl Streep character leaves the Dustin Hoffman character - it's the first time he's had to do a dang thing for himself, apparently, and making french toast for his young son presents Hoffman with a series of Herculean challenges. If you haven't watched this scene, you must; if you've already seen it, watch it again: