Now that I no longer live on the banks of the Mississippi River, I'm trying to stay mindful of what I loved about it. I could stand at my second story east facing window and see over one row of rooftops, and see the water backing up just above Lock and Dam 12. Just north of the dam, where I stood, is Pool 12. Just a few blocks south, is the section of river called Pool 13. When I needed a moment to soothe my mind and put aside the chaos of daily life, I looked out the back window through the spotting scope and observed trumpeter swans, canvasback ducks, bald eagles, Canada geese, various seagulls,and the occasional boisterous group of sand hill cranes. Boating on the Mississippi River, as we're doing in this picture just below the dam, is the best anti-depressant ever.