What did you do during Christmas break when you were a kid? It is a question my grandkids ask me, wondering how my brothers and I could keep busy with no TV, no computers, no electronic gadgets to listen to, watch, or, in the case of the newer ones, interact with, no cell phones to call friends.
I explained that after the chores were done, we skied, ice skated, went sledding and ice fished. We ice fished a lot, nearly every day between Christmas and New Years. We sat around a smoky campfire built on shore and watched our tip-ups (a simple standalone ice fishing device stuck in a hole chopped in the ice). We listened to my dad and uncle’s fishing stories, hunting stories, farming stories, logging stories. The same ones told over and over, always the same but always different because with each retelling, I would hear some twist, some new angle to the tale.
Of course my grandkids also do their share of outdoor winter stuff; all five of them ski, go sledding, and ice skate. But no ice fishing, no smoky campfires and no uncle embellished stories.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Always remember as through life you roll, to keep your eye on the doughnut and not on the hole—except when you are ice fishing.
Happy New Year!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
January 14, 9:00 AM, WTMJ 4 TV, Milwaukee. Old Farm featured.
January 19, 6:00 PM, Portage (Columbia County) Historical Society dinner, Old Farm featured. Call 608-742-1445 for further information.
January 30, Viroqua Public Schools.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Christmas Gift
When I was a kid, the weeks before Christmas my brothers and I pored over the Sears Christmas Catalog. What a wondrous book it was, filled with photos of electric trains and wood burning sets, air rifles and books for boys. Also shoe skates (ours clamped on the shoes we had) and skis. Fancy skis with a contraption that fit around the backs of your boots so the skis did not come off.
In those days, the waning years of the Depression and World War II, my brothers and I could each pick one special thing we wanted for Christmas. Beyond that special thing, we received new socks, maybe a sweater, a new cap with ear laps, or even a new Mackinaw coat if ours had worn out.
When I was twelve I asked for a new pair of skis. I picked out the exact ones I wanted from the Sears wish book.
We did not open presents on Christmas morning until we had milked the cows, fed the chickens, carried in wood and did the other necessary farm chores. When we got to the presents there were no skis for me under the tree. Merely some new mittens, a blue flannel shirt, and a pair of wool socks. I said nothing. Disappointment visited our family often during those years.
--I have forgotten something--, Pa said, with a smile on his face. He walked out to the pump house and brought in a pair of skis. He handed them to me. --You wondering about these? --he said.
One ski was brown and one was black; apparently something had happened to the other brown one and other black one so Mr. Hotz at Hotz Hardware in Wild Rose said Pa could have them for half price. Color did not matter much to me. They did not have any fancy bindings, merely leather straps that fit over my boots. No matter. I now had a pair of store-bought skis to replace the home-made ones my Grandpa Witt had made of birch boards he had steamed and bent up on the ends.
It was a Very Merry Christmas.
THE OLD TIMER REMEMBERS WHAT HIS MOTHER OFTEN SAID: It is more blessed to give than to receive.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
January 14, 9:00 AM, WTMJ 4 TV, Milwaukee. Old Farm featured.
January 19, 6:00 PM, Portage (Columbia County) Historical Society dinner, Old Farm featured. Call 608-742-1445 for further information.
January 30, Viroqua Public Schools.
In those days, the waning years of the Depression and World War II, my brothers and I could each pick one special thing we wanted for Christmas. Beyond that special thing, we received new socks, maybe a sweater, a new cap with ear laps, or even a new Mackinaw coat if ours had worn out.
When I was twelve I asked for a new pair of skis. I picked out the exact ones I wanted from the Sears wish book.
We did not open presents on Christmas morning until we had milked the cows, fed the chickens, carried in wood and did the other necessary farm chores. When we got to the presents there were no skis for me under the tree. Merely some new mittens, a blue flannel shirt, and a pair of wool socks. I said nothing. Disappointment visited our family often during those years.
--I have forgotten something--, Pa said, with a smile on his face. He walked out to the pump house and brought in a pair of skis. He handed them to me. --You wondering about these? --he said.
One ski was brown and one was black; apparently something had happened to the other brown one and other black one so Mr. Hotz at Hotz Hardware in Wild Rose said Pa could have them for half price. Color did not matter much to me. They did not have any fancy bindings, merely leather straps that fit over my boots. No matter. I now had a pair of store-bought skis to replace the home-made ones my Grandpa Witt had made of birch boards he had steamed and bent up on the ends.
It was a Very Merry Christmas.
THE OLD TIMER REMEMBERS WHAT HIS MOTHER OFTEN SAID: It is more blessed to give than to receive.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
January 14, 9:00 AM, WTMJ 4 TV, Milwaukee. Old Farm featured.
January 19, 6:00 PM, Portage (Columbia County) Historical Society dinner, Old Farm featured. Call 608-742-1445 for further information.
January 30, Viroqua Public Schools.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Christmas Program
The annual Christmas Program at our one-room country school was the highlight of the year for our farming community. Everyone in the neighborhood attended. Parents, grandparents, cousins, folks from town, bachelor farmers. Everyone was there.
I remember fondly the year a trio of girls stood on the rickety plank stage and sang Away in a Manger. Mrs. Jenks, our teacher, played the accompaniment on the piano and could only see the stage out the corner of her eye. As the girls began, Away in the manger, no crib for his bed, a little field mouse that had taken up residence in the old piano was awakened by the clatter of piano hammers pounding against wires.
The trio continued, The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head, as the mouse crawled out of the piano, where Mrs. Jenks could not see it, and proceeded to prance across the stage in front of the girls. They abruptly stopped singing and rushed off the stage. The audience of course saw it all and began laughing loudly. Mrs. Jenks, not knowing what had happened, was furious. Why were people laughing during Away in the Manger? And then she saw the mouse and joined the crowd in their merriment.
A Christmas program that no one forgot, and fondly recalled as the year a field mouse stole Christmas.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Sometimes the harder you look, the less you see.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
January 14, 9:00 AM, WTMJ 4 TV, Milwaukee. Old Farm featured.
January 19, 6:00 PM, Portage (Columbia County) Historical Society dinner, Old Farm featured. Call 608-742-1445 for further information.
January 30, Viroqua Public Schools.
I remember fondly the year a trio of girls stood on the rickety plank stage and sang Away in a Manger. Mrs. Jenks, our teacher, played the accompaniment on the piano and could only see the stage out the corner of her eye. As the girls began, Away in the manger, no crib for his bed, a little field mouse that had taken up residence in the old piano was awakened by the clatter of piano hammers pounding against wires.
The trio continued, The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head, as the mouse crawled out of the piano, where Mrs. Jenks could not see it, and proceeded to prance across the stage in front of the girls. They abruptly stopped singing and rushed off the stage. The audience of course saw it all and began laughing loudly. Mrs. Jenks, not knowing what had happened, was furious. Why were people laughing during Away in the Manger? And then she saw the mouse and joined the crowd in their merriment.
A Christmas program that no one forgot, and fondly recalled as the year a field mouse stole Christmas.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Sometimes the harder you look, the less you see.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
January 14, 9:00 AM, WTMJ 4 TV, Milwaukee. Old Farm featured.
January 19, 6:00 PM, Portage (Columbia County) Historical Society dinner, Old Farm featured. Call 608-742-1445 for further information.
January 30, Viroqua Public Schools.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Winter Sounds
The sounds of the country change with the seasons, especially here in the Midwest, where seasonal change is often dramatic. The sounds of winter are the northwest wind sifting across my prairie, picking up wisps of snow and dropping it again in intricate patterns, rills and ridges, swirls and squiggles. On a cold night in January, the sound of winter is the wind tearing at the cabin, trying to seep in around the windows and doors, challenging my woodstoves, and making a most mournful sound in the process.
Winter sounds can also be the most subtle. On a still day in November, when the temperature is just below freezing and the first heavy snow of the season arrives, the snowflakes, some of them huge, fall ever so lightly on naked tree limbs and dead prairie grass.
An unexpected sound is that of tree fibers exploding on below-zero days. I remember walking in our oak woods one quiet January morning, when the temperature was ten below zero. The only sound was the occasional crow calling in the distance, until I heard what I was sure was a rifle shot. I learned later from my father that it was tree fibers loudly protesting the cold. The sound happens infrequently enough to surprise the cold-weather walker in the woods each time he or she hears it.
The most mysterious of winter sounds might be the northwest wind shaking the dead leaves of the black oaks that still hang on the branches. Some have called this sound a death rattle and in a way it is. The oak leaves hang on until spring and then finally fall off to make way for new growth and the summer sound of warm breezes moving through green leaves. (From OLD FARM: A HISTORY)
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Doing something hard gets a lot harder if you do too much thinking about it.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
December 9, 6:30 PM, Watertown Public Library. Old Farm and other stories.
December 12, 2:00- 3:00 PM, Book Signing, Fireside Bookstore, West Bend (December 6 was canceled because of weather).
December 13, 9:30-11:30 AM, Sheboygan Falls, Library. Sheboygan County Historical
Research Center. Old Farm: A History.
December 14, 1:00-3:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison. Books signing. Old Farm.
January 14, 9:00 AM, WTMJ 4 TV, Milwaukee. Old Farm featured.
Winter sounds can also be the most subtle. On a still day in November, when the temperature is just below freezing and the first heavy snow of the season arrives, the snowflakes, some of them huge, fall ever so lightly on naked tree limbs and dead prairie grass.
An unexpected sound is that of tree fibers exploding on below-zero days. I remember walking in our oak woods one quiet January morning, when the temperature was ten below zero. The only sound was the occasional crow calling in the distance, until I heard what I was sure was a rifle shot. I learned later from my father that it was tree fibers loudly protesting the cold. The sound happens infrequently enough to surprise the cold-weather walker in the woods each time he or she hears it.
The most mysterious of winter sounds might be the northwest wind shaking the dead leaves of the black oaks that still hang on the branches. Some have called this sound a death rattle and in a way it is. The oak leaves hang on until spring and then finally fall off to make way for new growth and the summer sound of warm breezes moving through green leaves. (From OLD FARM: A HISTORY)
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Doing something hard gets a lot harder if you do too much thinking about it.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
December 9, 6:30 PM, Watertown Public Library. Old Farm and other stories.
December 12, 2:00- 3:00 PM, Book Signing, Fireside Bookstore, West Bend (December 6 was canceled because of weather).
December 13, 9:30-11:30 AM, Sheboygan Falls, Library. Sheboygan County Historical
Research Center. Old Farm: A History.
December 14, 1:00-3:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison. Books signing. Old Farm.
January 14, 9:00 AM, WTMJ 4 TV, Milwaukee. Old Farm featured.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Christmas Tree
We cut our Christmas tree this past week. A self-seeded white pine from the farm. It is a third generation white pine. John Coombes, who owned Roshara before us, planted a row of white pines as a windbreak during the 1930s. Today some of these pines are more than three feet across, forty feet tall and have scads of cones.
A six or seven acre cornfield was located east of this windbreak when my family bought the farm in the mid-1960s. After a year or two of no corn, we noticed little white pines growing everywhere. Today these self-seeded white pines (from the original windbreak pines) are one of the unique aspects of our farm. Many of them are now twenty and more feet tall. One of my favorite hikes, all seasons of the year, is among these pines. If there is a slightest breeze, the trees talk to me, a gentle soothing message as the wind rustles the soft needles.
Now there are third-generation pines growing everywhere, naturally growing with no help from us whatever. And one of these little white pines is our 2008 Christmas tree.
The Old Timer says: When it is too late to do something, it is usually too late.
Upcoming Events:
December 6, 10 AM, Washington County Historical Society, West Bend. Address, 320 South 5th Avenue, West Bend. Old Farm. Fireside Books, 2:00 PM-3:00 PM West Bend, WI. Featuring Old Farm. Presentation and book signing.
December 9, 6:30 PM, Watertown Public Library. Old Farm and other stories.
December 13, 9:30-11:30 AM, Sheboygan Falls, Library. Sheboygan County Historical
Research Center. Old Farm: A History.
December 14, 1:00-3:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison. Books signing. Old Farm.
A six or seven acre cornfield was located east of this windbreak when my family bought the farm in the mid-1960s. After a year or two of no corn, we noticed little white pines growing everywhere. Today these self-seeded white pines (from the original windbreak pines) are one of the unique aspects of our farm. Many of them are now twenty and more feet tall. One of my favorite hikes, all seasons of the year, is among these pines. If there is a slightest breeze, the trees talk to me, a gentle soothing message as the wind rustles the soft needles.
Now there are third-generation pines growing everywhere, naturally growing with no help from us whatever. And one of these little white pines is our 2008 Christmas tree.
The Old Timer says: When it is too late to do something, it is usually too late.
Upcoming Events:
December 6, 10 AM, Washington County Historical Society, West Bend. Address, 320 South 5th Avenue, West Bend. Old Farm. Fireside Books, 2:00 PM-3:00 PM West Bend, WI. Featuring Old Farm. Presentation and book signing.
December 9, 6:30 PM, Watertown Public Library. Old Farm and other stories.
December 13, 9:30-11:30 AM, Sheboygan Falls, Library. Sheboygan County Historical
Research Center. Old Farm: A History.
December 14, 1:00-3:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison. Books signing. Old Farm.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Deer Season
Opening morning of deer season. Five degrees above zero. Cold. But so quiet. Not a sound. No crows cawing in the distance. No squirrels chattering. No pileated woodpecker destroying a dead white pine. Not even a chickadee calling.
Then it is six-thirty and a rifle shot shatters the silence and echoes over the hills and through the valleys.
And once more it is quiet as I pull up my collar and pour a cup of steaming coffee and stare through the early morning cold. What could be better?
The Old Timer says: Try and try again, and maybe once more. But then try something different.
Upcoming Events:
November 28, 7:30 PM. Wisconsin Public Television, Here and Now program. Old Farm.
December 6, 10-2:00 PM, Fireside Books, West Bend, WI. Featuring Old Farm. Presentation and book signing.
December 9, 6:30 PM, Watertown Public Library. Old Farm and other stories.
December 13, 9:30-11:30 AM, Sheboygan Falls, Library. Sheboygan County Historical
Research Center. Old Farm: A History.
December 14, 1:00-3:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison. Books signing. Old Farm.
Then it is six-thirty and a rifle shot shatters the silence and echoes over the hills and through the valleys.
And once more it is quiet as I pull up my collar and pour a cup of steaming coffee and stare through the early morning cold. What could be better?
The Old Timer says: Try and try again, and maybe once more. But then try something different.
Upcoming Events:
November 28, 7:30 PM. Wisconsin Public Television, Here and Now program. Old Farm.
December 6, 10-2:00 PM, Fireside Books, West Bend, WI. Featuring Old Farm. Presentation and book signing.
December 9, 6:30 PM, Watertown Public Library. Old Farm and other stories.
December 13, 9:30-11:30 AM, Sheboygan Falls, Library. Sheboygan County Historical
Research Center. Old Farm: A History.
December 14, 1:00-3:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison. Books signing. Old Farm.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Making Wood
We make wood once a year at Roshara, a couple days in late October or November. Making wood is an old farm term. It means cutting down trees and splitting blocks and piling the sliced pieces so they can dry.
My son, Steve and I cut down three dead black oak trees last week, on a day when snowflakes drifted from the sky and the woods was filled with silence.
It is hard work, especially for someone who doesn’t do it regularly. But the satisfactions are many. Smelling fresh cut oak wood. Meeting the challenge of an oak block that defies splitting. Seeing the pile of freshly split wood grow ever taller as pieces are added.
Enjoying the heat from our wood burning cook stove at the cabin. And remembering how we made wood for days on end when I was a kid, as we heated our farmhouse, the pump house and the potato cellar with woodstoves.
The Old Timer remembers this saying from his German relatives: Let us all stick together. Everyone for himself.
Upcoming Events:
November 20, 12:30 UW-Baraboo, Baraboo, WI. How technology has changed farming and rural life: a historical perspective.
December 6, 10-2:00 PM, Fireside Books, West Bend, WI. Featuring Old Farm. Presentation and book signing.
December 9, 6:30 PM, Watertown Public Library. Stories from the land.
December 13, 9:30-11:30 AM, Sheboygan Falls, Library. Sheboygan County Historical
Research Center. Old Farm: A History.
December 14, 1:00-3:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison. Books signing. Old Farm.
My son, Steve and I cut down three dead black oak trees last week, on a day when snowflakes drifted from the sky and the woods was filled with silence.
It is hard work, especially for someone who doesn’t do it regularly. But the satisfactions are many. Smelling fresh cut oak wood. Meeting the challenge of an oak block that defies splitting. Seeing the pile of freshly split wood grow ever taller as pieces are added.
Enjoying the heat from our wood burning cook stove at the cabin. And remembering how we made wood for days on end when I was a kid, as we heated our farmhouse, the pump house and the potato cellar with woodstoves.
The Old Timer remembers this saying from his German relatives: Let us all stick together. Everyone for himself.
Upcoming Events:
November 20, 12:30 UW-Baraboo, Baraboo, WI. How technology has changed farming and rural life: a historical perspective.
December 6, 10-2:00 PM, Fireside Books, West Bend, WI. Featuring Old Farm. Presentation and book signing.
December 9, 6:30 PM, Watertown Public Library. Stories from the land.
December 13, 9:30-11:30 AM, Sheboygan Falls, Library. Sheboygan County Historical
Research Center. Old Farm: A History.
December 14, 1:00-3:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison. Books signing. Old Farm.
Monday, November 10, 2008
National Farm Toy Show
I have just returned from three days at the National Farm Toy Show in Dyersville, Iowa. Signing books and talking with farm folk from throughout the U.S. and Canada, along with more than a few from other countries of the world.
Often three generations, grandpa, son and granddaughter or grandson walking around together. Looking at toy tractors. Talking about farm life during an earlier time. Sharing stories. Passing along history from generation to generation. So important during these times of rapid change.
The Old Timer Says: When I am alone, I prefer to be by myself.
Upcoming events:
November 20, 12:30 UW-Baraboo, Baraboo, WI. How technology has changed farming and rural life: a historical perspective.
December 6, 10-2:00 PM, Fireside Books, West Bend, WI. Featuring Old Farm. Presentation and book signing.
December 9, 6:30 PM, Watertown Public Library. Stories from the land.
December 13, 9:30-11:30 AM, Sheboygan Falls, Library. Sheboygan County Historical
Research Center. Old Farm: A History.
Often three generations, grandpa, son and granddaughter or grandson walking around together. Looking at toy tractors. Talking about farm life during an earlier time. Sharing stories. Passing along history from generation to generation. So important during these times of rapid change.
The Old Timer Says: When I am alone, I prefer to be by myself.
Upcoming events:
November 20, 12:30 UW-Baraboo, Baraboo, WI. How technology has changed farming and rural life: a historical perspective.
December 6, 10-2:00 PM, Fireside Books, West Bend, WI. Featuring Old Farm. Presentation and book signing.
December 9, 6:30 PM, Watertown Public Library. Stories from the land.
December 13, 9:30-11:30 AM, Sheboygan Falls, Library. Sheboygan County Historical
Research Center. Old Farm: A History.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Enjoy Autumn
--Keep close to nature's heart . . . and break away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.--
John Muir said this many years ago, and it is so true yet today. Although you may have some trouble finding a real mountain in the Midwest, you can still climb to a high place and look over the countryside. Or just take a walk in the woods and smell fall all around you. A time of celebration. A time for thinking back to the season just past.
The Old Timer says: Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it is curiosity that keeps a person alive and thinking.
Upcoming Events:
November 5, 5-7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble, Green Bay. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7-9, National Farm Toy Show, Dyersville Iowa. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7, 6-9 pm
November 8, 9-6 pm
November 9, 9-2 pm
November 20, 12:30 UW-Baraboo, Baraboo, WI. How technology had changed farming and rural life: a historical perspective.
December 6, 10-2:00 PM, Fireside Books, West Bend, WI. Featuring Old Farm. Presentation and book signing.
December 9, 6:30 PM, Watertown Public Library. Stories from the land.
December 13, 9:30-11:30 AM, Sheboygan Falls, Library. Sheboygan County Historical
Research Center. Old Farm: A History.
John Muir said this many years ago, and it is so true yet today. Although you may have some trouble finding a real mountain in the Midwest, you can still climb to a high place and look over the countryside. Or just take a walk in the woods and smell fall all around you. A time of celebration. A time for thinking back to the season just past.
The Old Timer says: Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it is curiosity that keeps a person alive and thinking.
Upcoming Events:
November 5, 5-7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble, Green Bay. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7-9, National Farm Toy Show, Dyersville Iowa. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7, 6-9 pm
November 8, 9-6 pm
November 9, 9-2 pm
November 20, 12:30 UW-Baraboo, Baraboo, WI. How technology had changed farming and rural life: a historical perspective.
December 6, 10-2:00 PM, Fireside Books, West Bend, WI. Featuring Old Farm. Presentation and book signing.
December 9, 6:30 PM, Watertown Public Library. Stories from the land.
December 13, 9:30-11:30 AM, Sheboygan Falls, Library. Sheboygan County Historical
Research Center. Old Farm: A History.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Smell of Oak Smoke
Oak smoke once again trickles from the chimney of the wood stove at the old farm. A reminder of fall and winter soon to come. A tantalizing smell that brings back memories of when we heated our drafty farm house with wood stoves, one in the kitchen and one in the dining room. Memories of making wood. Sawing down huge old dead oaks in the woodlot back of the farmstead with a two-man crosscut saw for there were no chainsaws in those days. Hauling the limbs and tree trunks to the farmstead and piling them. Hard work. Dangerous work.
And then inviting the neighbors for a wood sawing bee when a power-driven circle saw sliced the limbs and trunks into blocks of wood of a manageable size. A reminder of threshing, silo filling and corn shredding when the neighbors helped each other. But the work was not done when the neighbors left, for the blocks of wood had to be split into pieces that would fit in the kitchen stove, in the dining room heater, in the pump house stove, and in the potato cellar wood burner that kept our potato crop from freezing.
Today, I enjoy cutting wood, even doing some of the splitting. Mostly because it is my choice to do it. And because I enjoy the smell of oak smoke on a chilly fall morning when the sun is just peaking above the horizon and white frost covers everything.
The Old Timer says: Take time to smell the oak smoke. It is a mysterious smell filled with memories of an earlier day.
Upcoming Events:
October 27, 7:00 PM. Schwartz Bookstore, Mequon. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 28, 1:30 PM Brillion Public Library. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 30, 2:30-3:45 PM WEAC Teacher Convention, Madison. Presentation and signing.
November 1, 10:00-2:00 PM Land Genealogy Workshop. Wisconsin Historical Society
Museum, Capitol Square, Madison. How to conduct a genealogy of a piece of land. (See below for details)
November 5, 5-7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble, Green Bay. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7-9, National Farm Toy Show, Dyersville Iowa. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7, 6-9 pm
November 8, 9-6 pm
November 9, 9-2 pm
Land Genealogy Workshop
November 1, 2008, 10 am-2pm. Check in begins at 9:30.
Contact InfoE-mail: museum@
wisconsinhistory.org
Phone: 608-264-6555
Fax: 608-264-6575 Registration Deadline 10/25/2008
Ticket Info: Cost is $45 for Wisconsin Historical Society members, $50 for non-members.
Jerry Apps, author of Old Farm: A History, reveals how to conduct a genealogy of a piece of land, including its geology and discovering who lived there over time. Participants will receive a copy of the book, and lunch will be provided.
Location: Wisconsin Historical Museum, 30 North Carroll Street, Madison.
And then inviting the neighbors for a wood sawing bee when a power-driven circle saw sliced the limbs and trunks into blocks of wood of a manageable size. A reminder of threshing, silo filling and corn shredding when the neighbors helped each other. But the work was not done when the neighbors left, for the blocks of wood had to be split into pieces that would fit in the kitchen stove, in the dining room heater, in the pump house stove, and in the potato cellar wood burner that kept our potato crop from freezing.
Today, I enjoy cutting wood, even doing some of the splitting. Mostly because it is my choice to do it. And because I enjoy the smell of oak smoke on a chilly fall morning when the sun is just peaking above the horizon and white frost covers everything.
The Old Timer says: Take time to smell the oak smoke. It is a mysterious smell filled with memories of an earlier day.
Upcoming Events:
October 27, 7:00 PM. Schwartz Bookstore, Mequon. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 28, 1:30 PM Brillion Public Library. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 30, 2:30-3:45 PM WEAC Teacher Convention, Madison. Presentation and signing.
November 1, 10:00-2:00 PM Land Genealogy Workshop. Wisconsin Historical Society
Museum, Capitol Square, Madison. How to conduct a genealogy of a piece of land. (See below for details)
November 5, 5-7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble, Green Bay. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7-9, National Farm Toy Show, Dyersville Iowa. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7, 6-9 pm
November 8, 9-6 pm
November 9, 9-2 pm
Land Genealogy Workshop
November 1, 2008, 10 am-2pm. Check in begins at 9:30.
Contact InfoE-mail: museum@
wisconsinhistory.org
Phone: 608-264-6555
Fax: 608-264-6575 Registration Deadline 10/25/2008
Ticket Info: Cost is $45 for Wisconsin Historical Society members, $50 for non-members.
Jerry Apps, author of Old Farm: A History, reveals how to conduct a genealogy of a piece of land, including its geology and discovering who lived there over time. Participants will receive a copy of the book, and lunch will be provided.
Location: Wisconsin Historical Museum, 30 North Carroll Street, Madison.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Family Celebration
We celebrated my brother Donald and his wife, Marcie’s 50th wedding anniversary this past weekend, near Tomahawk in Wisconsin’s North Woods. A wonderful weekend of story-telling, reminiscing, roasting and toasting. All of us wondering how it was that 50 years slipped by, so quickly, so very quickly. A reminder of how important each day is, no matter what the challenges, problems and other disturbances that pop up in front of us.
The Old Timer Says: Never forget. Family comes first, no matter how important everything else may seem at the moment.
Up Coming Events:
October 21, 6:30 PM Prairie du Sac Public Library. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 23, 6-8PM. Conkey’s Bookstore, Appleton. Book Signing. Featuring Old Farm
OCTOBER 25, 1:00 PM. PATTERSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, WILD ROSE.
CENTRAL WISCONSIN LAUNCH OF OLD FARM. PRESENTATION AND SIGNING.
October 27, 7:00PM. Schwartz Bookstore, Mequon. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 28, 1:30PM Brillion Public Library. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 30, 2:45-4:00PM WEAC Teacher’s Convention, Madison. Presentation and signing.
November 1, 10:00-2:00 Land Genealogy Workshop. Wisconsin Historical Society
Museum, Capitol Square, Madison. How to conduct a genealogy of a piece of land. (See below for details)
November 5, 5-7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble, Green Bay. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7-9, National Farm Toy Show, Dyersville Iowa. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7, 6-9 pm
November 8, 9-6 pm
November 9, 9-2 pm
Land Genealogy Workshop
November 1, 2008, 10 am-2pm. Check in begins at 9:30.
Contact InfoE-mail: museum@
wisconsinhistory.org
Phone: 608-264-6555
Fax: 608-264-6575 Registration Deadline 10/25/2008
Ticket Info: Cost is $45 for Wisconsin Historical Society members, $50 for non-members.
Jerry Apps, author of Old Farm: A History, reveals how to conduct a genealogy of a piece of land, including its geology and discovering who lived there over time. Participants will receive a copy of the book, and lunch will be provided.
Location: Wisconsin Historical Museum, 30 North Carroll Street, Madison.
The Old Timer Says: Never forget. Family comes first, no matter how important everything else may seem at the moment.
Up Coming Events:
October 21, 6:30 PM Prairie du Sac Public Library. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 23, 6-8PM. Conkey’s Bookstore, Appleton. Book Signing. Featuring Old Farm
OCTOBER 25, 1:00 PM. PATTERSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, WILD ROSE.
CENTRAL WISCONSIN LAUNCH OF OLD FARM. PRESENTATION AND SIGNING.
October 27, 7:00PM. Schwartz Bookstore, Mequon. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 28, 1:30PM Brillion Public Library. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 30, 2:45-4:00PM WEAC Teacher’s Convention, Madison. Presentation and signing.
November 1, 10:00-2:00 Land Genealogy Workshop. Wisconsin Historical Society
Museum, Capitol Square, Madison. How to conduct a genealogy of a piece of land. (See below for details)
November 5, 5-7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble, Green Bay. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7-9, National Farm Toy Show, Dyersville Iowa. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7, 6-9 pm
November 8, 9-6 pm
November 9, 9-2 pm
Land Genealogy Workshop
November 1, 2008, 10 am-2pm. Check in begins at 9:30.
Contact InfoE-mail: museum@
wisconsinhistory.org
Phone: 608-264-6555
Fax: 608-264-6575 Registration Deadline 10/25/2008
Ticket Info: Cost is $45 for Wisconsin Historical Society members, $50 for non-members.
Jerry Apps, author of Old Farm: A History, reveals how to conduct a genealogy of a piece of land, including its geology and discovering who lived there over time. Participants will receive a copy of the book, and lunch will be provided.
Location: Wisconsin Historical Museum, 30 North Carroll Street, Madison.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Geese Migrating
The Canada Geese are on the move again. I saw several flocks yesterday. Flying high in long, sometimes ragged Vs. Calling loudly as they flew from north to south. Telling us the seasons are changing and that fall is fading and winter is near.
I remember as a kid standing with my dad out back of the barn on a cool late fall afternoon, watching the geese high overhead, impressed with their strength, their sense of direction, and hearing Pa say: Weather is about to change. Geese know about it first.
And today, so many years later, I still marvel at the migrating geese. Each time I see a high flying flock, I relax a bit, for at least one thing is still right with the world. The seasons are changing and the geese know it.
The Old Timer says: When you hear the flocks of migrating Canada geese, look upward. See the grace and beauty, cooperation and respect.
Upcoming Events:
October 14, 6:00PM, Kewaskum Public Library, Presentation and signing. Featuring Old
Farm
October 15, 11:45-12:30PM Larry Meiller show, Wisconsin Public Radio
October 16, 7-8:30PM Wisconsin Book Festival, Overture Center, Madison. Panel
Discussion: A half-century of change in rural Wisconsin.
October 19, 12:00-1:30. Wisconsin Book Festival, Overture Center, Madison.
Presentation, “For the Love of a Farm.”
October 21, 6:30 PM Prairie du Sac Public Library. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 23, 6-8PM. Conkey’s Bookstore, Appleton. Book Signing. Featuring Old Farm
OCTOBER 25, 1:00 PM. PATTERSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, WILD ROSE.
CENTRAL WISCONSIN LAUNCH OF OLD FARM. PRESENTATION AND SIGNING.
October 27, 7:00PM. Schwartz Bookstore, Mequon. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 28, 1:30PM Brillion Public Library. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 30, 2:45-4:00PM WEAC Teacher’s Convention, Madison. Presentation and signing.
November 1, 10:00-2:00 Land Genealogy Workshop. Wisconsin Historical Society
Museum, Capitol Square, Madison. How to conduct a genealogy of a piece of land. For further information: museum@wisconsinhistory.org
November 5, 5-7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble, Green Bay. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7-9, National Farm Toy Show, Dyersville, Iowa. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7, 6-9 pm
November 8, 9-6 pm
November 9, 9-2 pm
I remember as a kid standing with my dad out back of the barn on a cool late fall afternoon, watching the geese high overhead, impressed with their strength, their sense of direction, and hearing Pa say: Weather is about to change. Geese know about it first.
And today, so many years later, I still marvel at the migrating geese. Each time I see a high flying flock, I relax a bit, for at least one thing is still right with the world. The seasons are changing and the geese know it.
The Old Timer says: When you hear the flocks of migrating Canada geese, look upward. See the grace and beauty, cooperation and respect.
Upcoming Events:
October 14, 6:00PM, Kewaskum Public Library, Presentation and signing. Featuring Old
Farm
October 15, 11:45-12:30PM Larry Meiller show, Wisconsin Public Radio
October 16, 7-8:30PM Wisconsin Book Festival, Overture Center, Madison. Panel
Discussion: A half-century of change in rural Wisconsin.
October 19, 12:00-1:30. Wisconsin Book Festival, Overture Center, Madison.
Presentation, “For the Love of a Farm.”
October 21, 6:30 PM Prairie du Sac Public Library. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 23, 6-8PM. Conkey’s Bookstore, Appleton. Book Signing. Featuring Old Farm
OCTOBER 25, 1:00 PM. PATTERSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, WILD ROSE.
CENTRAL WISCONSIN LAUNCH OF OLD FARM. PRESENTATION AND SIGNING.
October 27, 7:00PM. Schwartz Bookstore, Mequon. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 28, 1:30PM Brillion Public Library. Presentation and signing. Featuring Old Farm
October 30, 2:45-4:00PM WEAC Teacher’s Convention, Madison. Presentation and signing.
November 1, 10:00-2:00 Land Genealogy Workshop. Wisconsin Historical Society
Museum, Capitol Square, Madison. How to conduct a genealogy of a piece of land. For further information: museum@wisconsinhistory.org
November 5, 5-7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble, Green Bay. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7-9, National Farm Toy Show, Dyersville, Iowa. Book signing. Featuring Old
Farm.
November 7, 6-9 pm
November 8, 9-6 pm
November 9, 9-2 pm
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Garden to Bed for Winter
I put my garden to bed for the winter last week, just ahead of the first frost. Took me two days, starting with taking down the fence that kept out the deer and turkeys (well), and the groundhogs and rabbits (not so well).
Then I dug the potatoes (average crop), lifted out the onions (good crop), dug the carrots (best crop in years), picked the last of the tomatoes (average crop), cut down the sweet corn stalks (average crop), picked the pumpkins and squash (terrible crop), dug the beets (lost most of them to critters), cut the cabbage (excellent crop), and pulled out the cucumber and zucchini vines (August dry spell did them in).
When the harvesting was done, I hitched my John Deere tractor to the disk and worked up the patch. Finally, I sowed winter wheat, which grows well in the late fall, stays green all winter and takes off in the spring. A treat for the deer and turkeys I have kept at bay all summer. I will plow down the wheat in the spring and start all over.
The Old Timer says: Remember, in this business of farming, next year will be better.
Upcoming events:
OCTOBER 7, 7:00PM BARNES & NOBLE, West Towne Madison LAUNCH OF OLD FARM
October 9, 6:30PM Barron Public Library, Barron. Presentation and signing.
October 11, 11-2:00PM, Apple Blossom books, Oshkosh. Featuring OLD FARM.
October 12, 2:00-4:00PM, Old World Wisconsin, Eagle. Book signing. “Autumn on the
Farm Celebration.” Featuring OLD FARM.
October 14, 6:00PM, Kewaskum Public Library, Presentation and signing.
October 15, 11:45-12:30PM Larry Meiller show, Wisconsin Public Radio
October 16, 7-8:30PM Wisconsin Book Festival, Overture Center, Madison. Panel
Discussion: A half-century of change in rural Wisconsin.
October 19, 12:00-1:30. Wisconsin Book Festival, Overture Center, Madison.
Presentation, “For the Love of a Farm.”
October 21, 6:30 PM Prairie du Sac Public Library. Presentation and signing.Featuring OLD FARM.
October 23, 6-8PM. Conkey’s Bookstore, Appleton. Book Signing. Featuring OLD FARM.
OCTOBER 25, 1:00 PM. PATTERSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, WILD ROSE.
CENTRAL WISCONSIN LAUNCH OF OLD FARM. PRESENTATION AND SIGNING.
October 27, 7:00PM. Schwartz Bookstore, Mequon. Presentation and signing. Featuring OLD FARM.
October 28, 1:30PM Brillion Public Library. Presentation and signing. Featuring OLD FARM.
October 30, 2:45-4:00PM WEAC Teacher’s Convention, Madison. Presentation and signing.
Then I dug the potatoes (average crop), lifted out the onions (good crop), dug the carrots (best crop in years), picked the last of the tomatoes (average crop), cut down the sweet corn stalks (average crop), picked the pumpkins and squash (terrible crop), dug the beets (lost most of them to critters), cut the cabbage (excellent crop), and pulled out the cucumber and zucchini vines (August dry spell did them in).
When the harvesting was done, I hitched my John Deere tractor to the disk and worked up the patch. Finally, I sowed winter wheat, which grows well in the late fall, stays green all winter and takes off in the spring. A treat for the deer and turkeys I have kept at bay all summer. I will plow down the wheat in the spring and start all over.
The Old Timer says: Remember, in this business of farming, next year will be better.
Upcoming events:
OCTOBER 7, 7:00PM BARNES & NOBLE, West Towne Madison LAUNCH OF OLD FARM
October 9, 6:30PM Barron Public Library, Barron. Presentation and signing.
October 11, 11-2:00PM, Apple Blossom books, Oshkosh. Featuring OLD FARM.
October 12, 2:00-4:00PM, Old World Wisconsin, Eagle. Book signing. “Autumn on the
Farm Celebration.” Featuring OLD FARM.
October 14, 6:00PM, Kewaskum Public Library, Presentation and signing.
October 15, 11:45-12:30PM Larry Meiller show, Wisconsin Public Radio
October 16, 7-8:30PM Wisconsin Book Festival, Overture Center, Madison. Panel
Discussion: A half-century of change in rural Wisconsin.
October 19, 12:00-1:30. Wisconsin Book Festival, Overture Center, Madison.
Presentation, “For the Love of a Farm.”
October 21, 6:30 PM Prairie du Sac Public Library. Presentation and signing.Featuring OLD FARM.
October 23, 6-8PM. Conkey’s Bookstore, Appleton. Book Signing. Featuring OLD FARM.
OCTOBER 25, 1:00 PM. PATTERSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, WILD ROSE.
CENTRAL WISCONSIN LAUNCH OF OLD FARM. PRESENTATION AND SIGNING.
October 27, 7:00PM. Schwartz Bookstore, Mequon. Presentation and signing. Featuring OLD FARM.
October 28, 1:30PM Brillion Public Library. Presentation and signing. Featuring OLD FARM.
October 30, 2:45-4:00PM WEAC Teacher’s Convention, Madison. Presentation and signing.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Old Farm at MBA
Ruth and I just returned from the Midwest Booksellers Association show in St. Paul. An event where publishers and authors show their wares to the booksellers.
OLD FARM: A HISTORY, my newest book from the Wisconsin Historical Society Press, got considerable attention, and less than modestly I must say lots of praise. Everyone who saw the book was immediately impressed with Steve’s photos (Steve is my son and we did the book together).
Now we begin a heavy schedule of events to tell folks about the book. Come if you can.
One needs only attend an event such as MBA to realize that the book business is very much alive. Or to paraphrase Mark Twain and to change his words a bit: “The death of the book has been greatly exaggerated”.
The Old Timer says: “So many books. So little time to read them.”
Upcoming Events:
October 4, 10-2:00 PM. Dregne’s, Westby. Book signing.
October 5, 1:30 PM Edgerton Library. Presentation and signing. Edgerton Book Festival.
OCTOBER 7, 7:00PM BARNES & NOBLE, WEST MADISON. LAUNCH OF OLD FARM
October 9, 6:30PM Barron Public Library, Barron. Presentation and signing.
October 11, 11-2:00PM, Apple Blossom books, Oshkosh
October 12, 2:00-4:00PM, Old World Wisconsin, Eagle. Book signing. “Autumn on the
Farm Celebration.”
October 14, 6:00PM, Kewaskum Public Library, Presentation and signing.
October 15, 11:45-12:30PM Larry Meiller show, Wisconsin Public Radio,
October 16, 7-8:30PM Wisconsin Book Festival, Overture Center, Madison. Panel
Discussion: "A half-century of change in rural Wisconsin."
October 19, 12:00-1:30. Wisconsin Book Festival, Overture Center, Madison.
Presentation and signing. “For the Love of a Farm.”
October 21, 6:30 PM Prairie du Sac Public Library. Presentation and signing.
October 23, 6-8PM. Conkey’s Bookstore, Appleton. Book Signing.
OCTOBER 25, 1:00 PM. PATTERSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, WILD ROSE.
CENTRAL WISCONSIN LAUNCH OF OLD FARM. PRESENTATION AND SIGNING.
October 27, 7:00PM. Schwartz Bookstore, Mequon. Presentation and signing.
October 28, 1:30PM Brillion Public Library. Presentation and signing.
October 30, 2:45-4:00PM WEAC Teacher’s Convention, Madison. Presentation and signing.
OLD FARM: A HISTORY, my newest book from the Wisconsin Historical Society Press, got considerable attention, and less than modestly I must say lots of praise. Everyone who saw the book was immediately impressed with Steve’s photos (Steve is my son and we did the book together).
Now we begin a heavy schedule of events to tell folks about the book. Come if you can.
One needs only attend an event such as MBA to realize that the book business is very much alive. Or to paraphrase Mark Twain and to change his words a bit: “The death of the book has been greatly exaggerated”.
The Old Timer says: “So many books. So little time to read them.”
Upcoming Events:
October 4, 10-2:00 PM. Dregne’s, Westby. Book signing.
October 5, 1:30 PM Edgerton Library. Presentation and signing. Edgerton Book Festival.
OCTOBER 7, 7:00PM BARNES & NOBLE, WEST MADISON. LAUNCH OF OLD FARM
October 9, 6:30PM Barron Public Library, Barron. Presentation and signing.
October 11, 11-2:00PM, Apple Blossom books, Oshkosh
October 12, 2:00-4:00PM, Old World Wisconsin, Eagle. Book signing. “Autumn on the
Farm Celebration.”
October 14, 6:00PM, Kewaskum Public Library, Presentation and signing.
October 15, 11:45-12:30PM Larry Meiller show, Wisconsin Public Radio,
October 16, 7-8:30PM Wisconsin Book Festival, Overture Center, Madison. Panel
Discussion: "A half-century of change in rural Wisconsin."
October 19, 12:00-1:30. Wisconsin Book Festival, Overture Center, Madison.
Presentation and signing. “For the Love of a Farm.”
October 21, 6:30 PM Prairie du Sac Public Library. Presentation and signing.
October 23, 6-8PM. Conkey’s Bookstore, Appleton. Book Signing.
OCTOBER 25, 1:00 PM. PATTERSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, WILD ROSE.
CENTRAL WISCONSIN LAUNCH OF OLD FARM. PRESENTATION AND SIGNING.
October 27, 7:00PM. Schwartz Bookstore, Mequon. Presentation and signing.
October 28, 1:30PM Brillion Public Library. Presentation and signing.
October 30, 2:45-4:00PM WEAC Teacher’s Convention, Madison. Presentation and signing.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Schumacher Farm
Yesterday Ruth and I attended Schumacher Farm's Heritage Fest. The farm, a Dane County Park but once an operating farm, is located just east of Waunakee, WI.
I had the difficult task of serving as a judge for their pie contest. Thankfully, I could rely on the other judges--Roberta Bauman, editor of the Waunakee Tribune and Karen Crossley, Dane County Cultural Affairs--who seemed to know what they were doing.
After wading through nine pies, that's right nine of them ranging from green tomato to several apple pies, cranberry, chocolate, rhubarb and still more, we discussed, compared, tasted a little more and declared a cranberry nut pie the winner.
I avoided stepping on the scale this morning.
The Old Timer says: "You can have your pie and eat it, too."
UPCOMING EVENTS:
October 4, 10-2:00 Dregne's, Westby, WI Book Signing.
October 5, Book Festival, Edgerton, WI Library Presentation and book signing.
October 7,7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison. Launch for OLD FARM.
I had the difficult task of serving as a judge for their pie contest. Thankfully, I could rely on the other judges--Roberta Bauman, editor of the Waunakee Tribune and Karen Crossley, Dane County Cultural Affairs--who seemed to know what they were doing.
After wading through nine pies, that's right nine of them ranging from green tomato to several apple pies, cranberry, chocolate, rhubarb and still more, we discussed, compared, tasted a little more and declared a cranberry nut pie the winner.
I avoided stepping on the scale this morning.
The Old Timer says: "You can have your pie and eat it, too."
UPCOMING EVENTS:
October 4, 10-2:00 Dregne's, Westby, WI Book Signing.
October 5, Book Festival, Edgerton, WI Library Presentation and book signing.
October 7,7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison. Launch for OLD FARM.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Old Farm: A History
My newest book, OLD FARM: A HISTORY, is out. Check details on my website. I introduced it last night at a Mineral Point, WI Historical Society meeting. My photographer son, Steve took the pictures--and they are all in color, from a beautiful Karner Blue Butterfly to Big Blue Stem grass. It's the story of my farm, from the time of the glacier to the present time, with lots of central Wisconsin history. The Wisconsin Historical Society Press is the publisher.
Launch party for OLD FARM: Tuesday, October 7, 7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison.
The Old Timer Says: "Do the best you can with what you've got."
Upcoming Events:
September 20, 2:00 PM. Cheese Days, Monroe, WI. Presentation and book signing featuring CASPER JAGGI: MASTER CHEESE MAKER biography.
September 21, 1-4:00 PM Schumacher Farm, Wauankee. Heritage Fest. Book Signing, and pie judging.
October 4, 10-2:00 Dregne's, Westby, WI Book Signing.
October 5, Book Festival, Edgerton, WI Presentation and book signing.
October 7,7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison. Launch for OLD FARM.
Launch party for OLD FARM: Tuesday, October 7, 7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison.
The Old Timer Says: "Do the best you can with what you've got."
Upcoming Events:
September 20, 2:00 PM. Cheese Days, Monroe, WI. Presentation and book signing featuring CASPER JAGGI: MASTER CHEESE MAKER biography.
September 21, 1-4:00 PM Schumacher Farm, Wauankee. Heritage Fest. Book Signing, and pie judging.
October 4, 10-2:00 Dregne's, Westby, WI Book Signing.
October 5, Book Festival, Edgerton, WI Presentation and book signing.
October 7,7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison. Launch for OLD FARM.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Silence
The barber in my hometown, Wild Rose, WI, was a talker. He went on and on about anything and everything. One day, an infrequent customer sat in his chair.
"And how would you like your hair cut?" the barber asked.
"In silence, please," the customer said.
Silence is difficult to find these days. If it's not a cellphone jingling, a TV ad blasting the airways with political ads, its the never ending sound of traffic, day and night.
My son, Steve and I spent last week in northern Minnesota, canoeing in the Boundary Waters. The only sounds were the gentle lapping of waves against rocks, the occasional call of a loon, and the chatter of a pesky red squirrel intent on stealing our lunch.
Silence! How I enjoy it, but infrequently find it.
The Old Timer Says: "Keep things simple. They'll get complicated enough, soon enough, without you intending that they should."
ANNOUNCEMENT: My new book for this fall is titled OLD FARM: A HISTORY. The Wisconsin Historical Society Press is the publisher and it will be in the stores by the end of September. My photographer son, Steve and I did this one together. Go to www.wisconsinhistory.org/whspress to learn more.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
September 10, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing, Borders West, Madison. In A Pickle.
September 11, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing. Mineral Point Historical Society, Opera House, Mineral Point, WI. "Stories From the Land."
September 20, Saturday, 2:00 PM Monroe Cheese Days. Presentation and Book Signing.
"And how would you like your hair cut?" the barber asked.
"In silence, please," the customer said.
Silence is difficult to find these days. If it's not a cellphone jingling, a TV ad blasting the airways with political ads, its the never ending sound of traffic, day and night.
My son, Steve and I spent last week in northern Minnesota, canoeing in the Boundary Waters. The only sounds were the gentle lapping of waves against rocks, the occasional call of a loon, and the chatter of a pesky red squirrel intent on stealing our lunch.
Silence! How I enjoy it, but infrequently find it.
The Old Timer Says: "Keep things simple. They'll get complicated enough, soon enough, without you intending that they should."
ANNOUNCEMENT: My new book for this fall is titled OLD FARM: A HISTORY. The Wisconsin Historical Society Press is the publisher and it will be in the stores by the end of September. My photographer son, Steve and I did this one together. Go to www.wisconsinhistory.org/whspress to learn more.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
September 10, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing, Borders West, Madison. In A Pickle.
September 11, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing. Mineral Point Historical Society, Opera House, Mineral Point, WI. "Stories From the Land."
September 20, Saturday, 2:00 PM Monroe Cheese Days. Presentation and Book Signing.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Tomatoes
Tomatoes. Easy to grow and wonderful to enjoy. This is the time of the year to eat those grown in your garden and allow the juice to run down your chin, while you are smiling all the while. Not like the tomatoes that one finds in the stores in January that look like tomatoes and taste like . . .well is cardboard close.
I plant enough tomatoes so Ruth cans tomato juice and tomato soup, which we enjoy all winter.
The Old Timer says: "Don't matter none if tomatoes are a fruit or a vegetable. Those grown in your garden can't be beat."
ANNOUNCEMENT: My new book for this fall is titled OLD FARM: A HISTORY. The Wisconsin Historical Society Press is the publisher and it will be in the stores by the end of September. My photographer son, Steve and I did this one together. Go to www.wisconsinhistory.org/whspress to learn more.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
September 10, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing, Borders West, Madison. In A Pickle.
September 11, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing. Mineral Point Historical Society, Opera House, Mineral Point, WI. "Stories From the Land."
September 13, Saturday. One-day writing workshop at The Clearing. A few slots still open. Call 1-877-854-3225 for further information.
September 20, Saturday, 2:00 PM Monroe Cheese Days. Presentation and Book Signing.
I plant enough tomatoes so Ruth cans tomato juice and tomato soup, which we enjoy all winter.
The Old Timer says: "Don't matter none if tomatoes are a fruit or a vegetable. Those grown in your garden can't be beat."
ANNOUNCEMENT: My new book for this fall is titled OLD FARM: A HISTORY. The Wisconsin Historical Society Press is the publisher and it will be in the stores by the end of September. My photographer son, Steve and I did this one together. Go to www.wisconsinhistory.org/whspress to learn more.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
September 10, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing, Borders West, Madison. In A Pickle.
September 11, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing. Mineral Point Historical Society, Opera House, Mineral Point, WI. "Stories From the Land."
September 13, Saturday. One-day writing workshop at The Clearing. A few slots still open. Call 1-877-854-3225 for further information.
September 20, Saturday, 2:00 PM Monroe Cheese Days. Presentation and Book Signing.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Threshing Days
About this time in August, when I was a kid, the threshing crew came by our farm. What a great time going from farm to farm in our neighborhood. Teams of horses hauled the grain bundles from the fields to the enormous machine that shaked and shuddered and sent a stream of golden yellow oat straw onto an ever growing straw stack. Oat kernels trickled down the grain pipe and men, sturdy men, carried sacks of oats on their shoulders to the farmer's grain bins in his granary.
When I was 13 or 14, I made the rounds with the threshing crew. Working hard, but eating well. Oh those threshing meals. Never to be forgotten. A great social event it was as well with storytelling, practical jokes and one more way for neighbors to get to know each other well.
The Old Timer Says: "Know your history, but avoid being stuck there."
Coming Events:
September 1: Paperback edition of IN A PICKLE available.
September 10, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing, Borders West, Madison. In A Pickle.
September 11, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing. Mineral Point Historical Society, Opera House, Mineral Point, WI. "Stories From the Land."
September 13, Saturday. One-day writing workshop at The Clearing. A few slots still open. Call 1-877-854-3225 for further information.
September 20, Saturday, 2:00 PM Monroe Cheese Days. Presentation and Book Signing.
When I was 13 or 14, I made the rounds with the threshing crew. Working hard, but eating well. Oh those threshing meals. Never to be forgotten. A great social event it was as well with storytelling, practical jokes and one more way for neighbors to get to know each other well.
The Old Timer Says: "Know your history, but avoid being stuck there."
Coming Events:
September 1: Paperback edition of IN A PICKLE available.
September 10, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing, Borders West, Madison. In A Pickle.
September 11, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing. Mineral Point Historical Society, Opera House, Mineral Point, WI. "Stories From the Land."
September 13, Saturday. One-day writing workshop at The Clearing. A few slots still open. Call 1-877-854-3225 for further information.
September 20, Saturday, 2:00 PM Monroe Cheese Days. Presentation and Book Signing.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Rose Bush
A tough old rose bush grows at the corner of my cabin at the farm. I planted it more than thirty years ago. Not once have I sprayed it, dusted it, or covered it for the winter. It's a little shaggy around the edges and prickly enough so no rabbit, deer or other critter comes near it.
Best of all, it begins blooming in the spring and blooms all summer without any attention whatever. It attracts bees and old farmers who stop and look--and yes, stick their noses up close to the red blossoms as the flowers smell like I think a rose should.
My rose is a bit like some people I know--a little shaggy around the edges, but dependable and require little attention. And are a joy to have around.
The Old Timer says: "Get yourself one of those old fashioned rose bushes--and take time to enjoy it."
Coming Events:
September 10, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing, Borders West, Madison. In A Pickle.
September 11, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing. Mineral Point Historical Society, Opera House, Mineral Point, WI. "Stories From the Land."
September 13, Saturday. One-day writing workshop at The Clearing. A few slots still open. Call 1-877-854-3225 for further information.
September 20, Saturday, 2:00 PM Monroe Cheese Days. Presentation and Book Signing.
Best of all, it begins blooming in the spring and blooms all summer without any attention whatever. It attracts bees and old farmers who stop and look--and yes, stick their noses up close to the red blossoms as the flowers smell like I think a rose should.
My rose is a bit like some people I know--a little shaggy around the edges, but dependable and require little attention. And are a joy to have around.
The Old Timer says: "Get yourself one of those old fashioned rose bushes--and take time to enjoy it."
Coming Events:
September 10, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing, Borders West, Madison. In A Pickle.
September 11, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing. Mineral Point Historical Society, Opera House, Mineral Point, WI. "Stories From the Land."
September 13, Saturday. One-day writing workshop at The Clearing. A few slots still open. Call 1-877-854-3225 for further information.
September 20, Saturday, 2:00 PM Monroe Cheese Days. Presentation and Book Signing.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Tell Your Story
Everyone has a story to tell. That was the theme of the writing workshop I taught at The Clearing in Door County, Wisconsin last week. Sixteen students, examining their memories, jotting down their stories, and sharing them with each other. Laughter, tears, smiles and smirks. A great week.
The Old Timer says: "When something gets in your way: Don't try to go around it. Don't try to crawl under it. Don't try to step over it. Meet it head on."
Coming Events:
August 16 and 17. Railroad Days, Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI I will be there both days to sign books. I will also speak at 1:00 p.m. each day, "Every Farm Tells a Story."
September 1: IN A PICKLE available in paperback. If you've not yet gotten the book, here's a second chance.
September 13, Saturday. One-day writing workshop at The Clearing. A few slots still open. Call 1-877-854-3225 for further information.
The Old Timer says: "When something gets in your way: Don't try to go around it. Don't try to crawl under it. Don't try to step over it. Meet it head on."
Coming Events:
August 16 and 17. Railroad Days, Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI I will be there both days to sign books. I will also speak at 1:00 p.m. each day, "Every Farm Tells a Story."
September 1: IN A PICKLE available in paperback. If you've not yet gotten the book, here's a second chance.
September 13, Saturday. One-day writing workshop at The Clearing. A few slots still open. Call 1-877-854-3225 for further information.
Friday, August 01, 2008
The Clearing
I'm off to The Clearing in Door County, Wisconsin where I will teach a week-long writing workshop. Jens Jensen, a Dane by birth, established The Clearing as a residential learning center in 1935. He was then 75 years old. Jensen saw The Clearing as a place where city people could renew their contact with the "soil" as a basis for life values.
The Clearing has continued over the years offering classes in natural sciences, fine arts, skilled crafts, and humanities including writing. Jensen's dream was to offer a year-round folk school in a natural setting. And that's what it is. I've been teaching there for 18 years, and for Ruth and me, it's one of our favorite places.
To learn more, go to www.theclearing.org.
The Old Timer Says: "To walk forty rods on a never before traveled trail is far more difficult than traveling five miles on a well-used road."
August 16 and 17. Railroad Days, Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI I will be there both days to sign books. I will also speak at 1:00 p.m. each day, "Every Farm Tells a Story."
September 1: IN A PICKLE available in paperback. If you've not yet gotten the book, here's a second chance.
The Clearing has continued over the years offering classes in natural sciences, fine arts, skilled crafts, and humanities including writing. Jensen's dream was to offer a year-round folk school in a natural setting. And that's what it is. I've been teaching there for 18 years, and for Ruth and me, it's one of our favorite places.
To learn more, go to www.theclearing.org.
The Old Timer Says: "To walk forty rods on a never before traveled trail is far more difficult than traveling five miles on a well-used road."
August 16 and 17. Railroad Days, Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI I will be there both days to sign books. I will also speak at 1:00 p.m. each day, "Every Farm Tells a Story."
September 1: IN A PICKLE available in paperback. If you've not yet gotten the book, here's a second chance.
Monday, July 28, 2008
A Bigger Boo
A grandfather story. Our four-old granddaughter walked into a fairly dark room where I was sitting. I said, "boo."
She stopped, put her hands on her hips and and looked at me. "Grandpa," she said. "You've got to have a bigger boo than that to scare me."
So I'm working on a bigger boo.
The Old Timer Says: "This time of the year, stop by a pond. Listen for the bullfrogs singing slow and deep, a strange but beautifully haunting tune."
Upcoming Events:
August 16 and 17. Railroad Days, Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI I will be there both days to sign books. I will also speak at 1:00 p.m. each day, "Every Farm Tells a Story."
September 1: IN A PICKLE available in paperback. If you've not yet gotten the book, here's a second chance.
She stopped, put her hands on her hips and and looked at me. "Grandpa," she said. "You've got to have a bigger boo than that to scare me."
So I'm working on a bigger boo.
The Old Timer Says: "This time of the year, stop by a pond. Listen for the bullfrogs singing slow and deep, a strange but beautifully haunting tune."
Upcoming Events:
August 16 and 17. Railroad Days, Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI I will be there both days to sign books. I will also speak at 1:00 p.m. each day, "Every Farm Tells a Story."
September 1: IN A PICKLE available in paperback. If you've not yet gotten the book, here's a second chance.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Farm Tech Days
I spoke at Farm Technology Days this week on a farm in Brown County, WI--always a fun thing for me. Farm Tech days shows off the newest of the new in farm equipment and agricultural research--the future of the industry. But I talked about the old, what it was like to farm without electricity, when farmers listened to battery operated radios, got their local news from the party-line telephone, milked cows by hand, and farmed with horses.
Great changes in my generation, because I grew up with the old, when electricity was a welcomed novelty, a milking machine was a wonder, and a new tractor--according to Pa--just might make his boys lazy (I have two brothers).
The Old Timer Says: "Some people are hard to listen to because their actions speak more loudly than their words."
Coming Events:
August 3-9. Writing From Your Life Workshop at The Clearing in Door County. (Class is filled)
(September 13, One Day Saturday writing workshop at The Clearing has open slots. Call toll free 877-854-3225 for more information)
August 16 and 17. Railroad Days, Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI I will be there both days to sign books. I will also speak at 1:00 p.m. each day, "Every Farm Tells a Story."
Great changes in my generation, because I grew up with the old, when electricity was a welcomed novelty, a milking machine was a wonder, and a new tractor--according to Pa--just might make his boys lazy (I have two brothers).
The Old Timer Says: "Some people are hard to listen to because their actions speak more loudly than their words."
Coming Events:
August 3-9. Writing From Your Life Workshop at The Clearing in Door County. (Class is filled)
(September 13, One Day Saturday writing workshop at The Clearing has open slots. Call toll free 877-854-3225 for more information)
August 16 and 17. Railroad Days, Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI I will be there both days to sign books. I will also speak at 1:00 p.m. each day, "Every Farm Tells a Story."
Monday, July 14, 2008
Wild Turkeys
The other day I was walking in my field, checking on some trees I'd planted back in April. The grass was knee high and I was concentrating on finding trees when a wild turkey hen exploded up in front of me, her huge wings pounding the air. I was no more than six feet from her. Slowly I walked to where she'd flown up and saw the grass moving in every direction. Little turkeys were trying to hide. All except one. It sat there looking up at me, it's big brown eyes checking me out. Not moving. Not doing what his nest-mates had done. Taking a chance. There's always one.
I quickly walked away because I knew the hen was watching me from the top of the hill and would return to her little family--not so small, there must have been a dozen of them.
The Old Timer Says: "Don't forget the importance of a good example."
Upcoming Events:
Farm Technology Days, Greenleaf, WI Wednesday, July 16, 12:00. "Stories From The Land."
Farm Technology Days, Greenleaf, WI Thursday, July 17, 11:00 AM "Stories From the Land."
Garden Tour and Book Signing, Governor's Mansion, Madison. Thursday, July 17 4:30-6:00 PM
I quickly walked away because I knew the hen was watching me from the top of the hill and would return to her little family--not so small, there must have been a dozen of them.
The Old Timer Says: "Don't forget the importance of a good example."
Upcoming Events:
Farm Technology Days, Greenleaf, WI Wednesday, July 16, 12:00. "Stories From The Land."
Farm Technology Days, Greenleaf, WI Thursday, July 17, 11:00 AM "Stories From the Land."
Garden Tour and Book Signing, Governor's Mansion, Madison. Thursday, July 17 4:30-6:00 PM
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Pitch forks
I have fond memories of pitchforks, mostly. About now we were in the midst of haying season on the home farm. We "made" our hay loose in those days, which meant after it was cut and raked we piled it into bunches with a pitch fork. Tossed it on a steel-wheeled, horse drawn hay wagon with a pitch fork. And moved it into the upper reaches of our barn with a pitch fork.
I had my own pitchfork, a three-tined, hickory handled beauty that slid through my hands with ease, was well balanced, and did what I wanted it to do.
You could tell who was a city person in a minute by the way he handled a pitchfork. We tried to teach our city cousins the nuances of pitchfork use, but they never seemed to catch on. How dumb they were, they thought. As I think back, we were the dumb ones. We did the hay pitching while they watched, pretending ineptness.
The Old Timer Says: "There's lots of talk these days but little being said."
UpComing Events:
Barnes and Noble Madison West. Wednesday, July 9, 12-1:00 Booksigning.
Barnes and Noble Madison West. Wednesday, July 9, 1:00 p.m. "Who Was Casper Jaggi?"
Circus Camp, Mazomanie. Thursday, July 10, 12:00 noon. "The Ringling Boys and Their Circus."
Barnes and Noble Wausau. Saturday, July 12, 11:00-2:00 PM. IN A PICKLE and more.
Farm Technology Days, Greenleaf, WI Wednesday, July 16, 12:00. "Stories From The Land."
Farm Technology Days, Greenleaf, WI Thursday, July 17, 11:00 AM "Stories From the Land."
Garden Tour and Book Signing, Governor's Mansion, Madison. Thursday, July 17 4:30-6:00 PM
I had my own pitchfork, a three-tined, hickory handled beauty that slid through my hands with ease, was well balanced, and did what I wanted it to do.
You could tell who was a city person in a minute by the way he handled a pitchfork. We tried to teach our city cousins the nuances of pitchfork use, but they never seemed to catch on. How dumb they were, they thought. As I think back, we were the dumb ones. We did the hay pitching while they watched, pretending ineptness.
The Old Timer Says: "There's lots of talk these days but little being said."
UpComing Events:
Barnes and Noble Madison West. Wednesday, July 9, 12-1:00 Booksigning.
Barnes and Noble Madison West. Wednesday, July 9, 1:00 p.m. "Who Was Casper Jaggi?"
Circus Camp, Mazomanie. Thursday, July 10, 12:00 noon. "The Ringling Boys and Their Circus."
Barnes and Noble Wausau. Saturday, July 12, 11:00-2:00 PM. IN A PICKLE and more.
Farm Technology Days, Greenleaf, WI Wednesday, July 16, 12:00. "Stories From The Land."
Farm Technology Days, Greenleaf, WI Thursday, July 17, 11:00 AM "Stories From the Land."
Garden Tour and Book Signing, Governor's Mansion, Madison. Thursday, July 17 4:30-6:00 PM
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Bluebirds
Thoreau once wrote, "The bluebird carries the sky on his back." I would add, "and the sun on its breast." I watched a busy bluebird pair out my back window this morning, flitting in and out of the house we built for them a couple years ago.
We have many bluebird houses at our farm. We've placed them several yards apart for the half-mile that separates our farm from my brother, Don's place. Rather than a fence, we define our boundary with bird houses. What a joy it is from early spring through the summer watching bluebirds and tree swallows--the latter in greater number than the former, but equally fun to watch.
The Old Timer says: "Take a child for a walk in the woods. You'll both see more than either expected."
Coming Events:
Barnes and Noble Madison West. Wednesday, July 9, 1:00 p.m. "Who Was Casper Jaggi?"
Circus Camp, Mazomanie. Thursday, July 10, 12:00 noon. "The Ringling Boys and Their Circus."
Barnes and Noble Wausau. Saturday, July 12, 11:00-2:00 PM. IN A PICKLE and more.
Farm Technology Days, Greenleaf, WI Wednesday, July 16, 12:00. "Stories From The Land."
Farm Technology Days, Greenleaf, WI Thursday, July 17, 11:00 AM "Stories From the Land."
Garden Tour and Book Signing, Governor's Mansion, Madison. Thursday, July 17 4:30-6:00 PM
We have many bluebird houses at our farm. We've placed them several yards apart for the half-mile that separates our farm from my brother, Don's place. Rather than a fence, we define our boundary with bird houses. What a joy it is from early spring through the summer watching bluebirds and tree swallows--the latter in greater number than the former, but equally fun to watch.
The Old Timer says: "Take a child for a walk in the woods. You'll both see more than either expected."
Coming Events:
Barnes and Noble Madison West. Wednesday, July 9, 1:00 p.m. "Who Was Casper Jaggi?"
Circus Camp, Mazomanie. Thursday, July 10, 12:00 noon. "The Ringling Boys and Their Circus."
Barnes and Noble Wausau. Saturday, July 12, 11:00-2:00 PM. IN A PICKLE and more.
Farm Technology Days, Greenleaf, WI Wednesday, July 16, 12:00. "Stories From The Land."
Farm Technology Days, Greenleaf, WI Thursday, July 17, 11:00 AM "Stories From the Land."
Garden Tour and Book Signing, Governor's Mansion, Madison. Thursday, July 17 4:30-6:00 PM
Monday, June 23, 2008
Garden Produce
I pulled my first radishes from the garden a couple weeks ago--big red ones. Each with a bit of personality that was muted with a spot of salt. Not like those wimpy radishes from the supermarket with no kick whatever.
I sow carrot seed in the same row as the radishes and with the radishes pulled the carrots are growing wildly--happy to be on their own I suspect.
Last week I filled a bowl with fresh cut leaf lettuce and spinach leaves. What a treat.
The Old Timer says: "Always nice to know where your food comes from. Even more special to grow it yourself."
Want some help in writing your own story? Consider looking into the one-day workshop I offer at The Clearing in Door County. It's from 9-4 on Saturday, September 13. The fee includes a catered lunch. Call 877-854-3225 for details, or check www.theclearing.org.
I sow carrot seed in the same row as the radishes and with the radishes pulled the carrots are growing wildly--happy to be on their own I suspect.
Last week I filled a bowl with fresh cut leaf lettuce and spinach leaves. What a treat.
The Old Timer says: "Always nice to know where your food comes from. Even more special to grow it yourself."
Want some help in writing your own story? Consider looking into the one-day workshop I offer at The Clearing in Door County. It's from 9-4 on Saturday, September 13. The fee includes a catered lunch. Call 877-854-3225 for details, or check www.theclearing.org.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Hoeing
When I was a kid, I hated hoeing. Just when I thought we'd caught up with farm work and might go fishing, Pa would say, "Potatoes need hoeing." It seems the potatoes always needed hoeing. In those days we grew three or four acres of potatoes and it would take my dad, two brothers and me several days to do the job. Row after long row we hoed, stopping only long enough for dinner and maybe a drink of water now and then from a Red Wing jug kept under a shade tree on one end of the potato patch.
I'm still hoeing. Only now I enjoy it. I hoed my garden yesterday morning. It took me an hour and a half--I'd done the potato rows the previous day. The birds were singing, the sky was a deep blue, a slight breeze blew from the west and tree swallows circled above their birdhouse a hundred or so yards away. I could smell the freshly turned soil and I could immediately see the results of my work.
Funny how a few years--quite a few years--changes one's perspective on a once boring task.
The Old Timer says: "Teach your children to hoe. Never can tell what they might do with the skill."
Coming Event: Saturday, June 21, 1:00 p.m. Stanley Historical Society, Stanley, Wisconsin. "The Lighter Side of Country Living."
I'm still hoeing. Only now I enjoy it. I hoed my garden yesterday morning. It took me an hour and a half--I'd done the potato rows the previous day. The birds were singing, the sky was a deep blue, a slight breeze blew from the west and tree swallows circled above their birdhouse a hundred or so yards away. I could smell the freshly turned soil and I could immediately see the results of my work.
Funny how a few years--quite a few years--changes one's perspective on a once boring task.
The Old Timer says: "Teach your children to hoe. Never can tell what they might do with the skill."
Coming Event: Saturday, June 21, 1:00 p.m. Stanley Historical Society, Stanley, Wisconsin. "The Lighter Side of Country Living."
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Gone Fishing
My twin brothers and I went fishing last week. The first time the three of us have fished together for more than forty years. Gone was the fierce competition I remember. Who caught the first fish, who hooked the largest fish, who could brag about the most fish? Now it was mostly storytelling. Remembering earlier fishing days when we were much younger, recalling fishing trips with our father, marveling at the beauty of the lake and the splendor of the day.
And realizing that fishing can be much more than catching fish.
The Old Timer says. "Find some time to go fishing."
Coming Events:
Tuesday, June 17, 12:15 p.m. Wisconsin Historical Society Museum (on the Square in Madison). A brief history of Wisconsin cheese making with the story of Casper Jaggi: Master Cheese Maker.
Saturday, June 21, 1:00 p.m. Stanley Historical Society. "The Lighter Side of Country Living."
And realizing that fishing can be much more than catching fish.
The Old Timer says. "Find some time to go fishing."
Coming Events:
Tuesday, June 17, 12:15 p.m. Wisconsin Historical Society Museum (on the Square in Madison). A brief history of Wisconsin cheese making with the story of Casper Jaggi: Master Cheese Maker.
Saturday, June 21, 1:00 p.m. Stanley Historical Society. "The Lighter Side of Country Living."
Monday, June 02, 2008
Weather Talk
Growing up on a farm I remember how critical weather was to everything we did. Dad knew many of the weather sayings, some are familiar to most people, some not.
Examples:
Red sky in the morning, sailors take warming. (Rain coming)
Red sky at night, sailors delight. (Nice day tomorrow)
Rain before seven, stop before eleven.
No dew in the morning, rain within 24 hours.
Ring around the moon: major chance in weather coming.
If among the clouds, there is a patch of blue sky large enough to make a pair of Dutchman's britches, clear weather is on the way.
April showers bring May flowers.
Rain in May is a barn full of hay.
Rain in June is a silver spoon (Meaning the crops would be off to a good start with ample moisture on our sandy soils.)
The Old Timer says: "Enjoy the wind. Feel it. Embrace it. But always respect it."
Coming Events. Saturday, Book signing, June 7, 1-3PM, Waldens, West Town Mall, Madison.
Examples:
Red sky in the morning, sailors take warming. (Rain coming)
Red sky at night, sailors delight. (Nice day tomorrow)
Rain before seven, stop before eleven.
No dew in the morning, rain within 24 hours.
Ring around the moon: major chance in weather coming.
If among the clouds, there is a patch of blue sky large enough to make a pair of Dutchman's britches, clear weather is on the way.
April showers bring May flowers.
Rain in May is a barn full of hay.
Rain in June is a silver spoon (Meaning the crops would be off to a good start with ample moisture on our sandy soils.)
The Old Timer says: "Enjoy the wind. Feel it. Embrace it. But always respect it."
Coming Events. Saturday, Book signing, June 7, 1-3PM, Waldens, West Town Mall, Madison.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
End of School Year Picnic
A picnic marked the end of the school year for my one-room country school in Waushara County, Wisconsin. People brought their own sandwiches and eating utensils, plus a dish to pass. The school board placed planks on sawhorses in the shade of the school yard's giant oaks. They also bought ice cream for dessert. The ice cream, in two and one/half gallon tubs came in an insulated canvas covered case that slowed the melting.
All the parents and students came and ate and ate and sat under the great oaks and talked--until it was time for the annual softball game. The students played their fathers. Everyone not playing watched and cheered--for the students of course. And the students usually won, too.
Years later, a one-time student at a county school told me this was the only time she ever saw her father play. She saw her dad, a farmer, working all the time--except on the day of the end of school year picnic and softball game.
The Old Timer Says: "We gain respect by earning it."
Coming Events:
Book Signing, Walden Bookstore, West Town Madison, Saturday, June 7, 1-3 p.m.
All the parents and students came and ate and ate and sat under the great oaks and talked--until it was time for the annual softball game. The students played their fathers. Everyone not playing watched and cheered--for the students of course. And the students usually won, too.
Years later, a one-time student at a county school told me this was the only time she ever saw her father play. She saw her dad, a farmer, working all the time--except on the day of the end of school year picnic and softball game.
The Old Timer Says: "We gain respect by earning it."
Coming Events:
Book Signing, Walden Bookstore, West Town Madison, Saturday, June 7, 1-3 p.m.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Lilacs
The lilacs are blooming in my part of the world. Sweet smelling. Long living. A part of rural homesteads--and urban life as well.
Travel through the countryside today and you'll spot lilac bushes, often in unusual places such as alongside a road with nothing else in sight. No buildings, no sign of habitation. More likely than not when you see these lonely lilacs you have located the site of an old farmhouse, now long gone. Historical markers these flowering shrubs.
Their smell brings back memories of my country school where a row of them lined the southern fence of the acre schoolyard. When the lilacs bloomed we knew the school year was about to end and summer vacation was in sight. For several days our country school teacher stuffed the purple flowers in a vase that sat at the side of her desk and the winter smells inside the cramped building turned to smells of spring.
The Old Timer says: "Appreciate what you've got."
Travel through the countryside today and you'll spot lilac bushes, often in unusual places such as alongside a road with nothing else in sight. No buildings, no sign of habitation. More likely than not when you see these lonely lilacs you have located the site of an old farmhouse, now long gone. Historical markers these flowering shrubs.
Their smell brings back memories of my country school where a row of them lined the southern fence of the acre schoolyard. When the lilacs bloomed we knew the school year was about to end and summer vacation was in sight. For several days our country school teacher stuffed the purple flowers in a vase that sat at the side of her desk and the winter smells inside the cramped building turned to smells of spring.
The Old Timer says: "Appreciate what you've got."
Sunday, May 11, 2008
May Baskets
Remember May baskets? When I was growing up and attending a one-room country school, we made May baskets out of what was called construction paper(a heavy paper that came in several colors). The little paper baskets included a handle and enough room to stuff in a handful of wildflowers--violets mostly.
In the dead of night, we would walk from farm to farm, hang a little basket on the farmhouse doorknob, yell "May basket" and run. The idea was for the kids inside to chase us and catch us and then join us to walk to the next farm and repeat the process.
Problem was the farms were a half-mile apart and more. After two or three farms visited, it was time to return to our homes. We'd repeat the game several times during the month of May.
Anyone have a May basket story?
The Old Timer says: "Those who are given much are expected to give back much in return."
Upcoming Appearances:
Coloma Historical Society, Community Building, 7:00 p.m. May 12
Minoqua Public Library, 7:00 p.m. May 13
Marshfield Public Library, 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. May 15
Westby, Dregne's, 10-2:00 p.m. May 17
New Glarus Historical Society, 1-4:00 p.m. May 18
In the dead of night, we would walk from farm to farm, hang a little basket on the farmhouse doorknob, yell "May basket" and run. The idea was for the kids inside to chase us and catch us and then join us to walk to the next farm and repeat the process.
Problem was the farms were a half-mile apart and more. After two or three farms visited, it was time to return to our homes. We'd repeat the game several times during the month of May.
Anyone have a May basket story?
The Old Timer says: "Those who are given much are expected to give back much in return."
Upcoming Appearances:
Coloma Historical Society, Community Building, 7:00 p.m. May 12
Minoqua Public Library, 7:00 p.m. May 13
Marshfield Public Library, 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. May 15
Westby, Dregne's, 10-2:00 p.m. May 17
New Glarus Historical Society, 1-4:00 p.m. May 18
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Happy Birthday WRWA
I attended the Wisconsin Regional Writers Association spring meeting in LaCrosse this past weekend. They are celebrating their 60th year of supporting, encouraging, and recognizing Wisconsin writers. Robert Gard,long time University of Wisconsin-Madison professor, started the organization in 1948.
If you are interested in writing and Wisconsin writers, check their website: www.wrwa.net
The Old Timer Says: "When you come to a fork in the road, take it."
Upcoming appearances:
Burlington, WI Library, May 8,7:00 p.m.
Coloma, WI Historical Society, May 12, 7:00 p.m.
Minoqua, WI Library, May 13, 6:30 p.m.
Marshfield, WI Library, May 15, 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Westby, WI Dregne's, May 17, 10-2:00 p.m.
New Glarus, Wi Historical Society, May 18, 1-4:00 p.m.
If you are interested in writing and Wisconsin writers, check their website: www.wrwa.net
The Old Timer Says: "When you come to a fork in the road, take it."
Upcoming appearances:
Burlington, WI Library, May 8,7:00 p.m.
Coloma, WI Historical Society, May 12, 7:00 p.m.
Minoqua, WI Library, May 13, 6:30 p.m.
Marshfield, WI Library, May 15, 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Westby, WI Dregne's, May 17, 10-2:00 p.m.
New Glarus, Wi Historical Society, May 18, 1-4:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Arbor Day
At the one-room country school I attended, we celebrated Arbor Day each year--usually in late April. On that special day we all brought garden rakes from home and spent the day raking the schoolyard. Our schoolyard was one acre, which doesn't sound like much until you have to rake every square foot of it.
We also had lots of oak trees in our schoolyard, so there was lots to rake. We usually finished sometime in early afternoon. We piled the leaves, burned them, and roasted wieners and marshmallows. Great fun. A day outside and a break from study.
The first Arbor Day was celebrated on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska. Julius Sterling Morton, a newspaperman, thought Nebraska's landscape would be improved with more planting of trees. So Arbor Day is associated with tree planting, although I don't recall we ever planted trees in our schoolyard as a part of the celebration. After all, we had plenty of trees.
Today, Arbor Day is officially celebrated on the last Friday of April--and it's a national event.
Anyone have a memory of Arbor Day when you were a kid?
The Old Timer recalls the words of Aldo Leopold: "Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only a shovel."
We also had lots of oak trees in our schoolyard, so there was lots to rake. We usually finished sometime in early afternoon. We piled the leaves, burned them, and roasted wieners and marshmallows. Great fun. A day outside and a break from study.
The first Arbor Day was celebrated on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska. Julius Sterling Morton, a newspaperman, thought Nebraska's landscape would be improved with more planting of trees. So Arbor Day is associated with tree planting, although I don't recall we ever planted trees in our schoolyard as a part of the celebration. After all, we had plenty of trees.
Today, Arbor Day is officially celebrated on the last Friday of April--and it's a national event.
Anyone have a memory of Arbor Day when you were a kid?
The Old Timer recalls the words of Aldo Leopold: "Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only a shovel."
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sunrise at the Pond
In the dim light of dawn I unfold my portable stool,pour a cup of coffee from my Thermos and fish the binoculars out of my pocket. I'm sitting near my pond this early spring morning not knowing what I'll see. Soon I catch movement to my left. A pair of shadowy gray sandhill cranes move slowly though the tall dead grass, their camouflage near perfect. And then a flock of geese flies over in a long jagged V, so low I can hear the swishing of their wings mixed with their honking.
A few minutes later I hear a wild turkey gobble to the north, and moments after I hear him I see the big bird lumbering toward the pond. The big tom is not alone, two others trail behind him and behind them I spot two hens. A five-some out on an early morning walk.
It's turkey mating season. All three gobblers stop a hundred yards or so from me (they don't see me) and go into full display--fanning their big tails like we sometimes see in the Thanksgiving paintings of turkeys. A sight to behold. Except the two hens seemed not impressed at all. They search for something to eat in the wet soil around the pond, while their boy friends? strut their stuff with no reaction.
One of the cranes lets loose with its call and the sound disrupts the gobblers who seem compelled to answer the crane with loud "Gobble, Gobble, Gobbles."
I am so caught up with my watching and listening, I have no time to drink coffee.
The Old Timer Says: "Remember, Tuesday is Earth Day (April 22). This is the only earth we have, we gotta take care of it."
Upcoming Events
April 23, 6:00 p.m. RINGLINGVILLE USA, Beloit Historical Society, Beloit, WI.
e-mail pkeer@beloithistoricalsociety.com for further information.
April 24, 7:00 p.m. Black Earth Public Library. The Lighter Side of Country Living.
April 29, 11:30 a.m Governor Dodge Convention Center, Platteville, WI. (University of Wisconsin-Platteville). Luncheon. The Lighter Side of Country Living. Call 888-281.9472 for further information.
A few minutes later I hear a wild turkey gobble to the north, and moments after I hear him I see the big bird lumbering toward the pond. The big tom is not alone, two others trail behind him and behind them I spot two hens. A five-some out on an early morning walk.
It's turkey mating season. All three gobblers stop a hundred yards or so from me (they don't see me) and go into full display--fanning their big tails like we sometimes see in the Thanksgiving paintings of turkeys. A sight to behold. Except the two hens seemed not impressed at all. They search for something to eat in the wet soil around the pond, while their boy friends? strut their stuff with no reaction.
One of the cranes lets loose with its call and the sound disrupts the gobblers who seem compelled to answer the crane with loud "Gobble, Gobble, Gobbles."
I am so caught up with my watching and listening, I have no time to drink coffee.
The Old Timer Says: "Remember, Tuesday is Earth Day (April 22). This is the only earth we have, we gotta take care of it."
Upcoming Events
April 23, 6:00 p.m. RINGLINGVILLE USA, Beloit Historical Society, Beloit, WI.
e-mail pkeer@beloithistoricalsociety.com for further information.
April 24, 7:00 p.m. Black Earth Public Library. The Lighter Side of Country Living.
April 29, 11:30 a.m Governor Dodge Convention Center, Platteville, WI. (University of Wisconsin-Platteville). Luncheon. The Lighter Side of Country Living. Call 888-281.9472 for further information.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning is what my mother called it. The first warm days of April she took down the dining room curtains and washed them. Took the quilts off the beds and hung them on the clothes line back of the house and beat the dickens out of them (and the winter collection of dust as well). And most important of all, she convinced Pa to take down the stove pipes for the dining room stove and move the dirty, dusty Round Oak wood burner out to the woodshed where it would remain until November.
No matter what the weather, when Ma began spring cleaning, we knew it was spring.
The Old Timer, in this month of taxpaying, remembers Ben Franklin's famous words: "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."
Upcoming Events:
April 15, 11:00 a.m. LIGHTER SIDE OF COUNTRY LIVING, Clear Lake Community Center, Clear Lake,WI
April 17, 7:00 P.M. LIGHTER SIDE OF COUNTRY LIVING, Jackson Historical Society, Jackson, WI
April 18,6:30 pm. IN A PICKLE, Rusk County Free Film Festival, Miner Theater, Ladysmith, WI
April 19, 11:30 a.m. IN A PICKLE, Literary Bash, Mead Wildlife Area, Milladore, WI
April 23, 6:00 p.m. RINGLINGVILLE USA, Beloit Historical Society, Beloit, WI.
e-mail pkeer@beloithistoricalsociety.com for further information.
No matter what the weather, when Ma began spring cleaning, we knew it was spring.
The Old Timer, in this month of taxpaying, remembers Ben Franklin's famous words: "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."
Upcoming Events:
April 15, 11:00 a.m. LIGHTER SIDE OF COUNTRY LIVING, Clear Lake Community Center, Clear Lake,WI
April 17, 7:00 P.M. LIGHTER SIDE OF COUNTRY LIVING, Jackson Historical Society, Jackson, WI
April 18,6:30 pm. IN A PICKLE, Rusk County Free Film Festival, Miner Theater, Ladysmith, WI
April 19, 11:30 a.m. IN A PICKLE, Literary Bash, Mead Wildlife Area, Milladore, WI
April 23, 6:00 p.m. RINGLINGVILLE USA, Beloit Historical Society, Beloit, WI.
e-mail pkeer@beloithistoricalsociety.com for further information.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Walking into Spring
I walk a mile each morning, except when the snow is too deep or the walkway too icy. This morning I walked into spring. Robin song everywhere, a mourning dove call in the distance, sandhill cranes talking to each other. The smell of spring steeped with promise and anticipation. And the last grainy snow piles in fast retreat with trickles of melt water oozing from their bottoms.
Naturalist Hal Borland wrote: "No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." How true it is.
The Old Timer says: "Appreciate the importance of waiting and the value of looking forward to something, as you enjoy what you are doing now."
Upcoming Events:
April 12, 8:30 p.m. IN A PICKLE, reading and signing, Borders West, Madison
April 15, 11:00 a.m. LIGHTER SIDE OF COUNTRY LIVING, Clear Lake Community Center, Clear Lake,WI
April 17, 7:00 P.M. LIGHTER SIDE OF COUNTRY LIVING, Jackson Historical Society, Jackson, WI
April 18,6:30 pm. IN A PICKLE, Rusk County Free Film Festival, Miner Theater, Ladysmith, WI
April 19, 11:30 a.m. IN A PICKLE, Literay Bash, Mead Wildlife Area, Milladore, WI
Naturalist Hal Borland wrote: "No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." How true it is.
The Old Timer says: "Appreciate the importance of waiting and the value of looking forward to something, as you enjoy what you are doing now."
Upcoming Events:
April 12, 8:30 p.m. IN A PICKLE, reading and signing, Borders West, Madison
April 15, 11:00 a.m. LIGHTER SIDE OF COUNTRY LIVING, Clear Lake Community Center, Clear Lake,WI
April 17, 7:00 P.M. LIGHTER SIDE OF COUNTRY LIVING, Jackson Historical Society, Jackson, WI
April 18,6:30 pm. IN A PICKLE, Rusk County Free Film Festival, Miner Theater, Ladysmith, WI
April 19, 11:30 a.m. IN A PICKLE, Literay Bash, Mead Wildlife Area, Milladore, WI
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Crocuses and Aldo Leopold
I raked the wet and matted leaves from the flower bed yesterday and there they were. Tiny crocus flowers welcoming the sunlight and announcing spring. Fearless. Predictable. Comforting to see.
Aldo Leopold wrote: "One swallow does not make it summer, but one skein of geese, cleaving the murk of a March thaw, is the spring."
What are the signs of spring for you?
The Old Timer Says: "When you hear a flock of geese winging northward, look upward. See the grace and beauty, cooperation and respect. And recognize the faith these birds have in seasonal change."
Upcoming appearances:
Saturday, April 5, 1-3:00 p.m. Barnes & Noble, Appleton. Book signing: IN A PICKLE.
Tuesday, April 8, 7:30 p.m. Pinney Branch Library, Madison. Presentation and book signing: BREWERIES OF WISCONSIN
Saturday, April 12, 8:00 p.m. Borders West, Madison. Presentation and book signing: IN A PICKLE.
Aldo Leopold wrote: "One swallow does not make it summer, but one skein of geese, cleaving the murk of a March thaw, is the spring."
What are the signs of spring for you?
The Old Timer Says: "When you hear a flock of geese winging northward, look upward. See the grace and beauty, cooperation and respect. And recognize the faith these birds have in seasonal change."
Upcoming appearances:
Saturday, April 5, 1-3:00 p.m. Barnes & Noble, Appleton. Book signing: IN A PICKLE.
Tuesday, April 8, 7:30 p.m. Pinney Branch Library, Madison. Presentation and book signing: BREWERIES OF WISCONSIN
Saturday, April 12, 8:00 p.m. Borders West, Madison. Presentation and book signing: IN A PICKLE.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Robins and Snowstorms
Note from a blog reader. "Uncle Cliff (he is 92 years old) says it will snow three times on the robin after he comes back in the spring."
Uncle Cliff is probably right. Yesterday from 8-12 inches of snow fell on southern Wisconsin. Madison is but 1/2 inch away from 100 inches for the season. According to Uncle Cliff, we have two more to go. Hurry, hurry let it snow so May, June and the summer season can be snow free. And the robins can do what they do without inches of snow on their backs.
The Old Timer Says: "Enough, enough. Uncle, uncle. Or whatever will do the trick to turn off the snow machine."
Uncle Cliff is probably right. Yesterday from 8-12 inches of snow fell on southern Wisconsin. Madison is but 1/2 inch away from 100 inches for the season. According to Uncle Cliff, we have two more to go. Hurry, hurry let it snow so May, June and the summer season can be snow free. And the robins can do what they do without inches of snow on their backs.
The Old Timer Says: "Enough, enough. Uncle, uncle. Or whatever will do the trick to turn off the snow machine."
Monday, March 17, 2008
Tomatoes and St. Patrick
Every year, on St. Patrick's Day, my mother started tomato seeds in little pots that she placed in a sunny kitchen window. She had spent her spare moments pouring over the several seed catalogs that began arriving in our country mailbox already in January. She never consulted with my dad, or with anyone else as far as I could tell. She studied. She decided. And she planted. I don't remember a year that we didn't have a bumper crop of tomatoes.
The Old Timer says: "Think green. It might hurry spring along."
The Old Timer says: "Think green. It might hurry spring along."
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Sandhill Cranes Are Back
I saw a pair of sandhill cranes today, standing in the middle of a small ice-covered pond. They were looking skyward and calling their prehistoric call. Every time I hear one it sends shivers down my back. What are they saying? I think I know.
"Spring oh spring where art thou. Why are we here before thee?" At least that's what I think they were saying.
The Old Timer Says: "I met a fellow the other day who talked nonstop and didn't say a thing."
Reminder:The hardcover edition of IN A PICKLE: A FAMILY FARM STORY is about sold out. Stop by your bookstore, or order on line--you can order directly from my website.
"Spring oh spring where art thou. Why are we here before thee?" At least that's what I think they were saying.
The Old Timer Says: "I met a fellow the other day who talked nonstop and didn't say a thing."
Reminder:The hardcover edition of IN A PICKLE: A FAMILY FARM STORY is about sold out. Stop by your bookstore, or order on line--you can order directly from my website.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Spring is in the Air
Spring is in the air. I can smell it. I can hear it. I heard a robin singing this morning--no worms yet for this early bird--but it's here, its feathers fluffed with the cold, its song clear and strong. And the striking red cardinals are whistling their hearts out, happy about the coming of spring.
The sound of spring I remember most is that of melt water trickling through a stone pile in a gully in the big field just north of our old farm house. On a snow melting day I'd mush my way out to the field, sometimes with my dad, sometimes alone, and just stand there, listening. It was a tinkling sound, like that of a breeze teasing a glass chandelier. Subtle but definite. A sure sign that spring was just around the corner, although we often couldn't yet see the corner.
The Old Timer says: "A long cold winter helps us appreciate so much more the other three seasons of the year."
The sound of spring I remember most is that of melt water trickling through a stone pile in a gully in the big field just north of our old farm house. On a snow melting day I'd mush my way out to the field, sometimes with my dad, sometimes alone, and just stand there, listening. It was a tinkling sound, like that of a breeze teasing a glass chandelier. Subtle but definite. A sure sign that spring was just around the corner, although we often couldn't yet see the corner.
The Old Timer says: "A long cold winter helps us appreciate so much more the other three seasons of the year."
Saturday, March 01, 2008
March Lions and Lambs
On the first day of March, at the country school I attended, the teacher brought out a corner curled and somewhat faded poster showing a a lion with snowflakes swirling around its head and a lamb, jumping about in a field of flowers. "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb" the words on the poster proclaimed.
Let's keep that hope in our minds as we look out at six feet high snowbanks, icicles longer than your arm, and slippery walkways waiting for an unknowing visitor.
The Old Timer says: "Listen for the quiet, you'll be astounded at what you hear."
Let's keep that hope in our minds as we look out at six feet high snowbanks, icicles longer than your arm, and slippery walkways waiting for an unknowing visitor.
The Old Timer says: "Listen for the quiet, you'll be astounded at what you hear."
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Round Oak Heater
The old stove wasn't much to look at. Black with a silver belt around its middle. Cast iron. The words, "Round Oak" prominently displayed near its top. It stood on the floor near the south wall of the dining room in our old farm house. Along with the cook stove in the kitchen, it tried to heat the drafty place.
Starting in late October, with the help of a couple husky neighbors, we hauled the stove into the dining room from the woodshed where it had spent the warm months. With considerable, "a little this way, no a little that way," and some words not printable, we finally lined up the stove with the stove pipe hole in the floor above it.
Pa closed off the rest of the house, meaning we lived in the kitchen and dining room until the following March. We spent a lot of time huddled by that old heater, especially on below zero mornings. (Our upstairs bedroom was not heated. It depended on the the trickle of heat from the stove pipe that thrust through the room and into the chimney.)
One of the chores for my brothers and me was to keep a pile of chunk wood handy to shove into that hungry old monster. This meant lugging wood into the house from the woodpile out back.
We learned some never forgotten lessons, the most important being patience and right next to it faith. Patience that winter takes awhile, and faith that spring will once more return.
The Old Timer says: "Listen to the quiet on a night when the temperature hovers around zero, a cold moon hangs low on the horizon and not a creature is stirring."
Starting in late October, with the help of a couple husky neighbors, we hauled the stove into the dining room from the woodshed where it had spent the warm months. With considerable, "a little this way, no a little that way," and some words not printable, we finally lined up the stove with the stove pipe hole in the floor above it.
Pa closed off the rest of the house, meaning we lived in the kitchen and dining room until the following March. We spent a lot of time huddled by that old heater, especially on below zero mornings. (Our upstairs bedroom was not heated. It depended on the the trickle of heat from the stove pipe that thrust through the room and into the chimney.)
One of the chores for my brothers and me was to keep a pile of chunk wood handy to shove into that hungry old monster. This meant lugging wood into the house from the woodpile out back.
We learned some never forgotten lessons, the most important being patience and right next to it faith. Patience that winter takes awhile, and faith that spring will once more return.
The Old Timer says: "Listen to the quiet on a night when the temperature hovers around zero, a cold moon hangs low on the horizon and not a creature is stirring."
Monday, February 18, 2008
Snow and More Snow
The snow keeps piling up. A new storm every three days it seems. And none of these wimpy "dustings." Three inches, four inches, ten inches, a foot. Serious snow.
When I was a kid on the farm, such fun we had during the snowy days of winter--skiing, sleding. And the not so fun part. Shoveling paths to the pump house, to the chicken house, to the granary, to the barn, to the straw stack, and how could I forget, to the outhouse that on these winter days was as cold as an ice house.
The Old Timer Says: "These snowy days are great days for reading a book."
When I was a kid on the farm, such fun we had during the snowy days of winter--skiing, sleding. And the not so fun part. Shoveling paths to the pump house, to the chicken house, to the granary, to the barn, to the straw stack, and how could I forget, to the outhouse that on these winter days was as cold as an ice house.
The Old Timer Says: "These snowy days are great days for reading a book."
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wind Chill
One of my father's favorite wintertime sayings was: "When the days lengthen, the cold strengthens." There's a bit of truth to it. The days start adding minutes in January, and the temperature often drops to its lowest during that month. Of course, following the theory, June 20 should be the coldest day of the year. I never asked Pa about that. Thought better of it.
Pa didn't believe in wind chill numbers. He said if it was cold and the wind was blowing, get out of the wind. Any ninny knows to do that.
The idea of "wind chill" traces back to Antarctic explorer, Paul A. Siple. He coined the phrase in 1939. It wasn't until the 1960's and 1970's that wind chill numbers became popular. In 2001, the National Weather Service recalculated wind chill numbers and came up with today's "Wind Chill Index." For instance, if it's really 0 degrees, and the wind is 25 mph, the wind chill index is -24 degrees.
The Old Timer Says: "Put your ear flaps down and your collar up when you head outside. And don't forget, on a cold and windy day, sitting by a crackling fire is about the most pleasant thing there is."
The Old Timer will be gone for a couple weeks. Back in mid-February.
First printing of IN A PICKLE: A FAMILY FARM STORY is about sold out. Don't miss out. Stop at your favorite bookstore, or visit my website and order a copy.
Pa didn't believe in wind chill numbers. He said if it was cold and the wind was blowing, get out of the wind. Any ninny knows to do that.
The idea of "wind chill" traces back to Antarctic explorer, Paul A. Siple. He coined the phrase in 1939. It wasn't until the 1960's and 1970's that wind chill numbers became popular. In 2001, the National Weather Service recalculated wind chill numbers and came up with today's "Wind Chill Index." For instance, if it's really 0 degrees, and the wind is 25 mph, the wind chill index is -24 degrees.
The Old Timer Says: "Put your ear flaps down and your collar up when you head outside. And don't forget, on a cold and windy day, sitting by a crackling fire is about the most pleasant thing there is."
The Old Timer will be gone for a couple weeks. Back in mid-February.
First printing of IN A PICKLE: A FAMILY FARM STORY is about sold out. Don't miss out. Stop at your favorite bookstore, or visit my website and order a copy.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Cold Weather , Wood Stoves & Families
I spent several days at my cabin in central Wisconsin this week. Every morning was below zero, one morning down to -15. I heat the place with a wood stove--something about wood stove heat that is relaxing as well as warming, even though on a cold morning my front side is toasty warm while my back end freezes as I stand in front of the wood burner.
I grew up in an uninsulated farm house heated with two wood stoves. We closed off most of the house in winter except for the kitchen and the dining room. I remember frigid cold mornings and cold evenings, too, when the wind came up and the house shuddered and we huddled close to the Round Oak heater in the dining room.
There was something special about the cold, beyond the inconvenience of a frozen watering tank, and an uncomfortable mile walk to our country school. Cold weather brought families together, literally.
The Old Timer says: "No matter what direction a north wind blows, it always blows cold."
I grew up in an uninsulated farm house heated with two wood stoves. We closed off most of the house in winter except for the kitchen and the dining room. I remember frigid cold mornings and cold evenings, too, when the wind came up and the house shuddered and we huddled close to the Round Oak heater in the dining room.
There was something special about the cold, beyond the inconvenience of a frozen watering tank, and an uncomfortable mile walk to our country school. Cold weather brought families together, literally.
The Old Timer says: "No matter what direction a north wind blows, it always blows cold."
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Winter's Many Moods
Winter is a season of many moods. Strings of cloudy, dark, dreary days. And then a day with clear, bright sunshine on snow covered hills. Pleasant. Followed a day later by a raging storm with snow flying on the wind. And another day, after the storm, quiet, but cold, so cold. A week or so later above freezing temperatures, mushy snow, and dripping eaves. Many moods.
The Old Timer Says: "It's not gonna get done if you don't start doing it."
P.S. Have you read IN A PICKLE: A FAMILY FARM STORY yet? I'm told first printing is almost sold out.
The Old Timer Says: "It's not gonna get done if you don't start doing it."
P.S. Have you read IN A PICKLE: A FAMILY FARM STORY yet? I'm told first printing is almost sold out.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Winter Reading
With short and cloudy days, and long, dark nights, it's a great time to do some winter reading. How about pulling off the shelf Aldo Leopold's A SAND COUNTY ALMANAC.
I first read the book back in the 1950s, and I still read sections from it every so often. For instance, we've just had a January thaw. Leopold writes, "Each year, after the midwinter blizzards, there comes a night of thaw when the tinkle of dripping water is heard in the land. It brings strange stirrings, not only to creatures abed for the night, but to some who have been asleep for the winter." How nicely said.
The Old Timer Says: "January is for slowing down and reflecting, for considering the year that has passed and anticipating the year that is beginning."
I first read the book back in the 1950s, and I still read sections from it every so often. For instance, we've just had a January thaw. Leopold writes, "Each year, after the midwinter blizzards, there comes a night of thaw when the tinkle of dripping water is heard in the land. It brings strange stirrings, not only to creatures abed for the night, but to some who have been asleep for the winter." How nicely said.
The Old Timer Says: "January is for slowing down and reflecting, for considering the year that has passed and anticipating the year that is beginning."
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Ice Fishing
During the Christmas break at our country school, my dad, two brothers and I went ice fishing everyday, no matter what the weather. When we finished the morning chores, we packed the tip-ups, ice chisel, and minnows into the back of our 1936 Plymouth and we were off to the lake. Usually Mt. Morris Lake in Waushara County in those days.
After we cut holes in the ice and set up our tip-ups (used to hook a northern pike if we were lucky) we trudged off to shore and built a small fire where we sat staring through the smoke at our tip-up flags, and where we heard our Uncle's stories and the stories of others who ice fished with us. I have warm memories of those cold days. Oh, we also caught some fish.
The Old Timer says: Don't make too small a hole in the ice when ice fishing. Nothing is more embarrassing or perplexing than to hook a fish too large for the hole. Same with life. Be prepared for the big opportunities; they often come along when you least expect them.
After we cut holes in the ice and set up our tip-ups (used to hook a northern pike if we were lucky) we trudged off to shore and built a small fire where we sat staring through the smoke at our tip-up flags, and where we heard our Uncle's stories and the stories of others who ice fished with us. I have warm memories of those cold days. Oh, we also caught some fish.
The Old Timer says: Don't make too small a hole in the ice when ice fishing. Nothing is more embarrassing or perplexing than to hook a fish too large for the hole. Same with life. Be prepared for the big opportunities; they often come along when you least expect them.
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