One-Hundred Miles

You wouldn't think 100 miles would make so much difference.  But while spring struggles to find itself this year, that distance defines a reluctant spring (southern Wisconsin) and a winter not willing to quit (the rest of the state).

            As I drove north to my farm last Friday, I left behind a cloudy, but no-snow environment to one that gradually turned into full-blown winter when I arrived in Waushara County.  From south of Wautoma on north, the trees hung heavy with ice, many with cracked-off branches.  I spotted few small areas that were snow free.  The lakes were frozen solid—I tried to check my pond, but I couldn't  unless I would strap on snowshoes, which I wasn't quite up to doing.

            To add to the disappointment, shortly after I arrived, it began snowing and by Saturday morning a new inch of that sparkly stuff we gush about when we see it in November covered my truck, and the small patch of bare ground in front of the cabin door.  And it was cold, in the twenties.

            As I watched out the cabin window, four deer, approached the cabin, indeed walked within a few feet of the west side of the building.  I watched them, heads down, searching for anything worth eating and not finding much.  And a bit later, when I was driving, I saw a small flock of wild turkeys sneaking into the brush after crossing the road.  Searching for something to eat and mostly finding winter, lingering, and not willing to quit.

WEBSITE: Check it out.  My website, www.jerryapps.com is updated, thanks to my nephew, Matt Apps who knows how to do these things.

ANNOUNCEMENT:  For 22 years I taught a week-long writing course at The Clearing in Door County.  This year, rather than a week-long workshop, I will be doing two, one-day workshops.  The dates are Saturday, June 22, 9-4, and Saturday, November 2, 9-4.  Contact The Clearing for further information and/or to sign up (www.theclearing.org).

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Okay winter.  You've had your turn.  Time to give it up.

UPCOMING EVENTS (Partial List):

April 16, Frederic Library, 2:00 p.m. Rural Wit and Wisdom

April 18, Monroe Arts Center, 2-4 p.m. Writing Workshop and evening panel presentation.

April 19, Waupun Library, 6:30 p.m. Stories from the Land

April 23, Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio, 11-11:45 a.m.

April 25, Walworth Big Foot Historical Society, 6:00 p.m. Horse Drawn Days

April 30, Barnes and Noble, West Madison, 7:00 p.m. Launch of Limping Through Life and Letters From Hillside Farm.

May 1, Downtown Rotary, Madison.  Noon

May 4, Plainfield Library, 10:00 a.m. Ames County Novels.

May 8, 6:30, Wisconsin Historical Society Museum (Downtown Madison) Breweries of Wisconsin.  Dinner, need reservations.

May 9, Reedsburg Library, 7:00 p.m. Garden Wisdom

May 14, Trempealeau Library, 1:00 p.m. Trempealeau Fourth Graders and 7:00 p.m. Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.

May 15, Magers and Quinn Bookstore, Minneapolis.  Presentation and booksigning.

May 18, Dregni’s, Westby. 10-2:00, Book signing.

May 19, Books and Company, Oconomowoc. 2:00 p.m. Book signing

May 22, Women’s Group, Madison, Noon.  (More info to come)

May 23, Richfield Historical Society, 7:00 p.m. Stories from the land

May 24-31, Colorado

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING “JERRY APPS: A FARM STORY” DVD

DVD Jerry Apps: A Farm Story List $16.95 The Patterson’s price only $15.00 ($20.00 shipped)
Special Bundle Offer exclusively by the Patterson:
Tamarack River Ghost & Jerry Apps: A Farm Story – List $43.90
The Patterson’s Price Only $35.00 ($43.00 shipped)

Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division St. PO Box 305
Wild Rose, WI 54984

(All items are sold by the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library. They will accept checks or cash, they’re sorry but they don’t have any way to accept credit or debit cards, checks should be made out to the Friends of Patterson Memorial Library.