Tracks

The tracks came from the south, from the east, from the west through the break in the black willows that keeps the winter winds at bay.  And from the north, too, from the red pine plantation that is a couple hundred yards from the cabin.

            The tracks made by hungry deer converge at the bird feeder that hangs in a big spruce tree standing sentinel in front of the cabin.  Like spokes in a wheel, the tracks converge at the hub, deer hoping for a few seeds spilled by the birds and the red squirrels who visit the feeder many times a day.

            January has been a mean month for the critters at my farm with many days below zero, some days minus 15 and even minus 20 below.  These are real temperatures, not wind chill numbers.  February and March still loom ahead with more cold and snow.

            Winter challenges all nature’s creatures wintering in the north, searching for something to eat and a place out of the wicked wind.  And so the deer come, bucks and does and late fawns, following well-worn tracks in the snow, in search of leftovers at my bird feeder.  Taking winter a day at a time.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Winter with all its beauty can be, and often is, a dangerous time for wildlife.  

SPECIAL EVENT:

            I’ll be speaking and signing books at Garden Expo, Madison Alliant Center:

 Saturday, February 8, 2:15, Mendota 1-2; (Garden Wisdom), and book signing 4-5 p.m., Wisconsin Historical Society Press Booth, #920-921. 

Sunday, February 9, 10:15, Mendota 1-2; (Three-Sisters Garden).  Book signing 1-2 p.m., Wisconsin Historical Society Press Booth, #920-921.

ADDITIONAL COMING EVENTS:

February 23, 2:00 p.m. Gard Theater, Spring Green.  Showing of Winter on the Farm with questions and discussion.  Followed by book signing of THE QUIET SEASON. Sponsored by Wisconsin Public TV and Arcadia Bookstore.

March 6-March 25, Writing retreat, Indian Shores, Florida.

April 5, 7:30 p.m. Stoughton Opera House, Stoughton.  WPT Farm Story, discussion and book signing.

April 7, 7:00 p.m., Kiel Library.  Garden Wisdom presentation and book signing.

April 8, Heritage Hill Historic Center, Green Bay.  Details to be announced.

April 10, 6:30 p.m. Sun Prairie Library, Limping Through Life.

For those interested in purchasing DVDS and Books from the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose, Wisconsin (a fund raiser for them):

A Farm Winter with Jerry Apps, DVD $20.00 shipping included (An hour-long documentary that has aired on public television.)

The Quiet Season by Jerry Apps $25.00 shipping included (Hardcover book about winter memories—A Farm Winter is based on this book.)

The Bundle: A Farm Winter DVD and The Quiet Season hardcover book - Save $5.00 only $40!

Order from:

Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division St.
Wild Rose, WI  54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.org
www.wildroselibrary.org
920-622-3835