Bodie is a dog. A seven- month old Wheaton Terrier. He is tan, has a cute face and looks something like a Teddy bear. He lives with my son Jeff, wife Sandy and their kids, Christian, Nick, and Libby in Eagle-Vail, Colorado, in the mountains.
Bodie and his family were in Wisconsin this past week, at a cabin on Lake George near Rhinelander. Bodie went swimming and hiking. Bodie ate a lot, and napped a lot.
Bodie showed off a unique part of his developing personality. Much to everyone’s surprise, he demonstrated that he has literary tendencies. He likes novels. One day we caught him chewing on the cover of the paperback edition of my novel, THE TRAVELS OF INCREASE JOSEPH. What more could an author ask—a dog that likes to read. And novels? Wow.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Never stop reading. Read books, all kinds of books, fact and fiction, usual and unusual, and ordinary books written by local people with a story to tell and a message to share.
CHECK THIS OUT: THE TRAVELS OF INCREASE JOSEPH, (UW Press) the first novel in my Ames county historical fiction series is now in paperback. Buy at your favorite bookstore, or order off my website.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
Saturday, October 30. There is still room in my day-long workshop. Contact: The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 4. 10:30 a.m. Flying Farmers Meeting, Holiday Inn, Fond du Lac. Stories from the Land.
August 8-14, The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI. Writing Class.
August 21. Railroad Days, Stonefield Village, Cassville.
August 22, 11:00-3:00, Barnes and Noble, Racine, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
August 25, 7:00 p.m. Bailey’s Harbor Town Hall, Door County Environmental Council. Ames County Novels plus Old Farm.
September 13, 10:00 a.m., Attic Angels Retirement Center, Madison. Horse Drawn Days.
September 14, noon, Waupaca Library, Waupaca, WI. Ames County Novels.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Black-Eyed Susans
With all the rain in central Wisconsin in recent weeks, my prairie has the tallest, thickest grass and the most wild flowers I remember since we began restoring it back in the late 1960s.
Black-eyed Susans have taken center stage for the past couple weeks, they are abundant, they are tall, and they are making a statement this year. For those who may not know, the Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is daisy-type flower, yellow with a brown center. It grows about two to three feet tall. And it likes my sandy, gravely, rather poor prairie soil.
Black-eyed Susans are native to the United States and they take care of themselves—I have not planted one Black-Eyed Susan seed since we began our prairie restoration. They come back year after year, some years more than others.
If you keep track of states and their official flowers, it is Maryland that has claimed the Black-Eyed Susan, since 1918.
More prairie reports later—along with the status of my garden’s three sisters who continue to duke it out.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: All gardeners know better than other gardeners.
CHECK THIS OUT: For those who read the Wisconsin State Journal, look for a review of Horse Drawn Days in the Sunday edition (July 25).
WRITING WORKSHOPS
Saturday, October 30. There is still room in my day-long workshop. Contact: The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 29, 7:00 p.m. Brown Street Books, Rhinelander, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
August 4. 10:30 a.m. Flying Farmers Meeting, Holiday Inn, Fond du Lac. Stories from the Land.
August 8-14, The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI. Writing Class.
August 22, 11:00-3:00, Barnes and Noble, Racine, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
August 25, 7:00 p.m. Bailey’s Harbor Town Hall, Door County Environmental Council. Ames County Novels plus Old Farm.
September 13, 10:00 a.m., Attic Angels Retirement Center, Madison. Horse Drawn Days.
September 14, noon, Waupaca Library, Waupaca, WI. Ames County Novels.
Black-eyed Susans have taken center stage for the past couple weeks, they are abundant, they are tall, and they are making a statement this year. For those who may not know, the Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is daisy-type flower, yellow with a brown center. It grows about two to three feet tall. And it likes my sandy, gravely, rather poor prairie soil.
Black-eyed Susans are native to the United States and they take care of themselves—I have not planted one Black-Eyed Susan seed since we began our prairie restoration. They come back year after year, some years more than others.
If you keep track of states and their official flowers, it is Maryland that has claimed the Black-Eyed Susan, since 1918.
More prairie reports later—along with the status of my garden’s three sisters who continue to duke it out.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: All gardeners know better than other gardeners.
CHECK THIS OUT: For those who read the Wisconsin State Journal, look for a review of Horse Drawn Days in the Sunday edition (July 25).
WRITING WORKSHOPS
Saturday, October 30. There is still room in my day-long workshop. Contact: The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 29, 7:00 p.m. Brown Street Books, Rhinelander, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
August 4. 10:30 a.m. Flying Farmers Meeting, Holiday Inn, Fond du Lac. Stories from the Land.
August 8-14, The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI. Writing Class.
August 22, 11:00-3:00, Barnes and Noble, Racine, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
August 25, 7:00 p.m. Bailey’s Harbor Town Hall, Door County Environmental Council. Ames County Novels plus Old Farm.
September 13, 10:00 a.m., Attic Angels Retirement Center, Madison. Horse Drawn Days.
September 14, noon, Waupaca Library, Waupaca, WI. Ames County Novels.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Three Sisters Still Fighting
For those waiting breathlessly for more about how the three sisters are getting along: They aren’t. Talk about sisters competing with each other. Sister pole bean is so far the bully of the bunch; she has crawled to the top of the stake I pushed in the center of the little garden mound,and has stuck her sticky tendrils a good 18 inches in the air beyond the end of the pole. Searching for an unknown something to latch onto.
Not to be out competed (if that’s a word), sister squash now has leaves a foot across, already has several yellow blossoms, and is also trying to crawl up the center pole, mixing it up with sister pole bean. I’ve never seen anything like it. What a vegetable competition.
Alas, meek and mild sister corn, now about half as tall as the center stake, seems to have accepted defeat in the sister competition. Where will it end? Why can’t the sisters get along—they are supposed to. That’s what I read somewhere. Not only are they supposed to get along, they are supposed to help each other. Care for each other. Look out for each other. Not in my three-sister garden. Cutthroat competition goes on. And may the best sister win.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: You can count the seeds in an apple, but the number of apples in a seed will remain forever a mystery.
CHECK THIS OUT: A new edition of BARNS OF WISCONSIN (Wisconsin Historical Society Press) is now available. Check my website: www.jerryapps.com for details and ordering information.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
Saturday, October 30. There is still room in my day-long writing workshop. Contact: The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 29, 7:00 p.m. Brown Street Books, Rhinelander, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
August 4. 10:30 a.m. Flying Farmers Meeting, Holiday Inn, Fond du Lac. Stories from the Land.
August 8-14, The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI. Writing Class.
August 22, 11:00-3:00, Barnes and Noble, Racine, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
August 25, 7:00 p.m. Bailey’s Harbor Town Hall, Door County Environmental Council. Ames County Novels plus Old Farm.
September 13, 10:00 a.m., Attic Angels Retirement Center, Madison. Horse Drawn Days.
September 14, noon, Waupaca Library, Waupaca, WI. Ames County Novels.
Not to be out competed (if that’s a word), sister squash now has leaves a foot across, already has several yellow blossoms, and is also trying to crawl up the center pole, mixing it up with sister pole bean. I’ve never seen anything like it. What a vegetable competition.
Alas, meek and mild sister corn, now about half as tall as the center stake, seems to have accepted defeat in the sister competition. Where will it end? Why can’t the sisters get along—they are supposed to. That’s what I read somewhere. Not only are they supposed to get along, they are supposed to help each other. Care for each other. Look out for each other. Not in my three-sister garden. Cutthroat competition goes on. And may the best sister win.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: You can count the seeds in an apple, but the number of apples in a seed will remain forever a mystery.
CHECK THIS OUT: A new edition of BARNS OF WISCONSIN (Wisconsin Historical Society Press) is now available. Check my website: www.jerryapps.com for details and ordering information.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
Saturday, October 30. There is still room in my day-long writing workshop. Contact: The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 29, 7:00 p.m. Brown Street Books, Rhinelander, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
August 4. 10:30 a.m. Flying Farmers Meeting, Holiday Inn, Fond du Lac. Stories from the Land.
August 8-14, The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI. Writing Class.
August 22, 11:00-3:00, Barnes and Noble, Racine, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
August 25, 7:00 p.m. Bailey’s Harbor Town Hall, Door County Environmental Council. Ames County Novels plus Old Farm.
September 13, 10:00 a.m., Attic Angels Retirement Center, Madison. Horse Drawn Days.
September 14, noon, Waupaca Library, Waupaca, WI. Ames County Novels.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Ducks or DUKWs
The discussion at the Fourth of July family picnic the other evening got around to the ducks at Wisconsin Dells, and plans to take a tour on them. I pointed out that the folks at the Dells spelled the name of the vehicles incorrectly and that the correct spelling was DUKW. For the reaction I got, you’d think I’d spelled Wisconsin backwards.
The reason I knew the correct spelling is when I was in the U.S. Army Reserve (Transportation Corps) back in the late 50s and early 60s, we had these strange (I thought them strange at the time) vehicles in my battalion. They traveled on land as well as in water. I know that many of you have longed to know this important information, but the letters DUKW are not an acronym, as is so much the case with the U. S. army. The D refers to a vehicle designed in 1942; the U means “Utility-amphibious,” the K refers to front-wheel drive, and the W means two powered rear axles.
The army used DUKWs to transport equipment and troops from ships to shore—each could haul 2 ½ tons of equipment, or up to 12 soldiers. They are 31 feet long, a little over eight feet wide and 7 feet tall. Not exactly a fishing boat. The DUKW fleet’s greatest fame came during D-Day, June 6, 1944, when DUKWs helped bring troops and equipment ashore during that famous battle in WW II. So now you know.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: (He remembers what someone told him) Those who have a fifth on the Fourth have trouble going forth on the fifth.
CHECK THIS OUT: A new paperback edition of THE TRAVELS OF INCREASE JOSEPH (University of Wisconsin Press) is now available. Check my website: www.jerryapps.com
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” The class is full, but you can put your name on a waiting list. There is still room in my day-long workshop, Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 10, 10:30-2:30. Bramble Books, Viroqua. New location: 213 S. Main Street, Viroqua. Horse Drawn Days.
July 11, 10:30-2:30, The Pickle Station, Saxeville, WI. In a Pickle.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
July 29, 7:00 p.m. Brown Street Books, Rhinelander, WI. Horse Drawn Days.
August 4. 10:30 a.m. Flying Farmers Meeting, Holiday Inn, Fond du Lac. Stories from the Land.
August 8-14, The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI. Writing From Your Life Workshop.
August 22, 11:00-3:00, Barnes and Noble, Racine, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
August 25, 7:00 p.m. Bailey’s Harbor Town Hall, Door County Environmental Council.
Ames County Novels.
The reason I knew the correct spelling is when I was in the U.S. Army Reserve (Transportation Corps) back in the late 50s and early 60s, we had these strange (I thought them strange at the time) vehicles in my battalion. They traveled on land as well as in water. I know that many of you have longed to know this important information, but the letters DUKW are not an acronym, as is so much the case with the U. S. army. The D refers to a vehicle designed in 1942; the U means “Utility-amphibious,” the K refers to front-wheel drive, and the W means two powered rear axles.
The army used DUKWs to transport equipment and troops from ships to shore—each could haul 2 ½ tons of equipment, or up to 12 soldiers. They are 31 feet long, a little over eight feet wide and 7 feet tall. Not exactly a fishing boat. The DUKW fleet’s greatest fame came during D-Day, June 6, 1944, when DUKWs helped bring troops and equipment ashore during that famous battle in WW II. So now you know.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: (He remembers what someone told him) Those who have a fifth on the Fourth have trouble going forth on the fifth.
CHECK THIS OUT: A new paperback edition of THE TRAVELS OF INCREASE JOSEPH (University of Wisconsin Press) is now available. Check my website: www.jerryapps.com
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” The class is full, but you can put your name on a waiting list. There is still room in my day-long workshop, Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 10, 10:30-2:30. Bramble Books, Viroqua. New location: 213 S. Main Street, Viroqua. Horse Drawn Days.
July 11, 10:30-2:30, The Pickle Station, Saxeville, WI. In a Pickle.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
July 29, 7:00 p.m. Brown Street Books, Rhinelander, WI. Horse Drawn Days.
August 4. 10:30 a.m. Flying Farmers Meeting, Holiday Inn, Fond du Lac. Stories from the Land.
August 8-14, The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI. Writing From Your Life Workshop.
August 22, 11:00-3:00, Barnes and Noble, Racine, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
August 25, 7:00 p.m. Bailey’s Harbor Town Hall, Door County Environmental Council.
Ames County Novels.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Three Sisters Progress
A few weeks ago I wrote about planting a “three sisters’ garden.” Three sisters refers to planting squash, corn and beans together in a mound. A Native American way of gardening. Corn in the center. Then climbing beans next to the corn and squash around the outside. The beans are supposed to climb up the corn; the squash are expected to shade out any weeds that may grow.
Here’s a progress report. With lots of rain and plenty of warm weather, everything came up, almost at the same time. The corn really needed to have a head start on the beans, which it did not have. The beans are growing wildly, throwing out their climbing tendrils with nothing to latch onto. The corn, wimpy and slow, seemed overwhelmed by the exuberant beans. The squash is growing as squash does this time of the year, slowly.
We weeded the little mound a couple of times, couldn’t wait for the squash. And we cheated a little, too. I stuck a four-foot long stick right dab in the middle of the mound for the wildly thriving beans. Within a day the beans found the stick and seem much happier with something to cling to. The corn, struggling, seems a little put off by what I had done. If corn thinks, it’s probably wondering why I didn’t have a little more patience and wait for it to grow taller so it could accommodate the beans. So far the three sisters are not getting along too well. But I guess most sisters have spats from time-to-time.
More about the experiment later.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: The shortest distance between two points is often not the point.
CHECK THIS OUT: A new edition of BARNS OF WISCONSIN (Wisconsin Historical Society Press) is now available. Go to my website: www.jerryapps.com for details and ordering information.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” The class is full, but you can put your name on a waiting list. There is still room in my day-long workshop, Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 10, 10:30-2:30. Bramble Books, Viroqua. New location: 213 S. Main Street, Viroqua. Horse Drawn Days and more.
July 11, 10:30-2:30, The Pickle Station, Saxeville, WI. In a Pickle and more.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
July 29, 7:00 p.m. Brown Street Books, Rhinelander, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
August 4. 10:30 a.m. Flying Farmers Meeting, Holiday Inn, Fond du Lac. Stories from the Land.
August 8-14, The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI. Writing Class.
August 22, 11:00-3:00, Barnes and Noble, Racine, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
August 25, 7:00 p.m. Bailey’s Harbor Town Hall, Door County Environmental Council. Ames County Novels plus Old Farm.
Here’s a progress report. With lots of rain and plenty of warm weather, everything came up, almost at the same time. The corn really needed to have a head start on the beans, which it did not have. The beans are growing wildly, throwing out their climbing tendrils with nothing to latch onto. The corn, wimpy and slow, seemed overwhelmed by the exuberant beans. The squash is growing as squash does this time of the year, slowly.
We weeded the little mound a couple of times, couldn’t wait for the squash. And we cheated a little, too. I stuck a four-foot long stick right dab in the middle of the mound for the wildly thriving beans. Within a day the beans found the stick and seem much happier with something to cling to. The corn, struggling, seems a little put off by what I had done. If corn thinks, it’s probably wondering why I didn’t have a little more patience and wait for it to grow taller so it could accommodate the beans. So far the three sisters are not getting along too well. But I guess most sisters have spats from time-to-time.
More about the experiment later.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: The shortest distance between two points is often not the point.
CHECK THIS OUT: A new edition of BARNS OF WISCONSIN (Wisconsin Historical Society Press) is now available. Go to my website: www.jerryapps.com for details and ordering information.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” The class is full, but you can put your name on a waiting list. There is still room in my day-long workshop, Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 10, 10:30-2:30. Bramble Books, Viroqua. New location: 213 S. Main Street, Viroqua. Horse Drawn Days and more.
July 11, 10:30-2:30, The Pickle Station, Saxeville, WI. In a Pickle and more.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
July 29, 7:00 p.m. Brown Street Books, Rhinelander, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
August 4. 10:30 a.m. Flying Farmers Meeting, Holiday Inn, Fond du Lac. Stories from the Land.
August 8-14, The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI. Writing Class.
August 22, 11:00-3:00, Barnes and Noble, Racine, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
August 25, 7:00 p.m. Bailey’s Harbor Town Hall, Door County Environmental Council. Ames County Novels plus Old Farm.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Wild Roses
Almost by accident I found several wild rose bushes growing on a hillside on the back part of my farm. I was driving my Gator along the prairie trail and my eye caught a spot of pink among the grasses that grew there. I had not seen wild roses here before; the last plants I saw grew alongside the trail to the pond, and had been snuffed out by the over competitive buckthorn that grows everywhere these days.
I discovered not only one wild rose bush, small and rather fragile, but perhaps a dozen. And several were in bloom. For those not familiar, the wild rose flower has five petals, light pink in color. They have a wonderful, quiet, but distinctive aroma. No other rose compares, at least not in my judgment.
Wild roses have a special place on my farm, for the township where my farm is located is called Rose, and the nearest village is Wild Rose. Some claim both the township and the village were named after the wild roses found growing here. Others say, no doubt correctly, that these places were named after Rose, New York in Wayne County, where many of the settlers in this area had first lived.
The wild rose is state flower for Iowa and for the Province of Alberta in Canada. Alas, Wisconsin chose the wood violet as its state flower, missing an opportunity to give this native flower a bit more glory.
To see a photo of a wild rose, go to my son, Steve’s blog: http://steveappsblog.com/?p=547
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Tall trees don’t always provide the most shade
CHECK THIS OUT: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Jerry-Apps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” The class is full, but you can put your name on a waiting list. There is still room in my day-long workshop, Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 10, 10:30-2:30. Bramble Books, Viroqua. New location: 213 S. Main Street, Viroqua. Horse Drawn Days.
July 11, 10:30-2:30, The Pickle Station, Saxeville, WI. In a Pickle.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
July 29, 7:00 p.m. Brown Street Books, Rhinelander, WI. Horse Drawn Days.
August 4. 10:30 a.m. Flying Farmers Meeting, Holiday Inn, Fond du Lac. Stories from the Land.
August 8-14, The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI. Writing Class.
August 22, 11:00-3:00, Barnes and Noble, Racine, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
I discovered not only one wild rose bush, small and rather fragile, but perhaps a dozen. And several were in bloom. For those not familiar, the wild rose flower has five petals, light pink in color. They have a wonderful, quiet, but distinctive aroma. No other rose compares, at least not in my judgment.
Wild roses have a special place on my farm, for the township where my farm is located is called Rose, and the nearest village is Wild Rose. Some claim both the township and the village were named after the wild roses found growing here. Others say, no doubt correctly, that these places were named after Rose, New York in Wayne County, where many of the settlers in this area had first lived.
The wild rose is state flower for Iowa and for the Province of Alberta in Canada. Alas, Wisconsin chose the wood violet as its state flower, missing an opportunity to give this native flower a bit more glory.
To see a photo of a wild rose, go to my son, Steve’s blog: http://steveappsblog.com/?p=547
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Tall trees don’t always provide the most shade
CHECK THIS OUT: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Jerry-Apps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” The class is full, but you can put your name on a waiting list. There is still room in my day-long workshop, Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 10, 10:30-2:30. Bramble Books, Viroqua. New location: 213 S. Main Street, Viroqua. Horse Drawn Days.
July 11, 10:30-2:30, The Pickle Station, Saxeville, WI. In a Pickle.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
July 29, 7:00 p.m. Brown Street Books, Rhinelander, WI. Horse Drawn Days.
August 4. 10:30 a.m. Flying Farmers Meeting, Holiday Inn, Fond du Lac. Stories from the Land.
August 8-14, The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI. Writing Class.
August 22, 11:00-3:00, Barnes and Noble, Racine, WI. Horse Drawn Days and more.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Pioneer Days
Want to learn more about pioneer days in Wisconsin, 1850s to 1900? My novel, THE TRAVELS OF INCREASE JOSEPH (University of Wisconsin Press) is now available in paperback. Here are two reviews for the book to give you some idea of its contents:
Like all of Jerry’s books, Travels is steeped in meticulous research, but this time Jerry has let his imagination have at the facts. We follow the career of Increase Joseph Link from the time he gets drummed out of theology school until his death. His calling to preach comes in the form of a literal lightning bolt and leads him to form the church of the Standalone Fellowship, based on teachings contained in a mysterious red book the preacher keeps with him at all times and never lets anyone else read. When not preaching a gospel of God, man, and the land, pastor Link peddles a cure-all tonic (the recipe also remains his secret, but I'm betting on a high alcohol content) that sells for "50 cents, or two for a dollar." It's a wonderful read and an education in Wisconsin history and the formation of America. I highly recommend it. Marshal Cook
The Travels of Increase Joseph by Jerry Apps is a superbly crafted historical novel of a pioneer preacher who came to the wildlands of Wisconsin in 1852 with his small gathering of followers, the Standalone Fellowship. Supporting the Fellowship by selling his special curative tonic, and delivering oratory and with powerful messages that are nothing short of spellbinding, Joseph Link dared to speak out as he journeyed and his words and ideas made an impression that stayed. The Travels of Increase Joseph is a most thoughtful and wonderfully entertaining read. Jerry Apps writes with vibrant character and has a penchant for making Wisconsin history come alive. Midwest Book Review.
Check your local bookstore, or order from my website, www.jerryapps.com.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: The land comes first. It’s the land; we must learn to listen to it, and take care of it.
CHECK THIS OUT: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Jerry-Apps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” The class is full, but you can put your name on a waiting list. There is still room in my day-long workshop, Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 10, 10:30-2:30. Bramble Books, Viroqua. New location: 213 S. Main Street, Viroqua. Horse Drawn Days.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
July 29, 7:00 p.m. Brown Street Books, Rhinelander, WI. Horse Drawn Days.
Like all of Jerry’s books, Travels is steeped in meticulous research, but this time Jerry has let his imagination have at the facts. We follow the career of Increase Joseph Link from the time he gets drummed out of theology school until his death. His calling to preach comes in the form of a literal lightning bolt and leads him to form the church of the Standalone Fellowship, based on teachings contained in a mysterious red book the preacher keeps with him at all times and never lets anyone else read. When not preaching a gospel of God, man, and the land, pastor Link peddles a cure-all tonic (the recipe also remains his secret, but I'm betting on a high alcohol content) that sells for "50 cents, or two for a dollar." It's a wonderful read and an education in Wisconsin history and the formation of America. I highly recommend it. Marshal Cook
The Travels of Increase Joseph by Jerry Apps is a superbly crafted historical novel of a pioneer preacher who came to the wildlands of Wisconsin in 1852 with his small gathering of followers, the Standalone Fellowship. Supporting the Fellowship by selling his special curative tonic, and delivering oratory and with powerful messages that are nothing short of spellbinding, Joseph Link dared to speak out as he journeyed and his words and ideas made an impression that stayed. The Travels of Increase Joseph is a most thoughtful and wonderfully entertaining read. Jerry Apps writes with vibrant character and has a penchant for making Wisconsin history come alive. Midwest Book Review.
Check your local bookstore, or order from my website, www.jerryapps.com.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: The land comes first. It’s the land; we must learn to listen to it, and take care of it.
CHECK THIS OUT: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Jerry-Apps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” The class is full, but you can put your name on a waiting list. There is still room in my day-long workshop, Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 10, 10:30-2:30. Bramble Books, Viroqua. New location: 213 S. Main Street, Viroqua. Horse Drawn Days.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
July 29, 7:00 p.m. Brown Street Books, Rhinelander, WI. Horse Drawn Days.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Horse Drawn Days at Stonefield
Wisconsin Historical Society’s Stonefield Village, near Cassville, celebrated Horse Drawn Days this past Saturday. People toured the agricultural museum of horse-drawn farm implements, watched a farrier shoe horses, rode a horse-drawn carriage, saw a log cutting demonstration, and observed broom making.
Watching Randy Moshead and his three-horse team plow a small field in front of the museum delighted those who came to the day-long event. Children and adults gathered to watch Randy’s team pull a one bottom riding-plow that turned over ribbons of black soil. Slowly and deliberately the team worked and by day’s end much of the field was plowed.
A comment heard from those who watched, “How quiet it is when horses pull a plow.” Indeed, no roaring engines, no smell of diesel fumes, just the occasionally soft jingle of a harness chains and an even softer commands from the driver.
The Saturday event took many of us back to the days when horses pulled the plows, when the sounds were those of the birds and the soft spring breezes, and the smells were those of freshly turned soil and horse sweat. And no one was in a hurry.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: When you farm with horses, you are never alone.
CHECK THIS OUT: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Jerry-Apps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” The class is full, but you can put your name on a waiting list. There is still room in my day-long workshop, Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 15, 12:00 noon. Wis Historical Society Museum on the Square. Horse Drawn Days.
June 16, 11:45-12:30. Wisconsin Public Radio, Larry Meiller Show. Horse Drawn Days.
June 18, 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. SE Wisconsin Festival of Books, UW-Waukesha campus.
Ames County Novels.
July 10, 10:30-2:30. Bramble Books, Viroqua. New location: 213 S. Main Street, Viroqua. Horse Drawn Days.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
Watching Randy Moshead and his three-horse team plow a small field in front of the museum delighted those who came to the day-long event. Children and adults gathered to watch Randy’s team pull a one bottom riding-plow that turned over ribbons of black soil. Slowly and deliberately the team worked and by day’s end much of the field was plowed.
A comment heard from those who watched, “How quiet it is when horses pull a plow.” Indeed, no roaring engines, no smell of diesel fumes, just the occasionally soft jingle of a harness chains and an even softer commands from the driver.
The Saturday event took many of us back to the days when horses pulled the plows, when the sounds were those of the birds and the soft spring breezes, and the smells were those of freshly turned soil and horse sweat. And no one was in a hurry.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: When you farm with horses, you are never alone.
CHECK THIS OUT: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Jerry-Apps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” The class is full, but you can put your name on a waiting list. There is still room in my day-long workshop, Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 15, 12:00 noon. Wis Historical Society Museum on the Square. Horse Drawn Days.
June 16, 11:45-12:30. Wisconsin Public Radio, Larry Meiller Show. Horse Drawn Days.
June 18, 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. SE Wisconsin Festival of Books, UW-Waukesha campus.
Ames County Novels.
July 10, 10:30-2:30. Bramble Books, Viroqua. New location: 213 S. Main Street, Viroqua. Horse Drawn Days.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Whip-poor-wills
I heard whip-poor-wills calling at the farm the other night. Just after the sun went down, on a still evening without another sound. Their calls echoed through the valley below our cabin, a haunting call that reminded me of my growing up years on the farm.
We usually heard the first whip-poor-wills in late May, after the grass had greened up, the oat crop was lush and growing, and we had the corn ground ready for planting. Pa said the whip-poor-wills were calling, “Plant your corn, plant your corn.” It sounded like that as the seldom seen night birds called their name over and over, sometimes a dozen or more times in a row.
When we heard the whip-poor-wills the other night, my son, Steve said that it was one of his favorite sounds at our farm when he was a kid. It was one of my favorite sounds when I was a kid as well.
THE OLD TIMER SAW THIS ON A T-SHIRT. “I was born with nothing and I have most of it left.”
CHECK THIS OUT: http://twitter.com/jerryapps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” The class is full, but you can put your name on a waiting list. There is still room in my day-long workshop, Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org. P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 8, 7:00 p.m. Launch for Horse Drawn Days book, Barnes and Noble West Madison.
June 9, 10:30 a.m. College Days, UW-Madison campus. Ames County Historical Fiction Series.
June 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horse Drawn Days at Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI. Discussion of book and demonstrations with horses and horse drawn equipment.
June 15, 12:00 noon. Wis Historical Society Museum on the Square. Horse Drawn Days.
June 16, 11:45-12:30. Wisconsin Public Radio, Larry Meiller Show. Horse Drawn Days.
June 18, 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. SE Wisconsin Festival of Books, UW-Waukesha campus.
Ames County Novels.
July 10, 10:30-2:30. Bramble Books, Viroqua. New location: 213 S. Main Street, Viroqua. Horse Drawn Days.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
We usually heard the first whip-poor-wills in late May, after the grass had greened up, the oat crop was lush and growing, and we had the corn ground ready for planting. Pa said the whip-poor-wills were calling, “Plant your corn, plant your corn.” It sounded like that as the seldom seen night birds called their name over and over, sometimes a dozen or more times in a row.
When we heard the whip-poor-wills the other night, my son, Steve said that it was one of his favorite sounds at our farm when he was a kid. It was one of my favorite sounds when I was a kid as well.
THE OLD TIMER SAW THIS ON A T-SHIRT. “I was born with nothing and I have most of it left.”
CHECK THIS OUT: http://twitter.com/jerryapps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” The class is full, but you can put your name on a waiting list. There is still room in my day-long workshop, Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org. P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 8, 7:00 p.m. Launch for Horse Drawn Days book, Barnes and Noble West Madison.
June 9, 10:30 a.m. College Days, UW-Madison campus. Ames County Historical Fiction Series.
June 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horse Drawn Days at Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI. Discussion of book and demonstrations with horses and horse drawn equipment.
June 15, 12:00 noon. Wis Historical Society Museum on the Square. Horse Drawn Days.
June 16, 11:45-12:30. Wisconsin Public Radio, Larry Meiller Show. Horse Drawn Days.
June 18, 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. SE Wisconsin Festival of Books, UW-Waukesha campus.
Ames County Novels.
July 10, 10:30-2:30. Bramble Books, Viroqua. New location: 213 S. Main Street, Viroqua. Horse Drawn Days.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Bears
Bears have lived in Wisconsin for hundreds of years, mostly in the north, in the big woods of the North Country. But in recent years they’ve begun moving south, into the central regions of the state, and more recently into the southern counties. The DNR estimates suggest from 22,000 to 40,000 black bears living in our state.
This past week a bear was spotted in Waunakee, just north of Madison. And recently bears have been spotted at Wisconsin Dells, Portage, and near Oshkosh. People are curious, a bit nervous and somewhat unsettled about bears moving into populated areas. Some suggest a bear is just a big dog. They are not. A male bear will weigh from 250-350 pounds and more and the females 120-180 pounds and more.
June and July is the mating season for bears, so they are on the prowl, looking for food, searching for love, and often creating quite a nuisance besides getting themselves killed on the highways. The DNR suggests: take down your bird feeder, be careful with garbage and never feed a bear. Oh, and don’t crowd up close to one for a photo. Remember, they are wild animals and should be treated as such.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: To know what you believe, you’ve got to know what you don’t believe.
JERRY IS NOW ON FACE BOOK: http://www.facebook.com/jerryapps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. Week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” The class is full, but you can put your name on a waiting list. There is still room in my day-long workshop, Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 8, 7:00 p.m. Launch for Horse Drawn Days book, Barnes and Noble West Madison.
June 9, 10:30 a.m. College Days, UW-Madison campus. Ames County Historical Fiction Series.
June 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horse Drawn Days at Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI. Discussion of book and demonstrations with horses and horse drawn equipment.
June 15, 12:00 noon. Wis Historical Society Museum on the Square. Horse Drawn Days.
June 16, 11:45-12:30. Wisconsin Public Radio, Larry Meiller Show. Horse Drawn Days.
June 18, 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. SE Wisconsin Festival of Books, UW-Waukesha campus. Ames County Novels.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
This past week a bear was spotted in Waunakee, just north of Madison. And recently bears have been spotted at Wisconsin Dells, Portage, and near Oshkosh. People are curious, a bit nervous and somewhat unsettled about bears moving into populated areas. Some suggest a bear is just a big dog. They are not. A male bear will weigh from 250-350 pounds and more and the females 120-180 pounds and more.
June and July is the mating season for bears, so they are on the prowl, looking for food, searching for love, and often creating quite a nuisance besides getting themselves killed on the highways. The DNR suggests: take down your bird feeder, be careful with garbage and never feed a bear. Oh, and don’t crowd up close to one for a photo. Remember, they are wild animals and should be treated as such.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: To know what you believe, you’ve got to know what you don’t believe.
JERRY IS NOW ON FACE BOOK: http://www.facebook.com/jerryapps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. Week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” The class is full, but you can put your name on a waiting list. There is still room in my day-long workshop, Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 8, 7:00 p.m. Launch for Horse Drawn Days book, Barnes and Noble West Madison.
June 9, 10:30 a.m. College Days, UW-Madison campus. Ames County Historical Fiction Series.
June 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horse Drawn Days at Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI. Discussion of book and demonstrations with horses and horse drawn equipment.
June 15, 12:00 noon. Wis Historical Society Museum on the Square. Horse Drawn Days.
June 16, 11:45-12:30. Wisconsin Public Radio, Larry Meiller Show. Horse Drawn Days.
June 18, 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. SE Wisconsin Festival of Books, UW-Waukesha campus. Ames County Novels.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Three Sisters Garden
Long before white people arrived in this part of the world, numerous Indian tribes grew gardens. The three most popular garden crops grown were corn, squash and beans—crops that became known as the “Three Sisters.” The crops were grown together in close proximity. In a mounded circle about two to three feet across, the Indians planted several corn seeds in the center. Pole-type beans were planted a few inches away from the corn seeds, and squash seeds were planted around the outside of the mound.
The pole beans climbed up the corn stalks and the squash rambled around the mound, shading out weeds. The three crops worked together rather than competed with each other, which is more often the case in a garden.
I’m planning to try an experiment with Three Sisters in my garden this year. We’ll see what happens.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: If it’s not bothering you, leave it alone.
JERRY IS NOW ON FACE BOOK: http://www.facebook.com/jerryapps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” And a day-long workshop on Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 8, 7:00 p.m. Launch for Horse Drawn Days book, Barnes and Noble West Madison.
June 9, 10:30 a.m. College Days, UW-Madison campus. Ames County Historical Fiction Series.
June 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horse Drawn Days at Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI. Discussion of book and demonstrations with horses and horse drawn equipment.
June 15, 12:00 noon. Wis Historical Society Museum on the Square. Horse Drawn Days.
June 16, 11:45-12:30. Wisconsin Public Radio, Larry Meiller Show. Horse Drawn Days
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
The pole beans climbed up the corn stalks and the squash rambled around the mound, shading out weeds. The three crops worked together rather than competed with each other, which is more often the case in a garden.
I’m planning to try an experiment with Three Sisters in my garden this year. We’ll see what happens.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: If it’s not bothering you, leave it alone.
JERRY IS NOW ON FACE BOOK: http://www.facebook.com/jerryapps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” And a day-long workshop on Saturday, October 30. The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 8, 7:00 p.m. Launch for Horse Drawn Days book, Barnes and Noble West Madison.
June 9, 10:30 a.m. College Days, UW-Madison campus. Ames County Historical Fiction Series.
June 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horse Drawn Days at Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI. Discussion of book and demonstrations with horses and horse drawn equipment.
June 15, 12:00 noon. Wis Historical Society Museum on the Square. Horse Drawn Days.
June 16, 11:45-12:30. Wisconsin Public Radio, Larry Meiller Show. Horse Drawn Days
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Sandhill Cranes at the Pond
Daughter Sue, Paul and our grandsons, Josh and Ben, stood on the shore of our pond last week, enjoying the beautiful day. Grandson Ben decided to go exploring and soon discovered he’d come too close to a sandhill crane nest. The birds began calling, then one of them displayed the classic dropped wing act to feign injury to lure an intruder away from the nest. As we watched they called again and again, their calls echoing through the valley. When Ben retreated, the sandhills calmed down. They usually hatch two little ones—I’ll keep watch for them.
For several years a pair of sandhill cranes has nested at our pond. What beautiful birds they are. They stand up to five feet tall with a wingspan of five to six feet. Mostly gray, they have red foreheads and long dark beaks. But perhaps most memorable of all is their call, a throaty, trumpeting, prehistoric sound that once heard is never forgotten. No other bird has a call like it, not even close.
Big blue herons are the other big birds we sometimes see at the pond. Both the sandhills and the big blues have long spindly legs and both may be seen wading in the water. One easy way to tell herons and cranes apart is how they fly. Cranes fly with their necks outstretched; herons fly with their necks tucked back. The big blue heron’s calls are dramatically different too, the big blue heron makes a kind of croaking sound, nothing speculator about it at all.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Life is simpler when you plow around the stump
JERRY IS NOW ON FACE BOOK: http://www.facebook.com/jerryapps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” And a day-long workshop on Saturday, October 30.
The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org
P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 20, 11:00 a.m., Southern Lakes Retired Teachers, 616 Droster Avenue, Burlington. (One-Room Schools)
June 8, 7:00 p.m. Launch for Horse Drawn Days, Barnes and Noble West Madison.
June 9, 10:30 a.m. College Days, UW-Madison campus. Ames County Series.
June 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horse Drawn Days at Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI. Discussion of book and demonstrations with horses and horse drawn equipment.
June 15, 12:00 noon. Wis Historical Society Museum on the Square. Horse Drawn Days.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
For several years a pair of sandhill cranes has nested at our pond. What beautiful birds they are. They stand up to five feet tall with a wingspan of five to six feet. Mostly gray, they have red foreheads and long dark beaks. But perhaps most memorable of all is their call, a throaty, trumpeting, prehistoric sound that once heard is never forgotten. No other bird has a call like it, not even close.
Big blue herons are the other big birds we sometimes see at the pond. Both the sandhills and the big blues have long spindly legs and both may be seen wading in the water. One easy way to tell herons and cranes apart is how they fly. Cranes fly with their necks outstretched; herons fly with their necks tucked back. The big blue heron’s calls are dramatically different too, the big blue heron makes a kind of croaking sound, nothing speculator about it at all.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Life is simpler when you plow around the stump
JERRY IS NOW ON FACE BOOK: http://www.facebook.com/jerryapps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” And a day-long workshop on Saturday, October 30.
The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org
P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 20, 11:00 a.m., Southern Lakes Retired Teachers, 616 Droster Avenue, Burlington. (One-Room Schools)
June 8, 7:00 p.m. Launch for Horse Drawn Days, Barnes and Noble West Madison.
June 9, 10:30 a.m. College Days, UW-Madison campus. Ames County Series.
June 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horse Drawn Days at Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI. Discussion of book and demonstrations with horses and horse drawn equipment.
June 15, 12:00 noon. Wis Historical Society Museum on the Square. Horse Drawn Days.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
Sunday, May 09, 2010
May Snow
Snow in May. The mean side of winter showing its face once more. It comes in the night with big fluffy flakes floating out of a dirty gray sky. Hiding the recently mowed lawns, gathering on the newly emerged leaves and flower buds, covering the vegetable garden with a late, cold coat of white.
A robin sits in the spruce tree in front of the cabin this chilly, snowy May morning. Its feathers fluffed; it has an angry look in its eyes. The robin’s attitude is as chilly as the morning. The robin represents the thoughts and feelings of most creatures this May day.
What happened? What went wrong? Why would Mother Nature allow winter to throw a sucker punch? It’s just not right.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Rain in May is a barn full of hay. Snow in May is . . .a surprise.
JERRY IS NOW ON FACE BOOK: http://www.facebook.com/jerryapps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” And a day-long workshop on Saturday, October 30.
The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org
P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 16, 2:00 p.m. Glenwood City Historical Society, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 615 Maple Street, Glenwood City. Call 715-796-560 for further details. (Old Farm: A History)
May 20, 11:00 a.m., Southern Lakes Retired Teachers, 616 Droster Avenue, Burlington. (One-Room Schools)
June 8, 7:00 p.m. Launch for Horse Drawn Days, Barnes and Noble West Madison.
June 9, 10:30 a.m. College Days, UW-Madison campus. Ames County Series.
June 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horse Drawn Days at Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI. Discussion of book and demonstrations with horses and horse drawn equipment.
June 15, 12:00 noon. Wis Historical Society Museum on the Square. Horse Drawn Days.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
A robin sits in the spruce tree in front of the cabin this chilly, snowy May morning. Its feathers fluffed; it has an angry look in its eyes. The robin’s attitude is as chilly as the morning. The robin represents the thoughts and feelings of most creatures this May day.
What happened? What went wrong? Why would Mother Nature allow winter to throw a sucker punch? It’s just not right.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Rain in May is a barn full of hay. Snow in May is . . .a surprise.
JERRY IS NOW ON FACE BOOK: http://www.facebook.com/jerryapps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” And a day-long workshop on Saturday, October 30.
The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org
P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 16, 2:00 p.m. Glenwood City Historical Society, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 615 Maple Street, Glenwood City. Call 715-796-560 for further details. (Old Farm: A History)
May 20, 11:00 a.m., Southern Lakes Retired Teachers, 616 Droster Avenue, Burlington. (One-Room Schools)
June 8, 7:00 p.m. Launch for Horse Drawn Days, Barnes and Noble West Madison.
June 9, 10:30 a.m. College Days, UW-Madison campus. Ames County Series.
June 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horse Drawn Days at Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI. Discussion of book and demonstrations with horses and horse drawn equipment.
June 15, 12:00 noon. Wis Historical Society Museum on the Square. Horse Drawn Days.
July 13, 7:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Central Wis. Launch of Horse Drawn Days.
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Rhubarb
We pulled some rhubarb this week, and just in time, too. It was starting to bolt. Some of the stalks had grown more than three-feet tall with leaves the size of elephant ears.
I have many memories of rhubarb as we had a big patch on the home farm. When the rhubarb was ready we knew that spring had surely arrived with no turning back. No winter relapses.
My mother made rhubarb sauce—sour and unappealing. But my dad assured us we must eat it as it “purified the blood” after a long dreary winter. So we did, but not without complaint.
Ruth made rhubarb crisp. Not even a distant relative of rhubarb sauce for rhubarb crisp is tangy--sweet, providing our first taste of spring.
Rhubarb Crisp
4 cups rhubarb, chopped
1 cup flour
¾ cup oatmeal
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix together the flour, oatmeal, brown sugar and cinnamon.
Add butter or margarine to the flour mixture until crumbly.
Press about half of flour mixture into a 9 x 13 greased pan.
Combine sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Add water and vanilla. Cook this sugar water mixture over medium heat until clear, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
Add rhubarb to the sugar-water mixture coating the rhubarb.
Pour rhubarb over crust. Place remaining flour crumbs on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
JERRY IS NOW ON FACE BOOK: http://www.facebook.com/jerryapps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” And a day-long workshop on Saturday, October 30.
The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org
P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 3, 3:00-7:00 p.m. Local History Expo, Sheboygan County Area Historical Community, Range Line Inn, 170 Range Line Road, Kohler. (6:00 p.m. presentation, Old Farm a History.)
May 16, 1:00 p.m. Glenwood City Historical Society, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 615 Maple Street, Glenwood City. Call 715-796-560 for further details. (Old Farm: A History)
May 20, 11:00 a.m., Southern Lakes Retired Teachers, 616 Droster Avenue, Burlington. (One-Room Schools)
June 8, 7:00 p.m. Launch for Horse Drawn Days, Barnes and Noble West Madison.
June 9, 10:30 a.m. College Days, UW-Madison campus. Ames County Series.
June 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horse Drawn Days at Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI. Discussion of book and demonstrations of horse drawn equipment.
I have many memories of rhubarb as we had a big patch on the home farm. When the rhubarb was ready we knew that spring had surely arrived with no turning back. No winter relapses.
My mother made rhubarb sauce—sour and unappealing. But my dad assured us we must eat it as it “purified the blood” after a long dreary winter. So we did, but not without complaint.
Ruth made rhubarb crisp. Not even a distant relative of rhubarb sauce for rhubarb crisp is tangy--sweet, providing our first taste of spring.
Rhubarb Crisp
4 cups rhubarb, chopped
1 cup flour
¾ cup oatmeal
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix together the flour, oatmeal, brown sugar and cinnamon.
Add butter or margarine to the flour mixture until crumbly.
Press about half of flour mixture into a 9 x 13 greased pan.
Combine sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Add water and vanilla. Cook this sugar water mixture over medium heat until clear, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
Add rhubarb to the sugar-water mixture coating the rhubarb.
Pour rhubarb over crust. Place remaining flour crumbs on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
JERRY IS NOW ON FACE BOOK: http://www.facebook.com/jerryapps
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” And a day-long workshop on Saturday, October 30.
The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org
P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 3, 3:00-7:00 p.m. Local History Expo, Sheboygan County Area Historical Community, Range Line Inn, 170 Range Line Road, Kohler. (6:00 p.m. presentation, Old Farm a History.)
May 16, 1:00 p.m. Glenwood City Historical Society, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 615 Maple Street, Glenwood City. Call 715-796-560 for further details. (Old Farm: A History)
May 20, 11:00 a.m., Southern Lakes Retired Teachers, 616 Droster Avenue, Burlington. (One-Room Schools)
June 8, 7:00 p.m. Launch for Horse Drawn Days, Barnes and Noble West Madison.
June 9, 10:30 a.m. College Days, UW-Madison campus. Ames County Series.
June 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horse Drawn Days at Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI. Discussion of book and demonstrations of horse drawn equipment.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Rainy Day
Raindrops on the windows this dark and dreary morning. Raindrops drumming on the roof. Sounds of April. Sounds of spring. Much needed rain for the gardens and fields, for the animals and birds, for the little trees I planted a couple weeks ago that desperately need water to survive.
Growing up on a sandy farm I learned to never ever say a bad word about rain. No matter if it interrupted spring planting, or challenged a daughter’s wedding party. Like the land itself, rain was, is and forever will be a necessity of life.
So on a rainy day like this one, put on your old ratty Filson hat, your well worn raincoat and hike in the rain like you did when you were a kid. Walking in the rain is special.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: A rainy day is a glorious day.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” Contact www.theclearing.org or call 877-854-3225 for registration information.
October 30. Day-long writing workshop at The Clearing.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 28, 7:00 p.m. Kiel Public Library, (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 30, 10:45 & 1:10, WEAC Retired, Sheraton Madison Hotel (Stories from the land)
May 3, 3:00-7:00 p.m. Local History Expo, Sheboygan County Area Historical Community, Range Line Inn, 170 Range Line Road, Kohler. (6:00 p.m. presentation, Old Farm a History.)
May 16, 1:00 p.m. Glenwood City Historical Society, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 615 Maple Street, Glenwood City. Call 715-796-560 for further details. (Old Farm: A History)
May 20, 11:00 a.m., Southern Lakes Retired Teachers, 616 Droster Avenue, Burlington. (One-Room Schools)
Growing up on a sandy farm I learned to never ever say a bad word about rain. No matter if it interrupted spring planting, or challenged a daughter’s wedding party. Like the land itself, rain was, is and forever will be a necessity of life.
So on a rainy day like this one, put on your old ratty Filson hat, your well worn raincoat and hike in the rain like you did when you were a kid. Walking in the rain is special.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: A rainy day is a glorious day.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” Contact www.theclearing.org or call 877-854-3225 for registration information.
October 30. Day-long writing workshop at The Clearing.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 28, 7:00 p.m. Kiel Public Library, (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 30, 10:45 & 1:10, WEAC Retired, Sheraton Madison Hotel (Stories from the land)
May 3, 3:00-7:00 p.m. Local History Expo, Sheboygan County Area Historical Community, Range Line Inn, 170 Range Line Road, Kohler. (6:00 p.m. presentation, Old Farm a History.)
May 16, 1:00 p.m. Glenwood City Historical Society, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 615 Maple Street, Glenwood City. Call 715-796-560 for further details. (Old Farm: A History)
May 20, 11:00 a.m., Southern Lakes Retired Teachers, 616 Droster Avenue, Burlington. (One-Room Schools)
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Early Garden Planting
We planted our early garden crops last week. Potatoes, both white and red, radishes, carrots, peas, and a long row of onions. I’ll plant more early crops next week, lettuce and beets, but will hold off with the tender crops, the tomatoes and peppers, until the end of May. Too often I’ve been fooled by the warm days of early spring when I set out my tomatoes early and saw them die with a late spring frost.
I have planted a vegetable garden at Roshara every year since 1967. Each gardening year has its mysteries and challenges, its joys and disappointments. Gardening seems a lot like life in those respects.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: You can bury a lot of troubles digging in your garden.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” Contact www.theclearing.org or call 877-854-3225 for registration information.
October 30. Day-long writing workshop at The Clearing.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 22, 6:00 p.m. Walworth-Big Foot Historical Society Banquet. (One-Room Schools)
April 23, 3:00 p.m. UW-Madison, Day on Campus: Food Summit. Memorial Union. (A brief look at history of Agriculture in Wisconsin)
April 28, 7:00 p.m. Kiel Public Library, (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 30, 10:45 & 1:10, WEAC Retired, Sheraton Madison Hotel (Stories from the land)
May 3, 3:00-7:00 p.m. Local History Expo, Sheboygan County Area Historical Community, Range Line Inn, 170 Range Line Road, Kohler. (6:00 p.m. presentation, Old Farm a History.)
May 16, 1:00 p.m. Glenwood City Historical Society, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 615 Maple Street, Glenwood City. Call 715-796-560 for further details. (Old Farm: A History)
May 20, 11:00 a.m., Southern Lakes Retired Teachers, 616 Droster Avenue, Burlington. (One-Room Schools)
I have planted a vegetable garden at Roshara every year since 1967. Each gardening year has its mysteries and challenges, its joys and disappointments. Gardening seems a lot like life in those respects.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: You can bury a lot of troubles digging in your garden.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” Contact www.theclearing.org or call 877-854-3225 for registration information.
October 30. Day-long writing workshop at The Clearing.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 22, 6:00 p.m. Walworth-Big Foot Historical Society Banquet. (One-Room Schools)
April 23, 3:00 p.m. UW-Madison, Day on Campus: Food Summit. Memorial Union. (A brief look at history of Agriculture in Wisconsin)
April 28, 7:00 p.m. Kiel Public Library, (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 30, 10:45 & 1:10, WEAC Retired, Sheraton Madison Hotel (Stories from the land)
May 3, 3:00-7:00 p.m. Local History Expo, Sheboygan County Area Historical Community, Range Line Inn, 170 Range Line Road, Kohler. (6:00 p.m. presentation, Old Farm a History.)
May 16, 1:00 p.m. Glenwood City Historical Society, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 615 Maple Street, Glenwood City. Call 715-796-560 for further details. (Old Farm: A History)
May 20, 11:00 a.m., Southern Lakes Retired Teachers, 616 Droster Avenue, Burlington. (One-Room Schools)
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Tree Planting at Roshara
We planted trees at the farm this weekend. Two-hundred of them. All Red Pine, six to 12 inches tall. We’ve planted trees every spring as long as we’ve owned Roshara, so we have trees now more than 40 years old, and that tall, too. Beautiful trees that sway in the wind and remind me of when we planted them--Ruth, our three toddlers and me. Doing the work by hand. With a shovel to cut a slit in our sandy soil.
We planted trees by hand this weekend, too: Paul, Steve, Natasha, Kristin and me. Mostly easy work for this energetic crew that enjoyed a sunny day, a cool breeze, and the wonderful smell of pine trees.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Planting a tree is planning for a future.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” Contact www.theclearing.org or call 877-854-3225 for registration information.
October 30. Day-long writing workshop at The Clearing.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 13, 7:00 p.m. Menasha Public Library, Fox Cities Book Festival (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 14, 1:00 p.m. Hatch Public Library, Mauston. 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 17, 5:00 p.m. Wisconsin Rapids Community Theater at Rapids Mall, Nature Book Bash (Old Farm).
April 22, 6:00 p.m. Walworth-Big Foot Historical Society Banquet. (One-Room Schools)
April 23, 3:00 p.m. UW-Madison, Day on Campus: Food Summit. Memorial Union. (A brief look at history of Agriculture in Wisconsin)
April 28, 7:00 p.m. Kiel Public Library, (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 30, 10:45 & 1:10, WEAC Retired, Sheraton Madison Hotel (Stories from the land)
We planted trees by hand this weekend, too: Paul, Steve, Natasha, Kristin and me. Mostly easy work for this energetic crew that enjoyed a sunny day, a cool breeze, and the wonderful smell of pine trees.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Planting a tree is planning for a future.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” Contact www.theclearing.org or call 877-854-3225 for registration information.
October 30. Day-long writing workshop at The Clearing.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 13, 7:00 p.m. Menasha Public Library, Fox Cities Book Festival (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 14, 1:00 p.m. Hatch Public Library, Mauston. 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 17, 5:00 p.m. Wisconsin Rapids Community Theater at Rapids Mall, Nature Book Bash (Old Farm).
April 22, 6:00 p.m. Walworth-Big Foot Historical Society Banquet. (One-Room Schools)
April 23, 3:00 p.m. UW-Madison, Day on Campus: Food Summit. Memorial Union. (A brief look at history of Agriculture in Wisconsin)
April 28, 7:00 p.m. Kiel Public Library, (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 30, 10:45 & 1:10, WEAC Retired, Sheraton Madison Hotel (Stories from the land)
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Spring Charges In
Spring came charging in on a southwest wind this past week, sending winter sulking away to the north to lick its melting ice and disappearing snow. Eighty degrees my thermometer at the farm said as I cut black locust brush that tries to smother out the pines I planted two years ago. I worked and rested, drank water and worked some more. But so much more to do—and, I learned yesterday that my new replacement trees are ready for planting.
Like it was when I was growing up the farm, after weeks of anticipation, of waiting and hoping, spring, arrives. And the work comes all at once. But, as my dad said, work is good for you. And I must say, I do enjoy stretching my muscles and swinging my brushcutter, even though, at day’s end my back, shoulders, and arms tell me to take it easy, that I’m not a kid anymore.
THE OLDTIMER SAYS: Never have any problems raising your kids provided there is plenty of work for them. A tired kid is a good kid.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” Contact www.theclearing.org or call 877-854-3225 for registration information.
October 30. Day-long writing workshop at The Clearing.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 6, 3:00 p.m. Oakwood Retirement Center. Madison, April 6 (The Good Old Days?)
April 13, 7:00 p.m. Menasha Public Library, Fox Cities Book Festival (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 14, 1:00 p.m. Hatch Public Library, Mauston. 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 17, 5:00 p.m. Wisconsin Rapids Community Theater at Rapids Mall, Nature Book Bash (Old Farm.
April 22, 6:00 p.m. Walworth-Big Foot Historical Society Banquet. (One-Room School)
April 23, 3:00 p.m. UW-Madison, Day on Campus: Food Summit. Memorial Union. (A brief look at history of Agriculture in Wisconsin)
April 28, 7:00 p.m. Kiel Public Library, (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 30, 10:45 & 1:10, WEAC Retired, Sheraton Madison Hotel (Stories from the land)
Like it was when I was growing up the farm, after weeks of anticipation, of waiting and hoping, spring, arrives. And the work comes all at once. But, as my dad said, work is good for you. And I must say, I do enjoy stretching my muscles and swinging my brushcutter, even though, at day’s end my back, shoulders, and arms tell me to take it easy, that I’m not a kid anymore.
THE OLDTIMER SAYS: Never have any problems raising your kids provided there is plenty of work for them. A tired kid is a good kid.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
August 8-14. My week-long workshop at The Clearing in Door County. “Writing From Your Life.” Contact www.theclearing.org or call 877-854-3225 for registration information.
October 30. Day-long writing workshop at The Clearing.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 6, 3:00 p.m. Oakwood Retirement Center. Madison, April 6 (The Good Old Days?)
April 13, 7:00 p.m. Menasha Public Library, Fox Cities Book Festival (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 14, 1:00 p.m. Hatch Public Library, Mauston. 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 17, 5:00 p.m. Wisconsin Rapids Community Theater at Rapids Mall, Nature Book Bash (Old Farm.
April 22, 6:00 p.m. Walworth-Big Foot Historical Society Banquet. (One-Room School)
April 23, 3:00 p.m. UW-Madison, Day on Campus: Food Summit. Memorial Union. (A brief look at history of Agriculture in Wisconsin)
April 28, 7:00 p.m. Kiel Public Library, (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels.)
April 30, 10:45 & 1:10, WEAC Retired, Sheraton Madison Hotel (Stories from the land)
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Brother's Walk
My brother, Don, who lives near Wild Rose, wrote this after his morning walk last week.
Here’s what is happening on the farm: I saw about 30 swans flying and honking, saw lots of geese,too.
Two tom turkeys gobbled to my new crow call. Snow is about gone. Saw lots of deer tracks, one big one.
The pond is still frozen but the edges are open. I think the beavers are still there. I saw two huge snapping turtles. Sandhills are bugling everywhere.
Is spring early this year?
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Cherish the memories of yesterday. Dream big dreams about tomorrow. Live happily today.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County for 2010 is set for
August 8-14. Call 877-854-3225. Contact www.theclearing.org for further information.
A one-day, Saturday writing workshop is scheduled for October 30 at The Clearing.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Westfield Public Library. March 31, 12:45-1:30. (Ames County Novels featuring Blue Shadows Farm)
Oakwood Retirement Center, Madison, April 6, 3:00 p.m. (The Good Old Days?)
Fox Cities Book Festival, April 13, 7:00 p.m., Menasha Public Library. (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels)
Hatch Public Library, Mauston, April 14, 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.(Ames County Novels, featuring Blue Shadows Farm)
Nature Book Bash, Saturday, April 17, 5:00 p.m. Wisconsin Rapids Community Theater at Rapids Mall in Wisconsin Rapids. (Old Farm)
Walworth-Big Foot Prairie Historical Society, banquet, April 22, 6:00 p.m. Walworth. Place to be announced. (One-Room Country Schools)
UW-Madison, Day on Campus: Food Summit, April 23, 2010. Memorial Union. Keynote speaker: 11:00 a.m. George McGovern. 3:00 p.m. A Brief Look at Wisconsin’s Agricultural History (Apps)
Kiel Public Library, April 28, 7:00 p.m. (Ames County Novels, featuring Blue Shadows Farm)
WEAC-Retired, April 30, 10:45-11:45 & 1:10-2:10. Sheraton Madison Hotel. (Stories From the Land)
Here’s what is happening on the farm: I saw about 30 swans flying and honking, saw lots of geese,too.
Two tom turkeys gobbled to my new crow call. Snow is about gone. Saw lots of deer tracks, one big one.
The pond is still frozen but the edges are open. I think the beavers are still there. I saw two huge snapping turtles. Sandhills are bugling everywhere.
Is spring early this year?
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Cherish the memories of yesterday. Dream big dreams about tomorrow. Live happily today.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County for 2010 is set for
August 8-14. Call 877-854-3225. Contact www.theclearing.org for further information.
A one-day, Saturday writing workshop is scheduled for October 30 at The Clearing.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Westfield Public Library. March 31, 12:45-1:30. (Ames County Novels featuring Blue Shadows Farm)
Oakwood Retirement Center, Madison, April 6, 3:00 p.m. (The Good Old Days?)
Fox Cities Book Festival, April 13, 7:00 p.m., Menasha Public Library. (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels)
Hatch Public Library, Mauston, April 14, 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.(Ames County Novels, featuring Blue Shadows Farm)
Nature Book Bash, Saturday, April 17, 5:00 p.m. Wisconsin Rapids Community Theater at Rapids Mall in Wisconsin Rapids. (Old Farm)
Walworth-Big Foot Prairie Historical Society, banquet, April 22, 6:00 p.m. Walworth. Place to be announced. (One-Room Country Schools)
UW-Madison, Day on Campus: Food Summit, April 23, 2010. Memorial Union. Keynote speaker: 11:00 a.m. George McGovern. 3:00 p.m. A Brief Look at Wisconsin’s Agricultural History (Apps)
Kiel Public Library, April 28, 7:00 p.m. (Ames County Novels, featuring Blue Shadows Farm)
WEAC-Retired, April 30, 10:45-11:45 & 1:10-2:10. Sheraton Madison Hotel. (Stories From the Land)
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Writing Your Story
For those who tuned in my program on Wisconsin Public Radio last week (Larry Meiller Show at 11:00 a.m.), I promised to share some storytelling tips. Program host Jim Packard’s asked: “What are the elements of a good story.”
--People
--Action
--Conflict
--Suspense
--A sense of time and place
--A beginning, middle and an end.
Everyone has a story to tell of childhood years, first jobs, military service, life-changing events and never told secrets. These are the stories that your children and grandchildren will cherish, and additionally will add a special addition to the history of your community when you file your stories at your library or local historical society. Oh, if you’re wondering. It’s never too late to begin writing your stories.
First day of spring! Says so right on the calendar. But I when I look outside this morning, my daffodils and tulips are but little green spears poking through two inches of snow. Mother Nature obviously doesn’t read the calendar. Patience. Patience. It’s still March.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: In spring we shake loose the shackles of winter and make big plans and think big thoughts. We celebrate what has passed and look forward to the future with joy and hope.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County for 2010 is set for
August 8-14.
A one-day, Saturday writing workshop is scheduled for October 30.
Contact www.theclearing.org for further information.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
UW-Baraboo, “Add Learning to Your Life” workshop for those 55 and older. March 25, 11:30 a.m. (Stories From the Land) Call 608-355-5234 for further information.
Westfield Public Library. March 31, 12:45-1:30. (Ames County Novels featuring Blue Shadows Farm))
Oakwood Retirement Center, Madison, April 6, 3:00 p.m. (The Good Old Days?)
Fox Cities Book Festival, April 13, 7:00 p.m., Menasha Public Library. (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels)
Hatch Public Library, Mauston, April 14, 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.(Ames County Novels, featuring Blue Shadows Farm)
Nature Book Bash, Saturday, April 17, 5:00 p.m. Wisconsin Rapids Community Theater at Rapids Mall in Wisconsin Rapids. (Old Farm)
Walworth-Big Foot Prairie Historical Society, banquet, April 22, 6:00 p.m., Village Supper Club, Delevan Lake, Delevan. (One-Room Country Schools)
UW-Madison, Day on Campus: Food Summit, April 23, 2010. Memorial Union. Keynote speaker: 11:00 a.m. George McGovern. 3:00 p.m. A Brief Look at Wisconsin’s Agricultural History (Apps)
Kiel Public Library, April 28, 7:00 p.m. (Ames County Novels, featuring Blue Shadows Farm)
WEAC-Retired, April 30, 10:45-11:45 & 1:10-2:10. Sheraton Madison Hotel. (Stories From the Land)
--People
--Action
--Conflict
--Suspense
--A sense of time and place
--A beginning, middle and an end.
Everyone has a story to tell of childhood years, first jobs, military service, life-changing events and never told secrets. These are the stories that your children and grandchildren will cherish, and additionally will add a special addition to the history of your community when you file your stories at your library or local historical society. Oh, if you’re wondering. It’s never too late to begin writing your stories.
First day of spring! Says so right on the calendar. But I when I look outside this morning, my daffodils and tulips are but little green spears poking through two inches of snow. Mother Nature obviously doesn’t read the calendar. Patience. Patience. It’s still March.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: In spring we shake loose the shackles of winter and make big plans and think big thoughts. We celebrate what has passed and look forward to the future with joy and hope.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
My week-long writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County for 2010 is set for
August 8-14.
A one-day, Saturday writing workshop is scheduled for October 30.
Contact www.theclearing.org for further information.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
UW-Baraboo, “Add Learning to Your Life” workshop for those 55 and older. March 25, 11:30 a.m. (Stories From the Land) Call 608-355-5234 for further information.
Westfield Public Library. March 31, 12:45-1:30. (Ames County Novels featuring Blue Shadows Farm))
Oakwood Retirement Center, Madison, April 6, 3:00 p.m. (The Good Old Days?)
Fox Cities Book Festival, April 13, 7:00 p.m., Menasha Public Library. (Blue Shadows Farm and Ames County Novels)
Hatch Public Library, Mauston, April 14, 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.(Ames County Novels, featuring Blue Shadows Farm)
Nature Book Bash, Saturday, April 17, 5:00 p.m. Wisconsin Rapids Community Theater at Rapids Mall in Wisconsin Rapids. (Old Farm)
Walworth-Big Foot Prairie Historical Society, banquet, April 22, 6:00 p.m., Village Supper Club, Delevan Lake, Delevan. (One-Room Country Schools)
UW-Madison, Day on Campus: Food Summit, April 23, 2010. Memorial Union. Keynote speaker: 11:00 a.m. George McGovern. 3:00 p.m. A Brief Look at Wisconsin’s Agricultural History (Apps)
Kiel Public Library, April 28, 7:00 p.m. (Ames County Novels, featuring Blue Shadows Farm)
WEAC-Retired, April 30, 10:45-11:45 & 1:10-2:10. Sheraton Madison Hotel. (Stories From the Land)
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