Keep an eye on the rhubarb

Keep an eye on the rhubarb as it quickly pushes out of the ground, bold, fearless of freezing nights, a reminder that spring is truly here. It is time for pie, sauce, and rhubarb crisp from what the old timers called "pie plant" and what Pa called nature's "spring tonic."

To Know What's Up Ahead

To know what's up ahead, talk to people on their way back.

Spending Time in the Woods

I enjoy spending time in the woods, away from the barrier of walls and windows. Among the trees, I am close to nature--a part of it, not apart from it. I go to the woods to think, to clear my mind of the burdens of the day, to cultivate the humbleness that comes from standing among century-old trees. I go to the woods to renew my humanity, to contemplate my place among all nature's creatures.

Remembering Earth Day

Remember Gaylord Nelson and Earth Day. The first one was April 22, 1970.

April Musing

Some four-letter words to ponder:
Hope
Wait
Work
Play
Read
Love

Spring Thoughts

Nobody is making any more land. What we've got is what we've got, so we'd better take care of it.

April Fool's Day Thought

Getting into something is usually easier than getting out of it.

April Thoughts

Worry is like being stuck in deep mud. The wheels keep turning, but nothing happens.

Late March Comment

From the soon to be published, Living a Country Year:

I marvel at what an all-night rain in late March can do. It washes away the last remnants of old snow, wakes up the dormant grass in front of the cabin, sends spring flowers leaping out of the ground, and causes my spirits to soar.

March Thoughts

Some additional March thoughts from Living a Country Year:

March is a good month to create something new--a poem, a story, a wood carving, a quilt, a painting, a photograph, a piece of music--and feel better about yourself.

Launch for Living a Country Year

Mark your calendars. The launch party for Living a Country Year is scheduled for Wednesday, May 30, 7:00 p.m. at Barnes and Noble West in Madison. I'll share some stories, give some background of the book. And we'll have some food, from recipes in the book.

Living a Country Year

I've tried something new with my upcoming book, LIVING A COUNTRY YEAR, (Voyageur Press) which comes out in late May this year. I've combined story-telling with several what I call witticisms and advice--for each month of the year. Then, by digging into my grandmother's and my mother's old recipe boxes, I've added an appropriate recipe here and there.

For instance for March I wrote:

--When you begin too much, you accomplish little.

--I met a fellow the other day who talked nonstop and didn't say a thing.

--It's okay to not know and admit it. Not knowing is the beginning of great Wisdom

More Later.

Jerry