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
Sunday, June 29, 2008
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."
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