Old Farm at MBA

Ruth and I just returned from the Midwest Booksellers Association show in St. Paul. An event where publishers and authors show their wares to the booksellers.

OLD FARM: A HISTORY, my newest book from the Wisconsin Historical Society Press, got considerable attention, and less than modestly I must say lots of praise. Everyone who saw the book was immediately impressed with Steve’s photos (Steve is my son and we did the book together).

Now we begin a heavy schedule of events to tell folks about the book. Come if you can.

One needs only attend an event such as MBA to realize that the book business is very much alive. Or to paraphrase Mark Twain and to change his words a bit: “The death of the book has been greatly exaggerated”.

The Old Timer says: “So many books. So little time to read them.”

Upcoming Events:

October 4, 10-2:00 PM. Dregne’s, Westby. Book signing.

October 5, 1:30 PM Edgerton Library. Presentation and signing. Edgerton Book Festival.

OCTOBER 7, 7:00PM BARNES & NOBLE, WEST MADISON. LAUNCH OF OLD FARM

October 9, 6:30PM Barron Public Library, Barron. Presentation and signing.

October 11, 11-2:00PM, Apple Blossom books, Oshkosh

October 12, 2:00-4:00PM, Old World Wisconsin, Eagle. Book signing. “Autumn on the
Farm Celebration.”

October 14, 6:00PM, Kewaskum Public Library, Presentation and signing.

October 15, 11:45-12:30PM Larry Meiller show, Wisconsin Public Radio,

October 16, 7-8:30PM Wisconsin Book Festival, Overture Center, Madison. Panel
Discussion: "A half-century of change in rural Wisconsin."

October 19, 12:00-1:30. Wisconsin Book Festival, Overture Center, Madison.
Presentation and signing. “For the Love of a Farm.”

October 21, 6:30 PM Prairie du Sac Public Library. Presentation and signing.

October 23, 6-8PM. Conkey’s Bookstore, Appleton. Book Signing.

OCTOBER 25, 1:00 PM. PATTERSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, WILD ROSE.

CENTRAL WISCONSIN LAUNCH OF OLD FARM. PRESENTATION AND SIGNING.

October 27, 7:00PM. Schwartz Bookstore, Mequon. Presentation and signing.

October 28, 1:30PM Brillion Public Library. Presentation and signing.

October 30, 2:45-4:00PM WEAC Teacher’s Convention, Madison. Presentation and signing.

Schumacher Farm

Yesterday Ruth and I attended Schumacher Farm's Heritage Fest. The farm, a Dane County Park but once an operating farm, is located just east of Waunakee, WI.

I had the difficult task of serving as a judge for their pie contest. Thankfully, I could rely on the other judges--Roberta Bauman, editor of the Waunakee Tribune and Karen Crossley, Dane County Cultural Affairs--who seemed to know what they were doing.

After wading through nine pies, that's right nine of them ranging from green tomato to several apple pies, cranberry, chocolate, rhubarb and still more, we discussed, compared, tasted a little more and declared a cranberry nut pie the winner.

I avoided stepping on the scale this morning.



The Old Timer says: "You can have your pie and eat it, too."

UPCOMING EVENTS:

October 4, 10-2:00 Dregne's, Westby, WI Book Signing.

October 5, Book Festival, Edgerton, WI Library Presentation and book signing.

October 7,7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison. Launch for OLD FARM.

Old Farm: A History

My newest book, OLD FARM: A HISTORY, is out. Check details on my website. I introduced it last night at a Mineral Point, WI Historical Society meeting. My photographer son, Steve took the pictures--and they are all in color, from a beautiful Karner Blue Butterfly to Big Blue Stem grass. It's the story of my farm, from the time of the glacier to the present time, with lots of central Wisconsin history. The Wisconsin Historical Society Press is the publisher.

Launch party for OLD FARM: Tuesday, October 7, 7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison.

The Old Timer Says: "Do the best you can with what you've got."

Upcoming Events:

September 20, 2:00 PM. Cheese Days, Monroe, WI. Presentation and book signing featuring CASPER JAGGI: MASTER CHEESE MAKER biography.

September 21, 1-4:00 PM Schumacher Farm, Wauankee. Heritage Fest. Book Signing, and pie judging.

October 4, 10-2:00 Dregne's, Westby, WI Book Signing.

October 5, Book Festival, Edgerton, WI Presentation and book signing.

October 7,7:00 PM. Barnes and Noble West, Madison. Launch for OLD FARM.

Silence

The barber in my hometown, Wild Rose, WI, was a talker. He went on and on about anything and everything. One day, an infrequent customer sat in his chair.
"And how would you like your hair cut?" the barber asked.
"In silence, please," the customer said.

Silence is difficult to find these days. If it's not a cellphone jingling, a TV ad blasting the airways with political ads, its the never ending sound of traffic, day and night.

My son, Steve and I spent last week in northern Minnesota, canoeing in the Boundary Waters. The only sounds were the gentle lapping of waves against rocks, the occasional call of a loon, and the chatter of a pesky red squirrel intent on stealing our lunch.

Silence! How I enjoy it, but infrequently find it.

The Old Timer Says: "Keep things simple. They'll get complicated enough, soon enough, without you intending that they should."


ANNOUNCEMENT: My new book for this fall is titled OLD FARM: A HISTORY. The Wisconsin Historical Society Press is the publisher and it will be in the stores by the end of September. My photographer son, Steve and I did this one together. Go to www.wisconsinhistory.org/whspress to learn more.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

September 10, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing, Borders West, Madison. In A Pickle.

September 11, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing. Mineral Point Historical Society, Opera House, Mineral Point, WI. "Stories From the Land."

September 20, Saturday, 2:00 PM Monroe Cheese Days. Presentation and Book Signing.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes. Easy to grow and wonderful to enjoy. This is the time of the year to eat those grown in your garden and allow the juice to run down your chin, while you are smiling all the while. Not like the tomatoes that one finds in the stores in January that look like tomatoes and taste like . . .well is cardboard close.

I plant enough tomatoes so Ruth cans tomato juice and tomato soup, which we enjoy all winter.

The Old Timer says: "Don't matter none if tomatoes are a fruit or a vegetable. Those grown in your garden can't be beat."

ANNOUNCEMENT: My new book for this fall is titled OLD FARM: A HISTORY. The Wisconsin Historical Society Press is the publisher and it will be in the stores by the end of September. My photographer son, Steve and I did this one together. Go to www.wisconsinhistory.org/whspress to learn more.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

September 10, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing, Borders West, Madison. In A Pickle.

September 11, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing. Mineral Point Historical Society, Opera House, Mineral Point, WI. "Stories From the Land."

September 13, Saturday. One-day writing workshop at The Clearing. A few slots still open. Call 1-877-854-3225 for further information.

September 20, Saturday, 2:00 PM Monroe Cheese Days. Presentation and Book Signing.

Threshing Days

About this time in August, when I was a kid, the threshing crew came by our farm. What a great time going from farm to farm in our neighborhood. Teams of horses hauled the grain bundles from the fields to the enormous machine that shaked and shuddered and sent a stream of golden yellow oat straw onto an ever growing straw stack. Oat kernels trickled down the grain pipe and men, sturdy men, carried sacks of oats on their shoulders to the farmer's grain bins in his granary.

When I was 13 or 14, I made the rounds with the threshing crew. Working hard, but eating well. Oh those threshing meals. Never to be forgotten. A great social event it was as well with storytelling, practical jokes and one more way for neighbors to get to know each other well.

The Old Timer Says: "Know your history, but avoid being stuck there."


Coming Events:

September 1: Paperback edition of IN A PICKLE available.

September 10, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing, Borders West, Madison. In A Pickle.

September 11, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing. Mineral Point Historical Society, Opera House, Mineral Point, WI. "Stories From the Land."

September 13, Saturday. One-day writing workshop at The Clearing. A few slots still open. Call 1-877-854-3225 for further information.

September 20, Saturday, 2:00 PM Monroe Cheese Days. Presentation and Book Signing.

Rose Bush

A tough old rose bush grows at the corner of my cabin at the farm. I planted it more than thirty years ago. Not once have I sprayed it, dusted it, or covered it for the winter. It's a little shaggy around the edges and prickly enough so no rabbit, deer or other critter comes near it.

Best of all, it begins blooming in the spring and blooms all summer without any attention whatever. It attracts bees and old farmers who stop and look--and yes, stick their noses up close to the red blossoms as the flowers smell like I think a rose should.

My rose is a bit like some people I know--a little shaggy around the edges, but dependable and require little attention. And are a joy to have around.

The Old Timer says: "Get yourself one of those old fashioned rose bushes--and take time to enjoy it."


Coming Events:

September 10, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing, Borders West, Madison. In A Pickle.

September 11, 7:00 PM Presentation and Book Signing. Mineral Point Historical Society, Opera House, Mineral Point, WI. "Stories From the Land."

September 13, Saturday. One-day writing workshop at The Clearing. A few slots still open. Call 1-877-854-3225 for further information.

September 20, Saturday, 2:00 PM Monroe Cheese Days. Presentation and Book Signing.

Tell Your Story

Everyone has a story to tell. That was the theme of the writing workshop I taught at The Clearing in Door County, Wisconsin last week. Sixteen students, examining their memories, jotting down their stories, and sharing them with each other. Laughter, tears, smiles and smirks. A great week.

The Old Timer says: "When something gets in your way: Don't try to go around it. Don't try to crawl under it. Don't try to step over it. Meet it head on."


Coming Events:

August 16 and 17. Railroad Days, Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI I will be there both days to sign books. I will also speak at 1:00 p.m. each day, "Every Farm Tells a Story."

September 1: IN A PICKLE available in paperback. If you've not yet gotten the book, here's a second chance.

September 13, Saturday. One-day writing workshop at The Clearing. A few slots still open. Call 1-877-854-3225 for further information.

The Clearing

I'm off to The Clearing in Door County, Wisconsin where I will teach a week-long writing workshop. Jens Jensen, a Dane by birth, established The Clearing as a residential learning center in 1935. He was then 75 years old. Jensen saw The Clearing as a place where city people could renew their contact with the "soil" as a basis for life values.

The Clearing has continued over the years offering classes in natural sciences, fine arts, skilled crafts, and humanities including writing. Jensen's dream was to offer a year-round folk school in a natural setting. And that's what it is. I've been teaching there for 18 years, and for Ruth and me, it's one of our favorite places.
To learn more, go to www.theclearing.org.

The Old Timer Says: "To walk forty rods on a never before traveled trail is far more difficult than traveling five miles on a well-used road."


August 16 and 17. Railroad Days, Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI I will be there both days to sign books. I will also speak at 1:00 p.m. each day, "Every Farm Tells a Story."

September 1: IN A PICKLE available in paperback. If you've not yet gotten the book, here's a second chance.

A Bigger Boo

A grandfather story. Our four-old granddaughter walked into a fairly dark room where I was sitting. I said, "boo."

She stopped, put her hands on her hips and and looked at me. "Grandpa," she said. "You've got to have a bigger boo than that to scare me."

So I'm working on a bigger boo.

The Old Timer Says: "This time of the year, stop by a pond. Listen for the bullfrogs singing slow and deep, a strange but beautifully haunting tune."

Upcoming Events:

August 16 and 17. Railroad Days, Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI I will be there both days to sign books. I will also speak at 1:00 p.m. each day, "Every Farm Tells a Story."

September 1: IN A PICKLE available in paperback. If you've not yet gotten the book, here's a second chance.

Farm Tech Days

I spoke at Farm Technology Days this week on a farm in Brown County, WI--always a fun thing for me. Farm Tech days shows off the newest of the new in farm equipment and agricultural research--the future of the industry. But I talked about the old, what it was like to farm without electricity, when farmers listened to battery operated radios, got their local news from the party-line telephone, milked cows by hand, and farmed with horses.

Great changes in my generation, because I grew up with the old, when electricity was a welcomed novelty, a milking machine was a wonder, and a new tractor--according to Pa--just might make his boys lazy (I have two brothers).

The Old Timer Says: "Some people are hard to listen to because their actions speak more loudly than their words."

Coming Events:

August 3-9. Writing From Your Life Workshop at The Clearing in Door County. (Class is filled)

(September 13, One Day Saturday writing workshop at The Clearing has open slots. Call toll free 877-854-3225 for more information)

August 16 and 17. Railroad Days, Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI I will be there both days to sign books. I will also speak at 1:00 p.m. each day, "Every Farm Tells a Story."

Wild Turkeys

The other day I was walking in my field, checking on some trees I'd planted back in April. The grass was knee high and I was concentrating on finding trees when a wild turkey hen exploded up in front of me, her huge wings pounding the air. I was no more than six feet from her. Slowly I walked to where she'd flown up and saw the grass moving in every direction. Little turkeys were trying to hide. All except one. It sat there looking up at me, it's big brown eyes checking me out. Not moving. Not doing what his nest-mates had done. Taking a chance. There's always one.

I quickly walked away because I knew the hen was watching me from the top of the hill and would return to her little family--not so small, there must have been a dozen of them.

The Old Timer Says: "Don't forget the importance of a good example."

Upcoming Events:

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

Pitch forks

I have fond memories of pitchforks, mostly. About now we were in the midst of haying season on the home farm. We "made" our hay loose in those days, which meant after it was cut and raked we piled it into bunches with a pitch fork. Tossed it on a steel-wheeled, horse drawn hay wagon with a pitch fork. And moved it into the upper reaches of our barn with a pitch fork.

I had my own pitchfork, a three-tined, hickory handled beauty that slid through my hands with ease, was well balanced, and did what I wanted it to do.

You could tell who was a city person in a minute by the way he handled a pitchfork. We tried to teach our city cousins the nuances of pitchfork use, but they never seemed to catch on. How dumb they were, they thought. As I think back, we were the dumb ones. We did the hay pitching while they watched, pretending ineptness.


The Old Timer Says: "There's lots of talk these days but little being said."


UpComing Events:

Barnes and Noble Madison West. Wednesday, July 9, 12-1:00 Booksigning.

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

Bluebirds

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

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.

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."

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."

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.

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.

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."