It’s mid-March and I’m sitting on a bench by my pond. I’m in shirt sleeves and remembering just last year at this time the pond was still ice covered and the valley was buried in snow. But this year the pond is open, the grass around it is greening up and the spring frogs are raising a raucous.
In the deep woods to the north I hear a ruffed grouse drumming—boom….boom….boom, then faster, boom, boom, boom. Like an old John Deere two-cylinder tractor.
As I watch, a muskrat with its head above water swims across the pond to the north. A few minutes later, another muskrat swims from the north side of the pond to the south. A case of “the grass is greener on the other side of the pond” it appears.
And then, from the east, a pair of sandhill cranes glide in. their wings set, their landing gear down. They land effortlessly, near where they’ve had a nest for many years on the west side of our pond. One of them lets loose with its throaty call that I place right up there with the call of the loon for its mystery and mystic—and its tie to prehistoric times.
A pair of wood duck wings in from the north, completing the spring scene—albeit about a month early. Is it time to start planting my garden? I’m tempted to plant some cool weather vegetables. A hard freeze and another snowstorm on the way? Maybe. But if the critters at the pond appear to believe it’s spring, maybe I should, too.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Pay attention to nature’s critters; they can tell you more about seasonal change than a calendar.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
March 31-April 1. Morton Arboretum (Thornhill Education Center), Chicago area. Presentation on vegetable gardening, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on March 31. Sunday, April 1, 1:30-3:30 features a vegetable gardening workshop, with tips on planting and caring for a vegetable garden. Additionally, Ruth will discuss preparing vegetables and fruits for canning and freezing.
April 12, 7:00 p.m. McMillan Library, Wisconsin Rapids. Garden Wisdom
April 13, 11:00 a.m. Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio. Broadcasting at Fox Cities Book Festival. Garden Wisdom.
April 13, 2:00 p.m. Fox Cities Book Festival, Neenah Library. Garden Wisdom
April 14, 10 a.m.-12 a.m., AAUW, Lacrosse, WI (Garden Wisdom)
April 15, 12:30 p.m. -2:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, LaCrosse (Campfires and Loon Calls, and my newest book, Garden Wisdom)
April 21, 1:00 p.m. Cedarburg Public Library. Garden Wisdom
April 22, 11:30 a.m. Fond du Lac Historical Society (795 Fond du Lac Ave). Dinner. Remembering our Rural Heritage.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Early, Early Spring?
What happened? It’s several days before spring and summer has arrived. Several days now in the high 70s and even low 80s. Confusion reigns. Daffodils are opening. Tulips are trying. Maple trees are budding.
Has the weather world gone mad? Or is it just an early, early spring? Or, or—a dirty trick that Mother Nature is playing on us before flinging one more snowstorm our way.
I’m going for the former, as I remember—memory has its tricks I know—that back in the 1940s,or maybe early 50s we had such an early spring. On the home farm we were in the fields in mid-March, planting the early crops such as oats. Saw a farmer out in his field yesterday, doing the same thing.
I’ve caught spring fever along with everyone else. I’ll be planting some garden vegetables this week—radishes, lettuce, peas, onions, maybe even a few rows of potatoes. I’ll not follow conservative Old Timer’s advice.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Watch out for Mother Nature. She can be mighty unpredictable.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
March 24. Central Wisconsin launch of Garden Wisdom at Patterson Memorial Library Wild Rose. Dinner at six. Contact the library for reservations: 920-622-3835. Presentation and book signing to follow.
March 31-April 1. Morton Arboretum (Thornhill Education Center), Chicago area. Presentation on vegetable gardening, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on March 31. Sunday, April 1, 1:30-3:30 features a vegetable gardening workshop, with tips on planting and caring for a vegetable garden. Additionally, Ruth will discuss preparing vegetables and fruits for canning and freezing.
April 12, 7:00 p.m. Mcmillan Library, Wisconsin Rapids. Garden Wisdom
April 13, 11:00 a.m. Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio. Broadcasting at Fox Cities Book Festival. Garden Wisdom.
April 13, 2:00 p.m. Fox Cities Book Festival, Neenah. Garden Wisdom
April 14, 10 a.m.-12 a.m., AAUW, Lacrosse, WI (Garden Wisdom)
April 15, 12:30 p.m. -2:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, LaCrosse (Campfires and Loon Calls, and my newest book, Garden Wisdom)
April 21, 1:00 p.m. Cedarburg Public Library. Garden Wisdom
April 22, 11:30 a.m. Fond du Lac Historical Society (795 Fond du Lac Ave). Dinner. Remembering our Rural Heritage.
Has the weather world gone mad? Or is it just an early, early spring? Or, or—a dirty trick that Mother Nature is playing on us before flinging one more snowstorm our way.
I’m going for the former, as I remember—memory has its tricks I know—that back in the 1940s,or maybe early 50s we had such an early spring. On the home farm we were in the fields in mid-March, planting the early crops such as oats. Saw a farmer out in his field yesterday, doing the same thing.
I’ve caught spring fever along with everyone else. I’ll be planting some garden vegetables this week—radishes, lettuce, peas, onions, maybe even a few rows of potatoes. I’ll not follow conservative Old Timer’s advice.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Watch out for Mother Nature. She can be mighty unpredictable.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
March 24. Central Wisconsin launch of Garden Wisdom at Patterson Memorial Library Wild Rose. Dinner at six. Contact the library for reservations: 920-622-3835. Presentation and book signing to follow.
March 31-April 1. Morton Arboretum (Thornhill Education Center), Chicago area. Presentation on vegetable gardening, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on March 31. Sunday, April 1, 1:30-3:30 features a vegetable gardening workshop, with tips on planting and caring for a vegetable garden. Additionally, Ruth will discuss preparing vegetables and fruits for canning and freezing.
April 12, 7:00 p.m. Mcmillan Library, Wisconsin Rapids. Garden Wisdom
April 13, 11:00 a.m. Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio. Broadcasting at Fox Cities Book Festival. Garden Wisdom.
April 13, 2:00 p.m. Fox Cities Book Festival, Neenah. Garden Wisdom
April 14, 10 a.m.-12 a.m., AAUW, Lacrosse, WI (Garden Wisdom)
April 15, 12:30 p.m. -2:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, LaCrosse (Campfires and Loon Calls, and my newest book, Garden Wisdom)
April 21, 1:00 p.m. Cedarburg Public Library. Garden Wisdom
April 22, 11:30 a.m. Fond du Lac Historical Society (795 Fond du Lac Ave). Dinner. Remembering our Rural Heritage.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Canoecopia
They came from all around Wisconsin, from other states, and from Canada, too. Paddlers, canoe people, kayak people. Those with years of experience; those who’ve never set foot in a canoe or kayak.
They all converged on Madison, Wisconsin for the annual Canoecopia billed as the “World’s largest Kayak, Canoe and Outdoor Expo.” The Rutabaga Store in Madison sponsors the event and it hauls thousands of paddling enthusiasts out of their winter doldrums into the promise of spring and another season of on-the water fun.
There were umpteen opportunities for learning as well, with speakers sharing everything from wildlife photography to paddling Alaska’s North Slope, from kayak fishing to river trails of Wisconsin. Something for everyone, especially those looking for a little outdoor adventure and an opportunity to leave behind cellphones, laptops, and ipads.
I shared a bit of our adventures in the Boundary Waters Canoe area where my son, Steve and I have canoed for more than 25 years—stories from my book, Campfires and Loon Calls. Lots of interest; lots of story sharing.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: There is more to be gained from paddling a canoe than merely going from here to there.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
March 11, 2:00 p.m. Book talk and signing, Arcadia Bookstore, Spring Green. (Garden Wisdom)
March 17, 10-2:00 p.m. Rock River Gallery and Coffee House, Jefferson. (Garden Wisdom)
March 24. Central Wisconsin launch of Garden Wisdom at Patterson Memorial Library Wild Rose. Dinner at six. Contact the library for reservations: 920-622-3835. Presentation and book signing to follow.
March 31-April 1. Morton Arboretum (Thornhill Education Center), Chicago area. Presentation on vegetable gardening, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on March 31. Sunday, April 1, 1:30-3:30 features a vegetable gardening workshop, with tips on planting and caring for a vegetable garden. Additionally, Ruth will discuss preparing vegetables and fruits for canning and freezing.
April 12, 7:00 p.m. Mcmillan Library, Wisconsin Rapids. Garden Wisdom
April 13, 11:00 a.m. Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio. Broadcasting at Fox Cities Book Festival. Garden Wisdom.
April 13, 2:00 p.m. Fox Cities Book Festival, Neenah. Garden Wisdom
April 14, 10 a.m.-12 a.m., AAUW, Lacrosse, WI (Garden Wisdom)
April 15, 12:30 p.m. -2:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, LaCrosse (Campfires and Loon Calls, and my newest book, Garden Wisdom)
They all converged on Madison, Wisconsin for the annual Canoecopia billed as the “World’s largest Kayak, Canoe and Outdoor Expo.” The Rutabaga Store in Madison sponsors the event and it hauls thousands of paddling enthusiasts out of their winter doldrums into the promise of spring and another season of on-the water fun.
There were umpteen opportunities for learning as well, with speakers sharing everything from wildlife photography to paddling Alaska’s North Slope, from kayak fishing to river trails of Wisconsin. Something for everyone, especially those looking for a little outdoor adventure and an opportunity to leave behind cellphones, laptops, and ipads.
I shared a bit of our adventures in the Boundary Waters Canoe area where my son, Steve and I have canoed for more than 25 years—stories from my book, Campfires and Loon Calls. Lots of interest; lots of story sharing.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: There is more to be gained from paddling a canoe than merely going from here to there.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
March 11, 2:00 p.m. Book talk and signing, Arcadia Bookstore, Spring Green. (Garden Wisdom)
March 17, 10-2:00 p.m. Rock River Gallery and Coffee House, Jefferson. (Garden Wisdom)
March 24. Central Wisconsin launch of Garden Wisdom at Patterson Memorial Library Wild Rose. Dinner at six. Contact the library for reservations: 920-622-3835. Presentation and book signing to follow.
March 31-April 1. Morton Arboretum (Thornhill Education Center), Chicago area. Presentation on vegetable gardening, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on March 31. Sunday, April 1, 1:30-3:30 features a vegetable gardening workshop, with tips on planting and caring for a vegetable garden. Additionally, Ruth will discuss preparing vegetables and fruits for canning and freezing.
April 12, 7:00 p.m. Mcmillan Library, Wisconsin Rapids. Garden Wisdom
April 13, 11:00 a.m. Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio. Broadcasting at Fox Cities Book Festival. Garden Wisdom.
April 13, 2:00 p.m. Fox Cities Book Festival, Neenah. Garden Wisdom
April 14, 10 a.m.-12 a.m., AAUW, Lacrosse, WI (Garden Wisdom)
April 15, 12:30 p.m. -2:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, LaCrosse (Campfires and Loon Calls, and my newest book, Garden Wisdom)
Sunday, March 04, 2012
Winter Awakens
I spoke too soon last week. It’s likely all my fault that Old Man Winter awakened, crawled off his couch and dumped five inches of snow on many of us in southern Wisconsin. It may be late in the winter season with signs of spring wherever I look, but this morning it looked, and felt like winter. Even the usually happy cardinals were quiet—their feathers ruffled as they huddled in the cedar trees back of the house.
Outside of more shoveling—we really haven’t had much this winter—it was really quite beautiful this morning with snow hanging on everything, and sparkling like sugar sprinkled on sorghum cookies.
Which reminds me to mention that all are invited to Barnes and Noble, West Madison on Tuesday evening at 7:00 for sorghum cookies and some tales from Garden Wisdom. And if you miss Tuesday evening, drive a short distance to Spring Green for a presentation and signing at Arcadia Bookstore at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 11.
CHECK THIS OUT: March 6, 5:00 p.m. Tune in “Live at Five” on WISC, Channel 3, Madison (Charter Cable Channel 9), for a little bit about GARDEN WISDOM.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Without winter, spring would merely be a yawn.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
March 6, 5:00 p.m. Madison TV Channel 3 (Charter Cable 9)
March 6, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble-West, Madison. Launch of Garden Wisdom.
March 9-11. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison. (Trade show for all things canoeing) I am speaking at 4:30 on Friday, March 9 and at 2:30 on Saturday, March 10. Steve will share Boundary Waters photos as part of Saturday’s presentation.
March 11, 2:00 p.m. Book talk and signing, Arcadia Bookstore, Spring Green. (Garden Wisdom)
March 17, 10-2:00 p.m. Rock River Gallery and Coffee House, Jefferson. (Garden Wisdom)
March 24. Central Wisconsin launch of Garden Wisdom at Patterson Memorial Library Wild Rose. Dinner at six. Contact the library for reservations: 920-622-3835. Presentation and book signing to follow.
March 31-April 1. Morton Arboretum (Thornhill Education Center), Chicago area. Presentation on vegetable gardening, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on March 31. Sunday, April 1, 1:30-3:30 features a vegetable gardening workshop, with tips on planting and caring for a vegetable garden. Additionally, Ruth will discuss preparing vegetables and fruits for canning and freezing.
April 12, 7:00 p.m. Mcmillan Library, Wisconsin Rapids. Garden Wisdom
April 13, 11:00 a.m. Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio. Broadcasting at Fox Cities Book Festival. Garden Wisdom.
April 13, 2:00 p.m. Fox Cities Book Festival, Neenah. Garden Wisdom
April 14, 10 a.m.-12 a.m., AAUW, Lacrosse, WI (Stories from the land)
April 15, 12:30 p.m. -2:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, LaCrosse (Garden Wisdom)
Outside of more shoveling—we really haven’t had much this winter—it was really quite beautiful this morning with snow hanging on everything, and sparkling like sugar sprinkled on sorghum cookies.
Which reminds me to mention that all are invited to Barnes and Noble, West Madison on Tuesday evening at 7:00 for sorghum cookies and some tales from Garden Wisdom. And if you miss Tuesday evening, drive a short distance to Spring Green for a presentation and signing at Arcadia Bookstore at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 11.
CHECK THIS OUT: March 6, 5:00 p.m. Tune in “Live at Five” on WISC, Channel 3, Madison (Charter Cable Channel 9), for a little bit about GARDEN WISDOM.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Without winter, spring would merely be a yawn.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
March 6, 5:00 p.m. Madison TV Channel 3 (Charter Cable 9)
March 6, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble-West, Madison. Launch of Garden Wisdom.
March 9-11. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison. (Trade show for all things canoeing) I am speaking at 4:30 on Friday, March 9 and at 2:30 on Saturday, March 10. Steve will share Boundary Waters photos as part of Saturday’s presentation.
March 11, 2:00 p.m. Book talk and signing, Arcadia Bookstore, Spring Green. (Garden Wisdom)
March 17, 10-2:00 p.m. Rock River Gallery and Coffee House, Jefferson. (Garden Wisdom)
March 24. Central Wisconsin launch of Garden Wisdom at Patterson Memorial Library Wild Rose. Dinner at six. Contact the library for reservations: 920-622-3835. Presentation and book signing to follow.
March 31-April 1. Morton Arboretum (Thornhill Education Center), Chicago area. Presentation on vegetable gardening, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on March 31. Sunday, April 1, 1:30-3:30 features a vegetable gardening workshop, with tips on planting and caring for a vegetable garden. Additionally, Ruth will discuss preparing vegetables and fruits for canning and freezing.
April 12, 7:00 p.m. Mcmillan Library, Wisconsin Rapids. Garden Wisdom
April 13, 11:00 a.m. Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio. Broadcasting at Fox Cities Book Festival. Garden Wisdom.
April 13, 2:00 p.m. Fox Cities Book Festival, Neenah. Garden Wisdom
April 14, 10 a.m.-12 a.m., AAUW, Lacrosse, WI (Stories from the land)
April 15, 12:30 p.m. -2:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, LaCrosse (Garden Wisdom)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)