Garden Expo

They came by the thousands; winter-weary gardeners looking forward to spring and the smell of newly turned soil, and the sight of green grass and the feel of warmer temperatures.

They assembled at the Alliant Center in Madison this past weekend for the 20th annual Garden Expo sponsored by Wisconsin Public TV and University of Wisconsin-Extension where they could see exhibits ranging from prairie plantings to books for sale from University of Wisconsin Press (where I was signing my new novel), and the Wisconsin Historical Society Press and other publishers, too. Where they could buy garden seeds and be amazed by a 1,700 square foot landscaped area with spring flowers, tulips and daffodils and a sandbox where the little ones could play.

New shovels were on display, and hoes, and expandable rakes, and other gardening contraptions designed to make the job “easier.”  And huge lawnmowers and rototillers—and for those who would rather garden vicariously—beautiful pictures of garden scenes.

People walked elbow to elbow in the aisles, some clutching  pussy willows, and assorted bundles of brush; others carrying metal art work that defied description, but apparently had meaning for its new owner.

It was a good winter day—a day of promise for the gardening season that is really just around the corner—well may a few steps around the corner.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Time to do some serious studying of the new seed catalogs.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

February 22, 11:00 a.m. Retired Federal Workers Meeting, Waunakee.

February 27, Noon, Mt. Morris Insurance Company annual meeting, Richford, Wi

March 2, 7:00 p.m. Minnesota Public TV, “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.”

March 3, 7:00 p.m. Wisconsin Public TV, “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.”

March 6- 27: Writing Retreat, Florida.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING “JERRY APPS: A FARM STORY” DVD

DVD Jerry Apps: A Farm Story List $16.95 The Patterson’s price only $15.00 ($20.00 shipped)
Special Bundle Offer exclusively by the Patterson:
Tamarack River Ghost & Jerry Apps: A Farm Story – List $43.90
The Patterson’s Price Only $35.00 ($43.00 shipped)

Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division St. PO Box 305
Wild Rose, WI 54984

(All items are sold by the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library. They will accept checks or cash, they’re sorry but they don’t have any way to accept credit or debit cards, checks should be made out to the Friends of Patterson Memorial Library.)

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Cold Weather Snow

It began after dark, quietly, almost imperceptibly, like a fine mist.  Except it was snow, cold weather snow. The kind that is light and fluffy, but nonetheless snow.  It accumulates on the already several inches that fell earlier in the week, like a coating of sparkly frosting on a big white cake.

            As there is no wind, it clings to the bare branches of the black willow trees that form a windbreak to the west.  It hangs on the red pine trees that are strung out along the county road that trails past my farm; it accumulates on my pickup.

            It reminds us, as if we need reminding, that snow, like people, comes in various forms and shapes.  Some arrives quietly, like a shy cousin.  Other times it comes on a howling wind, like a noisy uncle.  Occasionally it falls steadily, like a dependable grandmother.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Snow has many faces—recognize them; enjoy them.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

February 9, 12:00-2:00 p.m., Garden Expo, Alliant Center, Madison. Signing books in UW-Press booth.

February 22, 11:00 a.m. Retired Federal Workers Meeting, Waunakee.

February 27, Noon, Mt. Morris Insurance Company annual meeting, Richford, Wi

March 2, 7:00 p.m. Minnesota Public TV, “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.”

March 3, 7:00 p.m. Wisconsin Public TV, “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.”

March 6- 27: Writing Retreat, Florida.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING “JERRY APPS: A FARM STORY” DVD

DVD Jerry Apps: A Farm Story List $16.95 The Patterson’s price only $15.00 ($20.00 shipped)
Special Bundle Offer exclusively by the Patterson:
Tamarack River Ghost & Jerry Apps: A Farm Story – List $43.90
The Patterson’s Price Only $35.00 ($43.00 shipped)

Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division St. PO Box 305
Wild Rose, WI 54984

(All items are sold by the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library. They will accept checks or cash, they’re sorry but they don’t have any way to accept credit or debit cards, checks should be made out to the Friends of Patterson Memorial Library.)

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Prairie Home Companion

Ruth and I had the opportunity to see Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion show Saturday night performed at the Overture Center in Madison.  It was a sellout audience of more than 2,000 people who clapped and laughed and had a great time seeing their radio favorites in person: Sue Scott, who does many women’s voices, Tim Russell, who does as many men’s voices, and Fred Newman, the man of many sound effects.   And of course, the many talented Garrison Keillor who has been doing the show since 1974.

Today the Prairie Home Companion radio show has an audience of four million people and is broadcast on 600 radio stations throughout the country and in many foreign countries.

A theme for the show, as one might suspect, was winter, with several memorable lines and songs. Remember, the cold that grips you and makes things difficult is a DRY cold.

Also remember the first rule of winter.  Don’t leave beer in your car.  It will freeze and the bottles will explode.   I might add, especially if it is cheap beer with a low alcohol content.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Winter is a state of mind (perhaps).

UPCOMING EVENTS:

February 9, 12:00-2:00 p.m., Garden Expo, Alliant Center, Madison. Signing books in UW-Press booth.

February 22, 11:00 a.m. Retired Federal Workers Meeting, Waunakee.

February 27, Noon, Mt. Morris Insurance Company annual meeting, Richford, Wi

March 2, 7:00 p.m. Minnesota Public TV, “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.”

March 3, 7:00 p.m. Wisconsin Public TV, “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.”

March 6- 27: Writing Retreat, Florida.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING “JERRY APPS: A FARM STORY” DVD

DVD Jerry Apps: A Farm Story List $16.95 The Patterson’s price only $15.00 ($20.00 shipped)
Special Bundle Offer exclusively by the Patterson:
Tamarack River Ghost & Jerry Apps: A Farm Story – List $43.90
The Patterson’s Price Only $35.00 ($43.00 shipped)

Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division St. PO Box 305
Wild Rose, WI 54984

(All items are sold by the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library. They will accept checks or cash, they’re sorry but they don’t have any way to accept credit or debit cards, checks should be made out to the Friends of Patterson Memorial Library.)

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Northern Lakes Center for the Arts

The Northern Lakes Center for the Arts is a beacon for creativity in northwestern Wisconsin. Located in Amery, not quite 3,000 people, and led by the dynamic team of Mary Ellen and LaMoine MacLaughlin, the center sponsors everything from art exhibits (currently an exhibit by Amery H.S. art students) to musical performances, from writing workshops to publishing the “Hometown Gazette,” a newspaper with headquarters in nearby Clayton, WI.

This past weekend, Ruth and I were quests at the Center where on Saturday afternoon I taught a writing workshop for area budding writers.  On Saturday evening, with the wind howling and the temperature dropping, I talked to a wonderful group of sturdy folks about my novels and about the importance of storytelling in our hurry-up world.

The Center, long associated with the Robert E. Gard Foundation, has a considerable collection of Gard memorabilia including his old manual typewriter.  Those who know me are aware that Bob Gard was my writing mentor, going back to the 1960s when I first began professional writing.

So it was a good weekend, filled with memories, and an opportunity to meet a wonderful group of people.  And see once more our long-time friends, the MacLaughlins.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: As the days lengthen, the cold strengthens.

A REQUEST: For those of you who have read my new novel, TAMARACK RIVER GHOST, and are so inclined, you might write a brief review for Amazon.  Go to Amazon.com, type in the name of the book, and you’ll find instructions for writing a review.  Thanks much.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

February 9, 12:00-2:00 p.m., Garden Expo, Alliant Center, Madison. Signing books in UW-Press Booth.

February 22, 11:00 a.m. Retired Federal Workers Meeting, Waunakee.

February 27, Noon, Mt. Morris Insurance Company annual meeting, Richford, Wi

March 2, 7:00 p.m. Minnesota Public TV, “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.”

March 3, 7:00 p.m. Wisconsin Public TV, “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.”

March 6- 27: Writing Retreat, Florida.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING “JERRY APPS: A FARM STORY” DVD

DVD Jerry Apps: A Farm Story List $16.95 The Patterson’s price only $15.00 ($20.00 shipped)
Special Bundle Offer exclusively by the Patterson:
Tamarack River Ghost & Jerry Apps: A Farm Story – List $43.90
The Patterson’s Price Only $35.00 ($43.00 shipped)

Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division St. PO Box 305
Wild Rose, WI 54984

(All items are sold by the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library. They will accept checks or cash, they’re sorry but they don’t have any way to accept credit or debit cards, checks should be made out to the Friends of Patterson Memorial Library.)

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Time For A Break

After nearly a month of below freezing temperatures, the other morning I woke up to the sound of melt water dripping from the roof.  The ice was melting, the snow was settling, and a dense fog rolled in to make travel challenging.

Old man winter was taking a break, regrouping for the next bit of excitement he planned to toss our way as slowly we wend our way toward spring.

This brief break in winter reminds me that not even nature charges ahead with all its fury all the time.  We can learn a lesson here—especially those of us who don’t know the importance of slowing down from time-to-time in our quest for whatever we are questing.

            We can learn from nature’s example—take a time-out to reconsider, regroup, reflect, or read a good book and relax—before jumping back on the relentless treadmill that defines so many of our lives these days.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Take time to watch the snow melt. Consider building a

Snowman.

A REQUEST: For those of you who have read my new novel, TAMARACK RIVER GHOST, and are so inclined, you might write a brief review for Amazon.  Go to Amazon.com, type in the name of the book, and you’ll find instructions for writing a review.  Thanks much.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

January 14, 5:00 p.m.  Whole Foods, 3313 University Ave.,  Madison. Excerpt from TV show, “A Farm Story,” and discussion.

January 17, 7:00 p.m. Fitchburg Library, Garden Wisdom

January 19, 3:00 p.m. (Writing Workshop) Northern Lakes Center for the Arts, Amery, WI

January 19, 7:30 p.m. Northern Lakes Center for the Arts.  Presentation and Discussion: The Ames County Novel Series.

SPECIAL  ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING  “JERRY APPS: A FARM STORY” DVD

DVD Jerry Apps: A Farm Story List $16.95 The Patterson’s price only $15.00 ($20.00 shipped)
Special Bundle Offer exclusively by the Patterson:
Tamarack River Ghost & Jerry Apps: A Farm Story – List $43.90
The Patterson’s Price Only $35.00 ($43.00 shipped)

Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division St. PO Box 305
Wild Rose, WI 54984

(All items are sold by the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library. They will accept checks or cash, they’re sorry but they don’t have any way to accept credit or debit cards, checks should be made out to the Friends of Patterson Memorial Library.)

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Quiet Morning

It was five above zero when I put on my down jacket, pulled the earflaps down on my cap, grabbed my walking stick and set out from the cabin for my morning walk.  The sun, struggling to climb about the pine woods to the east provided a bit of light for what had been a very dark night, but offered little warmth as I headed down the trail.

How soon one forgets how quiet a chilly winter morning can be.  I heard not a sound, no crow call, no rustling of dead oak leaves, no creaking of bare tree limbs.  Nothing, save for the crunch, crunch of the cold snow under my boots as I trudged along, often stopping to listen and hearing nothing.  Hearing silence.

As the landscape grew lighter with the rising sun, the frost covered branches of the trees along the trail sparkled and glittered and reminded me how beautiful can be the most simple of things—morning frost in first light.

Upon returning to the cabin, I pushed another stick of oak wood in our wood stove, sat in my rocking chair with a cup of coffee and reminded myself that life couldn't get much better than this.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Take time to appreciate the simple things.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

January 14, 6:30 p.m.  Whole Foods, 3313 University Ave.,  Madison. Excerpt from TV show, “A Farm Story,” and discussion.

January 17, 7:00 p.m. Fitchburg Library, Garden Wisdom

January 19, 3:00 p.m. (Writing Workshop) Northern Lakes Center for the Arts, Amery, WI

January 19, 7:30 p.m. Northern Lakes Center for the Arts.  Presentation and Discussion: The Ames County Novel Series.

SPECIAL  ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING  “JERRY APPS: A FARM STORY” DVD

DVD Jerry Apps: A Farm Story List $16.95 The Patterson’s price only $15.00 ($20.00 shipped)
Special Bundle Offer exclusively by the Patterson:
Tamarack River Ghost & Jerry Apps: A Farm Story – List $43.90
The Patterson’s Price Only $35.00 ($43.00 shipped)

Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division St. PO Box 305
Wild Rose, WI 54984

(All items are sold by the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library. They will accept checks or cash, they’re sorry but they don’t have any way to accept credit or debit cards, checks should be made out to the Friends of Patterson Memorial Library.)

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A New Year

Some things to do in the New Year:

               Start a journal and write in it every day, or perhaps once a week, but regularly.  Record the weather.  Pen your thoughts. Write a story from your past.  Remove an emotional ache from your system.

               Vow to laugh out loud at least once each day, all year long.  You’ll feel better.  You’ll help others feel better.

               Take time to see the whiteness of fresh fallen snow that sparkles and glimmers and covers the grime and dirt of an earlier day.

               Watch the sun set when the temperature is below freezing and the sky is steel blue and turns black as the sun sinks away and the thermometer plummets.

               Listen for the silence of winter, when snow buries the land and the cold tightens its grip.  There is great beauty in silence, something that is in short supply these days.

               Stand in a snowstorm and watch snowflakes accumulate on your sleeve.  Each snowflake is different, each one special—a reminder of nature’s creative magnificence.

               Sit by a fireplace or a wood stove doing nothing except listening to the occasional pop of the fire and smelling the hint of wood smoke that sneaks into the room.

               Remember that doing nothing is sometimes the most important thing you can do.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Happy New Year!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

January 14, 6:30 p.m.  Whole Foods,  3313 University Ave.,  Madison. Excerpt from TV show, “A Farm Story,” and discussion.

January 17, 7:00 p.m. Fitchburg Library, Garden Wisdom

January 19, 3:00 p.m. (Writing Workshop) Northern Lakes Center for the Arts, Amery, WI

January 19, 7:30 p.m. Northern Lakes Center for the Arts.  Presentation and Discussion: The Ames County Novel Series.

SPECIAL  ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING  “JERRY APPS: A FARM STORY” DVD

DVD Jerry Apps: A Farm Story List $16.95 The Patterson’s price only $15.00 ($20.00 shipped)
Special Bundle Offer exclusively by the Patterson:
Tamarack River Ghost & Jerry Apps: A Farm Story – List $43.90
The Patterson’s Price Only $35.00 ($43.00 shipped)

Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division St. PO Box 305
Wild Rose, WI 54984

(All items are sold by the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library. They will accept checks or cash, they’re sorry but they don’t have any way to accept credit or debit cards, checks should be made out to the Friends of Patterson Memorial Library.)

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Blizzard

The storm came from the west, well announced but mostly ignored as there was Christmas shopping to do, parties to attend, people to see, places to go.

The schools announced they would close the following day even though not a flake of snow fell from the sky and the temperature was above freezing.  “Why?” people asked.  Many still not believing the forecast of a major storm coming our way.

But late that night the snow began falling, huge, wet flakes that gathered on the tree limbs and hung heavy on the electric wires.  And made the roads and streets a slippery mess. 

By mid-day the wind came up, and a blizzard was proclaimed, and the snow flew and gathered in five foot drifts.  The malls closed, the banks closed, the buses ceased running.  And the power went out for thousands, who for the first time in years sat in the dark, reading by flashlight or by candlelight, as no one in these modern times had a kerosene lamp to light their way.

 A powerful reminder from Old Man Winter, that we earthlings with all  our technology, and our feelings of power and control are mere mortals when seventeen inches of snow falls and the wind blows and the power goes out.

A reminder we all need from time-to-time.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Listen to Old Man Winter.  He usually has the first and the last word.

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING  “A FARM STORY” DVD, AND MY NEW NOVEL “TAMARACK RIVER GHOST:”

Fund Raiser: Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose, WI.

[Note that checks should be made out to Friends of Patterson Memorial Library]

Special pricing to benefit the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose, Jerry’s hometown!
Book The Tamarack River Ghost List $26.95
The Patterson’s price only $22.00 ($28.00 shipped)

DVD Jerry Apps: A Farm Story List $16.95 The Patterson’s price only $15.00 ($20.0

0 shipped)
Special Bundle Offer exclusively by the Patterson:
Tamarack River Ghost & Jerry Apps: A Farm Story – List $43.90
The Patterson’s Price Only $35.00 ($43.00 shipped)

Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division St. PO Box 305
Wild Rose, WI 54984

(All items are sold by the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library. They will accept checks or cash, they’re sorry but they don’t have any way to accept credit or debit cards, checks should be made out to the Friends of Patterson Memorial Library.)

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Thank You TV Viewers

A big thank you to all who watched the documentary, Jerry Apps: A Farm Story and sent me emails, wrote letters, called, stopped me on the street and told me they enjoyed and appreciated the show.  I was overwhelmed with the response, and gratified, too, that I was able to make some small contribution to recognizing farmers and farm life from an earlier time.

“We are all people of the land,” I often say in my writings and in the many talks I give around the Midwest.  Individually, a person may be two or three or even four generations away from farms and farming.   But each of us has a tie to the land through our ancestors, and through our need to recognize, appreciate, and revere the land for it is the source of our sustenance and the foundation for our survival.

So far, the show has aired three times in Wisconsin and twice in Minnesota. Additionally it is available on the Internet so people can watch it on their computers.  Now and again a person hinted that I must have made a “goodly” amount of money from the TV folks for doing the show.  Nope, not a penny.  Nor did anyone else associated with the show earn any money from doing it.  It was our contribution to Wisconsin Public Television, one of the state’s often under appreciated treasures.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Never, ever forget your tie to the land.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

(Next January’s events listed next week)

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING  “JERRY APPS: A FARM STORY” DVD, AND MY NEW NOVEL “TAMARACK RIVER GHOST:”

Fund Raiser: Patterson Memorial Library

[Note that checks should be made out to Friends of Patterson Memorial Library]

Special pricing to benefit the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose, Jerry’s hometown!
Book The Tamarack River Ghost List $26.95
The Patterson’s price only $22.00 ($28.00 shipped)

DVD Jerry Apps: A Farm Story List $16.95 The Patterson’s price only $15.00 ($20.0

0 shipped)
Special Bundle Offer exclusively by the Patterson:
Tamarack River Ghost & Jerry Apps: A Farm Story – List $43.90
The Patterson’s Price Only $35.00 ($43.00 shipped)

Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division St. PO Box 305
Wild Rose, WI 54984

All items are sold by the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library. We will accept checks or cash, we’re sorry but we don’t have any way to accept credit or debit cards, checks should be made out to the Friends of Patterson Memorial Library.

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First Snow

It came in the night, quietly, without fanfare—not at all like a thunderstorm that brags about its arrival with flashing lightning and booming thunder.

The first snowstorm of the season.  It slips in unannounced.  No loud noises, no flashes of light.  Just gentle falling snow.  Little flakes at first and then larger ones as daylight arrives and mid-morning approaches and snow accumulates on the lawn and the bare branches of the maple trees in my backyard, and the shrubbery in front of the house.

There are “oh’s” and “ah’s” from those who see it, who know that this first snow, better than any calendar number, marks the changing of the seasons.  That fall is now buried in white, and winter has arrived—quietly but oh so effectively.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS:  When asked what to do about the snow, answered, “Let it snow.”

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING  “A FARM STORY” DVD, AND MY NEW NOVEL “TAMARACK RIVER GHOST:”

Fund Raiser: Patterson Memorial Library

[Note that checks should be made out to Friends of Patterson Memorial Library]

Special pricing to benefit the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose, Jerry’s hometown!
Book The Tamarack River Ghost List $26.95
The Patterson’s price only $22.00 ($28.00 shipped)

DVD Jerry Apps: A Farm Story List $16.95 The Patterson’s price only $15.00 ($20.0

0 shipped)
Special Bundle Offer exclusively by the Patterson:
Tamarack River Ghost & Jerry Apps: A Farm Story – List $43.90
The Patterson’s Price Only $35.00 ($43.00 shipped)

Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division St. PO Box 305
Wild Rose, WI 54984

All items are sold by the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library. We will accept checks or cash, we’re sorry but we don’t have any way to accept credit or debit cards, checks should be made out to the Friends of Patterson Memorial Library.

Top of Form

UPCOMING EVENTS:

December 15, 11:00 -12:30. Wisconsin Historical Society Museum, Downtown Madison.  Book Signing.

Fireside Books

For each of the past ten years, in early December, I have signed books at a fine independent bookstore in West Bend named Fireside Books.  This past Saturday was the day for this year—a balmy weather day with brief rain showers.  But a great day for buying books, and Fireside Books was busy as I talked about and signed copies of my newest novel, TAMARACK RIVER GHOST.

It is always fun visiting with friends, former students, and those who have never heard of me at these events.  It's humbling—we all can use a little humble pie from time-to-time—when I ask a person stopping by my table if she has heard about my books.  “Can’t say if I have,” a nice lady says.  “What is your book about?”

I talk a bit about TAMARACK RIVER GHOST.  “Oh,” she says, interrupting me, “I’m really not very interested in that sort of thing,” and she walks away.

A little while later, a tall, intense young man stops by my table.  “I’m writing a book,” he says.  “Can you tell me how to do it?”

I try to share some thoughts on book writing—mostly I say, “Sit down and write—a couple hours a day, every day, six days a week.”

“Oh,” he says.  “That’s it huh?  I’ll give that a try.”

I wanted to say there was a bit more to it—but writing a couple hours a day is how I got started.  Perhaps next year I’ll see this fellow’s book in the bookstore next to mine.

Bookstore book signings are always fun and never predictable.  That’s one of the reasons I keep doing it.

SPECIAL EVENT: Monday, December 3, 6:30, Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose.  Central Wisconsin launch of TAMARACK RIVER GHOST, my latest novel, with a setting in central Wisconsin.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS:  No matter if you are writing a book or painting a house, two hours of work a day on the project will make a difference.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

December 3, 6:30 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose.  Reception and book launch for “Tamarack River Ghost.” 

December 5, 11:00 a.m. Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio.  Tamarack River Ghost.

December 8, 9:30-11:30, Sheboygan Falls Memorial Library, Garden Wisdom. Sponsored by Sheboygan County Historical Research Center.

December 15, 11:00 -12:30. Wisconsin Historical Society Museum, Downtown Madison.  Book Signing.

Selecting a Christmas Tree

Over the years we have planted about 12,000 red pine trees that are now of various heights and diameters at our farm near Wild Rose.  In addition to the many that we planted, many more have self-seeded.  We have about five acres of self-seeded white pines, and here and there throughout the farm self-seeded Scotch and jack pine grow.

Each year for many years we have selected our Christmas trees from this collection—and what a task it is.  You’d think picking out a couple trees, one for Ruth and me, and one for Sue and Paul would be an easy task.  It is not.  We do no shearing of our pine trees—thus they grow naturally and often imperfectly.  Imperfectly for those who want a straight, fully branched, dark green, just the right height tree.

Last Saturday my daughter, Sue and I had the onerous and enormous responsibility of selecting this year’s trees.  It was a cool clear day and we faced the task with seriousness, as well as enjoying tramping around from tree to tree:  “How about this one?  How about that one?”

Finally, we settled on two Scotch pines that appeared to meet most of the requirements for a suitable Christmas tree.  Sue, a woodswoman as she calls herself, sawed off one and then the other tree.  We loaded then on the back of our John Deere Gator and chugged off down the trail by the pond and up the hill on our way to the cabin.  Arriving at the cabin, we proceeded to load the trees into the pickup—and discovered we had but one tree.  Back on the trail to find the one that had fallen off.

It was a great day.  I've not yet heard how successful we were.  That information usually comes later—after the trees are decorated.  I’m hopeful.

SPECIAL EVENT:  December Monday, December 3, 6:30, Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose.  Central Wisconsin launch of TAMARACK RIVER GHOST, my latest novel, with a setting in central Wisconsin.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS:  Decision making can be a bugger, especially when selecting a Christmas tree.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

November 28, 7:00 p.m. “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” State-wide broadcast on all Wisconsin Public TV stations.

December 1, 10:30-2:30 Fireside Books, West Bend, WI. 10:30-2:00 p.m. Presentation at

11:00. “Tamarack River Ghost.”

December 2, 7:00 p.m. “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” State-wide broadcast on all Wisconsin Public TV stations.

December 3, 6:30 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose.  Dinner and book launch for “Tamarack River Ghost.”  Call 920-622-3855 for reservations.

December 5, 11:00 a.m. Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio.  Tamarack River Ghost.

December 8, 9:30-11:30, Sheboygan Falls Memorial Library, Garden Wisdom. Sponsored by Sheboygan County Historical Research Center.

December 15, 11:00 -12:30. Wisconsin Historical Society Museum, Downtown Madison.  Book Signing.

Deer Hunting

Not once since I was old enough to buy a hunting license have I missed  a deer season in Wisconsin.  Not that I’m much of a hunter anymore; I am not.  But the idea of being with family for this annual ritual compels me to return to the woods on these days before Thanksgiving looking for the illusive ten-point buck, which is the standard, high-ranking achievement for the deer hunter.  Anything less, say a fat six-pointer evokes little praise.

I suspect there are a growing number of us, with many years of deer hunting experience, who continue not because of the thrill of bagging a big deer (most will take one if the opportunity presents itself) but of the hunt itself.  The Saturday night chili supper at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Wild Rose. Chatting with nephews seldom seen during the rest of the year.  But above all, for me at least, the opportunity to sit in the woods on my farm, with giant oaks all around me and a view of my pond in front of me, and the quiet.  Oh, how I appreciate the quiet with no cell phones chirping, no traffic roaring in the background, and no door bells dinging.

After an extremely busy fall of speaking and book signings, I needed these few days of escape.  Deer hunting is my excuse.

SPECIAL EVENT:  December Monday, December 3, 6:30, Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose.  Central Wisconsin launch of TAMARACK RIVER GHOST, my latest novel, with a setting in central Wisconsin.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS:  Find time to seek a quiet place from time to time.  It’s good for the soul.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

November 28, 7:00 p.m. “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” State-wide broadcast on all Wisconsin Public TV stations.

December 1, 10:30-2:30 Fireside Books, West Bend, WI. 10:30-2:00 p.m. Presentation at 11:00. “Tamarack River Ghost.”

December 3, 6:30 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose.  Dinner and book launch for “Tamarack River Ghost.”  Call 920-622-3855 for information.

December 5, 11:00 a.m. Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio.  Tamarack River Ghost.

December 8, 9:30-11:30, Sheboygan Falls Memorial Library, Garden Wisdom. Sponsored by Sheboygan County Historical Research Center.

December 15, 11:00 -12:30. Wisconsin Historical Society Museum, Downtown Madison.  Book Signing.

Wisconsin Book Festival

To those who proclaim that the book is dead, they need only to have attended the Wisconsin Book Festival to know how wrong they are.  A program of the Wisconsin Humanities Council, the Wisconsin Book Festival, held this year November 7-11 at various sites in and around Madison, attracted scores of authors and hundreds of readers from near and far.

On Saturday, I had the privilege of the introducing Jim Draeger and Mark Speltz, authors of “Bottoms Up: A Toast to Wisconsin’s Historic Bars & Breweries.”  The event was held at Le Tigre Lounge off Midvale Blvd. in Madison--and people were literally spilling out the door—all thirsting for a bit of “Bottoms Up” (and a cool brew or two as well).

On Sunday, afternoon, during the last time period of the five-day show, author Kristy Athens of Portland, Oregon and I shared a stage at the Overture Center in Madison for a program called “With Our Hands in the Dirt.”  She discussed her new book, “Get your Pitchfork on: The Real Dirt on Country Living,” and I talked about my book, “Garden Wisdom.”  We were privileged to have Wisconsin’s own, Larry Meiller, host of Wisconsin Public Radio’s Larry Meiller show, to introduce us.  With a cold rain making the afternoon a bit miserable, book readers listened, chuckled, and raised great questions during our nearly one and a half hour session. 

Really no need to say it, but books and book-reading continue to be important in the lives of many.  May it ever be so.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Books do not scold when you blunder, laugh when you are ignorant, or hide when you seek them.

CHECK THIS OUT: Tune in your Wisconsin Public TV station on November 28, 7:00 p.m. for the inaugural showing of “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.”

UPCOMING EVENTS:

November 13, Barnes and Noble Book Store, Madison West. 7:00 p.m. Launch of “Tamarack River Ghost.”

November 14, Columbus, Wi Public Library. 6:00 p.m. “Tamarack River Ghost”

 November 15, 7:00 p.m. Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine Street, Green Bay, WI. Showing of “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” Wis. Public TV.   Free to the public. Reception with cider and cookies. Apps will speak and take questions from the audience following the show.

November 28, 7:00 p.m. “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” State-wide broadcast on all Wisconsin Public TV stations.

December 1, 10:30-2:30 Fireside Books, West Bend, WI. 10:30-2:00 p.m. Presentation at 11:00. “Tamarack River Ghost.”

December 3, 6:30 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose.  Dinner and book launch for “Tamarack River Ghost.”  Call 920-622-3855 for reservations.

December 8, 9:30-11:30, Sheboygan Falls Memorial Library, Garden Wisdom. Sponsored by Sheboygan County Historical Research Center.

December 15, 11:00 -12:30. Wisconsin Historical Society Museum, Downtown Madison.  Book Signing.

November 13 Jerry Apps Book Launch

A special invitation to all:

Launch of Tamarack River Ghost at Barnes and Noble West Madison, Tuesday, November 13, 7:00 p.m.

Another installment of the Ames County Series of books with a Wisconsin base--and this time a contemporary issue facing the good citizens of Ames County who live in the Tamarack River Valley.

Making Wood

The old oak tree stood maybe 40 feet tall, one of the sentinel trees on the side hill back of the cabin.  A couple years ago the tree died; no one knew why.  The bark had fallen from the upper branches and were bleached white from the summer sun.  But the tree remained sturdy and strong—and had become a prime candidate for firewood to feed our every hungry wood stove that warms our cabin and cooks our food during the cool days of fall and the long, cold days of winter.

Making wood has become a fall-day tradition for many years at the cabin.  The family gathers and together we, cut, split and pile the wood on the outside of the woodshed where it dries for the winter.  The wood we burn this season was cut a year ago—well seasoned and dry firewood is not only safer to burn (far less danger of chimney fires) but it also is easier to start and burns better.

Steve handles the chainsaw these days; Paul is in charge of the cant hook—which helps to prevent the chainsaw from pinching when the tree is down.  Once the tree is sawed into chunks, I haul them to the shed with the tractor and there, with a log splitter, Steve and grandson, Ben slice the big chunks into cook stove size pieces while Paul hauls the split wood with the tractor to the woodshed where he not only stacks the wood but makes the stack look like an artist’s work.

Daughter Sue and Ruth prepare an enormous noon meal for the hungry wood cutting crew and the work continues throughout the afternoon until the wood is all piled.  I am reminded of the wood cutting bees we had on the home farm when I was a kid.  When the neighbors came to help slice the oak logs into manageable hunks.  In those days there were no chain saws, and no mechanical wood splitters.   Just two-man cross cut saws, axes, and splitting mauls.  All hand labor.  Except for Guy York’s circle saw that made the rounds of the neighbors, slicing long oak logs into manageable chunks of wood—the work we do these days with a chainsaw.   The good old days? 

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Daughter Sue said it.  “Bacon never tastes better than when it is prepared on a wood burning cook stove.”

Upcoming Events

November 7, 5:30 dinner.  Platteville Historical Society, Platteville, WI. “Garden Wisdom.” 1^st English Lutheran Church, 215 W. Pine St., Platteville.

November 11,  5:15 p.m. Wisconsin Book Festival, Madison, Overture Center,

“Garden Wisdom.”

November 12, 10:00 a.m. Radio show, WBEV-AM, Beaver Dam. Brenda Murphy Show.  “Tamarack River Ghost.

November 13, Barnes and Noble Book Store, Madison West. 7:00 p.m. Launch of“Tamarack River Ghost.”

November 14, Columbus, Wi Public Library. 6:00 p.m. “Tamarack River Ghost.”

 November 15, 7:00 p.m. Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine Street, Green Bay, WI. Showing of “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” Wis. Public TV.   Free to the public. Reception with cider and cookies. Apps will speak and take questions from the audience following the show.

November 28, 7:00 p.m. “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” State-wide broadcast on all Wisconsin Public TV stations.

December 1, 10:30-2:30 Fireside Bookstore, West Bend, WI. 10:30-2:00 p.m. Presentation at 11:00. “Tamarack River Ghost.”

December 3, 6:30 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose.  Dinner and book launch for “Tamarack River Ghost.”  Call 920-622-3855 for reservations.

December 8, 9:30-11:30, Sheboygan Falls Memorial Library, Garden Wisdom. Sponsored by Sheboygan County Historical Research Center.

December 15, 11:00 -12:30. Wisconsin Historical Society Museum, Downtown Madison.  Booksigning.

Upcoming Events

November 7, 5:30 dinner.  Platteville Historical Society, Platteville, WI. “Garden Wisdom.” 1^st English Lutheran Church, 215 W. Pine St., Platteville.

November 11,  5:15 p.m. Wisconsin Book Festival, Madison,”Overture Center, “Garden Wisdom.”

November 13, Barnes and Noble Book Store, Madison West. 7:00 p.m. Launch of “Tamarack River Ghost.”

November 14, Columbus, Wi Public Library. 6:00 p.m. “Tamarack River Ghost.”

 November 15, 7:00 p.m. Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine Street, Green Bay, WI. Showing of “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” Wis. Public TV.   Free to the public. Reception with cider and cookies. Apps will speak and take questions from the audience following the show.

November 28, 7:00 p.m. “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” State-wide broadcast on all Wisconsin Public TV stations.

December 1, 10:30-2:30 Fireside Books, West Bend, WI. 10:30-2:00 p.m. Presentation at 11:00. “Tamarack River Ghost.”

December 3, 6:30 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose.  Dinner and book launch for “Tamarack River Ghost.”  Call 920-622-3855 for reservations.

December 8, 9:30-11:30, Sheboygan Falls Memorial Library,  Garden Wisdom. Sponsored by Sheboygan County Historical Research Center.

Treasured Public Libraries

When I was a kid growing up on a farm in central Wisconsin and attending a one-room country school, we had few books at home, and the school had but three shelves of books located near the wood stove in the back of the schoolroom.

As a lover of books since I learned to read, by fifth or sixth grade I had read every book in the school’s limited collection.  And I wanted more.  In those days, the Wild Rose library would not lend books to kids who lived outside the village.  So I was stuck.

Mr. Roberts, owner of the Wild Rose Mercantile knew about my love for books.  In the basement of his store, where you could buy everything from four-buckle barn boots to groceries, Mr. Roberts offered a small collection of hard cover books; none priced more than .49 cents each.

While my mother was busy grocery shopping, Mr. Roberts would take me down to his book collection and recommend books for me to buy.  I saved my money from picking cucumbers, potatoes and green beans—and bought books.  I still have several of them in my collection: SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON, TREASURE ISLAND,  THE BLACK ARROW and several others.

I was reminded of all of this last week when I attended and spoke at the 2012 Wisconsin Library Association Conference held in La Crosse.  How fortunate we are in Wisconsin to have such a fine collection of public libraries—that are open to the public, country kids included.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS.  Support our libraries.  They are community treasures.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

October 30, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bramble Books, Viroqua, WI.  Book Signing.

October 30, 5:30 p.m. Temple Theater, Viroqua, WI. Showing of “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” Wis. Public TV. Refreshments.  Free to the public. Apps will speak and take questions from the audience following the show.

November 1, 6:30 p.m. Minoqua Public Library. Minoqua, WI. “Rural Wit and Wisdom.”

November 7, Platteville Historical Society, Platteville, WI. “Garden Wisdom.”

November 11,  5:15 p.m. Wisconsin Book Festival, Madison,”Overture Center, “Garden Wisdom.”

November 13, Barnes and Noble Book Store, Madison West. 7:00 p.m. Launch of

“Tamarack River Ghost.”

November 14, Columbus, Wi Public Library. 6:00 p.m. “Tamarack River Ghost”

 November 15, 7:00 p.m. Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine Street, Green Bay, WI. Showing of “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” Wis. Public TV.   Free to the public. Reception with cider and cookies. Apps will speak and take questions from the audience following the show.

November 28, 7:00 p.m. “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” State-wide broadcast on all Wisconsin Public TV stations.

December 1, 10:30-2:30 Fireside Books, West Bend, WI. Presentation at 11:00

Writing From Your Life

Last Saturday, at The Clearing in Door County, as rain splattered against the windows of the Jens Jensen Center, I worked with a wonderful group of writers.  I call the workshop “Writing From Your Life,” and I do it a couple times a year at this special place near the tip of Wisconsin’s thumb.

It was a great day for writing, gloomy, wet, but so beautiful as the maples and birch were in their full fall splendor.  The stories ranged from hilarious to sad, but all personal and written from the heart.  Long forgotten memories were recalled and put down on paper.  A record for the family.  History for the community.

For story writing tips, I suggest—with no modesty—looking at my new book RURAL WIT AND WISDOM (Fulcrum Press, 2012) where I have a long chapter on the importance of personal stories and how to write them.  Go to my website, www.jerryapps.com for more information.  Or order directly from Fulcrum Press http://www.fulcrum-books.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=6171

THE OLD TIMER SAYS.  The history of a community resides in its storytellers.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

October 24, 2:15 p.m., Wisconsin Library Assoc. Annual Meeting, LaCrosse Conference Center, LaCrosse, WI  “Garden Wisdom.”

October 30, 3:00 p.m. Bramble Books, Viroqua, WI.  Booksigning.

October 30, 5:30 p.m. Temple Theater, Viroqua, WI. Showing of “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” Wis. Public TV. Refreshments.  Free to the public.

November 1, 6:30 p.m. Minoqua Public Library. Minoqua, WI. “Rural Wit and Wisdom”

November 7, Platteville Historical Society, Platteville, WI. “Garden Wisdom”

November 11,  5:15 p.m. Wisconsin Book Festival, Madison,” Garden Wisdom.”

November 13, Barnes and Noble Book Store,  Madison West. 7:00 p.m. Launch of

“Tamarack River Ghost”.

November 14, Columbus, WI Public Library. 6:00 p.m. “Tamarack River Ghost”

 November 15, 7:00 p.m. Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine Street, Green Bay, WI. Showing of “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” Wis. Public TV.   Free to the public. Reception with cider and cookies. Apps will speak and take questions from the audience following the show.

November 28, 7:00 p.m. “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” State-wide broadcast on all Wisconsin Public TV stations.

December 1, 10:30-2:30 Fireside Books, West Bend, WI. Presentation at 11:00

Rainy Days

The forecasters said 100 percent chance of rain.  They usually hedge a bit on their forecasts—80 percent, 60 percent.  But not this time.  They were sure.  And they were right.

The rain began Friday evening, slow and easy, not like a typical shower that rolls in with a lot of show and bluster and soon moves on.  No thunder, no lightning.  Just dark clouds and rain.  Saturday morning, drippy rain continued.  Not hard rain, not enough to keep visitors away from harvest festivals, but enough to get you wet if you chose not to wear rain gear. 

By late Saturday afternoon, the clouds darkened even more, and the rain began falling ever heavier.  Soaking rain.  And it continued all night.  Pounding on the bedroom windows, pouring off rooftops—and soaking the doughty land that had suffered most of the summer.

Sunday morning.  The rain continued, heavy at times. Making puddles where puddles had not been for months.  Giving my garden’s winter wheat cover crop the boost it needed.  Green showing everywhere as the little green wheat shoots pushed through the thoroughly soaked soil.

By Sunday evening, when the raindrops ceased falling and the clouds moved on to the east, the rain gauges in my part of central Wisconsin measured four inches. My brother in Wild Rose said that he’d measured five inches. The most rain we’d gotten at one time all summer.  And how welcomed it was.  Smiles all around.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS.  What do you do when it rains?  Let it rain.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

October 24, 2:15 p.m., Wisconsin Library Assoc. Annual Meeting, LaCrosse Conference Center, LaCrosse, WI  “Garden Wisdom.”

October 30, 5:30 p.m. Temple Theater, Viroqua, WI. Showing of “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” Wis. Public TV. Refreshments.  Free to the public.

November 1, 6:30 p.m. Minoqua Public Library. Minoqua, WI. Rural Wit and Wisdom.

November 7, Platteville Historical Society, Platteville, WI.

November 11,  5:15 p.m. Wisconsin Book Festival, Madison,” Garden Wisdom.”

November 13, Barnes and Noble Book Store,  Madison West. 7:00 p.m. Launch of

“Tamarack River Ghost”.

November 14, Columbus Library. 6:00 p.m. "Tamarack River Ghost"

A Farm Story

In the fall of 2011, Wisconsin Public Television began developing a documentary about farm life in Wisconsin during the late 1930s and through the War years of the 1940s.  I helped them with the project and they gave the hour-long program the title of “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story,” which is now complete.

 The show includes still photos that many Wild Rose area people contributed-- one-room country schools, making hay, threshing bees,  cucumber picking, swimming at Little Silver Lake and much more  The film also has several shots of Wild Rose’s Main Street featuring Hotz’s Hardware and the old Mercantile, still the largest building in the village, as well as the millpond and the old grist mill.

The narration includes stories from several of my books  including, RURAL WIT AND WISDOM, WHEN CHORES WERE DONE, LIVING A COUNTRY YEAR, EVERY FARM TELLS A STORY, ONE-ROOM COUNTRY SCHOOLS and OLD FARM: A HISTORY.

The premier showing of the film will be at the Wild Rose H.S. auditorium (600 Park Avenue, Wild Rose) on Monday, October 15, 5:30 p.m.  The showing will include a reception with light refreshments.  There is no charge and everyone is invited—I’ll be making some brief remarks as part of the program.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS:  Remembering where we have been can help us see where we are going.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

October 13, 9-4.  The Clearing.  Writing Workshop: Writing From Your Life. Go to www.theclearing.org for information.

October 15, 5:30 p.m. Wild Rose High School Auditorium.  First showing of “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” Wis. Public TV. Refreshments. Free to the public.

October 24, 2:15 p.m., Wisconsin Library Assoc. Annual Meeting, LaCrosse Conference Center, LaCrosse, WI  “Garden Wisdom.”

October 30, 5:30 p.m. Temple Theater, Viroqua, WI. Showing of “Jerry Apps: A Farm Story.” Wis. Public TV. Refreshments.  Free to the public.

November 1, 6:30 p.m. Minoqua Public Library. Minoqua, WI.

November 7, Platteville Historical Society, Platteville, WI.

November 11,  5:15 p.m. Wisconsin Book Festival, Madison,” Garden Wisdom.”

November 13, Barnes and Noble Book Store,  Madison West. 7:00 p.m. Launch of “Tamarack River Ghost”.