The old apple tree at my farm is twisted and gnarled and bent and broken, but it is still alive. I don’t know the tree’s exact age, but I do know the first settler on my farm, Tom Stewart, arrived on these acres in 1867, and I’m assuming started an apple orchard shortly after he came. He was from New York State, and many early settlers brought apple trees with them to plant in this new place.
We have owned our farm since 1964 and have marveled at this old apple tree from the day when we first saw it in full bloom. A few years ago we thought it was on its last tracks, it had but a few blossoms, a major limb had smashed to the ground, and it was a pathetic sight. But as it turns out, this was only a setback, a brief unhappy experience, as the tree developed new growth and continued on.
This year the old apple tree is covered with blossoms, more than I ever remember. The tree is making a point. Just because you’re old doesn’t mean you can’t show off a little.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Some trips are two steps forward and one back. Better this arrangement than the opposite.
June 2, 7:00 p.m. Luck Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 7, 7:00 p.m. Galesville Library. Horses and Barns.
June 24, 6:30 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose, WI. Fundraiser featuring Campfires and Loon calls.
June 28, 5-7 p.m. Fitger’s Bookstore, Duluth, MN. Book signing, Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 29, 2-4 p.m. Cherry St. Books, Alexandria, MN. Book signing, Campfires and Loon Calls.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Lilacs
The lilacs are opening in our neck of the words. Beautiful purple flowers with a smell filled with memories. Lilac bushes graced the south side of our one-room school yard, tall gangly bushes most of the year, but for a few days, a couple of weeks sometimes, the schoolyard was filled with the smell of lilac. When the lilacs first opened, we’d cut a big bouquet and give them to our teacher who would put them in a vase on the corner of her desk. And now the schoolroom, too, its long winter, musty smell with lingering smells of oak smoke was replaced with one more smell of spring.
We didn’t have lilacs at home. Pa didn’t like them. Said their smell was too strong. Here was one place I disagreed with him for I enjoyed the smell of lilacs, then and now. I prefer the smell of real lilac, not that created in a laboratory to become part of a strong smelling perfume that is supposed to smell like lilacs but doesn’t make it, not for my country smelling nose anyway.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: The road home is often the longest.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
May 23, 7:30 p.m. Brodhead Historical Society. Brodhead High School. History of Wisconsin Agriculture.
May 26, 7:00 p.m. Eagle River Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 2, 7:00 p.m. Luck Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 7, 7:00 p.m. Galesville Library. Horses and Barns.
June 24, 6:30 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, fundraiser featuring Campfires and Loon calls.
June 28, 5-7 p.m. Fitger’s Bookstore, Duluth, MN. Book signing, Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 29, 2-4 p.m. Cherry Street Books, Alexandria, MN. Book signing, Campfires and Loon Calls.
We didn’t have lilacs at home. Pa didn’t like them. Said their smell was too strong. Here was one place I disagreed with him for I enjoyed the smell of lilacs, then and now. I prefer the smell of real lilac, not that created in a laboratory to become part of a strong smelling perfume that is supposed to smell like lilacs but doesn’t make it, not for my country smelling nose anyway.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: The road home is often the longest.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
May 23, 7:30 p.m. Brodhead Historical Society. Brodhead High School. History of Wisconsin Agriculture.
May 26, 7:00 p.m. Eagle River Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 2, 7:00 p.m. Luck Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 7, 7:00 p.m. Galesville Library. Horses and Barns.
June 24, 6:30 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, fundraiser featuring Campfires and Loon calls.
June 28, 5-7 p.m. Fitger’s Bookstore, Duluth, MN. Book signing, Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 29, 2-4 p.m. Cherry Street Books, Alexandria, MN. Book signing, Campfires and Loon Calls.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
The Many Greens of Spring
After a few days of dreary, bleak and mostly colorless days in April, a few warm days in May changed the landscape to a world of green. We celebrate fall for its palette of vivid colors, but if we want to see green—early spring is the season to do it.
From the light greens of the aspen trees, to the dark greens of the white and red pine. From the reddish green of the maples to the yellowish green of the little nubs of oak leaves just pushing forth.
Alfalfa fields, winter wheat, rye, and pasture grass just waking up from a long winter. All green in various shades. Green is clearly the color of spring, the color of revival and new growth. The color of optimism and looking forward.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: The shortest distance between two points is often not the point.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
May 18, 7:00 p.m., Beloit Library. Ames County Novels.
May 23, 7:30 p.m. Brodhead Historical Society. Brodhead High School. History of Wisconsin Agriculture.
May 26, 7:00 p.m. Eagle River Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 2, 7:00 p.m. Luck Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 7, 7:00 p.m. Galesville Library. Horses and Barns.
June 24, 6:30 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, fundraiser featuring Campfires and Loon calls.
June 28, 5-7 p.m. Fitger’s Bookstore, Duluth, MN. Book signing, Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 29, 2-4 p.m. Cherry St. Books, Alexandria, MN. Book signing, Campfires and Loon Calls.
From the light greens of the aspen trees, to the dark greens of the white and red pine. From the reddish green of the maples to the yellowish green of the little nubs of oak leaves just pushing forth.
Alfalfa fields, winter wheat, rye, and pasture grass just waking up from a long winter. All green in various shades. Green is clearly the color of spring, the color of revival and new growth. The color of optimism and looking forward.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: The shortest distance between two points is often not the point.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
May 18, 7:00 p.m., Beloit Library. Ames County Novels.
May 23, 7:30 p.m. Brodhead Historical Society. Brodhead High School. History of Wisconsin Agriculture.
May 26, 7:00 p.m. Eagle River Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 2, 7:00 p.m. Luck Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 7, 7:00 p.m. Galesville Library. Horses and Barns.
June 24, 6:30 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, fundraiser featuring Campfires and Loon calls.
June 28, 5-7 p.m. Fitger’s Bookstore, Duluth, MN. Book signing, Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 29, 2-4 p.m. Cherry St. Books, Alexandria, MN. Book signing, Campfires and Loon Calls.
Friday, May 06, 2011
Mother's Day
A twenty acre woodlot backed up to our farm house. It provided firewood for our ever hungry wood stoves. In fall it offered a steady supply of squirrels and rabbits for our supper table. It was a place to explore, to hike and watch the birds, to find peace and quiet. And when you did something wrong, a place to run to while you waited for Pa to cool off and reconsider the punishment you knew was coming if you’d not escaped to this wonderful hiding place.
On Mother’s Day, the woods was an especially important place for on a hillside on the north side of the woodlot, in a little clearing, grew a big patch of purple violets, light purple, some a dark velvety purple. My brothers and I would pick bouquets of these beautiful spring flowers and give them to our mother for Mother’s Day. She put the fragile flowers in a jelly glass and then place them in the middle of the kitchen table where we’d all enjoy them. For several years, this was our Mother’s Day gift, and one that Mother seemed always to enjoy when she saw her three little boys, each holding a fist full of the purple flowers emerge from the woods with big smiles on their faces.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: It’s not the size of the gift, but the size of the thought that counts.
May 14, 10 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Books signing. Dregni’s, Westby.
May 18, 7:00 p.m., Beloit Library. Ames County Novels.
May 23, 7:30 p.m. Brodhead Historical Society. History of Wisconsin Agriculture.
May 26, 7:00 p.m. Eagle River Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 2, 7:00 p.m. Luck Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
On Mother’s Day, the woods was an especially important place for on a hillside on the north side of the woodlot, in a little clearing, grew a big patch of purple violets, light purple, some a dark velvety purple. My brothers and I would pick bouquets of these beautiful spring flowers and give them to our mother for Mother’s Day. She put the fragile flowers in a jelly glass and then place them in the middle of the kitchen table where we’d all enjoy them. For several years, this was our Mother’s Day gift, and one that Mother seemed always to enjoy when she saw her three little boys, each holding a fist full of the purple flowers emerge from the woods with big smiles on their faces.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: It’s not the size of the gift, but the size of the thought that counts.
May 14, 10 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Books signing. Dregni’s, Westby.
May 18, 7:00 p.m., Beloit Library. Ames County Novels.
May 23, 7:30 p.m. Brodhead Historical Society. History of Wisconsin Agriculture.
May 26, 7:00 p.m. Eagle River Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 2, 7:00 p.m. Luck Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Spring at the Pond
Spring has arrived at the pond on our farm. A pair of sandhill cranes is staking out their nesting site, mamma and papa Canada geese are making inspection tours, several mallard and wood ducks have already taken up residence, and the frogs are singing out their hearts.
That’s not to credit less the turkey gobblers that are strutting and calling and making a fuss about finding a mate, and the song birds that are returning, some to stay and nest, others to move on further north.
I spotted at least three bluebirds nesting in our string of houses alongside our prairie—another good sign that some things appear right with the world.
Now we need the weather to cooperate a little—too cold, too much late snow and thus little plant growth. And no garden planted, not one seed. Another year with winter morphing into summer with no spring in between?
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Spring is full of promises, many not kept.
CHECK THIS OUT: Interested in old barns. The Wisconsin Historical Society Museum on the square in Madison is sponsoring a special program on Wednesday, May 11, 6:30-9:00 P.M. The program includes a meal catered by the Underground Food Collective, plus a presentation with history and stories from Wisconsin barns (my part of the program). Call 608-264-6563 for reservations.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
May 3, 12:00-2:00 p.m. Book signing. Barnes and Noble, Denver West Village, 14347 Colfax Ave., Lakewood, Colorado.
May 7, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Book signing. Apple Blossom Books, Oshkosh, WI.
May 11, 6:30 p.m. Dinner and Presentation, Barns of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Historical Society Museum on the Square in Madison. (See above for details)
May 14, 10 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Books signing. Dregni’s, Westby.
May 18, 7:00 p.m., Beloit Library. Ames County Novels.
May 23, 7:30 p.m. Brodhead Historical Society. History of Wisconsin Agriculture
.
May 26, 7:00 p.m. Eagle River Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 2, 7:00 p.m. Luck Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
That’s not to credit less the turkey gobblers that are strutting and calling and making a fuss about finding a mate, and the song birds that are returning, some to stay and nest, others to move on further north.
I spotted at least three bluebirds nesting in our string of houses alongside our prairie—another good sign that some things appear right with the world.
Now we need the weather to cooperate a little—too cold, too much late snow and thus little plant growth. And no garden planted, not one seed. Another year with winter morphing into summer with no spring in between?
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Spring is full of promises, many not kept.
CHECK THIS OUT: Interested in old barns. The Wisconsin Historical Society Museum on the square in Madison is sponsoring a special program on Wednesday, May 11, 6:30-9:00 P.M. The program includes a meal catered by the Underground Food Collective, plus a presentation with history and stories from Wisconsin barns (my part of the program). Call 608-264-6563 for reservations.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
May 3, 12:00-2:00 p.m. Book signing. Barnes and Noble, Denver West Village, 14347 Colfax Ave., Lakewood, Colorado.
May 7, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Book signing. Apple Blossom Books, Oshkosh, WI.
May 11, 6:30 p.m. Dinner and Presentation, Barns of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Historical Society Museum on the Square in Madison. (See above for details)
May 14, 10 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Books signing. Dregni’s, Westby.
May 18, 7:00 p.m., Beloit Library. Ames County Novels.
May 23, 7:30 p.m. Brodhead Historical Society. History of Wisconsin Agriculture
.
May 26, 7:00 p.m. Eagle River Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
June 2, 7:00 p.m. Luck Library. Campfires and Loon Calls.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Arbor Day
Long before the celebration of Earth Day, which is April 22, we set aside a day at our one-room country school to spend outside, sprucing up the school grounds. We called it Arbor Day, a day long associated with planting trees.
We planted no trees in our one-acre schoolyard on Arbor Day—there were already plenty of giant black and white oaks. What we did was bring garden rakes from home and spent the day raking leaves and grass and piling them in the middle of our softball diamond. It was a fun day, a chance to be away from the routine of studying and reciting and following a rather tight schedule of learning.
I especially remember Arbor Day when I was in seventh grade. Maxine Thompson was our teacher and she joined us in the clean-up operation and seemed to be having as much fun as we did as we raked, carried, and piled leaves and dead grass.
When there was no more grass to rake, and no more winter-tired oak leaves to gather, Miss Thompson touched a match to the big pile and we had a glorious bonfire with pungent smoke trickling skyward. While the pile was burning, we searched for sticks as we knew that a wiener and marshmallow roast would follow. It was a day to remember.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: (Quoting Increase Joseph, from my novel, The Travels of Increase Joseph)”It’s the land. I’m talking about the land and how we must take care of it or we shall all perish.”
CHECK THIS OUT: The Sturm Public Library in Manawa has selected my novel, In a Pickle, for its community read program this spring. I will be speaking at the library on April 19, 7:00 p.m. Want to learn more about cucumbers and their history? Plan to attend.
We planted no trees in our one-acre schoolyard on Arbor Day—there were already plenty of giant black and white oaks. What we did was bring garden rakes from home and spent the day raking leaves and grass and piling them in the middle of our softball diamond. It was a fun day, a chance to be away from the routine of studying and reciting and following a rather tight schedule of learning.
I especially remember Arbor Day when I was in seventh grade. Maxine Thompson was our teacher and she joined us in the clean-up operation and seemed to be having as much fun as we did as we raked, carried, and piled leaves and dead grass.
When there was no more grass to rake, and no more winter-tired oak leaves to gather, Miss Thompson touched a match to the big pile and we had a glorious bonfire with pungent smoke trickling skyward. While the pile was burning, we searched for sticks as we knew that a wiener and marshmallow roast would follow. It was a day to remember.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: (Quoting Increase Joseph, from my novel, The Travels of Increase Joseph)”It’s the land. I’m talking about the land and how we must take care of it or we shall all perish.”
CHECK THIS OUT: The Sturm Public Library in Manawa has selected my novel, In a Pickle, for its community read program this spring. I will be speaking at the library on April 19, 7:00 p.m. Want to learn more about cucumbers and their history? Plan to attend.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Grape Vine
I pruned my grape vines this week; I really should say “vine” as I have only one. I planted it about 15 years ago in front of my house and next to my split rail fence. The idea was to add a “little something” to the fence as my wife said.
It’s a Concord grape and I really didn’t expect much from it, beyond tangling itself along the top rail of the cedar fence and looking nice. But was I surprised. This single vine produces up to a half-bushel and sometimes more of rich, lush purple grapes each year. By mid-summer Its leaves and vines cover an entire section of the fence. Last year the grape vine was especially rambunctious and threatened to overrun a rose bush that is more than dozen feet away from the base of the vine.
As for care, beyond severely pruning the vine each early spring, I do nothing but watch it grow. No watering, no fertilizing, no spraying—nothing. It’s about the easiest plant to take care of I have on my property. Come late August and early September, I begin checking for ripe grapes, snipping them off with a shears when they are ready and carrying them into the kitchen.
Ruth has a wonderful grape jelly recipe—we feast on grape jelly and toast all winter. And the family and friends do as well as we give away jars of grape jelly as Christmas presents.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Expect little from something and be surprised.
CHECK THIS OUT: The Sturm Public Library in Manawa has selected my novel, In a Pickle, for its community read program this spring. I will be speaking at the library on April 19, 7:00 p.m. Want to learn more about cucumbers and their history? Plan to attend.
Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m., Fall Creek Library (Horses and Barns)
Thursday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. Marathon County Library, 300 N. First Street, Wausau. (Horses and Barns)
Friday, April 15, 1:00 p.m. Kaukauna Public Library (Fox Cities Book Festival. Horses and Barns)
Saturday, April 16, Wild Rose High School Centennial Program. 1-4:00 p.m. Program at 2:30.
Tuesday, April 19, Sturm Public Library, Manawa, 7:00 p.m. In a Pickle.
It’s a Concord grape and I really didn’t expect much from it, beyond tangling itself along the top rail of the cedar fence and looking nice. But was I surprised. This single vine produces up to a half-bushel and sometimes more of rich, lush purple grapes each year. By mid-summer Its leaves and vines cover an entire section of the fence. Last year the grape vine was especially rambunctious and threatened to overrun a rose bush that is more than dozen feet away from the base of the vine.
As for care, beyond severely pruning the vine each early spring, I do nothing but watch it grow. No watering, no fertilizing, no spraying—nothing. It’s about the easiest plant to take care of I have on my property. Come late August and early September, I begin checking for ripe grapes, snipping them off with a shears when they are ready and carrying them into the kitchen.
Ruth has a wonderful grape jelly recipe—we feast on grape jelly and toast all winter. And the family and friends do as well as we give away jars of grape jelly as Christmas presents.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Expect little from something and be surprised.
CHECK THIS OUT: The Sturm Public Library in Manawa has selected my novel, In a Pickle, for its community read program this spring. I will be speaking at the library on April 19, 7:00 p.m. Want to learn more about cucumbers and their history? Plan to attend.
Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m., Fall Creek Library (Horses and Barns)
Thursday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. Marathon County Library, 300 N. First Street, Wausau. (Horses and Barns)
Friday, April 15, 1:00 p.m. Kaukauna Public Library (Fox Cities Book Festival. Horses and Barns)
Saturday, April 16, Wild Rose High School Centennial Program. 1-4:00 p.m. Program at 2:30.
Tuesday, April 19, Sturm Public Library, Manawa, 7:00 p.m. In a Pickle.
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Strawberries
I uncovered my strawberry bed today, if you can call six plants a bed. They have been waiting out the winter tucked under a warm cover of maple leaves that I piled on them last fall.
My strawberry plants (I have a variety called Cabot that was developed in Canada), appeared bewildered as they once more saw the sun, plus a little bedraggled and winter worn. But they were green as summer, and most importantly, alive. A welcome sight they are, with memories of lush fresh fruit in a couple months or so depending on what kind of spring we have (so far it’s been a bust with an inch of wet snow on April Fool’s day).
California and Florida ship tons of strawberries to Wisconsin, but nothing beats the taste of homegrown berries, and especially those I grow myself. I cheat a bit. I planted my strawberries in the flowerbed in front of my house in town. The strawberries don’t seem to mind, in fact, with a little competition from daylilies, mums, and dahlias, the strawberries thrive, even a little too much. If given a choice they surely would take over the entire flowerbed. It wouldn’t be all bad. I’ve never much cared for the taste of mums and dahlias. Someone once said daylilies make a good salad. I’ll stick with fresh strawberries.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Don’t let April fool you; it will try. Spring is out there—At least I think so.
CHECK THIS OUT: The Mead Public Library in Sheboygan has selected my book, OLD FARM, for their Sheboygan Reads program. On Saturday, April 9, at 9:30 a.m., I will be reading from the book and answering questions. We will meet in the Quiet Study Room at the library. Hope to see you there.
Tuesday, April 5, 6:00 p.m. Salem Public Library, Salem, WI (Stories from the Land)
Saturday, April 9, 9:30 a.m. Mead Public Library, Sheboygan. (Old Farm)
April 9, 1:30-4:00 p.m. Mead Public Library, Sheboygan Writing Workshop. Call 920-459-3400, ext. 3422 for reservations.
Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m., Fall Creek Library (Horses and Barns)
Thursday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. Marathon County Library, 300 N. First Street, Wausau. (Horses and Barns)
Friday, April 15, 1:00 p.m. Kaukauna Public Library (Fox Cities Book Festival. Horses and Barns)
Saturday, April 16, Wild Rose High School Centennial Program
Tuesday, April 19, Sturm Public Library, Manawa, 7:00 p.m. In a Pickle. A rescheduled program.
My strawberry plants (I have a variety called Cabot that was developed in Canada), appeared bewildered as they once more saw the sun, plus a little bedraggled and winter worn. But they were green as summer, and most importantly, alive. A welcome sight they are, with memories of lush fresh fruit in a couple months or so depending on what kind of spring we have (so far it’s been a bust with an inch of wet snow on April Fool’s day).
California and Florida ship tons of strawberries to Wisconsin, but nothing beats the taste of homegrown berries, and especially those I grow myself. I cheat a bit. I planted my strawberries in the flowerbed in front of my house in town. The strawberries don’t seem to mind, in fact, with a little competition from daylilies, mums, and dahlias, the strawberries thrive, even a little too much. If given a choice they surely would take over the entire flowerbed. It wouldn’t be all bad. I’ve never much cared for the taste of mums and dahlias. Someone once said daylilies make a good salad. I’ll stick with fresh strawberries.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Don’t let April fool you; it will try. Spring is out there—At least I think so.
CHECK THIS OUT: The Mead Public Library in Sheboygan has selected my book, OLD FARM, for their Sheboygan Reads program. On Saturday, April 9, at 9:30 a.m., I will be reading from the book and answering questions. We will meet in the Quiet Study Room at the library. Hope to see you there.
Tuesday, April 5, 6:00 p.m. Salem Public Library, Salem, WI (Stories from the Land)
Saturday, April 9, 9:30 a.m. Mead Public Library, Sheboygan. (Old Farm)
April 9, 1:30-4:00 p.m. Mead Public Library, Sheboygan Writing Workshop. Call 920-459-3400, ext. 3422 for reservations.
Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m., Fall Creek Library (Horses and Barns)
Thursday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. Marathon County Library, 300 N. First Street, Wausau. (Horses and Barns)
Friday, April 15, 1:00 p.m. Kaukauna Public Library (Fox Cities Book Festival. Horses and Barns)
Saturday, April 16, Wild Rose High School Centennial Program
Tuesday, April 19, Sturm Public Library, Manawa, 7:00 p.m. In a Pickle. A rescheduled program.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Medical Update
I had an extremely aggressive bacterial infection, which I discovered last Saturday. By Sunday it was really on the move. Urgent Care doctors quickly identified the culprit and put me on massive doses of antibiotics, including IV infusions for a couple days. As one of the doctors said yesterday, “You’re over the hump.” That appears to be modern-day medical language to mean I’m getting better. If all proceeds normally, and there is every reason to believe that it will, I’ll be back to my regular schedule next Monday. It was a bit of a scare. Watch out for infections, there are some nasty bugs out there.
Thanks to all who sent notes of concern; I really appreciated it.
Thanks to all who sent notes of concern; I really appreciated it.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Cancelled Events
Do to medical problem--got a diagnosis this afternoon--I will have to cancel the following:
Tuesday, March 29, 7:00 p.m. Strum Public Library (Manawa). (In a Pickle).
Friday, April 1, 7:00 p.m. Oconto Falls Library. (Stories from the Land)
Saturday, April 2, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Oconto Falls Library. (Writing workshop: Writing Family Stories. Call the library for further information.)
I'm hoping I can be back on the road in a week or so.
Tuesday, March 29, 7:00 p.m. Strum Public Library (Manawa). (In a Pickle).
Friday, April 1, 7:00 p.m. Oconto Falls Library. (Stories from the Land)
Saturday, April 2, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Oconto Falls Library. (Writing workshop: Writing Family Stories. Call the library for further information.)
I'm hoping I can be back on the road in a week or so.
Early Spring Flowers
Last Monday morning. Three little flowers peeking their heads above the leaf mulch. Welcoming spring. First color of the season. Crocus. The bravest of the brave. The earliest of the early.
By mid-week. Rain. Cold Rain. Sometimes mixed with sleet. Sometimes mixed with snow. Winter returning. Snuffing out spring. Sending the new season in retreat. Closing up the yellow flowers. Reprimanding them for their enthusiasm, for their optimism, for believing that spring has arrived in the north.
The yellow flowers will return. And winter, with all its fuss and bluster, threats and cold weather will retreat and wait a few months, to gather strength and verve.
The crocus knows patience. Patience is the watch word for those of us who have given up on winter and want no more of it. Spring is just around the corner. We’ve gotten glimpses of it—so have the crocus flowers.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Patience is often in short supply these days.
CHECK THIS OUT: The Mead Public Library in Sheboygan has selected my book, OLD FARM, for their Sheboygan Reads program. On Saturday, April 9, at 9:30 a.m., I will be reading from the book and answering questions. We will meet in the Quiet Study Room at the library. Hope to see you there.
Friday, April 1, 7:00 p.m. Oconto Falls Library. (Stories from the Land)
Saturday, April 2, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Oconto Falls Library. (Writing workshop: Writing Family Stories. Call the library for further information.)
Tuesday, April 5, 6:00 p.m. Salem Public Library, Salem, WI (Stories from the Land)
Saturday, April 9, 9:30 a.m. Mead Public Library, Sheboygan. (Old Farm)
April 9, 1:30-4:00 p.m. Mead Public Library, Sheboygan Writing Workshop. Call 920-459-3400, ext. 3422 for reservations.
Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m., Fall Creek Library (Horses and Barns)
Thursday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. Marathon County Library, 300 N. First Street, Wausau. (Horses and Barns)
Friday, April 15, 1:00 p.m. Kaukauna Public Library (Fox Cities Book Festival)
Saturday, April 16, Wild Rose High School Centennial Program
By mid-week. Rain. Cold Rain. Sometimes mixed with sleet. Sometimes mixed with snow. Winter returning. Snuffing out spring. Sending the new season in retreat. Closing up the yellow flowers. Reprimanding them for their enthusiasm, for their optimism, for believing that spring has arrived in the north.
The yellow flowers will return. And winter, with all its fuss and bluster, threats and cold weather will retreat and wait a few months, to gather strength and verve.
The crocus knows patience. Patience is the watch word for those of us who have given up on winter and want no more of it. Spring is just around the corner. We’ve gotten glimpses of it—so have the crocus flowers.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Patience is often in short supply these days.
CHECK THIS OUT: The Mead Public Library in Sheboygan has selected my book, OLD FARM, for their Sheboygan Reads program. On Saturday, April 9, at 9:30 a.m., I will be reading from the book and answering questions. We will meet in the Quiet Study Room at the library. Hope to see you there.
Friday, April 1, 7:00 p.m. Oconto Falls Library. (Stories from the Land)
Saturday, April 2, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Oconto Falls Library. (Writing workshop: Writing Family Stories. Call the library for further information.)
Tuesday, April 5, 6:00 p.m. Salem Public Library, Salem, WI (Stories from the Land)
Saturday, April 9, 9:30 a.m. Mead Public Library, Sheboygan. (Old Farm)
April 9, 1:30-4:00 p.m. Mead Public Library, Sheboygan Writing Workshop. Call 920-459-3400, ext. 3422 for reservations.
Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m., Fall Creek Library (Horses and Barns)
Thursday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. Marathon County Library, 300 N. First Street, Wausau. (Horses and Barns)
Friday, April 15, 1:00 p.m. Kaukauna Public Library (Fox Cities Book Festival)
Saturday, April 16, Wild Rose High School Centennial Program
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Waterwheel
On the home farm, when the snows began melting in March, a little stream of melt water trickled from behind the corn crib, continued on between the house and the barn, and finally curled under the barnyard gate to disperse in the barnyard.
One year Pa suggested we make a little waterwheel and place it in the melt water river. He made the waterwheel from a cedar wood shingle. He cut two pieces, each about three inches long and a half inch wide. He notched the two pieces and pushed them together making a waterwheel with four little paddles. With two other pieces of shingle wood he made a little frame that held the waterwheel in place while the running melt water turned it.
In early morning, when the temperature had fallen below freezing, the little waterwheel hung motionless in its frame, but usually by mid-day, with climbing temperatures and more snow melting, the waterwheel turned furiously, making a “flip ,flip” sound. The waterwheel turned for more than a week; Pa, my brothers and I would stop, watch and listen to it as we went about doing our various spring chores.
One warm, late afternoon day, we noticed the melt water river had stopped running and the water wheel no longer turned. On that day we knew that spring arrived.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Oft times the little things in life can provide the most pleasure.
CHECK THIS OUT: Plan to attend the Strum Memorial Library (Manawa) special program 7:00 p.m., March 29. The library selected my book, IN A PICKLE, for their “One Book/One Community” program. I’m told that more than 100 people in the community have read the book so far. I’ll discuss the background for writing the book as well as do a reading at the March 29 event.
COMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, March 23, 1:00 p.m., New Berlin Banquet and Conference Center. Learning in Retirement Group, (Remembering Our Agricultural Heritage).
Saturday, March 26, 9:30 a.m., Richland County Electric Co-op, Richland Center High School.
Tuesday, March 29, 7:00 p.m. Strum Public Library (Manawa). (In a Pickle).
Friday, April 1, 7:00 p.m. Oconto Falls Library. (Stories from the Land)
Saturday, April 2, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Oconto Falls Library. (Writing workshop: Writing Family Stories)
Tuesday, April 5, 6:00 p.m. Salem Public Library (Stories from the Land)
Saturday, April 9, 9:30 a.m. Mead Public Library, Sheboygan. (Old Farm)
Saturday, April 9, 1:30-4:00 p.m. Mead Public Library, Sheboygan Writing Workshop. Call 920-459-3400, ext. 3422 for reservations.
Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m., Fall Creek Library (Horses and Barns)
Thursday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. Marathon County Library, 300 N. First Street, Wausau. (Horses and Barns)
Friday, April 15, 1:00 p.m. Kaukauna Public Library (Fox Cities Book Festival)
Saturday, April 16, Wild Rose High School Centennial Program
One year Pa suggested we make a little waterwheel and place it in the melt water river. He made the waterwheel from a cedar wood shingle. He cut two pieces, each about three inches long and a half inch wide. He notched the two pieces and pushed them together making a waterwheel with four little paddles. With two other pieces of shingle wood he made a little frame that held the waterwheel in place while the running melt water turned it.
In early morning, when the temperature had fallen below freezing, the little waterwheel hung motionless in its frame, but usually by mid-day, with climbing temperatures and more snow melting, the waterwheel turned furiously, making a “flip ,flip” sound. The waterwheel turned for more than a week; Pa, my brothers and I would stop, watch and listen to it as we went about doing our various spring chores.
One warm, late afternoon day, we noticed the melt water river had stopped running and the water wheel no longer turned. On that day we knew that spring arrived.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Oft times the little things in life can provide the most pleasure.
CHECK THIS OUT: Plan to attend the Strum Memorial Library (Manawa) special program 7:00 p.m., March 29. The library selected my book, IN A PICKLE, for their “One Book/One Community” program. I’m told that more than 100 people in the community have read the book so far. I’ll discuss the background for writing the book as well as do a reading at the March 29 event.
COMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, March 23, 1:00 p.m., New Berlin Banquet and Conference Center. Learning in Retirement Group, (Remembering Our Agricultural Heritage).
Saturday, March 26, 9:30 a.m., Richland County Electric Co-op, Richland Center High School.
Tuesday, March 29, 7:00 p.m. Strum Public Library (Manawa). (In a Pickle).
Friday, April 1, 7:00 p.m. Oconto Falls Library. (Stories from the Land)
Saturday, April 2, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Oconto Falls Library. (Writing workshop: Writing Family Stories)
Tuesday, April 5, 6:00 p.m. Salem Public Library (Stories from the Land)
Saturday, April 9, 9:30 a.m. Mead Public Library, Sheboygan. (Old Farm)
Saturday, April 9, 1:30-4:00 p.m. Mead Public Library, Sheboygan Writing Workshop. Call 920-459-3400, ext. 3422 for reservations.
Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m., Fall Creek Library (Horses and Barns)
Thursday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. Marathon County Library, 300 N. First Street, Wausau. (Horses and Barns)
Friday, April 15, 1:00 p.m. Kaukauna Public Library (Fox Cities Book Festival)
Saturday, April 16, Wild Rose High School Centennial Program
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Canoecopia 2011
It’s the weekend for Canoecopia, an annual event held at the Alliant Center in Madison where hundreds of winter weary people gather to think about summer, outdoor camping, canoeing, and traveling to wilderness areas to get away from it all for a few days.
Canoecopia is billed as the world’s largest paddlesports expo. Sponsored by an outdoor supply store in Madison with the rather exotic name of Rutabaga, visitors to the three day show can leave behind the waning days of winter by checking out new canoes and kayaks, paddles of various shapes and prices, life vests, appropriate clothing , new ideas for backpacks and much, much more.
Visitors can also listen to a vast array of speakers (I was one of them) talk about everything from their new books (I shared stores from my book, CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS) to camping in the Grand Canyon, Treasures of the Apostle Islands, Essential Equipment for Paddling and How to Build Your Own Canoe.
The show provides three days of escaping winter, propelling visitors to a time when they are sitting on a high point overlooking a lake with waves lapping the rocks below their campsite, and a loon calling in the distance as the sun slips slowly below the horizon to the west.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: I need to hear the call of the loon at least once a year to remind me that everything is not as bad as it may sometimes appear.
CHECK THIS OUT: Plan to attend the launch party for CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS at Barnes and Noble West in Madison on Tuesday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m. Ruth is making chocolate chip cookies for the event. (We take chocolate chip cookies along on our wilderness camping trips).
COMING EVENTS:
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. (Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls).
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers’ Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. (Our Rural Heritage).
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. (Horse Drawn Days).
March 23, 1:00 p.m., New Berlin Banquet and Conference Center. Learning in Retirement.
March 26, 9:30 a.m., Richland County Electric Co-op, Richland Center High School
.
March 29, 7:00 p.m. Manawa Public Library. (In a Pickle).
April 1, 7:00 p.m. Oconto Falls Library. (Stories from the Land)
April 2, 9:00-11:00 Oconto Falls Library. (Writing workshop: Writing Family Stories)
April 5, 6:00 p.m. Salem Public Library (Stories from the Land)
Canoecopia is billed as the world’s largest paddlesports expo. Sponsored by an outdoor supply store in Madison with the rather exotic name of Rutabaga, visitors to the three day show can leave behind the waning days of winter by checking out new canoes and kayaks, paddles of various shapes and prices, life vests, appropriate clothing , new ideas for backpacks and much, much more.
Visitors can also listen to a vast array of speakers (I was one of them) talk about everything from their new books (I shared stores from my book, CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS) to camping in the Grand Canyon, Treasures of the Apostle Islands, Essential Equipment for Paddling and How to Build Your Own Canoe.
The show provides three days of escaping winter, propelling visitors to a time when they are sitting on a high point overlooking a lake with waves lapping the rocks below their campsite, and a loon calling in the distance as the sun slips slowly below the horizon to the west.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: I need to hear the call of the loon at least once a year to remind me that everything is not as bad as it may sometimes appear.
CHECK THIS OUT: Plan to attend the launch party for CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS at Barnes and Noble West in Madison on Tuesday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m. Ruth is making chocolate chip cookies for the event. (We take chocolate chip cookies along on our wilderness camping trips).
COMING EVENTS:
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. (Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls).
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers’ Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. (Our Rural Heritage).
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. (Horse Drawn Days).
March 23, 1:00 p.m., New Berlin Banquet and Conference Center. Learning in Retirement.
March 26, 9:30 a.m., Richland County Electric Co-op, Richland Center High School
.
March 29, 7:00 p.m. Manawa Public Library. (In a Pickle).
April 1, 7:00 p.m. Oconto Falls Library. (Stories from the Land)
April 2, 9:00-11:00 Oconto Falls Library. (Writing workshop: Writing Family Stories)
April 5, 6:00 p.m. Salem Public Library (Stories from the Land)
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Signs of Spring
It is many years ago; my two brothers and I are in the upstairs bedroom of our old farm house. It has been a long, cold winter, with many below zero days and snow so deep the old timers said they couldn’t remember ever seeing such a tough winter. But something is different this morning—the most obvious, the bedroom isn’t so cold. The thick frost that has covered the inside of the windows since last November is melting, puddling on the window sills. Rain is splashing against the windows, one of the first sounds of spring. I look out the window, toward our snow-covered fields to east and I see wisps of fog.
I pull on my clothes, rush downstairs, grab my barn lantern and trot to the barn. For the first time in weeks, the snow is mushy underfoot. And the subtle smell of spring is in the air. Once in the barn for the morning milking, I notice the animals are aware of the weather change as well. They are restless and wanting to go outside, understandable after being cooped up in the barn for these long winter months.
After breakfast, we let the cows outside, to romp in the barnyard, to run with their tails in the air, to experience spring. To feel the rain on their backs and the soft snow underfoot. But winter doesn’t give up easily. That evening, the rain changes to snow as winter refuses to leave quietly. But we now know that spring is waiting in the wings, waiting for a chance to sneak in and take over, and push winter farther north for a few months.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: We need winter to truly enjoy spring.
CHECK THIS OUT: Tune in the Larry Meiller Show on Wisconsin Public Radio, Wednesday, March 9. 11:45-12:20. I’ll be discussing my new book, CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS.
COMING EVENTS:
March 11, 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 12, 3:30 p.m. Canoecopia Trade Show, Alliant Center, Madison:. (Campfires and Loon Calls).
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. (Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls).
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers’ Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. (Our Rural Heritage).
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. (Horse Drawn Days).
March 26, 9:30 a.m., Richland County Electric Co-op, Richland Center High School.
March 29, 7:00 p.m. Manawa Public Library. (In a Pickle).
I pull on my clothes, rush downstairs, grab my barn lantern and trot to the barn. For the first time in weeks, the snow is mushy underfoot. And the subtle smell of spring is in the air. Once in the barn for the morning milking, I notice the animals are aware of the weather change as well. They are restless and wanting to go outside, understandable after being cooped up in the barn for these long winter months.
After breakfast, we let the cows outside, to romp in the barnyard, to run with their tails in the air, to experience spring. To feel the rain on their backs and the soft snow underfoot. But winter doesn’t give up easily. That evening, the rain changes to snow as winter refuses to leave quietly. But we now know that spring is waiting in the wings, waiting for a chance to sneak in and take over, and push winter farther north for a few months.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: We need winter to truly enjoy spring.
CHECK THIS OUT: Tune in the Larry Meiller Show on Wisconsin Public Radio, Wednesday, March 9. 11:45-12:20. I’ll be discussing my new book, CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS.
COMING EVENTS:
March 11, 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 12, 3:30 p.m. Canoecopia Trade Show, Alliant Center, Madison:. (Campfires and Loon Calls).
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. (Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls).
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers’ Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. (Our Rural Heritage).
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. (Horse Drawn Days).
March 26, 9:30 a.m., Richland County Electric Co-op, Richland Center High School.
March 29, 7:00 p.m. Manawa Public Library. (In a Pickle).
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Late Winter Quiet
I’m at my farm these waning days of winter. The snow is piled high around the buildings, as high as I can remember. It took me more than two hours with my tractor to plow out my driveway after the most recent snowstorm.
I watched a deer last night; a little doe with a thick coat of fur. She was feeding on the brush growing under the windbreak not twenty yards from the cabin. Although she was up to her belly in deep snow, she appeared healthy. Even with deep snow, she appeared to move easily, albeit very slowly.
This morning, as the late February sun begins to crawl above the horizon to the east, I pull on my parka and head for the woodshed, a several times a day task in winter, as my wood stove has a never ending appetite. The thermometer reads 15 degrees. What I notice these chilly late winter mornings is the quiet—oh so quiet. The only sound is that of my boots creaking on the snow. I stop and listen to the silence—a real treat as most of my life is filled with sound.
As the first rays of sun appear, I hear it, off to the east, a cardinal shattering the silence, welcoming the new day, and welcoming the seasonal change as well.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Change and progress are not the same thing.
CHECK THIS OUT:
My newest book, CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS: TRAVELS IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS is in the bookstores. My son, Steve and I have canoed in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota for 25 years. This is our story. Go to: http://fulcrumpublishing.wordpress.com for more information, including an interview.
COMING EVENTS:
March 2, 7:00 p.m. River Falls Library. Smithsonian’s “Key Ingredients: America By Food.” (Farming History).
March 5, 3:00 p.m. City Hall, Platteville (Old Farm).
March 5, 7:00 p.m. Mining Museum-405 E. Main, Platteville: (Horse Drawn Days).
March 6, 2:00 p.m. Pioneer Dinner, Milton House Museum, Seventh Day Baptist Church, Milton (Remembering our Rural Heritage).
March 9, 11:45-12:30 Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio (Campfires and Loon Calls).
March 11, 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 12, 3:30 p.m. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison:. (Campfires and Loon Calls).
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. (Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls).
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers’ Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. (Our Rural Heritage).
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. (Horse Drawn Days).
March 26, 9:30 a.m., Richland County Electric Co-op, Richland Center High School.
March 29, 7:00 p.m. Manawa Public Library. (In a Pickle).
I watched a deer last night; a little doe with a thick coat of fur. She was feeding on the brush growing under the windbreak not twenty yards from the cabin. Although she was up to her belly in deep snow, she appeared healthy. Even with deep snow, she appeared to move easily, albeit very slowly.
This morning, as the late February sun begins to crawl above the horizon to the east, I pull on my parka and head for the woodshed, a several times a day task in winter, as my wood stove has a never ending appetite. The thermometer reads 15 degrees. What I notice these chilly late winter mornings is the quiet—oh so quiet. The only sound is that of my boots creaking on the snow. I stop and listen to the silence—a real treat as most of my life is filled with sound.
As the first rays of sun appear, I hear it, off to the east, a cardinal shattering the silence, welcoming the new day, and welcoming the seasonal change as well.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Change and progress are not the same thing.
CHECK THIS OUT:
My newest book, CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS: TRAVELS IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS is in the bookstores. My son, Steve and I have canoed in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota for 25 years. This is our story. Go to: http://fulcrumpublishing.wordpress.com for more information, including an interview.
COMING EVENTS:
March 2, 7:00 p.m. River Falls Library. Smithsonian’s “Key Ingredients: America By Food.” (Farming History).
March 5, 3:00 p.m. City Hall, Platteville (Old Farm).
March 5, 7:00 p.m. Mining Museum-405 E. Main, Platteville: (Horse Drawn Days).
March 6, 2:00 p.m. Pioneer Dinner, Milton House Museum, Seventh Day Baptist Church, Milton (Remembering our Rural Heritage).
March 9, 11:45-12:30 Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio (Campfires and Loon Calls).
March 11, 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 12, 3:30 p.m. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison:. (Campfires and Loon Calls).
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. (Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls).
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers’ Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. (Our Rural Heritage).
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. (Horse Drawn Days).
March 26, 9:30 a.m., Richland County Electric Co-op, Richland Center High School.
March 29, 7:00 p.m. Manawa Public Library. (In a Pickle).
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Ice Skating
We’ve had a week of above freezing weather, the temperature climbing into the low 50s one day. The snow is in fast retreat. When I was a kid we looked forward to these winter thaws, not only because warmer weather made doing farm chores a little easier, but because the hollows on the farm filled with melt water. When winter returned, and it always did, the ponds in the hollows froze and we had ice skating ponds.
When I was eleven years old or so, I was introduced to ice skating after one of these winter thaws created a couple acre pond in the big hayfield across the road from our farmstead. When the pond froze, Pa asked my brothers and me one Saturday morning whether we’d be interesting in learning how to ice skate. We had no ice skates at the time, so were a bit perplexed by Pa’s question.
That Saturday afternoon, while Ma was trading for groceries (she traded eggs for groceries at the Mercantile in Wild Rose), Pa, my brothers and I walked down the street to Hotz’s Hardware. Pa inquired about ice skates, the kind that you clamp on the bottom of your shoes with a little key. He bought three pair, fifty cents a pair.
Later that afternoon, when we were back home, my brothers and I trekked down to the pond, clamped on our shiny new skates and quickly discovered that there was nothing easy about ice skating. We were on our backsides more often than we were upright. At suppertime, Pa inquired about our skating success and we told him we’d probably go back to sledding. The next day Pa came with us to the pond, we wondered why. Once there, he said he’d like to try skating. As an old man, he was in his forties, we thought he’d probably fall and break something. And we’d have more chores to do.
We shouldn’t have worried. Pa made a couple swings around the pond, his hands behind his back, a smile spreading across his face. He slid to a stop,commenced skating backwards, and then cross stepped going backwards. Not once did he fall. Not once. My brothers and I just stood there with our mouths hanging open. “Not much to ice skating,” he said. “Does take a little practice, though.”
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: The only way to lose is to quit.
CHECK THIS OUT:
My newest book, CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS: TRAVELS IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS is in the bookstores. My son, Steve and I have canoed in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota for 25 years. This is our story. Go to: http://fulcrumpublishing.wordpress.com for more information, including an interview.
COMING EVENTS:
March 2, 7:00 p.m. River Falls Library. Smithsonian’s “Key Ingredients: America By Food.” Farming History.
March 5, 3:00 p.m. City Hall, Platteville (Old Farm).
March 5, 7:00 p.m. Mining Museum-405 E. Main, Platteville: (Horse Drawn Days.)
March 6, 2:00 p.m. Pioneer Dinner, Milton House Museum, Milton: Remembering our Rural Heritage.
March 9, 11:45-12:30 Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio: Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 11, 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 12, 3:30 p.m. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison: Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers’ Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. Our Rural Heritage.
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. Horse Drawn Days.
March 29, 7:00 p.m. Manawa Public Library, In a Pickle.
When I was eleven years old or so, I was introduced to ice skating after one of these winter thaws created a couple acre pond in the big hayfield across the road from our farmstead. When the pond froze, Pa asked my brothers and me one Saturday morning whether we’d be interesting in learning how to ice skate. We had no ice skates at the time, so were a bit perplexed by Pa’s question.
That Saturday afternoon, while Ma was trading for groceries (she traded eggs for groceries at the Mercantile in Wild Rose), Pa, my brothers and I walked down the street to Hotz’s Hardware. Pa inquired about ice skates, the kind that you clamp on the bottom of your shoes with a little key. He bought three pair, fifty cents a pair.
Later that afternoon, when we were back home, my brothers and I trekked down to the pond, clamped on our shiny new skates and quickly discovered that there was nothing easy about ice skating. We were on our backsides more often than we were upright. At suppertime, Pa inquired about our skating success and we told him we’d probably go back to sledding. The next day Pa came with us to the pond, we wondered why. Once there, he said he’d like to try skating. As an old man, he was in his forties, we thought he’d probably fall and break something. And we’d have more chores to do.
We shouldn’t have worried. Pa made a couple swings around the pond, his hands behind his back, a smile spreading across his face. He slid to a stop,commenced skating backwards, and then cross stepped going backwards. Not once did he fall. Not once. My brothers and I just stood there with our mouths hanging open. “Not much to ice skating,” he said. “Does take a little practice, though.”
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: The only way to lose is to quit.
CHECK THIS OUT:
My newest book, CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS: TRAVELS IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS is in the bookstores. My son, Steve and I have canoed in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota for 25 years. This is our story. Go to: http://fulcrumpublishing.wordpress.com for more information, including an interview.
COMING EVENTS:
March 2, 7:00 p.m. River Falls Library. Smithsonian’s “Key Ingredients: America By Food.” Farming History.
March 5, 3:00 p.m. City Hall, Platteville (Old Farm).
March 5, 7:00 p.m. Mining Museum-405 E. Main, Platteville: (Horse Drawn Days.)
March 6, 2:00 p.m. Pioneer Dinner, Milton House Museum, Milton: Remembering our Rural Heritage.
March 9, 11:45-12:30 Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio: Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 11, 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 12, 3:30 p.m. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison: Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers’ Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. Our Rural Heritage.
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. Horse Drawn Days.
March 29, 7:00 p.m. Manawa Public Library, In a Pickle.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Cook Stove
I spent some time at my farm last week, where the snow is piled high and spring seems a long way in the future. I heat my shack with a wood stove, a cook stove that not only provides a place to fry some eggs and heat up a pot of beans, but provides a wonderfully warm heat for the little building.
The temperature dipped to minus twelve one morning, and minus fifteen another. And yet, with these challenging temperatures the cook stove, with sticks of oak and black cherry wood, soon warmed the place to a comfortable level.
I sat near it, in my old rocking chair, and remembered when I was a kid how my dad sat near our old cook stove on cold mornings. And when a neighbor came to visit on a cold winter day, my dad and he would sit by the cook stove and spin stories and reminisce about earlier times when winters were more fierce and the cold more treacherous, at least in their memories. So the wood burning cook stove not only warmed the room, provided a place to cook and bake, but provided a center piece for socializing and being neighborly.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: There is something special about the heat from a wood burning stove.
CHECK THIS OUT:
My newest book, CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS: TRAVELS IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS is in the bookstores. My son, Steve and I have canoed in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota for 25 years. This is our story. Go to: http://fulcrumpublishing.wordpress.com for more information, including an interview.
COMING EVENTS:
March 2, 7:00 p.m. River Falls Library. Smithsonian’s “Key Ingredients: America By Food.” Farming History.
March 5, 3:00 p.m. City Hall, Platteville (Old Farm). 7:00 p.m. Museum-405 E. Main: (Horse Drawn Days.)
March 6, 2:00 p.m. Pioneer Dinner, Milton House Museum, Milton: Remembering our Rural Heritage.
March 9, 11:45-12:30 Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio: Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 11, 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 12, 3:30 p.m. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison: Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers’ Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. Our Rural Heritage.
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. Horse Drawn Days.
March 29, 7:00 p.m. Manawa Public Library, In a Pickle.
The temperature dipped to minus twelve one morning, and minus fifteen another. And yet, with these challenging temperatures the cook stove, with sticks of oak and black cherry wood, soon warmed the place to a comfortable level.
I sat near it, in my old rocking chair, and remembered when I was a kid how my dad sat near our old cook stove on cold mornings. And when a neighbor came to visit on a cold winter day, my dad and he would sit by the cook stove and spin stories and reminisce about earlier times when winters were more fierce and the cold more treacherous, at least in their memories. So the wood burning cook stove not only warmed the room, provided a place to cook and bake, but provided a center piece for socializing and being neighborly.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: There is something special about the heat from a wood burning stove.
CHECK THIS OUT:
My newest book, CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS: TRAVELS IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS is in the bookstores. My son, Steve and I have canoed in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota for 25 years. This is our story. Go to: http://fulcrumpublishing.wordpress.com for more information, including an interview.
COMING EVENTS:
March 2, 7:00 p.m. River Falls Library. Smithsonian’s “Key Ingredients: America By Food.” Farming History.
March 5, 3:00 p.m. City Hall, Platteville (Old Farm). 7:00 p.m. Museum-405 E. Main: (Horse Drawn Days.)
March 6, 2:00 p.m. Pioneer Dinner, Milton House Museum, Milton: Remembering our Rural Heritage.
March 9, 11:45-12:30 Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio: Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 11, 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 12, 3:30 p.m. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison: Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers’ Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. Our Rural Heritage.
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. Horse Drawn Days.
March 29, 7:00 p.m. Manawa Public Library, In a Pickle.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Back Home
Back home again after a couple weeks in the sunny south. Back to the land of snow banks and icicles, slippery roads and yes, the beauty of a good old-fashioned winter.
We were in Florida for a couple weeks, visiting places like the John and Mable Ringling Museum in Sarasota, and watching the surf roll in from the Gulf of Mexico (no traces of oil by the way).
We drove the near 1,400 hundreds miles so had a chance to see what winter was like in Illinois, in Kentucky, in Tennessee, in Georgia and of course in Florida. Winter is rather bleak and unappealing in these states. Drab and dull until we got to south Georgia and began to see some green grass.
Good to be home, even though my arms ache from shoveling and my back reminds me I’m not thirty years old anymore. Back home in time to watch the Super Bowl. Little talk of this great event in Florida, except for a chuckle or two that Dallas has snow and ice. “The cheeseheads must have brought their weather with them to Texas,” was the common comment.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: The Eskimos had 52 names for snow. One name seems sufficient when you have to shovel it.
CHECK THIS OUT: My newest book, CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS: TRAVELS IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS is in the bookstores. My son, Steve and I have canoed in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota for 25 years. This is our story.
COMING EVENTS:
February 12, 2:00 p.m., Richland Center City Auditorium. Film: County Schools—One Room—One Nation, followed by panel discussion.
March 2, 7:00 p.m. River Falls Library. Smithsonian’s “Key Ingredients: America By Food.” Farming History.
March 5, 3:00 p.m. City Hall, Platteville: Old Farm. 7:00 p.m. Museum-405 E. Main: Horse Drawn Days.
March 6, 2:00 p.m. Pioneer Dinner, Milton House Museum, Milton: Remembering our Rural Heritage.
March 9, 11:45-12:30 Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio: Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 11, Presentations: Friday, 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 12, 3:30 p.m. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison: Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers’ Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. Our Rural Heritage.
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. Horse Drawn Days.
March 29, 7:00 p.m. Manawa Public Library, In a Pickle.
We were in Florida for a couple weeks, visiting places like the John and Mable Ringling Museum in Sarasota, and watching the surf roll in from the Gulf of Mexico (no traces of oil by the way).
We drove the near 1,400 hundreds miles so had a chance to see what winter was like in Illinois, in Kentucky, in Tennessee, in Georgia and of course in Florida. Winter is rather bleak and unappealing in these states. Drab and dull until we got to south Georgia and began to see some green grass.
Good to be home, even though my arms ache from shoveling and my back reminds me I’m not thirty years old anymore. Back home in time to watch the Super Bowl. Little talk of this great event in Florida, except for a chuckle or two that Dallas has snow and ice. “The cheeseheads must have brought their weather with them to Texas,” was the common comment.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: The Eskimos had 52 names for snow. One name seems sufficient when you have to shovel it.
CHECK THIS OUT: My newest book, CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS: TRAVELS IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS is in the bookstores. My son, Steve and I have canoed in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota for 25 years. This is our story.
COMING EVENTS:
February 12, 2:00 p.m., Richland Center City Auditorium. Film: County Schools—One Room—One Nation, followed by panel discussion.
March 2, 7:00 p.m. River Falls Library. Smithsonian’s “Key Ingredients: America By Food.” Farming History.
March 5, 3:00 p.m. City Hall, Platteville: Old Farm. 7:00 p.m. Museum-405 E. Main: Horse Drawn Days.
March 6, 2:00 p.m. Pioneer Dinner, Milton House Museum, Milton: Remembering our Rural Heritage.
March 9, 11:45-12:30 Larry Meiller Show, Wisconsin Public Radio: Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 11, Presentations: Friday, 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 12, 3:30 p.m. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison: Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers’ Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. Our Rural Heritage.
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. Horse Drawn Days.
March 29, 7:00 p.m. Manawa Public Library, In a Pickle.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Indispensable Teakettle
We took for granted the old and dented teakettle that sat on a back corner of the wood burning cook stove in the kitchen on the home farm. From early morning until long after we crawled up the frigid stairway to our bedroom, a thread of steam poured from its spout. Without indoor plumbing, the teakettle was our source of hot water. I remember but once or twice when a persnickety city relative appeared and insisted on tea that the teakettle was used for that purpose.
True, the cook stove had a warm water reservoir attached to its right side, which provided warm water for hand and face washing. But the only hot water source was the teakettle, dull aluminum in color, holding about four quarts of water.
Hot water was especially important when winter illnesses came our way. Hot water mixed with salt for a sore throat. A glass of hot water mixed with a jigger of “medicinal” whiskey became a whiskey sling that would kill most any cold from the sniffles to much more. The standard cold remedy in our house, in addition to the whiskey sling, was a goodly amount of skunk grease (it is odorless) rubbed on your chest and covered with a piece of red flannel pinned to your long underwear. It worked, I’m still here.
For bruises, sprains and aches of assorted origin, Ma filled the rubber hot water bottle with hot water from the teakettle. She wrapped a towel around it and the hot water bottle became a cozy warm friend on a cold winter night.
I have many fond memories of that old teakettle and its source of hot water that we used for so many purposes, both outside and inside the house.
CHECK THIS OUT: Look for CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS, my newest book, available February 1. It is about 25 years of canoeing in the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota. Steve’s photos are throughout. Go to: www.fulcrum-books.com for more information.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Winter is a time for warm memories.
COMING EVENTS:
February 12, 2:00 p.m., Richland Center City Auditorium. Film: County Schools—One Room—One Nation, followed by panel discussion.
March 11-13. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison. Campfires and Loon Calls (two presentations)
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. Our Rural Heritage.
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. Horse Drawn Days,
True, the cook stove had a warm water reservoir attached to its right side, which provided warm water for hand and face washing. But the only hot water source was the teakettle, dull aluminum in color, holding about four quarts of water.
Hot water was especially important when winter illnesses came our way. Hot water mixed with salt for a sore throat. A glass of hot water mixed with a jigger of “medicinal” whiskey became a whiskey sling that would kill most any cold from the sniffles to much more. The standard cold remedy in our house, in addition to the whiskey sling, was a goodly amount of skunk grease (it is odorless) rubbed on your chest and covered with a piece of red flannel pinned to your long underwear. It worked, I’m still here.
For bruises, sprains and aches of assorted origin, Ma filled the rubber hot water bottle with hot water from the teakettle. She wrapped a towel around it and the hot water bottle became a cozy warm friend on a cold winter night.
I have many fond memories of that old teakettle and its source of hot water that we used for so many purposes, both outside and inside the house.
CHECK THIS OUT: Look for CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS, my newest book, available February 1. It is about 25 years of canoeing in the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota. Steve’s photos are throughout. Go to: www.fulcrum-books.com for more information.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Winter is a time for warm memories.
COMING EVENTS:
February 12, 2:00 p.m., Richland Center City Auditorium. Film: County Schools—One Room—One Nation, followed by panel discussion.
March 11-13. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison. Campfires and Loon Calls (two presentations)
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. Our Rural Heritage.
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. Horse Drawn Days,
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Seed Catalogs
On a cold, snowy, and dreary early January afternoon, I pick up my mail and my spirits soar. The first seed catalogs have arrived, one from Jungs in Randolph, one from Gurney’s in Indiana,another from Burpee’s in Pennsylvania and several more. A spot of spring on a winter day. Pictures of hope and expectancy.
Seed Catalogs reach near religious status for those of us who garden. On these quiet days of winter we gardeners plan and anticipate—and study like someone facing a major examination. The test, of course, is next summer’s garden. Will it equal gardens of the past? Can next year’s be better?
I first study the tomato varieties: Pink Wonder is a new one, reaching 1 pound each with a “sweet and tangy flavor,” excellent keepers, good disease resistance. I look further. Three more new varieties: Tough Boy: produces “very smooth, round, 8 ounce fruits with no blemishes or imperfections,” Country Taste: “Old fashioned flavor blends with modern vigor.” And Bella Rosa: “A pretty name for a serious performer.” I must try a couple of these, I say, realizing I will most likely plant varieties I have grown for years: Better Boy, Early Girl, and Wisconsin 55.
I do the same for the other vegetables. I plan, check on what’s new in sweet corn, green beans, squash, pumpkins, rutabagas, cabbage, beets, radishes, potatoes and more.
I have a great time, reflecting on last year’s garden and what varieties did well, and planning for the next season. But I know from years of experience, no matter how carefully I plan, how carefully I select vegetable varieties, Mother Nature always surprises me. It’s one of the reasons I garden— I never quite know what to expect.
CHECK THIS OUT: My newest book, available about February 1 is about 25 years of canoeing in the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota. Steve’s photos are throughout. Go to: www.fulcrum-books.com for more information. The title: Campfires and Loon calls.
THE OLD TIMER WONDERS: Why do the pictures of the vegetables in the seed catalogs seldom resemble the real thing he grows in his garden?
COMING EVENTS:
February 12, 2:00 p.m., Richland Center City Auditorium. Film: County Schools—One Room—One Nation, followed by panel discussion.
March 11-13. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison. Campfires and Loon Calls (two presentations)
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. Our Rural Heritage.
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. Horse Drawn Days,
Seed Catalogs reach near religious status for those of us who garden. On these quiet days of winter we gardeners plan and anticipate—and study like someone facing a major examination. The test, of course, is next summer’s garden. Will it equal gardens of the past? Can next year’s be better?
I first study the tomato varieties: Pink Wonder is a new one, reaching 1 pound each with a “sweet and tangy flavor,” excellent keepers, good disease resistance. I look further. Three more new varieties: Tough Boy: produces “very smooth, round, 8 ounce fruits with no blemishes or imperfections,” Country Taste: “Old fashioned flavor blends with modern vigor.” And Bella Rosa: “A pretty name for a serious performer.” I must try a couple of these, I say, realizing I will most likely plant varieties I have grown for years: Better Boy, Early Girl, and Wisconsin 55.
I do the same for the other vegetables. I plan, check on what’s new in sweet corn, green beans, squash, pumpkins, rutabagas, cabbage, beets, radishes, potatoes and more.
I have a great time, reflecting on last year’s garden and what varieties did well, and planning for the next season. But I know from years of experience, no matter how carefully I plan, how carefully I select vegetable varieties, Mother Nature always surprises me. It’s one of the reasons I garden— I never quite know what to expect.
CHECK THIS OUT: My newest book, available about February 1 is about 25 years of canoeing in the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota. Steve’s photos are throughout. Go to: www.fulcrum-books.com for more information. The title: Campfires and Loon calls.
THE OLD TIMER WONDERS: Why do the pictures of the vegetables in the seed catalogs seldom resemble the real thing he grows in his garden?
COMING EVENTS:
February 12, 2:00 p.m., Richland Center City Auditorium. Film: County Schools—One Room—One Nation, followed by panel discussion.
March 11-13. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison. Campfires and Loon Calls (two presentations)
March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls.
March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers Workshop.
March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. Our Rural Heritage.
March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. Horse Drawn Days,
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