Butterfly Hill Farm: She's Coming Alive...

Banner Photo

May 20:

The Farm is really greening up. Plants are breaking into buds and flowers, under our ever watchful eye. Buffalo Gal, a rose we brought with us from North Dakota, is covered with buds and today she presented us with her 1st flower.

Irises began blooming yesterday. And we were not surprised that the 1st to flower were Irises from Melanie's 2 Grandmas (Ethel and Dorothy, who have both passed). I noted that the Yellow Columbine is also breaking into flower. And the Bleeding Heart just continues to throw out cascades of flowers.

We got 1 inch of rain last night. We did lose a few limbs, but otherwise, the countryside is in that luscious, after rain, spring-moving-into summer, green.

I do remember that my Dad, when he came to our Farm in 2007 just 2 months before he passed, said: "This is paradise. When I go to Heaven, I want to come here." It surely is beautiful here. The landscapes are radiant.

And the Hummingbirds, with all their energy, have just arrived. They buzz about. I don't know how they have all that energy. They wintered in the Yucatan, crossed the Gulf on those tiny wings, and now are setting up home here. I supposed you could say, they are setting up home just like us.

All this makes a perfect backdrop for wedding preparations and for the wedding itself. Is this for real?

Photos

Except in very specific circumstances, all photos depicted here were taken on our Farm. Those circumstances off the Farm relate to the purposes of this Farm and this writing exploration. Almost all were taken by 1 of the 3 C's. If not, I try to make sure others are credited. I (Glinda) am usually the one carrying the camera, but not always.

I do my best to gain permissions of Folks whose pictures are shown on this Blog. If for any reason, you are pictured and would like your photo removed, just let me know. Thanks.

Glinda

...began her professional career as a Home Economist, later serving as a Home Economics Teacher Educator for 2 decades. In 1995, she moved into analyzing the Human Side of Environmental Issues. She went from studying Humans in their Little Homes to studying Humans in their Big Home, the Earth. Those 2 leggeds were, after all, creating a substantial problem for the Earth, which sustains them. After 30 years in higher education, she became Professor Emerita of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Ecological Studies at the University of North Dakota in 2005.

Glinda has a special interest in analyzing the split Humans have with Nature. Her focus is bringing Humans home to the Earth, opening at long last to the awe, magic, and love of this beautiful Earth whirling in the Great Cosmic Sea. She is a writer, teacher, poet, artist. She is the writer for this Blog, the substance of which will likely become a book she has known she would write.

Recent interview with Fast Recipes: http://www.fastrecipes.com/latest-news/nature%E2%80%99s-recipes:-living-off-the-land-in-missouri-2010061740080/

Richard

...grew up on a 120 acre Farm about 5 miles west of here. Those humble beginnings have had a profound effect on his Life. He was trained as a Wildlife Biologist and later responsible for the Wildlife Management Program at the University of North Dakota for over 3 decades. Retiring in 2007, he is a UND Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology.

Richard brings to the Farm a lifelong interest in the Natural Sciences (Birds, Wildlife, Prairie Restoration, Ecosystems, Gardening) and the Humanities. As his wife (Glinda) says: "He is one of those few people in our Culture who can still read Nature's story and make it accessible to those around him."

Melanie

...would list a bio a little shorter than her Mom and Dad. That's because she hasn't lived quite so long, which is the normal course of such things. But her bio would be no less interesting and perhaps even more so. She has come to this work and this walk far earlier than her Mom or Dad.

Melanie has an interest in healthy lifestyles. It's not something you read about; it's something you do. She brings her love of life, her travel near and far, her love of people known and unknown, her playful curiosity, and her knowing to Gardening, Raising Chickens, Herbal Healing, and the Culinary Arts. She makes a place for Kids of all Ages on this Little Farm.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

She's Coming Alive...

I knew this day would come. We have had a long slow spring season, which means the temperature has been slow to turn from winter to spring. I admit part of me has been impatient. The other part has celebrated the fact the season is turning slowly. When the temperature is a little more rambunctious with dramatic highs and lows, it puts stress on the plants. That is not good.

Today we had lots of rain. We watched dark clouds race across the sky from South to North. The temperature was turning warmer. On those days, the migratory birds catch the wind at their backs and they fly. It is always fun to see what birds show up after such weather dramas.

As the rain stopped, we headed out for a walk. First, we checked on the tree seedlings. They were happily making themselves at home. Everything was sopping wet with deep squishy mud abounding. Next, we went down into the forest and watched the magic unfold.

One of my favorite books is The Education of Little Tree, also available in video. Little Tree is a little boy who is part Cherokee. After the death of his parents, he moves in with his Grandmother who is full blood Cherokee and his Grandfather who is Scottish, I believe. They live in the Appalachians in a traditional way. One of their morning riturals is to go to the top of a mountain and greet the Sun. The old man says: "She's coming alive!"

When I looked at the forest today, I could say the same thing: "She's coming alive!" At last, the Earth is pushing all of that wonderful exuberant Spring energy. I could almost feel it to my very core.

You will see below some images that I took on our walk. As you see these images, please also know that these were our observations on this remarkable day (and tomorrow it may snow):

100 plus White Pelicans in 3 bunches inside 1 big bunch flew at low levels in their characteristic swirling flight.
The Eastern Towhee is back.
The Brown Thrasher is back.
We saw a very unusual looking bee and he saw 2 very unusual looking Humans (that would Richard and me).
Leopard Frogs' singing is now routine (they sound like they are laughing). We are now hearing Gopher Frogs (they sound like they are snoring).
Field Sparrows are on territory.
Meadowlarks and Cardinals are beginning to pair up and nest
Robins are back in good numbers.
We found what would have been a Northern Harrier's nest with 3 broken eggs, probably from last year and just in our backyard.
Vultures are back.
The Woodcocks have stopped "peenting" which means these elusive birds have found mates and are on nests.
Meadowlarks are quick to announce their territories.
Goldfinches are turning yellow, perfectly timed with the greening of the grass.
Migratory Canada and Snow Geese are gone leaving local pairs who are busy at their spring doin's.
Lilacs are beginning to bud out.
As Richard let the chickens out, Kayte (the Buff Orpington henny) went running out of the chicken house, grabbed a worm, showed it to her friends, and the whole entourage went running after her.
We have seen Mourning Cloak Butterflies.
My 6 daffodils are just about to bloom. (Next year, I plan to have more.)