Butterfly Hill Farm: "Whatch Ya Doin'?"

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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.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

"Whatch Ya Doin'?"

Today, the little Chicks are 3 weeks old. They are curious. Very curious. And they have been curious from the get-go.

These Little Critters are especially intrigued by my small silver digital camera. I find the most interesting shots come when I put the camera down to their eye level. Instead of looking down on them as a Giant Human looking at the top of the heads of Wee Little Ones, I get a peek at their world, their view. And the instant I move the camera down, they come running lickety split. They examine the camera, every spot, every edge, every crevice. While they are on the run, I keep snapping pictures and moving the camera around. Things happen so fast, I don't even look at the LCD screen. I just keep taking pictures. I do have a lot of pictures blanked out with a full screen of fuzzy fluff. But I also have some very good ones. I don't feel like I should take credit for the pictures. These Living Beings are nothing short of amazing.

You can just hear them asking me, the Giant: "Whatch ya doin'?"

So what am I doing? I am intrigued by these little guys and gals. I just can't quite get enough of them. When we came to Butterfly Hill Farm, we determined to honor the sacred gift of life. I feel that life is a gift. And I should live out that gift in being present for its Mystery, plus being intentionally present in every single step.

Unfortunately, in our society, we have forgotten that gift. I find that sad, even tragic. I know I cannot change the world of the other. But I can change the world I choose to live. So my intention is to be deeply aware of that gift and to live life as a sacred gift.

One way I do that is to pay attention to those life's moments when I see the pure essence of life which is a gift. Seeing Little Chicks is one of those times. These Little Ones teach me a lot about life.

So, "Whatch Ya Doin'?" I am a student back in school studying the essence of life. And it is present in these precious Little Beings. I am richly blessed.

Dear Reader: What are those moments when you see, touch, feel the essence of Life?

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Wednesday, May 21, 2008

"Whatch Ya Doin'?"

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