Butterfly Hill Farm: Magic

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.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Magic

Yesterday, Richard and I headed for a walk in the Woods. It was my first walk into Nature on her lovely uneven ground since my hip fracture almost 2 months ago. While the day was windy, Spring was more of a dominant presence. With the tawny brown of last year's vegetation on top, green was poking up everywhere. With my usual Cedar Walking Stick in hand, I was excited and ready to go.

Richard glanced back and noted that Max, the Cat, was intent on following. Our City Cats generally stay pretty close to the House, unless they see their Humans headed on a Walkabout. Considering these parts are also homes to Foxes, Coyotes, Turkeys, and Hawks with occasional Eagles overhead, we are perfectly content with them staying close to the House.

But here came Max. He was just as intent on an early Spring walk as I. I think he felt he had been denied for far too long.

Magical Max stayed tied to us on an invisible tether of about 20 feet. He would go tearing off scattering dry leaves on either side of our path. He would meow all the way, and then head right back to the comfort of our feet. He was so excited. He just could not be contained. It was a day of exploring with the comfort of those you know and love and those with whom you feel safe.

Max has no front claws and has not had them since he was small. But in the presence of trees, he still knew they were for climbing. He looked up and then launched himself onto a branch platform. He climbed a ways, then looked down. "What do I do now?" Soon he was back down upon the ground.

After our walk through the Woods, we headed back into the Meadow. He did some exploring but soon followed us back to the House.

After our walk, I felt energized and invigorated in doing something that I had not done for so long. I wonder what our lives would be like if we did only those things that made our spirits soar. After being cramped up in our Human Confines, we feel a bit awkward and unsure. But the more we travel down those precious roads, the lighter our step and the more we soar.

Max knows that Magic. I am learning too.