Butterfly Hill Farm: Molasses Making 2009 Complete

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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, September 30, 2009

Molasses Making 2009 Complete

I think it is fair to say that we were tired today. Batch 3, which is our last batch of the season, is now complete. As Richard described, the moment was "happy, sad". We are happy that Molasses Making was successful and complete. We are jubilant about the latter. But we were sad that it was done.

Once again, this Batch was different and we had some teachings. The Cane was riper. The beginning and end product were a very different shade of brown. Boiling happened evenly, rapidly, and throughout the length of the Pan. The Juice cooked down relatively quickly. That last Boil, just before the Batch was done, was "creamy". The Batch was thicker. Taste was excellent. It was a beautiful Fall Day, warm during the Day and cool on either side. We found ourselves in the company of some Bees.

While Life seems to "stop" in the middle of Molasses Season. It really doesn't. It continues to flow. We had some distractions. David and Lurah had some health issues in those moments. We were very aware. We were grateful they could get the medical attention that they need. Somehow, it was important to be together. The web of Family gave them and us support as we held them in a healing light.

Some surprises happened. KTVO Channel 3 showed up to film our Molasses Making for the evening news. The decision was made for Richard to speak for the Process, which he reluctantly did. The 2 Brothers, Hollis Dale, and Melanie worked in the background around the Pan. While it was sweet to share, a bit of the innocence of the process seemed to be taken away. http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/video.aspx?id=357075

I do believe that the reclaiming of enduring Family Traditions is a major yearning of our Times. I would hope that as this story is shared that it can enter the world in a good way.

And so we ended Molasses Making 2009. A good time was had by all. The interweavings of Family and Friends were magical and inspiring. The Tree of Life just keeps growing. In all, 5 generations of our family have made Molasses in this location.

Making Molasses is a physically intense process. Some Folks were dealing with issues which affected their ability to be involved at a level to which they were accustomed and they desired. These are issues which we will have to seriously consider and accommodate for in the future. The assistance of volunteers was especially helpful in giving support.

In the meantime, with the completion of the Season, other things have been temporarily set aside. They will now get our attention. The Wheel of Life just keeps moving on.

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Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Molasses Making 2009 Complete

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