Butterfly Hill Farm: House Moving

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.

Friday, October 7, 2011

House Moving

I have made a Rule for this little Blog that it is only to include happenings on this Little Farm. I have also made a Rule that on very special occasions, I will break that little Rule. Today was one of those very special days. On this auspicious day, Beth Campbell planned to move the Little House that she and Jonathan have been constructing from the construction site to its nesting home site.

Yes, we 3 C's have been busy on this Little Farm and there are a 1000 reasons why we should just stay put. But it was just one of those occasions when we drop everything, go, support and be a part of the happenings. It is a celebration for Beth as her little Cabin is closer to being complete and as she puts down her own roots into making a home here. Plus, it was a tense day watching the House she's built and loves head down the road, over bumps and dips. It was a tense day for Jonathan who has been a real crusader for Cabins on Wheels; he's put all this energy into this production and now he needs to "let it go". Will it make it? How could we not be there for our Friends and Community? It kind of sounds like a wedding.

So Melanie and I gathered up Food and Flowers for this marker occasion. No, we didn't shower and we didn't take time to tidy ourselves up. That wasn't important. The most important thing was that we were there.

And we arrived just before the Cabin and Beth embarked on their homecoming. The Homeowner was there (Beth). The builders (Beth and Jonathan) were there.

Jonathan had just removed supports so that the Cabin was ready to move. We won't talk about the little bit of tilting of the Cabin that went on and the crushing of cement blocks underneath, nevermind that Jonathan was underneath the Cabin when this happened. We won't say much other than Jonathan's instruction to Pray. Prayer is always good, especially at marker times, which includes every moment.

The 2 little pick-ups were quickly being loaded with all of those last minute things. The movers (Don with his tractor, Ivan with his truck, Dana with her pick-up) arrived. Ivan came 1st and soon after Don arrived, Ivan headed up the hill to flag traffic on the blacktop behind the Cabin. Dana was already ahead prepared to alert oncoming traffic. These folks really knew what they were doing. "I've done this many times before, sometimes many times a week," Ivan said. In critical life moments, it's comforting and smart besides to have the best on your team.

The auspicious moment arrived when Don pulled the Cabin out onto the blacktop. (It would have been interesting to test our breathing patterns at that point in time.) The parade had begun with the 2 trucks in front, 2 trucks and our car behind, lights flashing. (I might have missed someone.)

We watched intently as Don took those corners carefully. He slowed the tractor and Cabin when under the 2 low power lines which had already been checked and gave just the needed clearance. About this time, I discovered that popping up out of the Sun Roof gave me a great view and some wonderful shots. Plus, I felt like a "Jack in the Box" which was quite freeing.

The Little Cabin with her Parade went past the Possibility Alliance and there they all were waving and smiling. Down the hill we went. The intensity picked up as we came to the gate into the property. Vehicles were abandoned with occupants on foot as the Little Cabin made 1st entry into her home ground.

Forward motion of the Cabin stopped as the Humans deliberated on getting the Cabin safely on site. Critical decisions were made: to blade the area more to create a larger flat surface, to put a bolt into the Cabin which would be tied into another vehicle up the hill so that if it did begin to sway it would have some steadying support. I can think of those times in life when it has been important to have a steadying hand.

People and vehicles scattered to gather the supports needed. Melanie and I headed back to an agenda on our Farm which awaited. For me that was a quick shower and lunch, and heading to town. As I am writing this little Entry this morning, we do not yet know the outcome for the Little Cabin and Beth, but we will be checking soon.

Happy Homecoming, Cabin and Beth!