Butterfly Hill Farm

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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 29, 2013

Creating Memories

One of the things I like best about working with all these wonderful people who are joining us at this precious time is that I am getting to know them better. It is so very sweet. I guess we are "creating new memories". Gotta go. Time to eat...

Lap of Love

And did I mention rain? Looks like we have rain today, altho all the laptops are lined up and checking favorite weather forecasts. We have found one we like best today. Fortunately the tent is covered. Walls just got pulled down. You know, when you come out of a life threatening illness, most things are just pretty small. Plus, the focus is on the union of these 2 beautiful people and their families. Everything else is just part of the backdrop.

We are experiencing the lusciousness of laying in the lap of love and that's what it really is all about. I need to go out and pick some flowers in between the rain showers. Brockell Briddle just arrived with quiche (including grass fed beef), juice and granola. Amanda Packard got us started with quiche warmed up from the rehearsal dinner. She was walking around asking if she could bring us tea. Then she disappeared to bring down the walls of the tent.

Life is good. Really good. This will be a day we long remember on more dimensions than we can know. Much magic and wonder unfolding...

Weather Fabulous for May 24

May 25:

Yesterday was fabulous. Beautiful weather. Great gathering. Rehearsal at 4. Dinner at 5. And then out of towners gathered for a reception at 6. It was just so awesome. I do believe that all that loving energy is so focused on Melanie andDave Greene now and the families that support them. We can feel it. It is so beautiful.

Not Writing Much

May 24:

Forgive me if I don't write much today. That doesn't necessarily mean that nothing is going on. Melanie and Dave Greene's wedding is tomorrow.

Realization

I just realized today is May 24. Yikes.

1 More Sleep

May 24:

1 more sleep until the wedding. (I am really enjoying thinking about "the sleeps" until the wedding. Somehow, it focuses for me more on the sleep rather than the limited time.)

2 More Sleeps

May 23:

Two more sleeps until the wedding. Things are coming along so beautifully. Tent went up today. Water (25-5 gallon containers) arrived. Work party came to clean glasses, tidy up the gardens and make signs. It is going to be so beautiful. Maybe a little wet, but we will just go with the flow of whatever Nature provides. Amanda Packard and Beth Campbell are going to manage the flow of the wedding days. They are giving us so much support (everyone is) for this festive occasion. Melanie and I picked up Dave Greene's Mom at the train station. And Dave and the kids just arrived. Gotta go.

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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Creating Memories

Lap of Love

Weather Fabulous for May 24

Not Writing Much

Realization

1 More Sleep

2 More Sleeps

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