Butterfly Hill Farm: Reprise

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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.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Reprise

On Saturday, Melanie and I headed to a gathering of some fellow "Homesteaders" over at Matt and Sheri's which is on the other side of the County from here. The photo above shows us getting ready for our little adventure.

It is hilly here on this side of the County, but open with a combination of Meadow and Oak/Hickory Forest. Our roads out here in the country often "cut squares". By contrast, Matt and Sheri live in a heavily forested region with steep hills. The roads go in all different directions, often following ridges. Whenever we go there, I can hardly believe I am in the same County.

A gathering of Kindred Spirits embarking on their own Dreams and Challenges of Living Close to the Land is a Gift of undescribable proportions. This is our "Think Tank Group"; we each bring Questions and Observations. We are all eager to share what has worked for us and the stories we have gleaned from the Land. We are all different but we share many of the same concerns. The support that we have for each other is simply beautiful. It feels good knowing that they are there supporting us.

We are all Gardeners, so the day was filled with magical Fare. We toured Matt and Sheri's Garden, which was nothing short of amazing. Everybody brought Culinary Delights which were organic, homegrown, seasonal, and prepared with Love.

Melanie brought 17 Varieties of Heirloom Tomatoes from our Garden for a "Tomato Tasting". For each variety, she put 1 whole Tomato (to see the shape and character) and samples to taste on separate tin pie plates. The table was laden with samples to share. Fellow Homesteaders hovered, shared thoughts and questions, identified favorites, and headed off into conversations that went into magical directions. We really had fun with this.

As for me, I brought 3 Pies fresh from the Oven: Peach, Black Raspberry, and Blueberry. As for Richard, he missed the gathering because he went to a sale with his Brothers. We all found Treasures on this beautiful Day. Melanie noted today that Brad and Jane are planning a gathering at their house in September. A reprise is in order. That makes me smile.

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Saturday, August 7, 2010

Reprise

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