Butterfly Hill Farm: Equinox

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.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Equinox

March 20:

Today was our special day to celebrate the Spring Equinox. Keren, Beth, Amanda, Adam, Deborah and Shivani joined us. Melanie announced that the Guests were arriving via Wagon pulled by sturdy Horses Solomon and Muse. I cannot express how filled with Joy I am when I see the Horses and Wagon (or Buggy) coming down our drive. That little Kid (who always wanted a Horse but never had one) just dances for Joy.

We spend a bit of time relaxing and connecting. Then we head to the table. I ask 2 questions and we have 2 rounds of responses: (1) What have you seen/felt that marks that beautiful shift of Winter into Spring? There's just no denying it. (2) That Life Force of the Earth is coming through every living thing. Buds on Trees, Shells on Eggs, and hard coverings on Seeds are broken open because that energy cannot be denied.

We Humans are not so different. We have little protective shells around us that we break through as the Life Force surges through us. In a word, phrase, or headline, what is an example of that New Life that is emerging through you?

We talk about the dishes that we each brought to the Feast. Richard made 3 forms of Lasagna with differences inbetween. All I remember in the moment was that he brought meat and vegetarian. The noodles were Gluten Free. Keren brought a beautiful Salad. Amanda brought Sour Dough Bread (whose original start was carried by Katrina from Tuscany Italy), Melanie brought Deviled Eggs, Deborah brought Garbanzos with carmelized Onions. Plus, Richard gathered Herbs and Shredded Carrots for garnish. To the greatest extent possible, the Food came from the Land and much of it was from this Season (including wild edibles). And I set the table with Mother's lovely dishes. We are richly blessed.

Wren Song Folks offered a blessing of Song. Then we began to dish up and settle in. I always enjoy this stage of a Meal. Deep quiet and contentment seem to descend as Folks dig in.

Afterwards, we went out for a walk on the Land. We walked around the Paths that Richard has created. We managed to find and enjoy each of the Benches along the Way.

And then, it was time for Dessert. Keren made lovely Custard from Goat Milk, Eggs, and Goat Cheese. Melanie had made a wonderful Carrots Cake which she placed on the Cake Stand that was her Great Grandmother's. That Hybiscus Bloom opened just in time.

We relaxed a while longer, enjoying conversation and company. Then Amanda announced it wasa time to head back. Once again, Solomon and Muse were ready and up to the task.

What a glorious day.

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Monday, March 21, 2011

Equinox

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