Butterfly Hill Farm: Crossroads

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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.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Crossroads

The Farm was a crossroads this weekend. Rachel came from Argentina via Indiana on her way to Rochester, NY. Her parents Joe and Kathy came from northern Indiana. Cote came from Chile via northern Indiana where she is an exchange student with Rachel's family. When they left the Farm this morning, they headed down to see Joni in Columbia. Dave came down from Iowa City. Noah was coming from Georgia while Emily was from Michigan, via many in betweens, with more ahead.

This was the weekend of Rachel's graduation as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Her graduation date also marked our arrival on this little Farm 5 years ago. She was one of the first that we met after our arrival which now seems like many life times ago. Her interests in the Earth, Peace, Justice, Living Simply dovetailed with our own. We started talking and will never stop. We became her "Farm Family". Her Dad had suggested that if she was to succeed in Medical School, she needed to have a farm nearby. We were that Farm. Her retreats to it meant just as much to us. Their arrival on the Farm was a perfect celebration for the new Kitchen. And today was Mother's Day. How fitting.

No celebration is complete without a special meal. Melanie spearheaded the meal featuring many of Rachel's favorite foods from here on the Farm: Barbecued Chicken (with Richard's homemade sauce), Kale Salad, Sweet Potato and Regular Potato Fries with Aoli, Lettuce Salad picked fresh from the garden with Avocados Dave had brought down, Fresh Baked Bread that Dave brought from the Co-op in Iowa City. Cote and I set the table and picked flowers too.

During lulls, we headed out for excursions on to the Farm. Of course, they wanted to see the baby chickens.

At last, the dinner was done. Melanie and Dave patiently waited for us to arrive and find our places at the table. What a treasured time.

Afterwards, Melanie and Joe made homemade Ice Cream.

In the meantime, Dave played his Dulcimer. The lovely sounds wafted out across the landscape.

Dessert included Vanilla Ice Cream, Fruit Sauce, and Lemon Curd. I think these things must be served in Heaven too.

This morning we took time for a few pictures to mark this very special time we shared and to celebrate a beautiful friendship that has unfolded.

Moms and Daughters gathered for a photo on this Mother's Day. Rachel reminded us that the last time we took a photo, the photo included Rachel, Melanie, Mom and me. How the time flies and how things change.

Richard let the Baby Chicks out today. These are some of their first days outside into the big world. I suppose this marks some new steps into the world that had not been envisioned before. They too are at their own crossroads.

Emily and Noah returned and were soon on the phone calling Moms, Grandma, sister (who is a new Mom) on this Mother's Day. Life is so good down here on the Farm. We know where we have come from, but we too are at a crossroads. I suppose that's what life is all about.

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Monday, May 14, 2012

Crossroads

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