Nature has so many built in things that can divide, separate us Where we happen to be born The parents, and all their learned differences The circumstances, so varied yet important Our feet get put on Life's Highway and we travel on Left to see...or not Hear...or not... Touch...or not. So we cling to our [...]
The robins and the doves have one thing on their minds: building the perfect nest NOW! Twigs and straws pieces of grass and weeds carried in beaks announce a spot has been chosen selected in very particular places Fascinating the design, the process that each species seems to know that temporary home so necessary [...]
Looking back on half a century and the time and season of planting I can bear witness, I think to something said to me back at the beginning: "Holy Week the weather's always troublesome!" How about 48 out of 50? That's how often I wanted to plant but weather intervened. This year's no exception! [...]
As sure as the snow flies in northern climes The snow birds flap their wings or mount their wheels to head to southern beaches Their money flows with them restaurants and shops hotels and motels and rentals lift their signs: "No Vacancy!" The cold weary folks shed their parkas insulated caps, boots and mittens [...]
It is written that we came from the soil dust of some nature shaped into the form of man No wonder, then, there's something about soil, that draws us farmers and gardeners who use their hands to touch, ponder, the mysteries of soil The seasons are a wonder too stretching our imaginations challenging our [...]
Chilled, from deep winter's freeze the winds whosh and whistle sending leaves and debris hip scotching along barren branches twist and turn remembering Chubby Checker! (C'mon everybody, let's do the twist!) Wrapped against the chill I freeze out in the wind and melt in sun drenched lee spots Cold, hot! Cold, hot! It's springtime [...]
A pinhole or a crack is all the howling wind needs to send snowflakes sailing in Blizzard Whiteout Hour after hour Snow swirls and drifts sculptured piles arise packed hard and firm challenging man and beast In grandma's day the drifts topped fences so the cattle walked over them as did she and her [...]
Some two thousand years ago a parade of folks was moving urged along by a star A star above, Bethlehem, small town Israel plain people, none of note But along came a couple wife a young mother to be husband a good sort of fellow and the baby came in a stable Born in [...]
Happens once a year a gathering of the arms Illinois Farm Bureau 407,378 members represented by 342 delegates from each county in the state Cars and busses trains and pickup trucks the farmers pour in to the Chicago Loop toting suitcases (and billfolds!) Delegates and alternates, friends and staff officers and directors and onlookers [...]
From the garden the orchard and the fields, fall is the pouring season! Nature pours forth rewards for labor and energy for thinking and planning and so we see The tomatoes and potatoes the squash and onions gathered into baskets and coming in The kitchen is alive with processing, changing summer's bounty into keepers [...]