January 2011

Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only own a shovel. ~ Aldo Leopold  
Quote from a comment on the Climate Progress blog. 


I haven't been posting on this blog for a long time. Now, it seems important that I chronicle what is happening in this little corner of west central Wisconsin. Joy Farm seems increasingly more precious as the world situation becomes more imperiled. Snowshoeing across two feet of snow into fields that grow soy beans, alfalfa and corn for a neighboring farmer, I see evidence of deer and sometime coyotes. The tracks of birds and critters crisscross the fields of snow, while beneath the brush, there are little snow caves where rabbits make their winter homes. 


This winter we have a new location for our bird feeders and can easily watch the birds from our sunroom. We have a multitude of chickadees, juncos, at least three types of woodpeckers, blue jays and a pair of cardinals. We have even seen a redwing blackbird visiting the feeders, something we've not seen before. The presence of these winged creatures brings joy! 

 We saw one of these at the feeders this morning. They are so beautiful. 


And, it is this beauty that motivates us to stay at Joy Farm, to plan for its well-being and the well-being of all the critters who live here. It is this beauty that sends me in search of ways to counter the global warming that has already occurred, and to work to stop putting more greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. So, we will plant more trees, tend the ones we have on this land, welcome the birds, and grow our gardens without using poisons and artificial fertilizers. We, too, wish to be creative, and to cooperate with the forces of Creation.