Day Begins

"As the leaves blow in the cool fall air, I am reminded that winter will soon be here. The hay is stored in the barn, the firewood in the shed, and meat and produce preserved, I feel secure. My family sleeps as I kindle a fire in the cookstove. The kitchen warms. Fresh eggs and milk, bacon for breakfast. I am a father, husband, farmer, hunter and provider. Another day has begun." RW

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Early Morning

This day the early morning sunrise was a sight to behold. It was nearly 6 months ago, not the longest day of the year, but the shortest days of the winter. The sun rose slowly in the eastern sky, ran a low arc to the south and set early in the west. The trees sleep, tucked into their tight cold bark. If you havn't seen a sunrise lately, give it a try. The house is still dark as I walk past the sleeping kids. The blankets kicked down or pulled tight up. The dogs lift their heads, look at me and seem to say, "Are you crazy, it's still night". To the east the sky is beginning to show light. This time not from a distant city or truck stop, but from the first light of dawn. I step onto the back deck and listen. Quiet. The rooster is still sleeping. The goats are lying quietly, heads drooped as they sleep. The beef steer chewing his cud. Quiet. A car rumbled down the road. Someone is starting their trip to work. The snow lays on the old Farmall C. Awaiting his next call to service. Sleeping too in a way. The morning is such a quiet time. Good time to think. To think about what today holds. To think about the frozen ground. To think about the firewood for next year. To think about the upcoming maple sugar season. Just to think, in the quiet morning air.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Up to Camp - Working Vacation

Spring is racing by so fast as we say goodbye to May and welcome to June. We managed to make it to New Sweden last weekend to enjoy the clean air and beautiful views, and to work on the camp. Vacations for us are usually enjoyed best with busy hands. This weekend we insulated some more, installed some interior sheathing and built the porch deck. The kiddos were helpful and we are glad to have been able to spend a few days away. If all goes well we will have the camp ready for a winter visit this year.
Girls enjoy some quiet time in the camp loft.
Family enjoying the new porch deck.
This trip north we also delivered two of our spring lambs to our neighbor in Stockholm. The Small's 50 acres of grass fields will be a nice home for the lambs. The lambs will also enjoy the scenic views as they grow big and fat this summer.