A Woodsy Story

I have this story to tell.

Its a true story.

All about me and the Farmboy and our forest.

I love to write, but the thing is, this story has taken such a long time to develop, that I've been having a hard time deciding how to put it into words. Just a weensie bit overwhelmed by the winding trail that I somehow need to string together to catch you up to speed.

So the other night, as I was stirring a pot of dinner on the stovetop, when it started to come to me, I quickly plopped my laptop onto the counter and started to bang away at the keyboard in between stirs.

It goes like this...

It all began innocently enough. Two young people, each raised with a love of nature and woodlands, they had found each other and together began tending their own patch of forest.

One day a flier arrived in the mail inviting them to attend Tree School at a local college. It was to be a one-day affair, classes ranging from Silviculture 101 to Chainsaw Operation for Women, and everything in between. Were they in? You better believe it.

Each early Spring afterward, they eagerly awaited seed catalogues and the arrival of the new Tree School brochure. They spent long happy hours carefully selecting their classes, then completely enjoying the day once it arrived.

But it wasn’t enough. Each time, they left at the end of the day, inspired and eager to put their new knowledge to practice, but wanting more. So when the opportunity arose for them to take a more in-depth course that would last for several weeks, they couldn’t sign up fast enough.

The instructor of their class, an expert Forester and Woodland Manager, would go on to fondly refer to them as his “star pupils”. Praise which made them beam silly grins of pride.

Over the ensuing years, there were two children born to the not-quite-as-young-anymore people. Life became so busy that Tree School was no longer an option, and days spent tending their woods were much fewer and further between than they liked.

One Summer day, they got a call from their old instructor asking if he could stop in and see how their trees were faring. Of course they were happy to show him all of the improvements and developments on their parcel of land. Real dirt roads, a bridge, and a growing family of beavers changing the creek bed.

He must have liked what he saw on that visit, for a few short days later he called to ask if he could nominate them for an award. Surprised and amused, they thought it sounded like a fun opportunity and said to count them in!

Paperwork was prepared, a forest tour with local experts was conducted, and a few months later, they somewhat sheepishly sat down at a banquet table to find out what new direction their story might take.

There they sat, surrounded by a hundred and fifty fellow lovers of the forest, and watched a slide show detailing five different properties, including their own, that had been nominated.

At the end of the presentation, one by one, the nominees were called up to accept a plaque to commemorate the evening. The pair sat and waited for their names to be called, but four others were called first, leaving them surprised and pleased and feeling a bit bowled-over when they were awarded the title, “2012 Woodland Farmer of the Year”.

“For many years of passionate land stewardship toward multiple-use tree farm goals including wood, wildlife, and family values.”

THE END

Well, not really the end... Only the end of Chapter One. Who knows what Chapter Two will hold!

Today

It has been exactly 51 days since we had rain. A long stretch for the Pacific Northwest, and although nowhere near drought conditions like so many others this year, the view we awoke to this morning was delightful to our parched selves.

I hope it stays drippy all day long.

Lately

Well Hello There

A few days ago, we were headed out for a day of running errands. It was overcast and cool (what other type of Summer morning should we expect?) As we drove along our driveway, we saw someone bounding away across the neighbor's horse field. Nope, not a horse... two deer.

Now you all know that deer are quite commonplace in the woods. At least they are in our woods. But since we moved the dogs onto our property, we rarely see deer with our own eyes. So it was quite exciting for the kids. And, true to form, I happened to have my camera with me. (wink)

Startled by us, but also a bit confused, since we were lower than them, and holding still, they stopped at the end of the field, under a sheltering tree, and posed for a few moments while we rolled down the windows and looked on.

Then a ray of sunshine beamed down and they spotted us. And ran away.

Nice to meet you too.

Picture of the Week

Contrast

This photo was taken yesterday...

the very first Robin seen in our yard in 2012.

Yippee! Hooray! Spring is nearly here! So Excited!

Uh, wait...

hold that thought...

This photo was taken this morning...

Drat.