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Equinox
The days after the fall equinox, when the sun nearly rises straight east and sets squarely in the west, are of moments. Sunrise and sunset moments of blended color and kissed clouds. Shadow moments that reveal hollows and ridges hidden in other seasons. Sumac moments when the first vestiges of change speak of tomorrows bright red leaves. Chilled morning…
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A Coyote Paradox
During the warm days of early spring a coyote settled into an irrigation culvert near the barn. Whelping soon afterwards, she did a good job of keeping quiet and us unaware. Until, that is, we began running irrigation water. All of a sudden, the ditch culvert left a lot to be desired as a place to raise pups. Frantically,…
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Walking Landscape
Walking a landscape is learning a landscape. They go hand in hand. Driving landscape is an introduction. Walking a landscape though, is an adventure in to landscape’s thinking, feeling, and imagination. Walking gives one the opportunity to pause and wonder. Each foot fall creates a vibrancy, held by air, that becomes language between walker and ground. Measured in rhythm, footfalls…
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Spring Leaf
The apricot trees blossomed early this spring. Though they are the first bloomers of all our fruit trees, the buds arrived a little earlier than normal. If our luck held, they survived the early spring 27-degree frosts. Yet we had a good number of frosts, so, fruit this year is a question. Yet the trees have good leaves. Strong…
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Grassing
I like grass. Whether in the pasture or the hay field, grass does not try to be more than their natural self. Walk a field and I feel their rootedness and love of sun. Whether ryegrass, wheatgrass, orchard grass, or tall fescue, I expect grass to live their created identity. I never expect cool weather grass to grow much…
