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!

Blogging About Beavers

Not exactly the typical post topic found on the web these days, I know! And for readers of a blog about stitching, cooking, gardening and puppies, it is perhaps a bit on the boring side. But I am not going to make any apologies, because I am completely and utterly fascinated by our Beaver family and the amazing work that they continue to do in our creek bottom.

They have been working their way downstream, making it easier and easier for us to walk in and view their dams. The Mister has counted at least 6 separate dam locations, some smaller, some really big.

They are clever creatures, I tell you.

This is the most astonishing sight we found.

I wouldn't be able to touch fingers around this tree.

It is well over 7 feet in diameter, and stands tall enough that it can be seen from our house. Sadly, that other, taller, Cottonwood tree in the photo has some bites taken out of it too... and it is one of my favorites to watch throughout the year.

Most often, the trees the Beavers take down are rather small.

I imagine these trees will be taken eventually, either by the Beavers or by drowning.

It feels like a dream, sometimes, owning this land.

Tending our trails and roads. Finding evidence of people who walked here long before us. Old pump in the creek, a rusty wheelbarrow, fire rings in the soil, logging spikes in old-growth stumps, a stray arrowhead.

Realizing that our time here is a miniscule sliver. We are caretakers in a string of caretakers.

Watching Beavers build dams where perhaps other Beavers built dams that have long since washed away.

Its a dream I want to live in for a very, very long time.

This Land

It was thirteen years ago yesterday, the day I first stepped foot on this bit of soil.

It was dark outside, the house was sub-floor and sheetrock, surrounded by mud.

A tall, skinny boy held my hand as he proudly guided me through the construction debris and to the door.

I had only the teensiest glimmer of a thought that I might one day call this land home.

A momentous occasion, that night.
Strange to think that it passed without trumpets and fanfare.

New Pretties in my Etsy Shop!

I have been busy this week, finishing up a Blessing Box, which is now listed in my etsy shop.

What is a Blessing Box, you ask? It is a special place to visit on days when you are having a hard time thinking of anything positive. Days when everything seems to be going wrong. For the Blessing Box, when used properly, is filled with scraps of paper, some elegant, others scribbled upon, no matter the method, each inscription tells of a Blessing that has taken place in your life. A stranger giving you fifty cents so that you don't have to put something back at the grocery store... an unexpected card from a dear friend... a favorite Scripture verse that gives you strength... your teenager cleaning his/her room with no prompting... A simple few minutes reading through the rememberances should be enough to set one's perspective back in a more peaceful place.

A Blessing Box might look like a shabby old shoe box, or a pretty antique hat box. Or maybe, just maybe, it might look like this:



A little thrift-store bentwood box, which I have coated with layers of paint, pretty papers, and one of my papercuttings decoupaged to the top.

Also added to my shop is this whimsical little gathering:

Quiet

It's 8:15 New Year's Day 2009. I am the only one awake in my quiet house. It is QUIET and Still, and oh, SO nice! The pouring rain outside is helping to melt away the last of our snow. The living room is full of piled up wrapping paper and boxes from our final Christmas celebration yesterday. And my heart is full.

I have been so very blessed in my life, and 2008 was definitely not an exception.

We were given a beautiful daughter, who has enlivened our family with her feisty ways.

Our Boy has grown into a sweet and loving pre-schooler; never a day goes by without him saying to me, "Mama, I love you so, so, So, SO Much!"

Matt continues to be my rock in the midst of many tired, disconnected, frazzled days. We have been blessed with consistent work for him, the sole financial supporter of our family, in times that are increasingly tough economically.

My little business has been growing steadily over the course of the year, and I have SO enjoyed meeting many new people, and developing new friendships.

Our extended families continue to be a vital part of our life, and we even found some long-lost relatives living right here in Sandy (that will be another post...coming soon).

There is nothing that we or I have ever done, or could ever do to deserve the Grace that gives us Certain Hope in our Eternal Home, and this is the blessing that makes me the most Grateful of all.

Peace, Hope, and Love to you this New Year, my Dear Friends and Family!