85 ~ Some March public service announcements

I’m happy to report that as the remnants of snow recede, the maple trees continue to respond, compensate in a way, with drip, drip, drips of sweet sap (and straight from the tree, it makes the best coffee and tea of the year).

A reminder that you can join in and learn the alchemy of making maple syrup here at the farmhouse (near Barneveld), next Saturday afternoon, March 11. There are still a couple of spots left in the class. We’ll start inside by gathering round the fireplace to talk about the history of maple syrup, then head outside to identify, select and tap the right trees, collect the sap, and process it down to syrup. Sign-up through Folklore Village, here.

Then on Saturday, March 25, also at the farmhouse, there will be an extraordinary and somewhat rare opportunity (at least in Wisconsin) to learn animal tracking with master wildlife tracker, Matt Nelson. This one-day workshop also still has some spots open, but registration closes on Monday, March 6. For more information, and to register, please see here.

A note that I’m looking for a new, compatible housemate, with starting availability April 1 (my current, fine housemate, Jack, and his partner Rachel just bought a house in Viroqua; happy for them!). If you know any good souls who might like to live here, please direct them to this Craigslist ad. Thank you!

Finally, Jay Leeming continues every Wednesday afternoon for the rest of this month (and a bit beyond) with his sublime, free, live telling online of Homer’s Odyssey, at 2:30-3:30 pm Wisconsin time, here.

Signs of spring continue to unfold around the house, one of the latest being the local bald eagles settling into incubation of eggs - marked by just a bit of white head showing above the rim of the nest.

photo by Jerry Davis

For the first time since I arrived here in 2012, the local pair moved and built a new nest this season, along the same ridgeline of woods, about 1/4 mile from the old nest (which now sits idle). It’s not clear what prompted the move. Perhaps it was turnover of one of the pair, and the new spouse claiming a fresh space.

When all still looks dead and drab in early March, I find it hopeul to think of a young eaglet, warm in its egg not far away, expanding toward life. Something for all of us to remember to do, especially in this quiet season.