What a day it's been! In fact, what a weekend it's been. On Friday, I talked with Chad Lampkin of Michigan Energy Works, thanks to Alana and Ed Begley, Jr. We talked two hours! I will admit it wasn't all about alternate energy. Chad is a beekeeper, so naturally we had to talk about bees, too.

What fun to talk with such a knowledgeable person! He had all kinds of suggestions for the house - from heating it and heating water, to solar panels, to wood boilers. We even talked about using the creek for power, but it's probably too far from the site. And the good news is...he will be traveling to Minnesota later this year and will stop by my place. He insists on staying with each family he works with for at least a few days, so he can see what kind of power usage each family needs. Chad has worked in 30 states. This summer he will be working on a project at the Artic Circle! I will be happy to have Chad stay out here on the land. He says he's used to camping. (Good thing!) The build-a-house community is growing!

On another note, when in Rochelle earlier on Friday, I just happened to be driving down a street - when what to my wondering eyes should appear? The Wienermobile! It was parked in a shopping center. A big U-turn...and there I was, taking photos of the intrepid Wienermobile!  I have always loved it since I first saw it in my hometown of Davenport, Iowa when I was a young slip of a thing. Dear Reader, I had to share a picture of it with you.

A big THANK YOU to Jeff Wolfe for more work on my website! He is amazing. He has the Land video on my website right now! Check it out, if you'd like. (And yes, I realize my voice is boring, but that's the way it will be for now.)

Chris, Smitty and Smitty's brother, Doug , came out to fish today. They seemed to enjoy themselves on this lovely day. (More later...)

Today, Dave and I worked ourselves to exhaustion. We cut long branches overhanging the lake on the steep west bank. It's such a jungle, and I've wanted to clean it up for years. We have just a little bit more to go...and then it will look much nicer. Now the greater Horsetail, which grows on that steep bank, will be able to spread even further.

Dave and I  dragged the branches across the ice to, yet another, burn pile. While dragging a load of branches, Dave discovered a dead catfish under the ice in one of the old ice holes. Smitty, Chris and Doug came over to see it. Doug cut the catfish out of the ice and laid it on top for some lucky raccoon's dinner tonight. OHHHH, did it smell! (Sorry the picture of the dead catfish is right under the Wienermobile. That just doesn't seem right somehow....!)

Chris and Smitty moved Alana's purple picnic table! right on their homemade sled! We had a little excitement during the trip across the lake. You can see by the photos below, during the "move" one of the Tip Up's went crazy. (Let me stop here to explain that a Tip-up is a wooden and iron contraption set on the ice over it's own ice fishing hole, with a red flag that "Tips Up" whenever a fish grabs the hook.) Smitty caught a bass! (A small one, but hey! that's okay.) He sure was  happy. He loves the Tip Up because you are actually handling (manipulating?) the fish with your hands.

I found out there is a protocol for the Tip Up. Chris, Smitty and Doug each take  a turn. Each time the Tip Up goes crazy, it is another one's turn. If you happen to have your turn and lose your fish, then you have to wait until your turn comes around again.They all enjoy fishing so much! Of course, who wouldn't on such a lovely lake on such a lovely day?

Back to the picnic table. Smitty and Chris had set the picnic table where I wanted it ... (I'm afraid I'm going to seem like Lucy Ricardo -  I Love Lucy - when she couldn't make  up her mind.) Then they made the mistake of asking me if I was sure that's where I wanted it, because they were willing to move it farther. Well, you know what happened, dear Reader. You can see from the pictures. Yep! They moved it from lakeside to creekside. And you can see that it really is quite a purple picnic table -- with spots! I really, really like it overlooking the creek. I sat (more like collapsed) at the table for a few minutes later in the day, and LOVED it! Thanks, guys!

After the picnic table was in place, Dave left and it was only 2PM. So...I had many more hours to work outside. Which I did.I spent almost three more hours working (much slower than with Dave) trimming branches and cutting out honeysuckle bushes. It was so quiet today. All I heard was the murmur of the fishermen's voices, the hum of the neighbor's corn dryer, and a wonderful stillness. After the excitement earlier in the day, this afternoon's quiet seemed peaceful and almost lazy. As I pruned away, I felt so much contentment. "All is right with the world," I thought.

When I returned to the cottage, Dave called and said he found some wood to donate to building JJ's chapel. He has some 2x4's, 2x6's, 2x8's and some 4x4's. It's my first wood donation! Thanks, Dave! We're on our way!

Oh, I forgot to tell you. I lost my saw this morning when working with Dave on the steep bank. I put it at the top of the bank, but when I came back for it I couldn't find it. I knew I would need a saw for my afternoon pruning...and then I remembered just yesterday when I was helping Alana clean her farmhouse, she had given me a --- saw! How fortuitous! As I used my new saw all I could think of were the words from "My Wish," by Rascal Flatts (which you know, dear Reader, I play quite often on my home page of Buildthathouse.com!).

"And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walking until you find the window..."

The saw from Alana was that "window." And it worked just great!

Nighty-night, dear Reader.

I now know why the huge bull dozers have been working north of the Land at the edge of the neighbor's field. But I couldn't understand why two majestic blue herons were flying over and over the massive bull dozer.

Later on, as I drove up Steward Road and looked over to the creek north of my property, every single tree, every bush, and every plant that lined both sides of Willow Creek, providing lush habitat for the area wildlife, is gone. Just gone. Mammoth piles of huge trees were placed here and there in the fields to be burned. Nothing remained on either side of Willow Creek.

Then I knew.

I knew why the blue herons (who mean so much to me) were so agitated. Their home was suddenly destroyed. It was 20 degrees out yesterday. Last night it was 12 degrees. Where would the blue herons find nesting material in this snowy, ice cold terrain to build a new nest?

I was sick at heart.

Please, dear Reader, don't ever tell me that industrialized farmers have a  deep feeling for their land, for their soils, their waterways, their creeks, their wildlife. It's always money that drives them to spray chemicals, poisoning the groundwater, the creeks, the air. It's always the thought of a little  more money that drives them to cut down trees even if it means more erosion. Whoever was in the bull dozer probably didn't bat an eye at the confused and anxious blue herons, forlorn and lost.

My heart is so heavy.

My guess is my neighbor cut down every living tree and plant along the banks of Willow Creek because: 1) the government has taken away the payment they were giving him to help erosion control, and/or 2) he thinks he can make more money planting corn/soybeans there. It doesn't really make any difference what I think. I guess the farmer's thinking doesn't matter to t he blue herons, either. All they know is...their home is gone and it's freezing.

Blue herons mean a great deal to me. I would like to share a personal story with you so you understand why they mean so much to me. This is a true story which happened in July, 1996.

I had driven 2000 miles from Lake Oswego, Oregon, where I was living at the time, to the Land. I always visited the Land each year for as long as I could.

That July I set up my tent where the cottage is now.Every morning before I worked on the Land (yep! more pruning!) - I ate my breakfast sitting in a lawn chair overlooking the lake.

This particular morning I was deep in thought as I ate breakfast. I was going through a difficult time...and my escape to "The Land" was just what my soul needed.

As I stared off into space that beautiful, sunny summer morning, something caught my eye on the other side of the shore. It was a blue heron! I was happy to see it.

Then a strange thing happened.

The blue heron took off, flying across the lake - right at me!

I knew this wasn't right. I thought to myself, "He must not see me." So I moved in my chair, so he would be sure to see the movement  andveer off.

He continued to fly right toward me.

Uncomfortable now - for him  and me - I moved even more in my chair. I knew he would not fly toward a human being. Still he came.

By now he is getting so close, and I realize something very important. He knows I am here. Still he is flying to me.

Dear Reader, my heart is pounding. I've always been close to nature's creatures since I was a little girl on our farm in Iowa. But this - this is quite out of the ordinary. The Great Blue Heron flying at me both frightened and enlivened me.

He landed not ten feet away. He came down so gracefully, parallel to me - huge wings out - facing straight ahead, looking in the opposite direction I was facing.  He was as tall as I was as I sat in the lawn chair! I was in awe.

To cover my fright, I am talking to him now...with my heart pounding so loudly. I'm talking to him, telling him softly how beautiful he is. I can barely hear my voice over my pounding heart.

He, in a dignified manner, tucks his wings in, still looking ahead.

Then...

Then (oh, dear Reader I can not even think  of this part without being overwhelmed) ... he turned his head...

...and his eyes...(I'll never foget his eyes) - his eyes focus on me, looking deeply into my own eyes. He never looks at anything else...just into my eyes.

...Perhaps my voice stopped then - I'm not sure. All I know is my heart was still pounding loudly and my eyes were locked into his.

How long we held our gaze like this, I have no way of knowing. Perhaps half a minute, perhaps a minute or five minutes.

His eyes. I've never seen eyes like that. Never. They were so deep and serious and...and compassionate.There was a depth to them...ah, it is so hard to explain.

I've never felt  like this. Never.

Motionless, we looked at each other for a long time.

Then, in the same stately manner, he slowly and calmly turned his head away from me, looking forward. A few seconds later, he unfolded his wings - they were so large they practically touched me!

Effortlessly, he lifted off the ground, flew a complete circle of the lake and flew out of sight.

.........
Dear, dear Reader. I sat there  on that hot July morning- so still - for a long time. I truly did not know what his
appearance meant. I still don't.

All I know is...Jack passed away within months, and my life changed forever.

All I know is...The Land remains the same, even surrounded by gigantic wind turbines, even with a newly built "private" airstrip which seems quite commercial - even with anal neighbors from Wheaton who set up and use a portable, open toilet right next to my fence line --

 - the Land remains the same. Giving comfort, solace, steadfastness, joy. It is always here.

All I know is ...A Native American friend in Boulder, Colorado, upon hearing the Blue Heron story, explained that most Native Americans would give  anything to have something like this happen to them.

All I know is...the Blue Heron was flying across the lake to see ... me. He knew I was there. He was coming to see me. I'm not sure why. I do know I love the Land.  Always have. Always will. The Great Blue Heron knew this.

                                                        "A Calling Crane hidden in the  shade.
                                                        Its offspring respond in harmony.
                                                        'I have a winged wine vessel.
                                                        Come to me and I will simply pour it out."
...........

To see two blue herons flying above their decimated home yesterday breaks my heart.

Good night, dear Reader. Good night.

This morning two squirrels were chasing each other in front of the cottage. I thought perhaps spring had sprung...but no, I believe it's a turf war. All the little creatures are hungry at this time of the year...and Mr. Outside Squirrel had entered Squirrely's territory. A big no-no! Mr. Outside Squirrel was chased back to his own territory. All I can say is (Rodney King, again), "Can't ... we all ... just ... get along?"

I received two great emails in the last 24 hours. Both of them are exciting. Smitty emailed me, giving me permission to use his picture of the "tip up" bass. (Photo above.) He offered to show me what a tip up is, next time they are out. He and Chris also offered their services for moving the purple picnic table from one side of the lake to the other ... via their homemade sled! How thoughtful! I will take them up on it, and of course, dear Reader, I will share the photos with you so you can see the process!

All this talk about moving the purple picnic table  has led me to second guess my plan of having it placed on the spit of land east of the lake.  As I was working nearby today, I realized I really like the view of Willow Creek that is now visible. Would Chris and Smitty mind moving the picnic table just a bit farther? And then...oh and then....I started thinking how nice it would be to have a picnic table on top of the hill right in the future "breakfast room" of the House-on-the-Hill.  Yikes, I need more picnic tables!

Remember I told you Ed Begley, Jr. had emailed Alana and recommended Chad Lamplin of Michigan Energy Works? Chad emailed me right back after I contacted him yesterday. Here is what he had to say:

"Dear Jane,
What a nice surprise to open your email!  Yes, Ed is a very good friend and customer of mine.  He has one of my larger Solar Electric systems and truly walks the talk when it comes to "Living Green".  He is so genuine and generous.

Please feel free to contact me early on about your new home.  We have had lots of experience through our large customer base in some 30 states since 1982 when I started the business.  We can lend some advice on straw bale construction, energy efficient washing machines, lighting, refrigeration, ways to heat your new home efficiently and comfortably, good ventilation, wind generators, solar hot water systems etc.  I have also owned an electric car since 1980.

We still talk for FREE! Please call soon and get us involved in your project.  It usually takes two years and sometimes as much as 6 years from first contact to starting a project.  I have been working on Ed's system for at least ten years and maybe even 15. Michigan Energy Works is a small company of three people located at 6473 Bowen Road, Saranac, Michigan 48881..."

I am so energized by all of this! I feel like the community for the House-on-the-Hill is developing almost on its own! And you are all such wonderful people. This is fun!

All this excitement leads me to dream BIG dreams ... like having Rascal Flatts perform at the grand finale of building the House-on-the-Hill, singing "My Wish," (of course!). Maybe if I write to Rascal Flatts...well...you never know what can happen!

Not so much fun today was getting my taxes done, but at least that is out of the way. After the tax appointment, Randy Radtke met with me in Mendota and worked on my laptop so I can better work with the videos and photos I'm taking. On the way out of Mendota I spotted a replica of a small church. I thought it was simple and pretty, so I took some photos. I think I like the other chapel better for the Land, but I eagerly await your thoughts, dear Reader.

Back home to do some more pruning. My neighbor is having some heavy equipment work done on his property north of the Land, near Willow Creek. The machine looks so big, I just had to have a snapshot of it. All kinds of things are getting done out here in the superboonies!

All in all, life is good!

Nighty-night, dear Reader, nighty-night!

It's been quite a day out here at Willow Creek Organic Farm. Even though we thankfully did not have a foot of snow, the 3-4 inches that did fall is beautiful. I took some early dawn photos today to share with you, dear Reader. Although I was all cozy in the cottage looking out at the vast white-ness, the scene drew me outside. A lovely day, indeed.

In one photo taken from the upstairs window, you will notice the lake has one ice fishing hole that never closed up all night. All the other fishing holes were closed over, except this one. I think it's waiting for Chris and Smitty to return!

Speaking of fishermen...(there I go again!)...Smitty sent me a photo of the first fish he caught with a "tip up." I have asked him for permission to use it in my blog, but as I just sent the email to him, I will not use it this time around. And what's a tip-up anyway? So much to learn, so little time!

And there's more good news! Ed Begley, Jr. responded to Alana's email about building the House-on-the-Hill! Alana was a bit disappointed because Ed did not jump right in and say he would love to film the building of the house. She's not giving up on this idea, either. You go, Alana!

I am thrilled Ed responded! And he does have some great suggestions. Here is Ed's email:

Well, my suggestion would be to work with a good architect on passive solar design, possibly use either SIP or ICF construction for top notch insulation.  For solar, work with Chad Lampkin at Michigan Energy Works - he's the best in the biz in your neck of the woods.  Best of luck on the project. ed

How sweet of him to respond. And good ideas, too, although they don't sound "low-cost." I will get in touch with Chad Lampkin, just to introduce myself, and tell him Ed Begley, Jr. recommended him. As for a good architect on passive solar design, I have no idea who would be good in that field around here. I want a traditional looking cape cod, if I can, but one that has a lot of windows across the south (as Randy suggested). So much to think about! So much fun! If you have any suggestions, dear Reader, please email me at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you. Brainstorming is encouraged, too!

All this excitement helped me get though a long day of preparing my taxes. I meet with my CPA (why anyone in my financial category would have a CPA is beyond me...it's almost laughable) this week. I like getting undesirable things - like taxes - out of the way as quickly as possible.

So...it's still winter, but we all know it can't last forever. Dear Reader, I sound like a broken record...but enjoy the snow!

It's Patrick's birthday! My nephew is 24 today! I called him a little while ago. He and Christina were at the top of Sandia Mountain, having taken the tram all the way to the top.  They are having appetizers while overlooking the vista at sunset.  According to the "Sandia Peak Ski and Tramway" website, "...a trip on the world's longest aerial tramway transports you above deep canyons and breathtaking terrain a distance of 2.7 miles.  ... At sunset the desert skies produce a spectacular array of color, and your vantage point from the observation deck atop 10,379 foot Sandia Peak in the Cibola National Forest affords an 11,000-square-mile panoramic view of the Rio Grande Valley and the Land of Enchantment. Located on the eastern edge of Albuquerque..."

How cool! Happy Birthday, Patrick!

And more good news! Angela is coming to visit her sis - Kary and family - at the end of March. So I will be able to see her, too! -  at least for one of the days she is here. If the weather is good, all of her family is welcome to come out and enjoy the Land. If the weather isn't so good, I will go in to the  'burbs and spend time with Angela and all. I' m so happy I will be able to see Angela. She is a delightful daughter-in-law! Jeff and Angela are so fortunate. So am I!

Smitty and Chris came out to fish today and just left. Much like postmen, they brave rain, sleet and snow storms to ice fish. What dedication! I took another photo of their fishing hut. (Above) This photo is taken from between JJ's chapel-to-be and my house-on-the-hill-to-be.

Dave was here and found another dead mulberry close to the house site to be taken down. I am in need of smaller logs to burn, and this tree fits the bill. Once again I am burning the wood we cut today. It makes me feel so good that nothing goes to waste.

Alan donated two tents to the Land for friends and family who may be camping out here. Dave picked them up and brought them over here. I will make good use of them! Thank you, Alana!

After Dave left, I discovered there are lots of downed branches on the path that leads to Willow Creek, so I've started yet another burn pile - right near where the branches have fallen. I am envisioning you, dear Reader, gathered around the fire, listening to the dry branches crackle as they burn, and Willow Creek"chortling" along. In my mind's eye, I also see Gavin, Jake and even little Olivia picking up twigs and throwing them on the fire. I'll supply the marshmellows for all my guests!

Guess what else I discovered while working on the new burn pile? Welll...let me back up a little. Over the last several months there has been evidence of beavers back on the Land, as many small willow saplings have been chewed off. After observing this for a while, I looked all over for a beaver dam. I couldn't find one. Today, as I am working on the new wood pile just above Willow Creek, I happen to look down and there it is! Right below the area where the bonfire will be! Exactly where previous beavers have had their dam and right in front of my face. (See photo below.)

Beavers have a tendency to cut down any tree in sight, so I have to closely watch all my larger trees - most of which have wire around them to protect them from the last bunch of beavers here. Ah...there is always much to think about and to do on the Land. But that's why I love it so!

I baked chocolate chip cookies yesterday...so I'm going to end this update and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and a few cookies as I watch the newest round of snow pile up!

Cheers, dear Reader, cheers!

 

Two days of puning and cutting down small honeysuckle bushes - and the east side of the pond is starting to thin out a bit.

While I was chopping away, I had a good idea. Instead of a screen house on this spit of land, I will put Alana's purple picnic table there! (Right now the picnic table is on the lower garden area with the Heim's original picnic table.) And we'll have lots of people out to enjoy the new picnic table. I'm hoping Angela's sister and brother-in-law (Kary and Dan), their children, Gavin Jake and Olivia, will come out with Dan's brother's family. Then, of course, Alana must come for a picnic - it IS her table after all. And the fishermen (Chris and Smitty) and their wives are most welcome to use it, too! And staff at Ekana Nurseries and their family are invited, of course.  ...And don't forget when Jeff and Angela visit in June, we''ll have more picnics. Then...Angela's mother and father (Brenda and Dave) will be out in July or August  - and love to fish. So another reason for a picnic! This purple picnic table could get a lot of use!

I'm imagining all kinds of picnics out here - all summer long . This is exactly what Jack and I dreamed about years  ago - dear family and friends enjoying the Land! Life hasn't worked out as we thought it would, but perhaps this dream will finally come to be. I hope, dear Reader, you will be one of my treasured guests.

Smitty sent me two great photos of a bluegill he caught out here. I hope he doesn't mind if I include it in this blog for all of you to see. It's almost 10 inches , not as big as the huge one last year, but still...not  bad. At least Smitty and Chris are catching something! (Oh, and by the way -  nice hat, Smitty!)

I talked with a neighbor who has a small one-story barn that is leaning a bit too much, and she thinks it needs to come down, before it falls down. Dave Haury will be here tomorrow and we'll look it over and see if there is anything useable for "the build." Maybe we'll making a little progress!

I've been pouring over house plans and still haven't found just the right one that reflects Randy's (Ekana Nursery) suggestion of having a view all the way through the house from front door to back. This is going to take some time!

The sun rises higher and higher in the sky. There is no better place to feel the sun's rise -and warmth - than working next to the pond. It has been a rewarding two days of  hard work - just the kind of work I love.

I am deservedly tired ...so am bidding you adieu, dear Reader. Nighty night.

I had so many things that I hadn't accomplished before I went to (an early ) bed - like writing  to you in my blog - that I woke up around midnight rarin' to go.

I tended to the woodstove, caught up on emails and ...just finished a walk around the pond at 2AM! I haven't taken an early morning walk like this in a long time. It feels marvelous! It is so quiet out, so peaceful. Even thought the sky is overcast, light reflects from the snow gently lighting up the entire Land. Quite breathtaking. I only wish you, dear Reader, could have been walking along with me. You would have loved it!

I walked up to the top of the hill, stopping in "JJ's chapel" first. (At least the outline of it.) The view to the pond, which is different from the house site view, is relaxing and sacred...as it should be. It's a perfect spot for resting the mind and soul.

Then on to the home site. I stood up on the hill, thinking of Randy's suggestions, (more on that later), and walking around "inside" my home. I think it's an ideal spot, and as all of my helpers have decreed - the house site is set in between pine trees and hills and has  a lovely view.

Randy, owner of Ekana Nurseries, came out as planned. Mike caught a flu bug from his child, and unfortunately couldn't make it. Randy loved the Land! He has such a good eye for beauty, and the Land is beautiful! He was so helpful. He loved the front of the house which looks to the pond, although he thinks more trees should be removed, as well as lower branches cut off the remaining trees to give a better view of the pond.(In the first photo above, picture the house on the north side of the Walnut Grove - with the front of the house facing the pond, and the back of the house looking toward Beemerville Road. The second photo is of Randy standing in the house site, with the pond 'way down beneath the trees. It's hard to see the pond because it's as white as all the rest of the Land. But hopefully this will help you picture the house better.)

 But what really took his eye was the view out of the south "windows," which will overlook the property toward Beemerville Road. Randy was imagining the plants and open meadow in the "back yard."  He said, (I paraphrase), "You must have windows all across the south. And when you walk in the front door (p0nd side) you should be able to see all the way through the house to the south." He's so right, of course! So...my mind is busy trying to work out a floor plan where you can see all the way through the home, and yet have different rooms. No small order! I'm open for your suggestions!

Dave showed up just after Randy left and before Jim arrived from the blacktop company that is looking for a place to dump concrete. As I've said before it sounds unglamorous to have concrete dumped on one's proeprty, but I need concrete to hold some of my washed-out banks on Willow Creek. He was here for about a half hour, and we'll see how that goes. His company is putting in a bid for a big job near the Land, and won't know for a while if they have the winning bid. There are so many companies looking for places to dump concrete, so I think it will work out. The Army Corp of Engineers says the only thing that must be done with concrete is to have the rebar cut off flush, so it doesn't allow anything to catch on it, or cause injury.

Then Dave and I cut more branches and cleared out brush in  another area around the pond. (A place for another screen house.) It is looking better and better!

All in all it was a great day! The sun surprised us again, but who's complaining? The photos below are of Jim and Dave on the "Road-Between-The-Ponds," and icicles hanging on the back of the cottage. The early morning sun was shining on the icicles and I couldn't resist a photo. They are putting on some girth!

May you have a delightful day today! I think it's time for me to get some sleep! Adieu, dear Reader, Adieu!

Another calm, quiet, sweet morning in Paradise. 16.9 degrees. Small snow flurries occasionally pass by my view outside the cottage windows.

It was a delightful weekend - Valentine's Day weekend. Saturday started with a beautiful hoar frost - just on the lower branches and shrubs. It must have been drier or warmer up from the pond and creek as the upper trees did not show any signs of  hoar frost. I hope you like the photo.

Saturday night  was delicious and engaging. Michael took me - again! - to Chef Amaury's fine restaurant. Do I dare share with you what was on the Five Course Menu? Dear Reader, I hope you're not hungry right now!

For the first course, we had a tropical fruit salad. It consisted of frozen pineapple, papaya and mango served with fresh slices of fruit with Passion fruit vinaigrette, fresh greens, cashews and Rogue River blue cheese. (The Rogue River is a wild, wonderful river in Oregon.) The second course was Lobster Bisque, with seared giant sea scallop. (So much for eating locally and in season.) The main course was braised "Painted Hill" boneless shortribs with goat cheese potatoes (to die for!) and green beans (all three of them). Dessert was Marjolaine cake which consisted of layers of hazelnut, almond merinque and layers of vanilla, praline and chocolate creme. Served with a glazed strawberry.

Of course we had a full bottle of the most sparkling of champagnes (I am so easily led down the path of least resistance...!). All in all, it was a night to remember. Michael is the epitomy of a good host, and such a gentleman. I'm so glad we're family - and dear friends to boot!

I stayed over in Aurora, and arrived home about 9:30 yesterday morning. (Sunday, Valentine's Day) My gates were open - and yes! Smitty and Chris were here fishing. It was good to see their little blue hut on the ice.

Dave arrived later and ... off we went to the top of the hill! It IS such a good setting for my new home-to-be. The views are so lovely up there, and the feeling is exhilarating. We cut up a small,very dead mulberry. This one was not on the actual house site, but nearby. It needed to be taken down - and right now it is warming me by burning brightly in my woodstove. How cozy it is in here!

Yesterday was particularly nice as this was the third - count them! - third day of sunshine out here on the Ponderosa! We were almost giddy!

It never fails. Once you loan a book to someone, that's when you need it. Dave left me his root cellar book yesterday afternoon because I loaned mine to Chris and Norm on German Road. I thought I would spend a quiet evening reading it last night, but alas! I spent the rest of the day pruning, and then trudging through the snow along my entire east boundary (east of  Willow Creek), checking out the fence. (Yep! It needs lots of attention, especially across from Gary's hanger where the branches have really piled up on the fence!) By the time I trudged all the way to Beemerville Road and then back again, I was quite spent! So I only had time to glance at the root cellar book before I fell asleep. My dreams were of a neatly-built root cellar full of bins of potatoes, squash, apples, etc. Ahhhhh.....

I hate to break up this wonderful reverie with hard realism, but I must continue to share my concerns with you about earthquakes in Illinois. The Chicago Tribune on Friday featured Susan Hough, a seismologist witht he U.S. Geological Survey, who wrote a commentary entitled, "Yes, earthquakes will hit Illinois." (The title, alone, is foreboding!) In the article, Ms. Hough talks about the big earthquake in 1811-1812 (7.7 magnitude on the New Madrid fault line), and how scientists look at the earthquake we all experienced last Wednesday. Here is part of what she said:

"Scientists have struggled to understand why large quakes have struck this region...A compelling theory to explain mid-continent earthquakes is that the Earth's crust is continuing to bounce back following the removal of huge ice sheets that covered northern North America during the last Ice Age - the same thing that happens, much faster, if you push down on a sofa cushion and then take your hand away. Sophisticated computer modeling shows that 'rebound' will generate stress in the crust that can, in turn, generate large earthquakes. The thing is, earthquakes caused by this process will generally not be concentrated in any one place. ... All of which is to say that there are most likely other active source zones out there that haven't yet called attention to themselves."

It is incredible to think that the earth's crust still may be springing back -- from the Ice Age!

Ms. Hough goes on to say: (and this is the important part)

"Earthquakes anywhere in the mid-continent are far less likely than in places like California or the Caribbean. But they are possible. Seismologists would be a little surprised, but not shocked, by a damaging temblor under Chicago, New York City or Boston. When big quakes strike in places not widely recognized as active earthquake zones, people invariably ask, 'Why didn't anyone tell us this could happen?'

OK, residents of the heartland, listen up: We are telling you now."

Okay, dear Reader, I am telling you now by passing this along. And I will repeat that I am quite upset anyone would build a nuclear power plant near, or on, a major fault.

But I can't leave you fretting. We can spend some time planning and  trying to minimize damage an earthquake could cause us, and then ...we must go on enjoying life. I, for one, am dreaming of spring time, gardens, root cellars, and a beautiful house-on-the-hill. (See "before" and "after" photos of the house site, below.)

I hope you will spend some time dreaming your dreams today. And may they all come true!

Morning:

Good news! Randy, the owner of Ekana Nurseries in Mendota, along with his landscape designer, Mike, will visit the house site next week, and give me their "take" on exactly where the house should be located on the hill.  We have a pretty good idea where it's going to be. Mom, who sited my present cottage, has given her opinion, as well as Dave Feltes (retired from Universityof Illnois-Extension, who occasionally comes over to help with the bees), Dave H.  and even Smitty and Chris! I  value all of their opinions. Now Randy and Mike from Ekana will add their opinions. I can't wait!

I'm running errands today. But before I go, I stand in front of the cottage looking out at the pond, still all white, with a hazy sun overhead. Even though it isn't full strength, I feel the sun's warmth. There is no wind. It's absolutely still. Paradise.

I smile. I look up at the hill.  ...Little by little, step by step, you, dear Reader, and I will develop this House-on-the-Hill. I know you will be just as thrilled as I will be.

I sigh a  good sigh  - a sigh of contentment. How fortunate am I!

Later Afternoon:
Returning to the Land, I check out the greenhouse. It's nearly 80 degrees in there! Only 24 degrees outside, yet the greenhouse is picking up the sun's warmth as it tilts higher in the sky. I hustle back to the cottage, quickly heat up water on the stove, pour it in my solar shower and whoosh! I'm out in the greenhouse taking a very comfortable shower! Who ever said one has to have running water to enjoy the comforts of home? And how I appreciate each shower I have! Taking baths in small containers is wearing thin about now. But then, you must keep in mind my famous saying" "Never underestimate a woman who can take a bath in a dishpan and come out smelling like a rose!""

Ah, but a shower in the greenhouse. How nice it is!

Enough of the practicality of living out in the wilds...

The Telegraph ran my letter to the editor in today's newspaper on page A6 (The Reader's Voice) with the title: "Shook up about quake, fault lines and nuke plant." I still can't imagine why any geologist or engineer would okay a nuclear power plant near, or over, an earthquake fault. Dear Reader, take a look at the two northern-most fault lines in the photo above, which came out of the Rockford Register Star yesterday. (The Star did an excellent job of reporting.) You can see where the lower of the two faults really does end at Oregon (if you know your maps well) and the uppermost fault (Plum River fault) really does end under or near Byron. Amazing! And may I say, quite scary, too.

I guess I'll do what everyone else does...I won't think about it -- until we're hit with another earthquake. (!)

Alana composed her letter to Ed Begley, Jr. What a sweet letter. She shared it with me, so I am sharing it with you.

"Dear Ed,

A dear friend of mine, Jane Heim, is planning and going to build a green home. The home and surrounding acreage which includes a beautiful pond and trees, will be used for retreats, teaching folks about sustainable living, etc. We live in northern Illiinois, Paw Paw area, where turbine farms are located.

We would enjoy you giving us any suggestions/ideas regarding obtaining recycled materials, solar panels, etc. Jane now lives in a small cottage, with no running water, heated by a wood stove. She is getting older and would like to have a new home with running water, solar heat, etc. that she would share with others. Jane is a very active, delightful individual, who helps people and her community in many ways.

Please visit her wonderful blog site at  www.buildthathouse.com

I chuckled over the "getting older and would like to have a house with running water..."  I truly have such wonderful, kind friends helping me.Which reminds me, thanks to Dave H., I now have five fishing poles ready for my family (and friends) when they visit. It's going to be a great summer!And thanks to many hours of work by D.S. Vanderbilt, I have a good video to share on YouTube.

The sun is setting - glowing modestly pink just above the white earth -everything soft and muted. Time to send out my seed orders.

Dear Reader, may you  enjoy the Olympics, and have an evening as still and beautiful as it is out here on the Land ...

Afternoon:

Lots of contrails today. On all sides of me. Probably the contrails are from  the planes patrolling around...not only the power plant...but the wind turbines. The turbines have to be watched, too, I guess. So I am privileged to have a private show of white streaks across the sky. They make me feel so special!

I was supposed to have a visitor today from a company that wants to dump concrete along my banks. He cancelled and we made another appointment for next week.

My "Dear Editor" submission about the fault lines around Byron Nuclear Power Plant is scheduled to be run tomorrow (Friday, February 12) in the Salk Valley Telegraph (formerly Dixon Telegraph).

Smitty(and son?)  and Chris made it out today! And such a beautiful, sunny day it is!

Yesterday as I shoveled out from our latest snow, I trudged out to the mailbox where a package dangled. I thought it was a book I ordered. I trudged back and started opening it when I realized Amazon would not have sent a book in a box labeled, "Wisconsin Cheese Factory."  Slowly it dawned on me it was a box of chocolates! Yes, raspberry-fudge chocolates in the shape of hearts, sent to me from "A. Knisan" with best wishes. "A. Knisan" is someone's way of saying its from Nissan (where I purchased my new Murano), but I am privy to the fact that this 3-tiered layer of chocolates really came from dear Michael (Dr. Witt, as I call him. He is a retired surgeon.) He knows my weakness - anything chocolate! I'm trying - mind you I say "trying" - to show some discipline...but raspberry and fudge together ...how can I resist?  Michael makes me feel special, too. Everyone is making me feel very special lately! How I love it!

My meeting with Floyd went well. He is so concerned over the loss of habitat for birds, plants and animals. He talked of the Golden Plover and the remnants of prairie up at a nearby cemetary. The he told me some other cemetary stories...

"South of Earlville on the Harding Blacktop past Precinct Cemetary was another cemetary. There is nothing there now. The guy that used to own it took all the tombstones home and made a sidewalk from it. They feed cattle on top of those people now."

"2 1/2 miles further south on Harding Blacktop, there was another cemetary there right behind an old school house. The school house is gone, of course, and so's the cemetary.

Anyway, 25 years ago or better, we were fishing along the creek, and there was a chip pile there. I found one of those tombstones there and I took it home. It's laying right over there. I didn't know what to do with it. So I brought it home and still have it.

Then you knew about the Civil War Vet, didn't you? There was a Civil War Vet buried alongside the road (just north of here) on the east side of the road across from Englehart's home. Englehart's had the vet's old house on their side of the road, but they had to tear it down to build a new one. Several years ago they (the county, I believe) were going to make the road wider...Guess what they did? They probably didn't move him, but they took the tombstone and buried it deeper.

I don't remember what his name was.

Another tombstone of a civil war veteran, this one is in the middle of a field near my brother's house. Along comes the modern farmer and can't farm around it. Did the same thing. Buried it and took the fence away - and back when I knew this stuff I wasn't smart enough to write their names down. They farm right over it now. Happened when I was high school - in the 1940's."

I was looking in the book Floyd loaned me and read the story of Major Dixon (who founded Dixon, IL). He is the grandfather or great-grandfather of my attorney, Henry, before Henry was elected State's Attorney. I read the story with interest. Taken from "The Illinois Farmer Book of Lee County, 1926." Here it is:

"A Dixon Anecdote"
In the years following the Black Hawk War John Dixon was often called Major Dixon and some humour attaches to the manner in which he achieved this distinguished title. He apparently was the man of the hour whenever anything needed to be done. When the army started after Black Hawks' legions John Dixon had the contract to supply the army with fresh beef. Those, bear in mind, were not the days of refrigerator and motor cars and so John Dixon gathered up his head of steers and drove them along the trail, following the army.

In the later period of the war  the army was pursuing hotly after Black Hawk, making forced marches and covering a great many miles every day. During this time Dixon with his head of steers was not able to keep up and somtimes he would come straggling in, driving them along through the woods, reaching camp perhaps at midnight. The first time this occurred the army was in camp in the hostile country and sentries were posted to keep guard. When one sentry heard the crackling and strange sounds of a herd approaching he called out "Halt! Who goes there?" and a click was heard as he cocked his gun for instant alarm. Dixon called out in response, "The Major of the Steer Battalion!"

The sentry called back, "Advance, Major of the Steer Battalion, and enter. Thus John Dixon became Major Dixon, and he was called by that title by his friends for a good many years."

Dave is here and we're starting to work on re-stringing the fishing rods. It's cold outside, and we're too lazy to walk through deep snow to cut in the woods.

It's fun being lazy sometimes. Especially on a snowy, white  day like this!

So, dear Reader, I hope I  don't repeat myself too many more times, but have another nice snowy day...(and Rascal Flatts, again)

"If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile!"