Wednesday, May 12, 2010

May 12



The spring storms the past weekend seemed a bit violent. Today and yesterday began below freezing. I hope our orchards escaped unharmed. There is still a need to lay low. The woodstove was back in use and the animals took shelter from the strong winds and driving rain.

Being forced to be indoors provided the opportunity to do some cooking, and the fiddleheads I had picked were steamed and dipped in butter, combined with mushrooms, onion, garlic and peppers and served over fetticini, and finally used in a pasta primevera with lots of ricotta.

Today was sparkling again and as the sheep headed up the hill before Will (the sheepdog) and me in the cold early morning sun, I felt lucky to be alive.

Every spring I can't help but be reminded of the strong relationship between farmers and the seasons. Spring of course is the beginning of the cycle. The season of optimism. Farmers forget their troubles of winter. There is the frozen water, the cold machines that take so much coaxing to get going, the broken and frozen manure chains that had to be freed and fixed at twenty below zero. The cows were not especially happy at the feeding delays and not being able to go out doors because of the ice and wind chills that could freeze their teats, as well as the barns that would freeze without their large warm bodies.

Yes, farmers forget all this and are lured to the fields by the warm spring air and brilliant green. The farmer must be the eternal optimist, always thinking that this year will go better than last, and willing to gamble again with mother nature as this years crop is planted.

The growing brightness of the spring skies propells the farmers to the fields. The herds and flocks are cast far and wide over the green hills. Strips of land are plowed and make patterns that will change a little bit each day as seedings and planted corn grow and change the landscape while summer comes on.

Upstairs in my studio I'm working on "Farmscapes".There are many sketches and first waxings for my summer batik inspired by the beautiful countryside of Washington County, New York.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Spring - End of April



Spring is like falling in love. That is how I feel on the warm spring sunny days in late April and early May.The soft breezes,sweet smell of the earth awakened, flowers and tree blossoms; every blade of grass, leaf, and shoot from the ground completely fresh and new.
Sometimes love does turn cold however. The past days have been 30-40 degrees with rain, sleet and snow. Not a peep from the spring peepers, and the birds barely chirped. The sun managed to peak momentarily and cast a golden light under the clouds at the day's end. It's light gave a few minutes of warmth.
Our cute little calves at Butch and Yvonne Parkers have grown into beautiful heifers. It does seem like the manure they produce from all that good feed, gets heavier every day. They are being trained to respect the fence and spend time outdoors on good days.
The sheep at Dancing Ewe Farm are happily grazing the lush pastures and producing a lot of their super valuable
milk. The golden milk is turned into Italian Artisan cheeses.
On the days Jody and Luisa are off at the markets, I help by milking the sheep. Will, the young sheep dog helps me take the sheep from field to parlor and back.
Last night the sky cleared and the full moon shone brightly through the window. This morning it is 30 degrees, but the sun promises a warm day. Despite the snow, everything is green and fresh. The frost slowed the growth but nothing can stop the spring cycle. The pastures will turn lush and the fields of Washington County, New York will be filled with herds of cows, horses, sheep, goats and lamas.
Lots of ideas for batik.