Wisconsin winter walks

We go for lots of walks when we're back on the farm. Even in the dead of winter. Crunchy footsteps, quiet & still, warm sunshine all make for the perfect walk. Oh and camera in hand. My new blog banner pic was taken on such a cold morning walk last week in WI. As we were walking in a winter wonderland, I mean along Timber Creek Lane, I was reminded of winters on the farm. I loved winters. Sledding, skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating and building snow forts.


And when we'd be snowed in for days-on-end, I'd either knit, sew, crochet, journal or listen to Karen Carpenter, Bread, Carly Simon or Carol King. I was the last person you'd ever imagine living in Arizona.


Randy & I were actually visiting the farm 30 years ago last week. We had gone back for a wedding reception my parents had for us and for Christmas. And as luck would have it, the first time in decades that there was no snow for Christmas. I was so disappointed. This year more than made up for that Christmas of '79.


One of my fond winter memories happened back in 3rd grade. I went to a little two-room school (2nd-4th grade) in the tiny town of Northfield, WI. (just off I-94 between Eau Claire & Black River Falls) Seems Nanette, Shirley & I willingly took on the role as caregivers to a large family of chickadees living in the pine trees lining the back of the school property. Each recess we'd tend to our beloved chickadees, feeding them, mothering them. One day we decided that we would pretend that we did not hear the school bell that rang at the end of each recess, so we could stay in the pines longer. First of all, what were we thinking? Not hear the large school bell that literally lifted us off our feet when we'd pull on the rope seemed rather ridiculous! Because come on, everyone knew the whole town and all the surrounding farmers could hear that bell!


Mr. Blencoe was not happy with his girls that day. Which broke my heart. I vowed to never do such a naughty thing like that ever again. To this day, disappointing people... letting others down is the worse for me. May have something to do with this very incident. Oh the things we carry around with us for years.

* The farm with the white farm house is where I grew up.
* The blue house that my Mom, Randy & Tyler are walking in front of is the home my Mom & Dad had built next to the farm, when my brother Ron & his family bought the farm.
* That Amish buggy drove by the farm every single day to pick up their kids from the little Amish school down the road.