Merry Christmas - 2020

For a year that held such promise, these last couple of months have been especially challenging as I suspect many others are in the same boat, leaky vessel or life jacket during these "interesting" times. 

I hope all of you find joy and peace today and hold on to them going forward.

May you all pause to enjoy the company of your loved ones.

Thank you all and may the blessings of the world be upon each of you.

 

From all of us at The Stranded Tree Farm - Merry Christmas

Tuesday Triumph - been missing her

 Our three-legged deer hadn't been seen since February this year and she wandered back onto the acreage in October giving us some time in front of the cameras.

We've missed her and hoped that she would visit a little more often but she makes her own choices.

Maybe she'll hang around for a little longer.

Tailgating

Tailgating at the farm:

This is just part of the popcorn harvest that we picked a little early. We found that with the stalks laying over, along with the rains, we were at risk of mold. We separated the bad ears of corn and kept the best to be bagged in onion sacks to hang for ventilation. This will take about two to three weeks to dry. After that, we get the fun of shelling each kernel from the cob.

The local farmer's markets have been closed all summer but this is a crop we can store for next year and we have a few customers that take deliveries. 

This variety is called Ladyfinger, is mostly hull-less and nearly every kernel pops. They are small kernels and the flavor makes it our favorite, although another variety works well for caramel corn. We've had to ration our last crop and are down to less than a cup remaining.

Despite the weather issues, this has been the best popcorn we've produced and we're getting the ground ready for next year. 

With any luck, we'll produce an even better crop.

Straightline winds

I mentioned that this was some of the best popcorn I raised. Well, now that half is laying over:

On Monday, a storm came through eastern Iowa and caused the damage. Corn laying over, tree damage, roofs missing and power blackouts. We missed the worst but many in the area are still without power for going on day 4.

We lost a few trees. Black cherry and walnut mostly but I won't have a full account until the weekend.

I wasn't expecting this kind of work right now but circumstances sometimes dictate my workdays.

Monday Moms - cloudy skies

But Mom is still looking out for the little one

Friday Fawn

Pause to give a profile shot in front of the camera:

The Subcommittee

Excerpt of a meeting some months back of the Nomination Subcommittee of the Public Relations Committee at The Stranded Tree Farm:

The Representative of Hardwoods cleared his throat, “This last nominee is for a hard maple for a group. Rule 7 does not specifically prevent trees to represent groups but this is our first.”

Fruitbearers Representative said, “Why can’t you plant a tree for each of the members? The membership of the group can change over time. Is that right?”

“There’s no formal membership. It’s more of a community,” I replied. “It was only recently that I added my words.”

“A group that would welcome you as a member… Well, I’d have to wonder about them,” the powerful Nutbearer Representative laughed.

“That’s why I’ve nominated them. They’re inclusive of anyone, regardless of age, experience.  I don’t think they discriminate anyone. Well, almost anyone. There are rules,” I paused, “They welcomed me, yes.”

“Why not plant a tree for each of them?” the Fruitbearer Rep repeated, “You have plenty of trees.”

“I don’t want to single anyone out since there are many good members of the community.”

The Soil and Water Representative was stoic, “I’m not convinced. I think this should be tabled for a while longer. That group may kick you out and then there’s a tree that reminds us of that failure.”

The Hardwoods Rep agreed, “That makes sense. We should give this more time.” The other members of the committee nodded.

I placed an open bag on the table for the committee members. Their tone quickly changed as each looked inside.

“All those in favor of the nomination of the planting of a hard maple tree for Poets and Storytellers United, say aye,” the Hardwoods Rep made the motion.

All members replied, “Aye.”

“Motion carried. Congratulations. Meeting adjourned.”

I think this is how things work in Congress.

Legacy Trees are planted for our friends and are reminders each time we look upon the trees and take note of their growth. In this case, Wee Sprout is growing faster than the other hard maples that we transplanted this year. I’m hoping growth above ground equals to growth below ground.

Cheers to all!

Wee Sprout - July 2020

Edit: I neglected to add a link to the original dedication - Tree of Words where Wee Sprout is introduced to the community,

Posted to Poets and Storytellers United: Writers’ Pantry #29: Never Lose that Sense of Hope

Wildflower Wednesday, Tangled up in Blue

From the wildflowers that we planted earlier this year

Monday Moms, first mom of July

This little fawn is just one in its family. We have another set of twins this year but no good pictures to share.

Tree of Words

Nine years ago we started this small endeavor by purchasing an acreage that gently slopes east to a creek on our neighbor’s land. Nearly 2500 black walnut trees were planted by the seller along with red cedars and a few species of oaks.

The idea of planting additional trees took root before we had possession of the land. Native Iowa trees from family and friends have been planted each year as well as hundreds of acorns from neighborhood oak trees. We have planted nearly 3000 trees with varying success. Rabbits and deer find young seedlings satisfying, much to our frustration.

Early on, we noted a Kentucky coffeetree as our first “Legacy Tree.” The nut came from our good friend and advisor, David, a state forester. As it now stands over ten feet tall, it has become an important showcase tree at the farm. A pair of catalpas grow next to each other to remind us of departed friends while a pin oak grows nearby for a coworker. Other trees remind us of our friends who are near and far, still with us or gone on.

Reasons may vary for each Legacy Tree that now number about 20 and they can bring a smile or a bit of melancholy as the memories of our friends come to us. I share pictures of the trees from time to time so that the growth can be celebrated by all.

This year we add a new sugar maple in honor of our growing community of wordsmiths at Poets and Storytellers United. A place that has welcomed me and my words and allowed me to share that small corner of our world along with a few odd stories along the way. 😉


This maple could reach 60 feet or more, sheltering nesting birds among its branches and giving people the opportunity to rest under the shade of its broad leaves. This tree is in appreciation for all the writers of the community who are spread across the world as maybe someday, we could sit under the shade and share a verse or two.

It may be small but it can grow along with our words.

Thank you all.

Posted at Poets and Storytellers United: Writers’ Pantry #23: Growing Along with Our Words

Blue Iris

Irises were my grandmother's favorite flowers. She had dozens of both solid and multi-colors growing west of her house at the top of the hill. This blue iris came from our neighbor who has since passed away when her parents owned our house. We transplanted several along the south gate at the farm and this year, the irises have been late.

Here's a blue iris just after a morning rain:

Enjoy the blue!

Friday is buck day, taking it in stride

From a week ago, this buck dashed across one of the trail cameras. His antlers need a chance to grow back and if given a chance, he will feed well on the recently planted corn (provided the electric fence fails.)  After 5 days of cloudy skies, the batteries on the fencer are running low, so that's a possibility.

He could be running from or to something. The pictures taken before and after give no clues but he was in a hurry to get where he was going.

Bird Calls - May 2020

Don't be too disappointed that I don't have pictures, as I did not have the camera ready and the thrasher was a bit elusive.

Brown Thrasher - this is a new one for us here. While we live in their area of habitat, we hadn't seen these birds before. The link has several playlists to hear their long melodious calls.

Eastern Bluebird - I built several birdhouses for these birds but sparrows and swallows squat in before they have a chance to take occupancy.

Previous year visitor

Our weekend was filled with fencing repairs and digging out white pine seedlings between the needed rains.

When taking a break, the air was filled with swallows swooping through the air mixed with turkey buzzards circling above.

It was a good couple of days.

Morning quartet

These ladies showed up on the camera this past week just before sunrise

Early morning quartet

Spring planting 2020, April update

If the weather holds, we should have a good couple of days planting this coming weekend. Popcorn for our cash crop and we'll have the ground ready for beans in mid-May.

We've already planted some hazelnut trees, peach, apricot and a couple of variety of sweet cherries. So far, so good as they are all caged to keep rabbits and deer away.

Our hickory nuts and both red and white oak acorns that we collected last fall are set in planter "tubes" and we'll keep those protected until planting next year.

We have some pin and white oak ready to plant this year along with sugar maple seedlings and a larger sugar maple that will be planted near the cabin.

After last year's spring of rain from March to July, this year is hopeful.

Morning daffodil

Keep your spirits up with a morning daffodil growing at the homestead.

From a single acorn, a forest

As the acorn sprouts to open sky
one of many to be planted on the hill.
Some day this one will be added
with a chance to reach towards heaven.

Red oak in the makeshift greenhouse

 Last fall we had a good harvest from my sources of acorns of white and red oak. The neighbor's pin oak was not short of it's yield and squirrels had their fill and more. I'm sure I'll find acorns sprouting throughout the yard as a result of their hard labor.

But this is a red oak - and that means it's special. Among the oak species, the red oak was the one most prized by my father for his carpentry work and our kitchen table he made was from red oak.

Also, this seedling is a cousin to the Stranded Tree.

Red oak seedling a few inches tall

This year, we continue to experiment in our planting times, fertilizer, etc. to collect additional data for future plantings.

I also have something special planned for this year (if only spring will cooperate) and I hope to reveal it soon.

In the mean time, I'd like to share from a song from David Gray, The Sapling:

Gonna lay down in the grass
And watch that acorn
Split in two
Slowly take root

Linked at Poets and Storytellers United:Weekly Scribblings #13: All The Small Things

Tuesday Triumph - Spring 2020 arrival

Our three-legged deer decided to return for her first visit this year. It's been nearly three months and, once again, we feared that she met her demise. She survived deer season to give us another visit and she did not disappoint. Standing here with a companion at nearby, she gives a profile of her wounded leg that looks well.

Find more pictures of Triumph on earlier postings.

We hope to see more of her this year.

The blackbirds returned

My brothers have returned home this week
the blackbird with the red wing.
To give notice that our spring arrived
while singing songs from past memories.

I ignore the Vernal equinox
that's not truly true spring around here.
It is the day of the red-winged arrival
to summer fields they now call home.

From a previous year.

We look each year for the red-winged blackbird arrival as the mark of spring. This year, on March 2nd, we saw the first birds on our morning commute along the roadways perched on the fences and old weeds in the ditch. It doesn't mean that we won't see significant snow yet this season but planting time is near.

Memories of listening to the call of the red-winged blackbird filled each summer that we spent at my maternal grandparent's farm. The humid and hot July and August days were filled with the cocaphony of the males calling while perched like pictured above.

Here is an example of their call (unfortunately, I don't have a video available of my own):



Linked at Poets and Storytellers United: Writers' Pantry #10: March is a month of considerable contemplation

Friday's flowers

Some color to brighten up your weekend. Enjoy!

Silent tree of winter

That silent tree on winter hill
will it speak again come spring?
I cannot hear while winter's breath
is driven away from it still.

Soon we hope for that spring day
when new growth can be shown
to the world around in green glory
in the Creator's time and say.

It is ours to keep this tree
in the care that it deserves
from time of planting to this day
and the future days to be.

This is our Kentucky Coffeetree, one of many different trees that are set aside as what we call Legacy Trees. These are planted in remembrance of someone and to honor them. It looks nearly dead in February but it will look like this in the summer:

Linked to Poets and Storytellers United: Writers’ Pantry #8: We Like Multiples of Three

Wildflowers for the winter weekend

A white flower to remind us of the snow that has been falling for the past three days:

Tuesday Triumph - still with us

I'm still catching up with December. Here's one from the 11th: