Rick's Blog

The mother of all winters

4/23/2023

Just when we thought spring had finally arrived following five days of warm weather and sunshine that melted most of our accumulated snow pack, we were hit by yet another blizzard. So far, as of April 22 (I will not say it is "over" yet) the seasonal accumulation of snow at Bayfield is a record-breaking 182.0 inches--an amount equal to over 15 feet !!! The previous seasonal record set in 2014 was 150.5 inches--nearly 33 inches less than this season's record so far!

Jon has toiled to find a place to "park" all of this snow as he plows to keep the driveway open. Believe me, the banks and the piles are high. I was concerned that one of Jon's buildings on the farm might collapse under the load. Large tree limbs did come down on our house in one severe storm, and numerous structures in Northern Wisconsin did collapse under the weight of accumulated snow. The steel roofs on most of our farm structures shed the weight during periodic thaws and none of the buildings, including our home, have been damaged.

One might expect that such a winter would flatten our fruit plantings and ornamental shrubbery. However, when the fields opened briefly during the significant thaw we experienced a week ago, I was pleased to see that there was little damage. Even the ornamental shrubbery around our house popped right up as soon as the snow load melted. Although the snow has been deep and the winds severe, we haven't experienced any low temperatures that would exceed the hardiness of our plants. I will predict an excellent blueberry harvest for the coming summer.

Also this winter-- near the end of February, I suffered a bad fall at the cottage. A ladder slipped out from under me and I fell 8 feet to the floor on top of the ladder. I suffered a loss of consciousness, a 3 inch gash in the back of my head, a broken rib, and a serious concussion. My son Jon responded to my distress call and got me to emergency care at the hospital in Ashland. Following several hours of observation, x-rays, injury assessment, and wound care, I was released to the care of my family. The first couple of weeks following the accident were the most difficult. I was wracked with spasmodic pain--especially in my ribs and back--and required narcotic drugs to "stay on top of it." Thankfully the pain has subsided. My head wound healed rapidly and the staples have since been removed. Affects from the concussion--vertigo, "brain fog," and exhaustion--will require a longer healing process. My doctor tells me full recovery may require up to eight months from the time of the injury. I am trying to "take it easy" at home, sleeping a lot, thankful to be alive, thankful that my injuries weren't worse than they were, thankful for Janet's care and my family's assistance.

I am eager now for spring flowers. The tulips were up 6-8 inches before being buried again by this recent blizzard. Last Fall I planted nearly 100 additional bulbs in our perennial gardens. Wild flowers and over 200 trees planted on the cottage property appear to have wintered as well. Everything that grows here should have plenty of moisture to begin a new season!

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Upadate on blueberry Development in the republic of georgia

4/16/2023

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This month marks five years since I retired from my 17 year engagement as a horticultural crop consultant for foreign aid programs funded by USAID. As I said in an earlier post, although I provided assistance to a number of programs as diverse as irrigation mangement of Eastern European fruit crops to honey production and marketing in sub-Saharan East Africa, early on my specialty became blueberry production and enterprise development. The opportunity for this "native-North American," high value, labor intensive crop was timely for transitioning economies in parts of the world that could offer the climates, moisture, and soils required. Blueberry markets for this healthy and culturally adaptable fruit were dramatically expanding in response to a growing global demand.

I brought a first trial planting of 50 highbush blueberries on a second consultancy to the Republic of Georgia in 2003, which lead to a three year mission to establish a Georgian Blueberry Production Industry. At the outset I told my berry stakeholders that blueberry enterprise developement would necessarily be a long term development project--the major reason being the slow growing nature of the highbush blueberry plant. Over the next 15 years USAID funded four follow-on missions in Georgia to strengthen and expand our efforts. The best sites proved to be the western regions near the Balck Sea where tea had formerly been grown by the USSR on large industrial state farms We learned that northren tea varieties and blueberries share the same site requirements for soil, moisture, and climate

A young fruit horticulture graduate student at the University of Tblisi, whom I met on my first trip to Georgia in 2003, was hired as my colleague and interpreter. Today, 20 years later, Dr. Zviad Bobokashvili is a lead rsearcher and consultant for the Georgian Horticultural Research Institute with responsiblity for apple, cherry, and blueberry crop research and outreach. We remain close friends. In January, as a part of his annual New Year's greeting, I received the follwing news from Zviad:

"Regarding results from our efforts: I can report that Blueberry acreage in Georgia has grown to 2,000 hectares (nearly 5,000 acres) this year, with another 400 ha expected to be planted in the upcoming year 2023. Georgian export of blueberries was valued at almost $5,000,000 USD for 2022. So, the dream which our USAID AgVantage team began in 2003, with your initiatives and leadership, is being realized."

Other former Georgian colleagues have informed me that blueberries now challenge wine as the major Georgian agricultural export, and that nearly 500 Geogian farm families are benefiting.

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turning the page

8/24/2022

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The cottage at Romans Point is now complete--at least all of the contractors and inspectors have completed their work. Even the lawn seeded around the cottage this spring has established. Wildflowers sown last fall are blooming. Just this week I completed a "stepping stone" path from the parking area to our flagstone entry. Although we continue to add furnishings and decorative touches, we have been able to enjoy and share our new retreat with family and friends since the middle of July.

I recently moved one of my canoes to the cottage where it has found a new home. There is no approach to the water from our 40 foot high sandstone bluff, and my knees will no longer tolerate the half mile portage to Lost Creek beach, so I converted a small two wheeled garden cart into a "dolly" that can be strapped to the canoe, enabling me to pull the canoe like a wagon. Works great! The sandstone Lake Superior shoreline, with its cliffs, clefts, and caves, is spectacular! At the end of Romans Point is a seagull rookery where the birds take flight as you approach, circling in the air--diving and squawking--to distract you from their nests. Most cabins and homes are set well back from the shore and are rarely visible from the water leaving a pristine forest edge of large red pine, white pine, spruce, and birch.

Having had a "glimpse" during the construction phase, I now look forward to experiencing at leisure the seasons at Romans Point on Lake Superior.

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from narrowboat to sailboat

3/30/2022

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Nearly three years ago I hatched a plan to take my grandsons abroad for a canal boat tour of England. Silas age 14, and Milo age 13, are just the right ages for such an adventure. My son Chris, father of the two boys, was eager to come along. His energy, strength, and experience on the water would be necessary for me to be able to pull it off. We would fly to London and after two days exploring the city we would board a train into the Midlands to take command of our rented "narrowboat" on the Grand Union Canal.

Before there were railroads in early industrial Britain, goods were moved by systems of canals and horse towed barges--wool to the textile mills, Coal to urban centers, grain and produce to feed the population, lumber, stone, and other building materials. Today the canals have been preserved as a "National Trust" for recreational use. The working canal barges that survived were converted to motorized narrowboats and additional new boats have been added to the fleet--modern floating "Winnebagos" affording a backdoor tour of the English countryside at a top speed of four miles per hour.

Canal boaters must operate the hillside locks when encountered and negotiate aqueducts and tunnels along the routes. The paralleling tow paths allow for walking or biking when participants want a break from riding in the boat. Most narrowboats can sleep 2-8 people; provide a fully equipped galley, a "salon", toilets and showers, and outside deck-space fore and aft. Villages built down to the canals during their heyday and some of the best English pubs, restaurants, and inns continue to serve canal travelers. Our route would bring us from Leighton Buzzard to the medieval castle town of Warwick and back--eight to ten nights on the canal.

We planned for the summer of 2020, and then in March of that year the world locked-down for the COVID-19 pandemic. For a short while there was a glimmer of hope that our trip could take place during the late summer of 2021 but the omicron variant dashed that possibility. Now as we approach the summer of 2022 there is yet another corvid variant emerging in Europe AND a worrisome WAR. It didn't appear that there would be anytime soon that Chris and I could feel secure traveling so far from home with our boys.

And then I had an epiphany: why not a sailboat instead of a narrowboat! The boys are young enough that they can hope to visit England on their own terms someday. The more immediate concern is that the grandsons, at this young impressionable age, be able share a memorable adventure with each other and their Grandfather before the opportunity slips away. The circle has been widened to include Uncle Jon as a new plan is evolving for summer of 2022. We will rent a sailboat from a local marina and spend a week exploring the Apostle Islands. "Perfect," say my sons, no long and exhaustive air travel, a bubble against COVID, and an opportunity for us to bond more closely as family in this special place we live During these uncertain times, we will have the reassurance of being close to home, while at the same time broadening the horizons of young minds by providing an experience in a "world apart."

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year's end

12/23/2021

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It was wonderful for our family to be able to celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving again. We had all been vacinated. Even our youngest grandson, Oscar (age 7), had his first COVID shot. Janet and I received our third-shot boosters a month earlier. We were able to safely gather at our table at the farm for a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, followed by an evening of family fun around table games. We now look forward to a renewal of Christmas traditions as well.

All of us have been healthy. Although the continued partial confinement and isolation imposed by COVID protocals again this past year were challenging, we have been able to begin to ”emerge.” Our grandsons are back in school. The farm had another successful berry season. Janet and I were even able to take a short vacation with good friends to a resort on the Minnesota Gunflint Trail.

After a slow start due to permitting delays and supply shortages, the “reinvestment cottage” we are building on Lake Superior near Cornucopia is nearly complete. We expect it to be finished in time for 2022 summer use. The fully modern four-season cottage will comfortably accommodate six people, features a fireplace, a Bald Eagle nesting site, and fabulous views of the Big Lake. I look forward to spending "retirement time" there in the coming year reflecting with a fire in the fireplace, my books, the eagles, the Lake, friends and family.

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summer update to a friend

8/18/2021

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Paul,

Thanks for sending the piece you wrote describing your recent return to the Minnesota River country of our youth. It recalled many pleasant memories of shared places and experience. I have often reflected on our "Huck Finn" float trip together on the Minnesota River when we were both just 14 years old. It was a true Faulkneresque coming of age adventure complete with real dangers, sobering realities, tests of "manhood", and the bonding of a lifelong friendship. I think there could be potential for a novel for you in this story.

Our Lake Superior "cottage" project is finally underway. We will likely be ready to pour concrete on Friday. As major portions of the heating, plumbing, and electrical systems have been laid out under the slab, this is a huge leap forward. Once we can begin framing, progress should accelerate. Janet and I were in Duluth yesterday selecting stone for the fireplace and flagstone for the entry and landscape. I am enjoying my role as "artistic director" sitting in an adirondack chair watching gifted young professionals implement their craft. Now that there is real activity on the site, we are gratified that our resident family of Bald eagles has not abandoned us. They fledged three chicks this season, all of which are now flying, while the adults continue to attend to their appetites and education.

The berry season ended early this year--short supply and huge demand. Janet was on the field early this morning to glean what she could for ourselves before the day warmed up and the boys arrived to machine harvest the last of it for wine fruit. If Jon had not been able to irrigate this season, there may not have been a harvest. (This is a year you would think would make climate-change believers of everyone!) Despite a short crop, Jonathan has had a great first season on his farm. He did well enough on the berries, is selling lots of wine, and the honey crop yet to be brought in will be the best in years. Perhaps more important, he has caught up on renewal pruning, mulching, and facility improvements. I haven't seen the farm looking this good going forward for a long time.

We are all healthy and "vaccinated up," except for little Oscar who is only seven. I am concerned for him as we are on the cusp of his return to school this fall. Hopefully vaccination for his age group will be approved soon. Despite current events and the condition of our world, life continues to be good for us. There is much I am thankful for--and that would include your friendship.

Rick

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small is beautiful

2/18/2021

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Bill Gates has a new book out: How to Avoid a Climate Disaster. Central to Gates’ “plan” to achieve “net zero greenhouse emissions” in time to avoid disaster, is the electrification of as much human activity as is possible. “Trading carbon credits” he suggests will make up for those activities that cannot be
completely electrified, e.g. air travel. By-passing solar and wind generated power, he is making large investments advocating a new generation of nuclear power plants. Solar and wind he believes cannot be expected to generate enough electricity to meet the need.

In my mind, it is “the need” that also must be addressed. This would reduce the problem to the level where ordinary people, like you and me collectively, can and must contribute to an enduring solution.

People of my generation may remember another book with the sub title: Economics as if People Mattered. It was Small is Beautiful written in 1973 by the German-British economist, E. F. Schumacher. Though much of his thesis ran contrary to the economic science of his day (and ours), Schumacher was
no naïve crack-pot advocate of a “flower power” counter-culture. To the contrary, a Rhodes Scholar and later professor at Oxford, he was instrumental in developing plans for the British economic recovery from WWII and spent decades advising the British, and other governments, on matters of energy,
production, and development.

By his time, economics had evolved to a statistical science, able to quantify and project the world’s largest industrial economies. The “growth” economic policy that resulted focused on production, distribution, and consumption for the masses based on a conception that "material well-being" is the quantifiable equivalent for “quality of life.” To the contrary, Schumacher observed that large bureaucratic organizations often failed to serve humankind as these faceless, mathematically based systems did not accommodate the human need for “health, beauty, and permanence.“ Inspired by his contact with age-old cultures in the developing world—especially India during the life of Gandhi—he became convinced that smaller organization, using simple and available methods, or implementing “modern” but appropriately scaled technologies, afforded the most humanized, environmental, and sustainable economies.

By “downsizing”—i.e. reducing our “needs”—ordinary people of modest means can participate in the program now necessary to avoid, or perhaps survive, the worst consequences of any impending climate disaster. We need to learn to “live with less” within local economies, produce at least a part of one’s
own needs, live in smaller spaces, drive smaller cars fewer miles, vacation in our own “back yards,” and, like Bill Gates, electrify in every way we can—from efficient home heating systems to electric transportation.

Contrary to Gates’ analysis, solar and wind technologies can play a big part in reducing carbon energy demand—and have become not only affordable, but sensible--especially for homes, small business, municipal or institutional utilities, and vehicle re-charging stations. Bill Gates may feel good that he can
offset the “carbon footprint” of his travel by private jet to the tune of $7,000,000 annually in “carbon credits,” but this is not an option for most of us. Part of the solution to the present climate crisis will need to be big and technocratic, but if we will endure we will need to fundamentally change the way we live.

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the Joys and perils of being close to lake superior

2/1/2021

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As we are selling our farm, Janet and i have decided build a modest "cottage"  (as Janet prefers to call it) on Romans Point near Cornucopia. It is not our plan to move. Our present house at the farm will continue to be our home for as long as our son and our health will allow us to live there. The cottage will be a family retreat and a practical reinvestment.

The plan evolved as the reality of becoming "renters" as opposed to being "home owners" sank in. We also were faced with the dilemma of where we could safely "park" our life earnings after our farm and business assets were monetized. Real Estate seemed to present a secure option for at least a part of it. When we happened on a beautiful shoreline property on Romans Point, we made an offer which was accepted, So, now we are off and away planning a new development and a new Adventure. The "cottage" will be just that: a small year around Northwoods retreat cabin offering relaxation and solitude with a gorgeous lake view.

Last week I drove out to inspect the site again with a plan to sit in a lawn chair on our sandstone bluff 40 feet above the lake to watch the sun set over Bark Bay. I took the dog along for company--which turned out to be a mistake. Barely out of the truck, our energetic Border Collie disappeared over the precipice of the cliff! Greta ended up on an ice-covered sandstone shelf about ten feet above the water with no way up and no way around or out, The dog desperately tried several times to scale the palisade, only to tumble back to the shelf below. I called home to report my predicament: two hours until sunset with no ideas for how to effect a rescue. The dog would not survive the night as a west wind was breaking waves on the rocks below. Janet ran next door to consult with Jon.

An hour later the two of them turn up with two 20' extensions ladders, climbing ropes, and a 200 foot spool of heavy duty strapping. Jon's plan: to lower a ladder and descend to rescue the dog.

"I can't let you risk your life for a dog!"
   "Dad, It's my life!!"
"NO Jon, your life is OUR life!!!"
"Dad, I'll need your help..."

We extend the two ladders, securely lashing them together at every joint. Remembering my Boy Scout training, I fashion a harness from the strapping. With Jon in the harness we lower the long ladder until it bottoms out on the shelf below and secure the ladder with the climbing rope to a stout tree at the top of the cliff, Wrapping the strapping once around the same tree I brace against the base of the trunk and play out the strapping as Jon descends the ladder in his harness. If the ladder collapses or he falls, I hope to be able to keep him suspended by tying-off around the tree, call 911, and wait for help to arrive. All went well. Jon scooped up the dog, wrapped her in a large towel, and with help from Janet and me reeling up the strapping, ascended the ladder with the dog. He made it safely over the top just as the sun was setting. Miraculously, Greta was not injured.

Fortunately, it was a dog and not a grandchild. The development plan now includes some strong post and rail barrier fencing like they have at Copper Falls and other public parks with high overlooks. I hope to enjoy the sunset on my next visit with a little less heart-pounding adventure.

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2020: the year that was

12/22/2020

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Janet and I were traveling in Costa Rica with friends during early March, when our tour was abruptly terminated and we were sent home before borders might close or flights might be suspended. It was an eerie return through partially closed terminals, half-functioning hotels, shuttered restaurants, and nearly empty freeways. “Overnight,” our already troubled world became even more uncertain as we struggled to adapt to a “new normal.” Thankfully, all of our immediate family remain healthy, but maintaining our “bubble” has been stressful at times. Most Thanksgiving and Christmas family traditions were laid aside until next year. Now, with a new government administration taking control and COVID vaccines in the pipeline, we should begin to see a “light at the end of the tunnel”

Despite the challenges, Jon led us through a successful berry season. He developed “COVID protocols” for our farm business promoting a healthy out-of-doors experience for our retail customers, and trained our employees to pack fruit by hand in the field, enabling a level of wholesale supply. Both strategies were well received. Chris still works with his brother on the farm and is now looking forward to the “mushing season” with his sister-in-law, Jen. Wolf Song bookings are up, as Jen too has strategized how her business can navigate the pandemic. All they need now is SNOW. Honey suspended her job as post mistress for the Madeline Island community. Hopefully this will be temporary. Once again she refused to accept a Postal Service “promotion” that would have moved her to the Bayfield office and longer hours. Magdalen continues to teach and advise fulltime for LCO Tribal College at Red Cliff—mostly from her home office. The grandsons, Silas, Milo, and Oscar, currently are being schooled remotely at home.

All in all, our families' "inconvenience" does not compare with the disruption, despair, and suffering of millions of people who have been devastated by this horrific pandemic. We will do our part to care for ourselves and our neighbors by staying put, distancing, wearing a mask when in contact with others, and getting vaccinated as soon as the opportunity becomes available. Let us hope and pray that by this season in 2021 we will all be in a better place.

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consider the lilies...

9/5/2020

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To my son:

I read the Rolling Stone article you shared on the "End of the American Era." Very sobering--but in my view, "spot on" and a message important for every American to hear and contemplate.

Troubling as our times are, the author correctly recognizes that change has always been a constant, and also that the human species is capable of adaptation. Most important, he reveals for us the critical tenants for meaningful human existence and a healthy life: grounded values, social bonds, shared community, sense of place, family, and the power of Love.

The end of American dominance in the world is not the worst that can happen to us--our family has been preparing for this for some time. We, as individuals and as a nation, will just have to learn how to live more like the Canadians and the Danes.

I Love you,

Dad

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<<Previous

The mother of all winters

Upadate on blueberry Development in the republic of georgia

turning the page

from narrowboat to sailboat

year's end

summer update to a friend

small is beautiful

the Joys and perils of being close to lake superior

2020: the year that was

consider the lilies...

Rick Dale

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