87080 Valley Rd Bayfield WI 54814  ph. 715.779.3941
Highland Valley Farm
  • Current Info
  • Map
  • About Us
    • FAQs
    • Job Opportunites
  • Products
    • Wholesale Info
  • Rick's Blog

Appalachian Spring and the Dalai lama

3/18/2019

2 Comments

 
Picture
Dear Paul,

This morning--a late winter day--or early spring day (I guess it could be either)--as the sun sparkled on the deep drifts of snow still outside my window, I was listening to Copland's Appalachian Spring, as I read the bio-oped that appeared in a recent issue of TIME regarding the Dalai Lama.  Both Copland and the Dali Lama caused me to think of you.  I first had my attention drawn to Appalachian Spring during an early visit Janet and I made to your first home in Marquette years ago.  You had it playing as we sat in your front room listening and talking before breakfast--I went right out and bought a recording.  It has since become one of my very favorite compositions.  


Last spring, Janet and I made the opportunity to drive the length of the Appalachian Blue Ridge Parkway from Great Smokey Mountains National Park to Harper's Ferry.  We were too early for the Rhododendron (and the multitude of tourists that go with them!) but the Dogwood and the Eastern Redbud were in full splendor.

Likewise, it was you who introduced me to meditation.  Although I have not as yet become a faithful practitioner, I have been witness to the impact that meditation and Buddhism have had on you--my good and long time friend.  The TIME article moved me.  I hope that you have read it--or will.  That the Dalai Lama has been able to find such inner peace and balance despite the violence, turbulence, injustice, exile, and seeming hopelessness for his cause experienced these last six decades is a powerful testament to his faith--and an example to all who are touched by him.

Yesterday, we were able to begin our maple syrup season.  Our day was calm with clear sky, perfect temperature, and sunshine.  Jake and I got started about noon and had a hundred taps in before breaking for lunch about 1:30 PM.  Chris, Magdalen, Jen, and Oscar, together with two people who had been on the morning dog sled run (one being a former field hand from 20 years ago), descended on us as we were ending our break.  Everybody got involved--we had drills and sleds enough to equip three tapping teams--and the remaining taps were in before 4:00 PM.  Even four-year-old Oscar enjoyed pushing a sled with bag hangers for one of the teams.  The afternoon ended with cookies, beer, and high spirits on the bench, stumps, and rocking chairs behind the sugar house--enjoying the company, the dogs, and the equinox sun.

​Today we expect a heavy sap flow and we may be boiling before the day is through.  This will go on now for about a month.  We'd love it if you and ZZ could get over for a night or two to share the experience with us.

Rick

2 Comments
Pam and Steve Carlton
7/7/2019 11:46:56 am

We just want you to know that we were on our honeymoon in 2000 and stopped by your farm to get some honey. We some apple honey? You told us that it only happened once every 17 years or so. We think that was the name of it. We could be wrong because we don't have any more. Do you still harvest such a honey? As a matter of fact, we used up the last of it just last month. Steve kept it as a special commodity all these years using it only on special occasions!

We found an old business card of Rick and Janet's. Your farm was small then, and when we went online, we were delighted that you're still in business and that you've grown so!

The honey Steve has treasured all these years was the best honey we've ever had!

Pam and Steve Carlton

Reply
Rick
7/13/2019 08:40:08 am

Thank you for your comments. It was apple blossom honey you bought in 2000. It was the only year we have experienced it. Apples bloom early in the seasonal cycle of the bees--bee populations are rapidly increasing in the hive at that time resulting in a disproportionate number of young developing bees needing to be fed as compared to the population of adult working bees. Most years at Bayfield, almost all of the apple nectar collected during this season is consumed by the bee colony. In a very short time the bee population ratio changes, with more working adults than infants needing to be fed, and honey reserves begin to accumulate--this is the crop we can harvest. Raspberry, basswood, clover and other summer legumes make up the bulk of the sources for our honey.

Nice to hear from you. Hope you can return some day..

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Rick Dale

    Founder
    ​ of Highland Valley Farm

    Picture

    Archives

    August 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    August 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    July 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    December 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    March 2014
    December 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2012
    December 2011
    September 2011
    July 2011

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.