When will Wisconsin thaw out?! I feel like I have never been so anxious for spring. Even when I lived in Fairbanks, in the deep darkness and cruel cold, I did not pine for spring as I do now as a farmer. The daily check ins of the ground temperature, self soothing acknowledgments of the returning sunlight, and the continued dismay at having to put planting off for just a little while longer seem to slow the coming of spring even more. I’m learning this is the nature of working with nature. We make our plans and Mother Nature has no qualms about altering them. However, these early spring days are brightened by the trays of lettuce and swiss chard popping in our bedroom window, the batches of kimche and home brewed beer fermenting in the corner, and the fact that the chickens are finally laying fresh eggs everyday. This evening, Rufus and I visit the Symons Recreation Center in Richland Center to thaw ourselves out in the sauna and soak away the cold in the hot tub. Hopefully next winter we will have the Keewaydin sauna up and running to help us make it through these brutal winter months.  

~Joy