~ Sand Mines & Cleaning Operations Have a Negative Effect ~

"Perhaps Someday"

The leaves rustle quietly as the gentle breeze blows and the robin sings it’s song, hidden somewhere in the bright green boughs. The deer forage in the field attached to the farm that is for sale. So many times I have admire that farm, with it’s many acres, roomy barn, and two houses... Perhaps someday I could buy it.

The elusive Pileated calls from somewhere in the woods beyond the field, and I wish that I could go exploring in the dense, mysterious wilderness that is hidden from my view. People drive up to the farm and begin looking around. I hope they dislike it... Perhaps someday I could buy it.

Not long afterwards I hear the news; a sand cleaning operation has bought the farm. My somewhat foolish castle in the air vanishes, and I forget about the farm for a while. Then I see what a sand cleaning operation is and how it can ruin an entire township. The houses are now offices, the woods and fields abandoned and un-cared for, and mountains of different-colored sand stand out everywhere. Towers stand taller than trees with powerful lights mounted on top, dump trucks a semis constantly roar in and out of the gates, and fine particles of sand fill the air, choking surrounding vegetation. Perhaps someday the operation will move on.

The constant roaring of the trucks night and day, the clanging of the doors as the sand is dumped, and the incessant beeping as the trucks back around is deafening. The roads are never smooth now, as the truck drivers slam on their brakes at the last possible moment, tearing up the blacktop on both sides of the road. Our modest country road is now cluttered with weight and speed limit signs, and the ice collects in the ruts, making it fatal to drive at anything more than a snail pace. Perhaps someday they will realize what they are doing.

By now the people of the township have become angry; limited ability to get sleep will do that. They ask, and then beg, for the company to cease operating during the night; yet they are ignored. After a while they are completely fed up, and meet with others to discuss the problem. The operation agrees to some suggestions, but do not bother being very faithful about it. The trucks still run at night and the lights still shine, marring the beautiful country sky and brightness of the stars. Perhaps someday they will listen.

A car swerves off, almost tipping into the ditch, as the dump truck roars past in the very middle of the road. It is not a rare sight, as the drivers know how big they are and how small the mini van is. The sheriff is called, and the driver goes to the operation’s office and complains; yet nothing changes. I highly doubt they will ever listen.

stand on the edge of the road in November of 2010, camera in hand, and gaze at the beautiful sight before me. A flock of nine Whooping Cranes wander about the field searching for those little delicacies that birds find so appealing to them. A dump truck roars past above the speed limit and I walk down to stand in the ditch, out of the way of the vehicles I have come to fear. I notice that the Whooping Cranes also shy away from the road every time a truck passes by. After a short while, and many photographs, I inconspicuously retire to my vehicle and drive on, leaving the cranes for another day. I wonder how long they will stay...

They end up staying for almost a week, and during that time I observe and photograph them. Each day I see them shy away and nervously “dance” every time a truck passes by, though I don’t think about it too much at the time. As an amateur ornithologist, I am excited to find out that this field is an annual stopping place for the Whooping Cranes during the migrations. Perhaps someday they will return during the migration back North.

Spring finally comes, and I watch desperately for the cranes to return. Not only the Whooping Cranes, but the smaller Sandhill Cranes as well. I am disappointed that none come, but I just assume that they have a slightly different path coming back North. Perhaps someday they will return on their way South again.

The autumn months of 2011 arrive and my camera is ready to grab at a moment’s notice. Family members help me watch for the cranes to return. While doing chores around our small farm, I hear the distinct sound of a Whooping Crane and, looking up, I see one flying with a small flock of Sandhill Cranes. A few days later, one lone Whooping Crane flies over the sand mine itself. None stay around our area for very long now, as the noise and activity are just too much for them. All autumn and into early winter I watch, and only two Whooping Cranes stop over in the general area, but they stay only a couple of days and are never close enough to the road for photographs. Perhaps someday things will quiet down and they will want to return.

For now I can only hope that my efforts will bring more people to the realization that the sand mines will not only effect endangered birds, but could also be effecting the habits of other animal species in the area. More research must be done, the right people informed, and the sand mines confined to areas that are not populated by humans who need rest, and animals that will be negatively effected.

Perhaps someday we can make a difference.

~ Mara

~ Wild Beauty ~

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This post, Wild Beauty, has been moved to my new blog.

~ Mara The Ornery Biologist 

~ October Farm Update ~

I shall attempt to make a list of all the animals we now have on our small 8.5-acre hobby farm. Bear with me here; it’s a long list. ;)

We have 1 dog named Crockett. I have blogged about him before and praised his cuteness.

We have 4 (soon to be even more) cats.
Grey C. is the eldest and has been with us longer than any of the other animals.
Baby is second, has had 2 kittens and is now expecting again.
Zorro and Tiger Lily are Baby’s kittens. And the cutest you’ll ever see!

We have 3 rabbits.
Hero is the male. I wanted to name him after some hero, but could not decide on one, so I simply named him Hero.
Missy belongs to my 8yo brother.
Bitsy belongs to my 3yo brother.
These three meat rabbits are going to be kept as breeding stock. I know it sounds horrible to some people, but we’ll be eating their offspring. (sorry!)
The plan is for me to train my brothers in how to take care of the rabbits so that they may one day take over the operation if and when I move away.

We have 6 Pekin ducks.
Mason. Named after Perry Mason in that awesome old TV show.
Drake. Named after Paul Drake in afore-mentioned show.
Della. Named after Della Street in… yes, you guessed it. ;)
Stella. Because it rhymed with Della I suppose.
And then come Molly and Dolly. I don’t know where those names came from, but they’re cute.

Then we have my favorite chicken, Ivory, who is a White Polish hen. She thinks she is a duck, following them wherever they go, drinking from their pond, and sleeping with them. She is definitely the funniest bird I have ever seen.

We currently have 34 chickens. I never knew that chickens could be so different from one another in the way they act. They all have their own attitudes and some are so naughty that they shall be sent to The Eternal Deep Freeze soon.

Well, there you have it. Our Cedar Cottage Farm has exactly 45 animals right now. When I am able to get some photos of our new rabbits, I shall post them here.

~ Mara

~ Home is Where the Heart is ~

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This post, Home is Where the Heart is, has been moved to my new blog.


~ Mara The Ornery Biologist

~ Fall Weather ~

I love Autumn! The trees turn gorgeous hues of red, orange, and yellow and the weather is always a surprise. Today was in the 60's with light showers off and on and wind gusts harder than I ever remember seeing before.

This is what the sky looked like today. I find trees against a stormy sky a pretty contrast.

~ Mara

~ Leedle Yawcob Strauss ~

I haf von funny leedle poy
Vot gomes shust to my knee,--
Der queerest schap, der queerest rouge
As efer you dit see.
He runs, und schumps, und schmashes
Dings
In all barts off der house.
But vot off dot? He vas my son,
Mine leedle Yawcob Strauss.

He gets der measles und der mumbs,
Und eferyding dot’s oudt;
He sbills mine glass off lager bier,
Poots schnuff indo mine kraut;
He fills mine pipe mit Limburg cheese--
Dot vas der roughest chouse;
I’d dake dot vrom no oder poy
But leedle Yawcob Strauss.

He dakes der milkban for a dhrum,
Und cuts mine cane in dwo
To make der schticks to beat it mit--
Mine cracious, dot vas drue!
I dinks mine hed vas schplit abart
He kicks oup sooch a touse;
But nefer mind, der poys vas few
Like dot young Yawcob Strauss.

He asks me questions sooch as dese:
Who baints mine nose so red?
Who vas it cuts dot schmoodth blace
Oudt
Vroom der hair ubon my head?
Und vhere der plaze goes vroom der
Lamp
Vene’er der glim I douse?
How gan I all dese dings eggsplain
To dot schmall Yawcob Strauss?

I somedimes dink I schall go vild
Mit sooch a grazy poy,
Und vish vonce more I gould haf rest
Und beaceful dimes enshoy.
But ven he vas asleep in ped,
So quiet as a mouse,
I prays der Lord, “Dake anydings,
But leaf dot Yawcob Strauss.”

~ Charles F. Adams



This is by far one of my favorite poems and I felt the need to share. :)

~ Castles In The Air ~

We all have a castle in the air of some sort. It’s built on dreams, surrounded by wishes, and kept up with hopes. Our castles are always under construction, as each day brings a new idea of what we want for our future.

As we mature we find that not everything in life is perfect; sometimes it’s going to be a little rough and sometimes we’ll feel like we’re walking on clouds. But no matter what happens, we still have our castles. So we lie in the grass looking up at the stars while we build on our dreams . . .

Love & Marriage ~ When two people know for sure they are ready to give their heart to the other for life and take that big step towards marriage. The love of a family is grand, and the love of friends is comforting, but the love of that special someone is worth so much more - even more so when the love of God envelopes them all. The two become one, stay true and faithful, and never say goodbye until death parts their ways.

Home ~ We all have our ideas of what we want home to be like. It’s a haven and no matter if we live in a tiny apartment, or a grand old mansion, it’s our castle. My castle is a large white farm house on a hill, overlooking brilliant green pastures dotted with tree stumps and grey rocks, and a creek winding through the midst. Gardens here, fruit trees there; a perfect picture of peace.

Children ~ They are a blessing sent straight from God. A gift of love from above, a gift to teach us patience, and a gift to remind us that we have a great purpose in life; to teach our children right from wrong and watch them grow to build castles of their own.


Now that I have explained to you my ideas of a castle, do tell me yours for I would dearly love to hear!



<3 Meanwhile we keep building those turrets high, stretching hopes beyond the sky. <3

~ Mara

~ Sounds of the Night ~

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This post, Sounds of The Night, has been moved to my new blog.


~ Mara The Ornery Biologist

~ The Beauty of it All ~

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This post, The Beauty of it All, has been moved to my new blog.


~ Mara

~ Country Life ~

Country life is a life of satisfaction.

To wake up in the morning with chickens clucking softly, kittens playing in the grass, and the Pileated Woodpecker crying it’s haunting call through the misty pines. Walking through the dewy grass on your way to feed the ducks, strolling down the drive with the early morning warblers cheeping as you go by, and fresh animal tracks telling tales from the night gone past.

Country mornings are like a different world, far away from the noisy vehicles and the hum of the city life.

By late morning into the early afternoon, picking fresh blackberries, blueberries and wild strawberries is a peaceful job. Then comes deciding whether or not to attempt jam or pie first. Or perhaps a juice of some kind, though how to do that I do not yet know.

The warm, sunny afternoon shows all the beautiful wild flowers in bloom. A large bouquet of these in hand, strolling through the enchanted forest and meeting a handsome prince who lives only in my imagination. Perhaps I was wrong when I said people over-romanticized country living. There is a romantic sort of feeling when you pick your own fruits and vegetables, tend to your very own animals, and chop your own wood to feed your fire on the coldest winter nights.

On summer nights when the moon is shining bright through the oaks, and the breeze causes the leaves to cast dancing shadows on the ground, sitting on the front steps listening to the tree frogs and crickets is the best kind of lullaby ever created.

Sleeping with the window open, listening to the far-off train whistle and the “who cooks for you all” owl sitting in the tall fir right outside… sleep comes quickly and refreshes you for the next dewy morning when the romantic country routine starts over again.



~ Mara

~ Life is a Beautiful Thing ~

God gave us life. Life to live, free as birds and not puppets on strings. We can choose to follow Him or we can choose to follow the world. Life is more beautiful when we choose to follow Him. Far more beautiful than when we choose to walk the path of sin, sadness and despair. When we meet with the bad things in life and we don’t know God, everything falls to pieces. When we meet those same things as a Christian, we can ask for peace and it will be given.

God gave us love. Love enough to give to him and the people in this world. There are different kinds of love; love for the Savior is sweeter than anything. Love for our family members and friends is gratefully received and more given in return. And the love for that one important person in our life is something different from the others. We love that person with all our heart, through the good times and the bad. When we have love for God and love for that one person, life can throw all of those bad things at us and we won’t budge.

God gave us hard work. We weren’t made to sit around and have things done for us. God created souls inside of machines and those machines are our bodies. We take care of them, both physically and spiritually, and they’ll run just fine. Men work to take care of their women and children, the women work to take care of their men and children, and the children work in their own little way to make this world a happier place to be.

~ Mara

~ Happenings Here ~

Oh, how often I neglect my poor Cranberry Crane. Allow me to go over some things that have happened as of late . . .

We have had some gorgeous sunsets ~



I found the biggest snails I have ever seen. They were very neat ~



Our ducks are now full-grown and should soon produce eggs ~



Our chickens are almost as big as our ducks now and should also soon produce eggs ~



Right now we are attending VBS at our church. It is lots of fun! :)


~ Mara

~ A Visitor ~

A nice fuzzy-antlered buck visited our yard the other day and I was able to get a good video of him. Enjoy! :)

~ Dusty ~

My bunniest friend for over 7 years.

I love writing short stories about my life and my blog is my online diary. Writing is a good way to get things off my chest and I don’t have to bore anyone who doesn’t care to listen. This way I feel like I am telling someone and the people who care can read it for themselves. :)

Tonight I am writing about my pet rabbit, Dusty. I do not remember the day or the exact year that we got him, but I do remember picking him out. As soon as I saw that little white and tan bunny I knew he was perfect. We got him from a feed store in Richland Center, Wisconsin and I rode home with him in a little cardboard box. Oh, it took all my strength not to peek in at him just a teency bit. For 3 years he practically sat in our dining room. There was a small porch right outside the dining room and a window close to the ground. His cage fit perfectly so that it opened up into the room. That meant not having to go outside in the winter and I would open the window to let him have our heat and air conditioning, depending on the weather.

When it was time to move to Black River Falls, Dusty went to live with Grandpa and Grandma in Tomah. Though Grandma loved having him, I now wish I could have kept him for those 4 years. It doesn’t feel very fair to have only visited him once in a while. Last year when we moved here to Tomah, I could not wait to have Dusty moved back here with us and I got the necessary things done quickly so he could. Unfortunately, winter came too soon and stayed too long and I only got short visiting times with my bunny. After the weather turned nice this spring, he went into his summer cage out in the grass, and until yesterday he was the happiest, most care-free rabbit in existence. I am very sad but also glad that he had just gone to sleep like any other night. He never got mean or fat or cranky. He never started biting like my very old rabbit, Whiskers did. It was so cute to watch Dusty trim his own toenails and I was happy that I didn’t have to do it. And his little teeth were even and always in good shape. It hasn’t really sunk in yet… seeing him laying still in his cage and having to put my favorite pet in the ground seems like a terrible dream. But I just think of all the times he made me laugh and I feel better. Or I look at the pictures my siblings drew of him and tell them it’s all OK.

Well, I hope this story did not come across as a terrible tear-jerker but I feel much better after writing about him. I never thought I would grow so attached to a rabbit, they’re so quite and you can’t teach them anything. But maybe that’s what makes them so nice; they are so dependant on their owners.

I’ll miss Dusty a lot and probably for a long time, but I am very happy he lived a full bunny life. And I feel better still that Momma is going to give me our male breeding rabbit when we get them. Even though no rabbit will ever be as wonderful and nice as Dusty.

I loved you, my little Dustbunny. <3

~ Mara

~ Back in Jackson County ~ 310 Fillmore Black River Falls ~

~ 310 Fillmore ~ Black River Falls

That’s where we lived back in Jackson County.

Sometime before…
The company Dad was working for was branching out and one of the places they chose for a store was Black River Falls. A small town of around 3,000 people. I don’t remember much about the discussions we had as a family but I do know we talked about it a lot. We were living in Richland Center in Richland County, Wisconsin. We had a nice big house with many rooms and, for us children, many hiding places for Hide-and-Seek. But though the house may have been large, it had a few issues. It didn’t seem like long before we had decided we would move to Black River Falls and a new life - and was it ever a good choice.

We traveled to Black River Falls to go house shopping and met 310 Fillmore, a cozy square house that always reminded me of a cottage. From the outside it looked to be half the size of our house in Richland Center, but once inside it was spacious; with good-sized rooms and knotty pine walls in some of them. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and what seemed like a huge kitchen compared to our last. It didn’t take many discussions before we decided - 310 Fillmore would be our new home.

I guess I always took that house for granted. After a while it seemed too small, with not enough cupboard space and I couldn‘t have my own room - I had to share with 2 siblings. But now I look back and I wish I could somehow pick that house up and set it down where we live now. When I think about it now it seems huge, with that big white kitchen that had 7 windows… and now I share a small room with all of my sisters and have only my bunk to call my very own. There are good things and not so good things about this home. But that is what it is; our home. Here we live right next to our grandparents, have plenty of room for numerous gardens and we can have animals. We don’t constantly have neighbors screaming that they are going to commit suicide like we did in Black River Falls, though there *is* a crazy lady that lives across the road and she gets visits from the Sheriff. We can go outside and not worry that someone will walk down the sidewalk and carry us off. We can yell at the top of our lungs if we want to and nobody can tell us to be quiet. And best of all… we don’t just do our homeschooling in our pajamas - we do our chores in our pajamas! Shocking, isn’t it? ;)

So… to wrap up my reminiscing post… I am content here with our 8.5 acres, dog, cats, ducks, rabbits, and chickens. Perhaps some dairy goats, maybe even a mule someday. And I know that when I get married and move away I’ll be reminiscing about this home.

~ Mara

~ Haunting Cries ~

Before hearing them I never would have guessed that any mammal would scare me enough to the point where I could almost scream myself. Cougars are no laughing matter, I assure all my readers. I developed an odd mixture of fear and interest back in late December…

Mom had to walk the dog so Sara stayed on the deck to keep watch. For two reasons. - 1) because we had heard coyotes in our woods the night before and seen their tracks the next morning and 2) because there had been signs of a cougar in the neighborhood. After a couple of minutes, Mom noticed that Crockett was pointed at one spot in the woods: The pit where we dumped our left-overs. It was snowing and too dark to see all the way to the edge of the woods but she knew he had seen/heard something. Then a strange sound came from the pit - a deep grumbling growl mixed with a steady purr. The rest of us were inside and heard Mom shout for Sara to get in the house. Mom took me out to stay on the deck and listen. Then I heard it. And I am telling you it was the scariest sound I had ever heard! It was right over by the pit, but no matter how hard I strained I couldn't see a thing. That is the worst situation to be in - to hear a cougar but not see it. The growling purr lasted for around 3o seconds, long enough for us to realize that it sounded as if the cougar was walking as it growled, puffing in the cold night air.

To read that entire story… http://thecranberrycrane.blogspot.com/2010/12/cougar-screams.html

This evening I heard it again. Not a scream, growl or purr like I had heard before but a piercing shriek ringing out through the chilly night air.

Here is a bit of information on the cougar that I read from a book published in 1940 ---

“…Once within striking distance, it bounds forward and crushes it’s prey to earth. It has been known to leap twenty feet into the air to land on a branch and to jump twice that distance to the ground.
The great cat promptly begins to gorge itself. When sated, [satisfied] it delicately licks it’s blood-spattered face and paws and goes off for a nap. On awakening it returns to finish off the carcass or, if the prey is too large, drags it to a lair among the rocks.”

Now you see why it is no laughing matter!

~ Our Critters ~

Dusty, at 7 years old, is our oldest pet here on Cedar Cottage Farm.

Crockett comes next at a little over 1 year.


Then there's Grey C. She is just under a year old.


Then Baby. She is going to be a first-time mommy soon!


Then come our ducks, who hatched April 12th.


And last, but not least, our chicks. Hatched May 18th.



We just received the chicks this morning and already I am wishing they were old enough to be outside. It's incredible how much noise they can make!


~ Mara

~ Growing Up ~

Our "baby" ducks are very big now! And extremely soft... :)



Not much has happened lately other than building a temporary enclosure for the ducks. I will post pictures of it soon.

~ Mara

~ Back in Jackson County ~ The Foundation Trail ~

Today I have picked my favorite place to write about. The 4.5 mile trail that wound itself around the small town of Black River Falls. Where we lived on Fillmore Street, we could walk 3 blocks and we were there. Most of the trail was paved, though in some places you walked on sidewalks, through parks, or on the side of the road.

Sitting here staring off into space I can see it perfectly, though I doubt I can put onto paper how beautiful it really is! It is the most unique and diverse place I have ever spent my time; high spots and low spots, wooded areas and clear meadows and an opening above the Black River where one could sit on a bench and see Great Blue Herons land silently on the nearby banks, or watch people paddle down the river in their long canoes. I loved it when the sun would shine straight through the opening and it’s reflection would ripple in the small waves.

But the thing I loved most about the Foundation Trail was the bird life. Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles, Osprey, various hawks, Pileated Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Chickadees and Warblers. Just to name a few! There was never a time when I did not hear a Pileated Woodpecker call through the dense trees. Rarely did I see one, but their eerie yet awesome call was forever echoing through town.

We often named our favorite spots along the trail. The bench over-looking the Black River we dubbed “Audubon Bend.” The small meadow beyond we called “Beatrix Glen.” Beatrix Glen was always full of flowers, tall grasses, flittering birds and an occasional carcass or two. Yes, I said carcass. You would not believe what mammals made the trail in the middle of town their home. There is the black bear who lives near the elementary school, the cougar who wanders the town, the red fox who likes to tease photographers by disappearing into thin air and the many white-tailed deer that run along the little creek in the woods. All of these things I never would have expected to find living in the middle of town and all amazed me. Though the cougar screaming during one of our rare nighttime walks scared me half to death. But it was nothing compared to the last time I heard a cougar.

One of the most memorable times on the trail was when we had our friend Joe Westbrook with us. We had just been telling him about the Pileated Woodpecker when my sister Sara and I spotted a young female darting through the trees. Joe and I had our cameras on and ready in half a second and were after it. After us taking many photographs of it hidden behind leaves, it finally showed itself by flying across the small creek and landing at the base of a tree. Then it did something I had never seen any kind of woodpecker do before - it dipped it’s bill into the water, then brought it’s head up and swallowed. It did this three times before flying on down the creek and disappearing. But it was the best birding day of my life.

And here I shall close. I tend to write these posts at night and find myself going on and on until I realize how late it really is. Tomorrow will hopefully bring another post. Goodbye for now!

~ Mara

~ Back in Jackson County ~ Dike 17 ~

I think I shall continue to write about the things I found interesting in Jackson County, as I did not keep up with the blog I had for a short time there. Tonight I am writing about a place in Jackson County called ‘Dike 17.’

If you continued down Highway 54, heading East, you would come to a Rustic Road to your right - Settlement. That was a beautiful place to drive. We hardly ever ran into another vehicle so we could drive as slow as we pleased. It was a wooded area with a few open areas where small herds of deer gathered to eat. There was a stream to the left of the road and at one place along that stream there was a bend; and in that bend a Great Blue Heron loved to fish. Over the years of birding I have noticed that herons have their favorite fishing spots just like us humans. Further on there was a small parking area to the right. It was a wide open space with trees on one side and hills on the other and a tall overlook almost in the middle. We went there quite often and when we would go around sunset, we would get to see a Great Blue Heron fly in for the night, perched on the high corner of that overlook. There were two levels to it; the lower one being my favorite, as I am nervous of heights. But occasionally I would go on to the higher level where my breath was taken away at what lay beyond. I always knew what to expect… Tall grasses bending to and fro when the breeze changed direction, and the deep blue flowages beyond. But I was always caught off-guard. God paints the most beautiful scenes!

On two occasions that I can remember, we walked back the trail to those flowages. Along the way we saw a porcupine climbing a tree, a garter snake slithered across the path while the Grey Catbird sat in his favorite bush, cocking his head at each person who passed. When we reached the flowages there would be Canada Geese, Mallards, Wood Ducks and muskrats.

Sometimes I wish I had been able to spend more time at the overlook and climbed to the very top to see the stunning beauty of the Wisconsin scenery. For not long after they said it would need repair, they instead tore it down with no intent on replacing it. Perhaps someday, they will.

Enough for tonight. I am sure another Jackson County memory will pop into my head tomorrow. :)

~ Mara

~ Back in Jackson County ~

Jackson County Wisconsin is where I lived before moving here to Monroe County Wisconsin. I thought I would take a few minutes and tell my readers about the scenery there since I did not establish this blog until moving.

I lived in Black River Falls. It had been a small logging town and I loved perusing the museum downtown. The old things fascinated me and took my imagination back to 1911 when a horrible flood wiped out most of the town. Walking around the town looking at the dates on buildings amused me, as most of them had been completely destroyed.

Sometimes, when walking through the downtown streets, I would imagine what it was like in the 1920’s - 50’s. The respectable men wore suits and never left without their hat. The women wore beautiful long dresses that, back in their time, were just plain dresses. But to me, seeing the few in the museum that had survived the years, they were the prettiest dresses I had ever seen. And the ladies always wore a hat or a bonnet to keep their beautiful complexions.

The shops must have been very interesting. I would imagine the rolls of fabric and the barrels of food at the main store downtown. I wondered how many saloons there were. Today there are countless downtown bars so that on Friday nights it is almost impossible to get a wink of sleep.

But for now, enough about the town. Let me see if I can put onto paper how beautiful the scenery is around Jackson County during Spring and Summer . . .

If you were in town and drove out Highway 54 heading East, you would eventually come to some flowages. Now, to the typical person driving on the highway, what would they see? Water. But to my family and I it was heaven on earth. To see the rich green grass against the blue water that reached to the far bank where tall pines and firs grew to the bright blue sky was amazing and it always made us feel peaceful and closer to God. I believe that God creates such scenery just for us to be in and feel closer to Him.

The wildlife that visited those flowages was amazing too. There were deer, of course. There were wolves and a cougar at one point. Countless snakes, rabbits, squirrels, etc. Many species of ducks visited the flowages as well as Canada Geese, Loons, Double-Crested Cormorants and Trumpeter Swans. There were always Sandhill Cranes to be found there and even a pair of Whooping Cranes were spotted and photographed. But the main thing we went for were the Bald eagles.

There was a large tree to the left side of the road. And if you looked high up in that tree you would find a very large eagle’s nest. In that nest, around mid-March, you would see a stunning pair of Bald Eagles working on their nest. We always stopped across the road to marvel at (and photograph) the huge raptors so carefully placing sticks and grasses to make their nest a home for the coming months when they would have their young to look after. We watched them every year and I got to know the different eagles. This one had a brown spot on the top of it’s head, and that one seemed only to have one working eye. After the first 2 years, something went wrong. Every time their eggs were laid, one of the eagles disappeared and the remaining eagle would dutifully sit on the eggs until they could sit no longer - and the eggs did not last. Now every year, with every pair, a mate would disappear. It was heart-breaking to see the remaining eagle come back with a very young mate the next year. And the next year another one. I tried to explain the situation to the local DNR, but to no use. They were either incompetent or laughed because I was so young, I must not know what I was talking about! So it went on. No eaglets because there was never a mate to switch with. I will not say what I believe was the cause, for I never do point fingers. But the fact that it happened every year at the same time led to much suspicion.

But let me move on to happier thoughts. The times that the eagles were successful in raising their young was definitely a time to remember! To watch the eaglets go from a fuzzy white blur on the camera, to a huge almost golden raptor was the greatest experience ever! Before Jackson County, I lived in Richland County. There I also had a special eagle’s nest to watch every year. And now, in Monroe County and not far from my house, yet another pair of eagles are nesting. To me, birding is the most important hobby of all. Photography a close second. The two put together make the greatest hobby in the world.

And here I shall stop. I said I would take a few minutes and I have rambled on long enough. Once I discover as many wonders here in Monroe County I shall post like this again. But my mind has wandered as far back as I will allow it to for now. It is late and I am tired. Another big day and another big adventure await me!

~ Mara

~ Pekin Ducklings ~

Today we bought 6 Pekin Ducklings from our local Tractory Supply Co. :D

We also got Crockett moved onto the inside porch at night. Still not very comfortable with him being outside on his lead all night due to the large packs of coyotes. Oh yes, and the black bear.

As I said before, we are getting our assorted chicks sometime in early May and meat rabbits will arrive sometime in the month of June.

Stay tuned!

~ Mara

~ A Lovely Book Give-Away ~

Shining Stars Magazine is having a book giveaway!

The Basket of Flowers.

What Shining Stars has to say about it . . .

This book was written several hundred years ago, and some sources say that the author is Christoph von Schmid, while others say that the author is unknown! Either way, this is an excellent book!

~ Mara

~ Beauty in The Boonies ~

Here is an update on Our Cedar Cottage Farm . . .

We now have two compost bins. Dad did a great job. :D

Pallets put together with long zip ties.

Crockett is on his lead with his doghouse.
And seems quite content digging holes in the yard.

We will be getting chicks this month or next, meat rabbits will arrive in June and we are shopping around for dairy goats. Perhaps a dairy cow?

We have already started seeds in our grandparents' basement. Pictures will be posted as soon as I get some.

When we start harvesting the fruits of our labor, we will sell them at Tractor Supply's Farmer's Market.

Our Cedar Cottage Farm is growing. :)

~ Mara

~ Kittens and Spring Migration ~

I hate to have neglected my blog for so long. But now I finally have something to post about . . .

~ Cedar Cottage Kittens ~

You can read more about our Cedar Cottage Kittens here.

~ Spring Migrations ~

I think my favorite month must be March. I love seeing all of my feathered friends flying back home. And now that we live in the country I see and hear many more. So far I have only seen Sandhill Cranes, Canada Geese and a number of different ducks. But the Bald Eagles are nesting, the Pileated Woodpeckers are quacking their mating calls and the little passerines are twittering their way in and out of every shrub on the property.

I hope to have spring migration photos up soon!

~ Mara

~ Now Featuring - Earrings ~

On our Facebook page!

~ Mara

~ An Old-Fashioned Girl ~

An Old-Fashioned Girl is one of my very favorite books. And all through the story, I imagine myself as Polly, for I often feel like her. I love the cozy, old-fashioned ways, but I find myself wishing I could take one day and be "popular" like the other girls I know. But since reading this book, I try to remind myself to "be a Polly."

I highly recommend this book to all girls; whether they are struggling to be a Polly or not.


~ Mara

~ A Quick Update ~

The Cranberry Crane has new items for sale on their Facebook page!


~ Mara

~ A Trip to La Crosse ~

Yesterday I went with my grandparents, my mother and my baby brother to La Crosse for shopping. We found everything we needed and more. Sales are so nice! Among our purchases was an owl necklace. I love jewelry and I love owls - Thank you, Grandma!


After shopping and a stop at Gloria Jeans for some delicious Mocha Java coffee, we headed over to Olive Garden for a tasty dinner. Their food is so very good!

~ Mara

~ Another Birthday ~

Yesterday was my seventeenth birthday. Nothing spectacular - just a simple chocolate cake and a small party at my grandparents' house.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera and did not want to go down the muddy road to get it, so I have no pictures of the cake, though Grandpa may be able to send me some of the photos I took using his camera.

Among other wonderful gifts from loving family members, I received Chicken Poop. Ah... inside jokes. ;)

I also got some very neat rain/muck boots - I have been looking at them for quite a while.


And one of my favorite birthday presents --- I smell spring in the air! The snow is melting and the road is muddy. Grey C. The Cat is now outside and very happy about it. Crockett will be moved outdoors as soon as we have built his fenced-in area. He has to be fenced in because he thinks that small animals are food.

Yes. He still wants to eat the cat. I am starting to think he always will...

~ Mara

~ Now Featuring ~

Jewelry!

If you are interested, please visit our Cranberry Crane Facebook Page!

~ Mara

~ The Sweet Taste of Victory ~

To make a long story short: The Green Bay Packers won. :D

~ A Very Happy Mara

~ A Birthday ~

Yesterday was my sister's tenth birthday. Early in the afternoon I baked a layered chocolate cake, frosted with vanilla frosting. Afterward, I carefully placed each chocolate chip...

Sara loved it. I am so very glad. :)

Later on in the evening, we took the cake up the road to Grandpa and Grandma's house for her party.


Happy Birthday, Sara!

~ Mara

~ Nature Notes - Whooping Cranes ~

Whooping Crane
(Grus Americana)
Code 4: WHCR Code 6: GRUAME

Description: The tallest of all North American birds, the Whooping Crane stands at approximately 52”. Almost completely white, the Whooping Crane has a red and black crown and forehead, has black tips on the undersides of the wings, and black legs.

Coloration:
Eye: Dark olive in juvenile to yellow-white in adult.
Forehead: Red & Black.
Crown: Red & Black.
Nape: White.
Throat: Throat.
Upper Tail: White with black primary flight feathers.
Under Tail: White with black primary flight feathers.
Leg: Black.

Voice: Like that of a bugling or trumpeting sound and can be heard for several miles.

Mating & Courtship: Monogamous - Mates for life.

Nesting: Materials - Reeds, grasses and sod.
Number of Eggs - 1 - 3
Egg Description - Creamy olive color with brown markings.
Incubation - 29 - 35 Days
Incubated By - Both parents.

Feeding: Feeds mainly on insects, berries, snails and small fish.

Habitat: Freshwater marshes, swamps, ponds, flowages and cranberry bogs.

Range: From Northern Wisconsin in the Spring & Summer, to Florida in late Autumn & Winter.

Migration Habits: Migratory.

Conservation Status & Life Story: Endangered. However, the population is increasing.

Interesting Facts: Whooping Cranes are the tallest birds in North America. Males stand up to 5’ tall with a wingspan of up to 7.5’.

Related Species: Sandhill Crane - Common Crane - Great Blue Heron


~ Mara

~ A Few Projects ~

Lately I have been working on hats, purses and necklaces. I enjoy making them and hope to have a shop on Etsy in the near future. Here is a sneak peek . . .

I really enjoy using the Knifty Knitter looms to make hats. Here is one of the first I made . . .


A set of infant hats made with the smallest of the Knifty Knitter looms...


Here is one of my necklaces. This one reminds me of the Victorian Era. The colors are so soft . . .



Also . . .

The Cranberry Crane now has a Facebook page!

~ Mara