Keepers of the Land-Book Review

                                                  Keepers of the Land-Book Review

My grandkids gave me a copy of this book for a birthday gift this year. They know me too well.

Keepers of the Land is written by Carl Hiebert & Deb Cripps. The sub title of the book is A Celebration of Canadian Farmers. Published locally in 2007 by Gifts of Wings Publishing, Linwood, Ontario.

Inside the front cover is an animated map of Canada with farm related drawings, scattered from the east coast to the west coast.  Written on the front flap is," If you farm, you'll love this book. If you eat, you will be amazed by this book. If you care about the future, you must read this book."

The 168 pages of the book contain stunning photos of farms and farm families all across Canada. A short story about each farm accompanies the photos. Hiebert and Cripps begin their journey with Story #1  in Barriere, BC. The final story Cows and Quota, comes from Vermilion Bay, Ontario.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will display it proudly on my book shelf.

Thank you to Xaiden and Aria (my grandkids) for allowing me to enjoy Canadian farming across this vast country  I call home.

The Brink

My passion seems odd
Bank barns get my nod

A camera's swift click
Seems to do the trick

A perfect shot,  I think
Brings me to the brink

The thrill of the find
History on my mind

What happened?

What happened to the days when everyone knew the words to Old McDonald Had
A Farm? Children learned the names of all farm animals and what noises they made.
The days when milk came fresh from a cow and eggs were gathered  every morning.
 There was pride in meals, where everything on the table was produced on the farm.
Shop local wasn't a trend, it was the norm. Foodstuffs from other countries were
rare and a treat on special occasions.

Then things changed drastically. Children were taught that milk and eggs came from
 the grocery store. Most had never seen a cow or a chicken. A few learned that brown
cows gave chocolate milk and brown eggs were healthier than white eggs. Imported
foods came to grocery stores cheaper than locally grown or raised.

A revival has been seen in shopping locally. Education of non farm children and adults
 on where their food comes from, is on the rise. Consumers want to know where the
 food they are buying is grown or raised. Demand for  more locally grown products
is now the trend.

Will the trend continue? I hope its not a trend and shop local becomes the norm again.
Where neighbours support each other and people take pride in what they do.

Canada Day Eh!

I AM SO PROUD TO BE A CANADIAN! I AM SO PROUD TO BE A CANADIAN! IAM SO


Today is Canada Day and Canada is 147 years old. A local radio station has posted 147 reasons to like Canada. My photo shows a few of the reasons why I LOVE CANADA! There are so many, many, many more. I have so much to be thankful for living in this GREAT COUNTRY that I call HOME. Not just today but every day BE PROUD to be CANADIAN.

Tree Hide Away

With the beautiful spring weather outside, I have taken the opportunity to get back on my
 bicycle. Farther and faster into new territory, are the goals I have set until the snow flies
 again.

This hollowed out tree, I believe, was at one time, home to some of God's creatures. Now
 it is a place where teens can sneak out of the house, away from Mom and Dad and have
 their own little  fire. I'm sure other things are happening in the base of the tree but I see
 no evidence of it.

The rotting of the tree at the base caught my eye last year. As I approached the cave I
was cautious, expecting an animal of some sort to jump out at me. Thank goodness none
 did and I can enjoy the beauty carved out of this tree.

Bicycle riding, not only provides an opportunity to see new sites, it also provides exercise
 and fresh air. Oil up your chains, pump up your tires and escape into the great outdoors.
 Don't forget your camera!

Final Rays

                                                        Final Rays


The setting sun casts its final rays of the day across the barn's face. A glorious spring
day, finished. Darkness, slowly creeps across the landscape.  Evening, a time for
 rest and reflection. Rejuvenation for the day next. Hope for days to follow.

Passion

                                                            

As spring nears I get restless and my hands itch. The garden calls me to come and plant. Manure
 spread on the land, announces spring is in the air. The smell clears my lungs. Fresh cultivated
 soil smells, tickle my nose.  The rumble of tires from large farm equipment on asphalt,
 catches my attention. I wave to a neighbour.

My son works full-time at an off farm job. After hours he's a cash crop farmer. Spring came
 late for farmers this year. The push is on to get the land ready for seeding.

Knowing my son will put meals at the bottom of the "to do" list, I offer to bring him supper.
He's working local so I'm able to connect with him. Spreading manure is not the most glamorous job in farming, but I'll take any time I can spend with him.  (Really, I want to be in his position...
.a farmer). 

From the buddy seat of the tractor and the landing outside the cab, I watch my son load manure
into the spreader. The passion I see in his eyes for farming overwhelms me. Inside I'm bursting
 with pride.