A Sand County Almanac

The New Year started off cold and snowy with temperatures in the single digits. Two days later all the snow had melted and we were enjoying sunny days in the 60’s. Now only a week later we are back to a snowy afternoon.

No matter the weather this time of year after January 1st. my thoughts begin to turn to spring. One of my favorite books to read and re-read is Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac. Leopold follows the year, starting in January, in a journal type fashion as he works in his spare time to convert an old worn-out Wisconsin farm to a weekend retreat for his family. A place where he can enjoy the seasons of nature and indulge in his curiosity in ecology and biology.

Recently I inherited part of my family’s original homestead. It also is a worn out old farm. So it is with anticipation and delight that I recently dug out my battered copy of A Sand County Almanac. I’ll reread it once again, this year I hope to add to the fun as I keep a journal of my own journey back to the Ozarks and the restoration of a place that was the scene of some of my best childhood memories.