The Mill

Wolcott Mill - 9am Saturday - We have stepped back in time and find it refreshing. My daughter and I arrive a bit early and enjoy our time together. The rest of the Brownie Scouts will be here soon, and everyone will earn a try-it badge called Movers.

Mill, oh mill upon the hill,
you turn your wheel by weather's will.

Miller, grind the grain to be
flour and bread for you and me.

We sing this kindergarten song as we step towards adventure. We have half an hour to explore the grounds. The morning air smells so appealing. A chorus of spring peepers welcomes us. Off we go!



Pussy Willows

The trail along a fast moving river...


...gradually turns, to follow not-so-fast water.


Vivian makes an important discovery: a raccoon mom and her little ones have already been here for breakfast.

Perhaps the little raccoons learned to fish today by watching their mother.



Skunk Cabbage, named for its smell.

Spring Beauties

A tiny Trout Lily seems to yawn and stretch and welcome the morning sun.

Dutchman's Britches make us think it's laundry day for the fairies!



Marsh Marigold

Mayapples, sometimes called mouse umbrellas


Two wet dogs having a grand time in the water, later jump on us with muddy paws!





Next Week....

Crop Report

Everyone is excited as we approach May 1st. The children and their families are anticipating the annual May Day Festival, and besides that, our Farmyard Blanket Knitters are preparing for the Square Swap on Friday morning. Twelve knitters will exchange fields with one another, each one receiving a dozen assorted designs. Congratulations to those who have completed their squares on schedule! It has been one full year since we began this amazing group project, inspired by an article in Living Crafts magazine. (see link)

The remaining twelve knitters are planning to exchange at the end of May. Congratulations to all of you for your determination and hard work. Being a part of this group has been wonderful, and I am grateful for the experience. Thank you one and all!

Did I mention how monumental this project is? One year ago, the sign up sheet was posted and quickly filled up with names. Twenty four knitters joined forces in this creative endeavor. Our goal was not only to knit beautiful farmyard blankets for our families and classrooms, but to raise money for the school as well. We purchased yarn and eagerly cast on our first stitches before the school year was out. It seems like yesterday that we joined our hearts and hands....

AN INSPIRING DAY AT THE FARM

The weather this weekend is absolutely perfect for being outside. My daughter and I spend a lovely Saturday afternoon at Wolcott Farm. The skies are blue and the breeze cools our hot faces. A few barn cats lounge in the straw of the cow barn. Don't bother to get up, we know our way to the door.

Quiet, gentle calves in the nursery barn; a cool place for an afternoon nap.

Curtis - what a character - the billy goat of the barnyard, and father of all the kids this year.

What adorable kids. They relax, romp around, and bleat happily in the sunshine. A volunteer picks up the littlest one, and the children gather around to pet her surprisingly soft fur.

This mom is raising four kids without supplementary bottle feeding; a rare and unusual feat for a nanny goat. Everyone at the farm is pleased to watch them nurse, thrive, and grow. As Grampa Beebe once said, "Them sucky smacky sounds is purtier than a whole flock o' meadowlarks!" from Stormy, Misty's Foal by Marguerite Henry. My city ears couldn't agree more.

This little horse shares a yard with Curtis, and they are very close in size. He rolls on his back, scratching his shaggy coat and covering himself with bits of dry grass. A donkey looks on, and then decides to do the same. What fun!

This little chestnut horse nibbles grass without stopping to look at us. He reaches into the next yard where the grass grows taller and greener. Vivian finally coaxes him over so she can pat his warm shaggy side.

A dozen or so sleeping piglets, and their lovely mother, from the Farm at Kensington Metropark. Three cheers for hardworking moms! Mother's Day is just around the corner.



Next week's outing...the Wolcott Mill

Earth Day

Baby seedlings wrapped up tight,
in their cosy nest of night.
Gently, gently will they wake,
with a little Springtime shake.
Lady Spring, Lady Spring, widely loving everything.


The gnomes will tug each little root,
and green will grow each little shoot,
And as their lovely leaves unfold,
they put on flower caps of gold.
Lady Spring, Lady Spring, widely loving everything.


O, Spring it is a shining shower,
of bud and shoot and leaf and flower,
Unfolding daily one by one,
their rainbow treasures to the sun.
Lady Spring, Lady Spring, widely loving everything.

The poem, and the ones to follow, are from “Spring; a Collection of Poems, Songs and Stories for Children” by Wynstones Press (see link above)

Springtime showers, Springtime rain,
Wash the leaves all clean again.
The silver raindrops patter upon the earth today.
Oh little flowers awaken and open wide your door,

Springtime showers, Springtime rain,
Wash the leaves all clean again.
Tip, tap, their knock is gentle and this is what they say:
Come out in pretty dresses for Spring is here once more.


Come with me, Oh, come and see!
There are blossoms now on the beechnut tree,
And though the oak tree is dark and bare,
a pair of robins are nesting there:

And any minute the willows lean
Will burst out in leaf -
Their tips are green,
So come along, Oh, come with me -
it's Spring again,
And there's lots to see.


Little Snail, Little Snail,
on the rock you leave a trail.
Carry your house upon your back
it takes so long to get there and back.
But even though you’re not very fast,
you’re happy the Spring has come at last!

Snail loves the rain, and loves his home, and looks on life with quiet eyes.

Our pet snail loves to tidy up the tank she shares with a freshwater clam. And she's not the only one tidying up! OSS Families are getting ready for the first annual Garage Sale next month.

Scenes from Nature

We came across this beautiful scene at our metro park this weekend. A father swan wades in the cold water under a willow tree, while his wife nests nearby in the cattails. How inspiring!

Our talented Handwork Group at Oakland Steiner School recreates this scene in wool. Yvonne needlefelted the tree, and Kathleen sewed the swan. Thanks to Jaime for photographing the vignette. What a lovely way to bring the outdoors inside!

Here is more to inspire you...



When I put together my first nature table, I consulted a book to find out what color cloth I was supposed to use. A teacher advised me to take a look outdoors and to bring those colors in. I think of that every time I change the scenery at school and at home. I go for a walk to see and feel the gradual change of seasons. I take little snapshots in my head, or sometimes capture details with a camera. I always find something wonderful out there, and try to express it on the nature table indoors.


Needless to say, the seasons can be tricky in Michigan; grey skies and freezing rain one moment, sunshine and cloudless blue skies the next. In general, I do four seasons and four transitions each year, for a total of eight nature table displays. Some people like to change their nature table each month, and this can be a fun activity for the whole family to share. Children love to be in charge of the task for their birthday month!

Today, a chorus of spring peepers fills the air. I share their joy!

The Great Horned Owls are back. Every year, the pair returns to Metro Beach to start a family. Here is Mama Owl, sitting in her washtub high in the trees with ear tufts blowing in the wind. The original nest, built by squirrels and borrowed by the owls, was blown down by high winds. The naturalists replaced the nest with this sturdy bucket, complete with drainage holes and brown paint. They managed to save the owlets, who fledged several weeks later. Come have a look this year and bring the whole family. Its marker #9 on the trail. This year's owlet/s may be showing fluffy white feathers by Earth Day, April 22nd.

See great horned owls up close and hear their calls at http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Bubo&species=virginianus