Wisconsin, Land-o'-Snow

This December we traveled to Wisconsin to visit family. Why else would we be traveling to Wisconsin in December? Like last year, they are getting dumped with snow, which is very pretty, except for having to plan your driving for the pauses between storms.

One highlight of the trip was our time in Algoma, just south of Door County, where my sister- and brother-in-law, Claire and Mario, have a farm they are managing organically. (Visit ClarioFarms.com for a tour.)

Their latest crop: a baby!

Meet Nina Helene Micheli, ten days old:



















(Click on any image for a magnified view.)


The temperature was in the single digits, and the 40-mph-wind gusts were fierce, but we still managed to walk the property once or twice.




























The cows were willing to venture from the barn now and then. The cattle are being raised for meat, so no milking is involved. Claire and Mario also raised a few lambs last year.
















The chickens are still laying eggs. Of course the rooster takes all the credit.



















It's a pretty area. Nina will be lucky to grow up there. She's already got a farmer's sense of timing -- the clever baby knew to be born during the slow season. Not many veggies to be harvested in winter!













































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Chinese Brush Painting

I have been learning Chinese brush painting, which has brought me a lot of joy. This year I decided to make holiday cards out of small paintings. Here are a few of them.

[Click on any image for a magnified view.]

Wild Orchid. This is a traditional summer subject, but I used it for the holiday cards because I like the simplicity of the traditional composition.




























Dragonflies. Often a subject conveying summer, but it also conveys the Buddhist sense of the ephemeral nature of life. Mostly, I just like the strokes used to paint them.





































Plum Blossoms. This is a traditional winter subject. Apparently plum trees often bloom during winter, amid the snow.





























These will all be sent out to friends and family, so soon I won't have them anymore. Goodbye, little paintings, may you spread joy as you travel.


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