I've said it before: I am not a fan of spectator sports of any kind. Yes, the Olympics -- for the winter sports, because I like watching people ski and skate. But the competitive angle only makes me nervous. And team sport? Really, if I never had to watch another game of any kind I'd be just fine. (I am much relieved that neither Snowdrop nor Sparrow or Primrose appear to be headed in the direction of competitive sports. I can't tell with 3 year old Juniper and I am a little worried that Sandpiper, if give the chance, would throw himself mightily into any athletic competition, but so far, I've not had to be a "soccer (or any sport) grandma." Still, when everyone around you gets into a high pitched frenzy about big time events such as the World Series or the Super Bowl, I'm aware of the tribal banding that takes place and I know most people around me are tracking, and betting on, and watching games that are taking place.
I am aware, for example, that this month often sports (ha ha) the moniker March Madness, because basketball championships (the NCAA Championships, and yes, I had to look that up!) will crown the tournament's victor ... well, in April, but we still call it March Madness.
The thing is, I feel the label is fitting for this March of 2025. We are in a mad tailspin of ... well, I don't know what. Chaos? Destruction? And it is mad.
Nonetheless, it is up to us all to survive this insanity so that eventually we can rebuild. And one way to survive it is to take a stand, yes of course, but, too, to keep on truckin'. With a constant reminder -- this meanness and tyranny is not the will of any majority. This is not who we are.
Now, together, let's remind ourselves of our better natures. and of the finer things in life.
And speaking of nature, here we are, first day of March and the temps swung downward! Way below freezing, all day long.
(nonetheless, the two robins came out to celebrate the eventual coming of spring)
But it is cold. And so I am greatly surprised when very early in the morning, Ed asks -- want to go to the winter farmers market?
Madison holds a weekly market at the old Garvers Feed Mill every winter Saturday morning, but we never go. Why? Because it's all about root vegetables and baked goods and meats and cheeses, with a few hoop veggies thrown in. We already get our bi-weekly supply of hoop veggies and carrots from our CSA farmers. We dont need more baked goods. We dont eat meats. Why go?
Well, because it's fun. And it's not often that Ed is inclined in the direction of an early morning market outing.'s
The Garver's Feed Mill was once a factory (indeed, the largest factory in Wisconsin), engaged in the production of sugar. In the early 1920s it switched to storing, selling and distributing animal feed. But these days, it looks like what you see above, or better yet, in the photo here .
At the market, we do pick up a few things. Blueberry walnut bread. Cheese curds. Salad greens. Happy moments, milling once again with family farmers, cheesemakers, bakers.
And of course, we are on the side of town that has Madison Sourdough. On our way home, we stop there for our week's supply of croissants.
I have one for breakfast. Which is very late!
In the afternoon, I read.
(on the couch, next to a sunning cat)
Do I have a suggested reading for you for today, this first day of March? I do. Much is being thrown at us right now about the Ukraine and Russia. One sentence summaries of a war that is aggressive, nonsensical and horribly destructive. I suppose being raised in postwar Poland, I'm not unbiased (against the then Soviet Union). However, this I also have -- a life long reading of "their side" of the story, initially because it was forced upon us, and then because Poland's fate remained intertwined with Russia's political ambitions. I tend to dismiss one sentence summaries and I'm always on the lookout for something that provides background and a more thoughtful explanation. I found it today in the New Yorker, in this article. It's very long, in the way that the New Yorker articles often are, but if you want to try to understand why Putin is so hell bent on destroying the Ukraine and why he has the support of so many Russians, you'll give it a read. And of course, you'll understand perhaps why our own two villains in the Oval Office haven't a clue about what is really at stake here.
Evening: unusual tonight because it is the night of Snowdrop's first performance as Hero in Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing. Hero (aka Snowdrop) is Count Claudio's love interest. A victim of nasty gossip, she almost loses the love of her life. She faints in dismay when he disparages her, but the truth prevails in the end and the two (along with bickering but in love cousin and her equally bickering but also in love bachelor) marry and dance toward a satisfying finale.
(you cant take photos during the performance of course, but this is the final dance and so I think I'm ok!)
Snowdrop is delightful.
Her love of Shakespeare is delightful. Her engagement with play writing and her social contacts with the drama kids are delightful. I have to think it's a phase (because it was for my daughters as well), but it surely is a smile-inducing one for us all.
The Young Shakespeare Players put on the full play, all four hours of it, and Sparrow lasted all the way til the very late ending, so I think he deserves to be included in a photo!
Such a wonderful beginning to the month that will eventually bring us full blown spring!
with love...
