One of my favourite places on the entire homestead is in my forest. I've cleaned it up over the years, added a trail, and made a clearing for a future cabin. It took hard work. But it's been some of the most pleasurable work I can think of. Having a small woodlot is a very … Continue reading Managing a Woodlot
Tag: nature
Go: Build New Traditions
By Aeron Nicholas Photo by Annie Spratt Generally speaking, the land has its own traditions and customs. All of us who return to the land discover in our own time the nature of such traditions. Before this discovery can take place we must examine closely the traditions of the culture that shapes us. The secular … Continue reading Go: Build New Traditions
Aldo
By Aeron Nicholas I've always wanted to read the work of Aldo Leopold, particularly his poetic assortment of ecological writing compiled in A Sand County Almanac (1949). His words are so moving and perceptive—spiritual really. The whole idea of a "land ethic," and conservation in general as we (mis)understand it today could be traced back … Continue reading Aldo
Go: Build Bravery
The first instalment of this short essay series addressed what I dubbed Inner Community. Reading it back I realize I may have bitten off more than I can chew. Nevertheless, that big bite is the very mentality it takes to start a new life as a rusticator. Which leads me to take an important stopover … Continue reading Go: Build Bravery
A Look into ‘Gladenook’
In my previous post I shared that my family and I live on a plateau amid the St. John River Valley, known as Dawnland to the Maliseet people of the region. I said you'd find the nuts and bolts of our homestead in this post, so here it is. On one hectare of field and … Continue reading A Look into ‘Gladenook’
Nooks and Crannies
Buffered by a young wreath of poplar, silver birch, spruce, and dogwood, my family and I built a home on one hectare of field and woodland in the crook of a meadow. It's sort of like a nook, in fact. And we consider it a glade too. Farmers used to work the soil on this … Continue reading Nooks and Crannies
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