~an old church near my family's old farmyard~

An incredibly strong, though warmish, east wind came up today. I fear for the property owners at Fishing Lake, where there is nothing to be done if the ice decides to come in their direction. If I'm correct, though, an east wind will blow the ice to the west shore of the lake, where I do not recall ever seeing any man-made structures at the edge of the water. So maybe it will turn out to be a good thing.

We drove home from Kelvington early last evening and I swear, the skies for as far as we could see, in every direction, were so full of flying geese that it was like being in the middle of multiple swarms of mosquitoes. Minus the stinging and slapping. It was incredible. I've told you before that we are on one of the world's major migratory-bird flight paths here in the Quill Lakes area, but this ... well, if there was any way I could have you all here to see this, you know I would. I just gaze upon the numbers of them with my jaw down at my knees.

Scott wondered if there are more here this year — not just Canada geese, but huge flocks of snow geese too, and on Sunday we passed a flock of sandhill cranes standing in the field next to the highway, and last week a flock of swans flew past us as we drove, and we saw a humungous flock of pelicans — because there is more unharvested grain laying around the fields than usual. Could be. But there are always lots of birds. What an amazing place to be.

Listening to the flocks of flying geese in the air, when I'm out walking, reminds me of Indians on the warpath, like they used to sound on those old Wild West movies.

Reply to Evian -- yes, there are real calves down here on the farm. About 60 of 'em, newborns, by the time they finish coming this spring. Real cowshit, too! By all means, swing by Wadena. Long time no see; a cup of coffee would be great.

Rosemary Sullivan also wrote a biography of Gwendolyn MacEwan, the Canadian poet. I've read that one, called Shadow Maker: The Life of Gwendolyn MacEwan, but not her other titles:

Cuba: Grace Under Pressure

Labyrinth of Desire: Women, Passion, and Romantic Obsession (I bet that's the one you're thinking of, and damn, it sounds like it's worth checking out)

Memory-Making: Selected Essays

The Red Shoes: Margaret Atwood Starting Out

By Heart: Elizabeth Smart—A Life

Also three books of poetry.

NP: Eliza Gilkyson

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