Have I mentioned (many times I suspect) how delightful Gladys Tabor is and especially this book! I save the chapters as they are something I look forward to and read very quickly. She wrote a lot of books and I need to read more of them even as I save this for my monthly "dips".
She seems to touch on a variety of topics, not necessarily nature-related but there is a lot of that, particularly in a month like March when the seasons are changing (and sometimes it feels like it is happening daily You can see above how she opens the chapter, but I rally liked this.
"This month brings a patchwork of weather. One day sleet laces down and fresh icicles hang from the old well house at Stillmeadow. The next day sparkles with sunshine. The house vibrates as the wind roars down the hills."
Oh, yes. One day was 70F last week and two days later raining with snow mixed in and a bitter cold wind. And yes, last week the worm moon made an appearance.
"The Indian name for the March moon was the full worm moon, which doesn't sound poetic but does suggest life stirring again in the earth. April rains bring the worms up toward the surface and without the worms the soil would not be friable."
So, as she says, bring on the worms! Interestingly, though, she shares a number of recipes. She segues into them by mentioning how at this time of year she goes through her pantry to check out her spices and herbs, chucking the ones that have lost their aroma and flavor. And then comes out the last of the winter veggies and pork chops and chicken. And she cooks and shares her recipes and they are pretty basic and whoever had this book before me found them to be useful. See second photo above! I wondered what all those marks were, and after reading the chapter and looking more closely I see someone found this book more than just entertaining. Note the paperclip and splatters of mystery juices . . .
I like the idea of other readers having enjoyed a book I am now enjoying, but this is the first time I have had such obvious evidence of it!
Ready for April!