Scratching The Woodchuck
We have been reading a delightful book at lunch time as a family. Scratching the Woodchuck: Nature on an Amish Farm is a collection of short essays about a life lived closely with creation. David Kline has the ability to take you right to the very place he is writing about. We read yesterday of a time when they found a tuffted titmouse getting fur for her nest lining. She was pulling the fur out of sleeping ratcoon’s rump! Klines observations of his suroundings are most pleasent to read. The essays are very short but packed full of the wonders of God’s creation and the thoughts of a simple christian farmer as he ponders those wonders. The book is on sale now, and I recomend it as good family book to read next to the woodfire while you wait for spring.
February 11th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
This is indeed a wonderful book! It’s actually the second one he wrote, the first is called “Great Possessions: An Amish Farmers Journal.” Also excellent. The essays are a bit longer in that one. And if you like those, chances are you’ll probably love “Farming” magazine (http://www.farmingmagazine.net), which is published by “The Friends of the Agrarians” — David Kline and some of his friends and family. The subtitle is “People, Land, Community.” Articles by Gene Logsdon, Wendell Berry, and many more. Nourishing for the heart and soul, as well as the mind!
February 12th, 2007 at 5:38 am
Hi Tom
Yes I have read “Farming” magazine, and it is one of the best out there. My only complaint is that it only comes out quarterly, I’ll love to be able to read it every month! Thanks for stopping by, I read your bird flu article, very nice.
September 21st, 2008 at 11:37 am
I have read, “Scratching the Woodchuck” and “Great Possessions” by Mr. Kline and absolutely loved both of them. Mr. Kline is a brilliant Naturalist who writes with the sharpness and clarity of an Eagle’s vision. Bravo Mr. Kline! Thank you for both of these books! Mark J. Beckert, Oldwick Clock Co.