What a trip to the country is all about!
Apples are our speciality, but we also offer a wide variety of preserves, honey, baking mixes, and delicious condiments as well all our fresh, from scratch, homemade baked goods. Cozy up to a warm apple dumpling la mode near our fireplace.
For the HOLIDAYS:
Quality fresh Christmas trees Apples shipped anywhere in USA Unique gifts and holiday decor Customized fruit and gift baskets Special order Holiday baked goods
Visit our fudge shop and ice cream parlor for a tasty treat. Browse the country store’ s selection of jams, honey, and gift items.
Open Daily 9 am to 6 pm thru Dec. 23
317-878-9317
www. apple-works. com
NOVEMBER CHANGES continued from 44
Despite the obvious drawbacks, I’ ve always maintained that winter is a time to enjoy. Nature study and learning from observations doesn’ t terminate at the end of the warm season any more than it stops at nightfall. Nature is“ 24 / 7.” To that I add“ 365.”
Those who prepare and pursue nature to learn are rewarded, often surprised. We investigate a nest or seed, burrow, dried flower, brush pile, or deer trail, and delve deeper. It’ s a great learning experience, no matter time of year or day. We pry and see more. We snoop and likely come away with more questions. And for those unplanned and lucky sightings, we feel fortunate to be at the right place at the right time. Like a hunter in a tree stand, we’ re primed. Curiosity needn’ t be lethal, even to felines.
Fall and winter catalogs clog the mailbox and exhibit this year’ s outdoor fashions. We put them to good use as we order a new hat or parka when there is talk of a bad winter. But weather predictions are always suspect and unreliable.
In 2013 the experts predicted an“ unusually wet summer,” but it was the driest on record. Summer was very wet this year. Fluctuations in available water cause stress to the trees— too much water is almost as bad as too little.
With cold weather now upon us, I am reminded it’ s best to always have extra clothes, food and fuel handy. I plan to take advantage of the winter. Before ice-up, I want to be out in the kayak when it snows and put to use a new fishing rod.
John Burroughs said it best:“ The naturalist is one of the luckiest persons in the world. Winter or summer, rain or shine, walking or riding, his pleasures are near at hand. The great book of nature is open before him, and he has only to turn its leaves.” •
SUMMER SKY continued from 25
photographs to remind your eyes of your visit but I recommend any or all of Slats Klug’ s Brown County CDs as a souvenir for your ears.
Slats’ new album“ Summer Sky,” and many if not all of the others, can be found at various locations around the county such as: Weed Patch Music, The Brown County Antique Mall, Chateau Thomas Winery, Muddy Boots Café, Landlocked Music in Bloomington. You can sample the CD on his website < slatsklug. com > and order it from him through his e-mail < slatsklug @ hotmail. com >. •
46 Our Brown County • Nov./ Dec. 2014