I was totally lost: a farmer/botanist in a marine biology department teaching the winter semester course in environmental science. 8:30 AM Monday and Wednesday. No one wanted to teach in that time slot. Not in mid-winter. And nobody wanted to take a course at that time. But the class filled, as it was a required course for international studies majors. And so, early Monday morning, the students shuffled into class, wanting to be back in bed, not ready for the world of cold classrooms, too-bright lights, and hard chairs.

1986. I became a farmer by accident because a delivery truck broke down.

For years, I have been sending out a winter solstice story. It changes a bit over time, perhaps reflecting my ageing and the times we are living in. But the sentiment is the same.

For thirty-five years I have lived with chickens….