Earlier this winter the Earth Mother sent howling 40+ mph winds to Eighty Acres. Like a heavyweight boxer the wind punched and jabbed the house all night long, rattling the windows and making the chimes sing songs I had not heard before. The next day the trails were littered with small branches, two fallen trees and paper birch bark torn and laid back against the tree trunks. I think I will take the birch bark paper and write a note to the Earth Mother. "SOFTER WINDS PLEASE!"