Celebrating Dairy Life

by Marina

Jersey calf picture from flickr

I’ll admit it. I’m one of those people that’s swayed by a pretty face. Especially when there are big brown eyes involved. Every year I take a trip to the Evergreen State Fair, step foot in the dairy barn and "ooohhh" and "awwwww" over all the pretty babies (and their moms).

Not that I want you to think that I was randomly thinking of cows (although, sometimes . . . uh, well), there is a reason for my sharing. Besides the fact that it gives me the excuse to post a random cute calf photo. June is National Dairy Month! And I’ve put together a booklist of several books I’ve read (or intend to read) that pertain to life on a dairy farm or various guides for owning and running a small scale dairy herd (cows or goats) and what to do with what they produce--milk! I’ve also thrown in a few fiction titles that showcase life on a dairy farm (for better or for worse).

The Armchair Birder

Everyone is familiar with the term “armchair traveler”.  Well, I confess to being something of an armchair birder.  Despite my pleasure in observing the birds drawn into my garden by various tantalizing feeders, cozy bird cottages, strategically placed water basins and a myriad of tempting flowers, what I often crave is immersing myself in a book, reading a great story about someone’s personal relationship with birds.  Here are a few reading selections that may bring out your inner armchair birder: