Sand County Almanac
I was recently quite ill and unable to sleep for much of the night, several nights in a row. Thankfully, my family was with me and helped me through those sleepless hours. How do you pass sleepless and boring hours? TV? No way, not me. The only activity that could soothe me was being read aloud to. I had a stash of good books I had been saving for a “rainy day” or other reading emergencies, of which included Aldo Leopold’s Sand County Almanac. This is a book I have read through parts of and have had conversations about with friends and family. I had long been wanting to read it from beginning to end and planned to do so on an upcoming camping trip.
My time to read it, or rather listen to it, came sooner than I thought. At about the time I was supposed to be falling asleep, I asked my husband to read aloud from Sand County Almanac. Sand County Almanac. Little did I know how much I would cherish those words and how I was transported out of my illness into the peaceful and natural world of Leopold’s Sand County in the bucolic state of Wisconsin over 60 years ago. Hearing both my husband’s soothing voice as well as the beauty of the story, put me into a mesmerized and relaxed state. I was almost like a child again, feeling as absorbed by the story as my old Frog and Toad days.
In this natural history depiction of Aldo Leopold’s farm, the reader experiences nature through the seasons from winter, spring, summer, fall and the return of winter. In these essays, the sense of connection is so visceral, so palpable. You don’t have to squint to imagine the natural connections, it’s all so visible in Leopold’s writing. From the blackberries, to the wetlands, to the flora and fauna that graces the Leopold farm, there is the very real biological vein of life ever present.
Leopold’s story is one that resonates across time and history as well as for all ages. This is easily something to read aloud or silently, but definitely one to share with loved ones.
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April 26, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Linda Bell
Next pilgrimage to Wisconsin? Spending your recovery with Aldo Leopold is almost worth the trauma — you’ll never forget it because of the circumstances of its loving delivery. Didn’t I suggest getting a copy for the library way back when…? You know Rick Knight is a fellow in the Aldo Leopold Society of whatever it is called and has fought for preservation of his farm and home. One of the Leopold grandsons became one of his grad students and Leopold’s writings greatly influenced who Rick has become as a conservationist and teacher. Luckily, we are the benefactors in both real time here in Colorado and in general nationwide of Leopold’s wisdom. Now go find a pasque flower! Hugs. Linda
April 26, 2010 at 9:15 pm
greycatblog
Linda – You are so right – Sand County Almanac spoke right to my soul and made me forget my pain while focusing on the rhythm of nature and seasons as told by the ever-observant Leopold. I couldn’t have asked for a better story during my healing time. We do have a copy at the Library – a beautiful illustrated hard copy that was donated by a woman’s group in town. Ben also read aloud to me from Stan Case’s The Poudre. Now we’re on a quest for all NoCO history. We have been embarking on historical hikes based on descriptions from The Poudre – a great way to make history come alive! And yes, a WI pilgrimage is one of our future travel destinations. Find yourself a pasque flower or two and listen for the hummers as they have returned up to 7500 feet!