558. Great Possessions. David Kline-Summary

558.  Great Possessions.  David Kline.  This Amish man explodes the view that the Amish are ignorant.  He and his family are very impressive naturalists who have a valuable contribution to make with their perspective on humans place in the world.  He draws the reader into his world in different ways.  His descriptive powers are full of charm and they linger too.  The following are examples:  As Jack ( this is a wild flower), in early May, stands in his pulpit beneath a green and purple striped sheath, there’s often a choir of scarlet tanagers and vireos overhead.  Here is another:  It has been said that the gentle bluebird carries the blue of heaven on his back and the rich brown of freshly turned earth on his breast.  Just one more:  Entering the woods, I soon found an old log to sit on.  Resting and watching I could feel the rhythm of the season (Autumn).  The trees were alive with migrating yellow rumped warblers and our resident birds who were busily feeding.  The birds also seemed to be enjoying the splendid day.  There is another way he draws the reader into his world.  He discusses Nature in such a way to reveal how fascinating the world is.  Katydids rub their wings to make music.  One edge is the scraper, the other edge is the file.  At the base of the wings there is an amplifier made of chitin.  This is the same material out of which the exoskeleton is made.  This material is stronger than a comparable thickness of steel.  Thus the katydid can be heard up to one half mile away.  Since I just mentioned an insect, David teaches us that we need the birds for beauty and to help keep a balance in nature.  But  the birds need each other.  The Great Horned Owl makes its nest in old red tailed hawk nests.  The birds even need us.  The Barn Owl finds barns a fine place to set up home to raise their family.  Bluebirds depend on us for nesting boxes.  David also has facts which are just plain interesting.  Columbus may have discovered the Americas because he and his crew smelled sassafras.  Bats can hear a fly cleaning its wings.  The Arctic Tern migrates from the Arctic to Antarctica.  He uses these interesting facts and beautiful descriptions to make another point.  One which is sorely needed in these times.  Man’s place is not to stray out of nature but to be part of it, to revel in it and be a quality steward of Nature.  He points out the the Barn Owl population is down.  He has not the explanation of a biologist or research scientist but that of a farmer.  His view should be taken very seriously.  The state purchased farm land and preserved barns and put Barn Owl nesting boxes in them.  As time passed, the fields which were once plowed and crops harvested, turned to brush and forest.  As a result the hunting areas for Barn Owls dwindled and they left.  To David Kline man is part of Nature.  One day David was splitting an white ash (his favorite wood) for winter heat.  Part of the tree happened to be hollow.  He split a log and he exposed a hive of carpenter ants and their eggs.  David sat down to take a break and watch the world around him.  Soon a chickadee came and took an egg.  Not long after that several came and eagerly attacked the eggs.  He was part of the meal that the chickadees enjoyed and he also derived pleasure from the whole.  Nature and humans are not separate but inextricably enter twined.  David praises the beauty of God’s creation, encourages us to protect this beauty by being in it and part of it. Humans are part of nature.