The day is bright and pleasantly comfortable at 9 degrees above zero.   The sound of a woodpecker breaks the silent morning pecking for over-wintering pests.  January has come and gone and our nursery stock is ordered along with seeds for the various gardens.  January was a time to read and plan for spring which before long will break out from under our Midwestern blanket of snow.  Plans are laid out for the expansion of our shelter belt incorporating a number of new species of trees to encourage diversity and rectify the future demise of our beautiful ash trees to the emerald ash borer.   The orchard lies asleep for just a little longer.