Joan Donaldson

Silver barked peach trees crown many of the lakeshore’s hills. In the spring, their blossoms create a gossamer pink cloud while in the summer, their leaves droop like mustaches, hiding the ripening peaches. During the late nineteenth century, peach orchards generated thousands of dollars for Michigan farmers who sent their harvests to Chicago, Milwaukee, and beyond.

The month of January frees most farmers from field work, and if the snow is deep enough, even my husband, John and I stop pruning our blueberry bushes. Some farmers plow snow for extra cash, but traditionally, others head to their woods for a winter paycheck.