The title of Scratching the Woodchuck comes from an encounter Kline had one summery day near his farm. As he was out walking, he came upon a woodchuck sleeping at the base of an oak tree. In a gesture that speaks eloquently of Kline's relationship with the natural world, he reached over and scratched the animal with his walking stick. Rather than being startled, the sleeping creature arched its back with pleasure at the attention. Kline's writings ring with reverence, knowledge, and a joyful spirit, and to accompany him as he explores the fields, creeks, and woods around his farm is to share his connection with the earth. In both his writing and his work, he embodies a love of nature and a unity with our fellow creatures while offering a testimony to sustainable farming and living as a true steward of the land.