Sometimes the most impressive lives bear unspeakable sorrow but the story is told with a glow of perseverance, or simply never told at all. — Margaret Allenwood, 1902 Part II (See Part I) Anna Chloe spent her life with a steely determination to accomplish farm and house work. Her somber presence stood in stark [...]
“She would gather the eggs in her apron, studying each one, deciding whether this one was a keeper egg or one she would take to town to sell for pennies. Her husband, fortunately, was blessed with the patience of Job, remaining quiet as his wife pinched a nickel until it turned in to a dime.” [...]
When the calendar turns to May, every farmer I know comes down with the fever to turn wheels and kick it in to high gear. Spring weather One day last week, I had the good fortune to enjoy lunch with several farmers I’ve known all my life. It was a gloomy, rainy day with such [...]
By JUDITH SUTHERLAND Farm and Dairy columnist With the birth of a beautiful Haflinger colt, the farm is coming alive again. This sturdy little fellow arrived on his own time, though Doug had been staying close to the mare in case assistance might be needed. He came in the house to eat a quick [...]
BY JUDITH SUTHERLAND Farm and Dairy columnist Celebrating a birthday in the church of our childhood included a simple but memorable tradition. Sitting on a post near the altar was a little white church that looked like a perfect replica of the one in which we gathered. On the Sunday closest to a child’s [...]
In a world in which role models are sorely needed, this farm girl from Fresno, Ohio, stands impressive and tall.
“Farmers. You have to love them to like them. You have to live among them to understand them, and even then you can’t be sure. Even now when I see Dick and Carr out in the yard talking earnestly and Carr picking up some stick to whittle, I expect to learn that someone’s wife has [...]
“A wise gamester ought to take the dice even as they fall and pay down quietly, rather than grumble at his luck.” — Sophocles, 403 B.C. You’ve heard of beginner’s luck and dumb luck, but are you familiar with farmer’s luck? It falls somewhere in between the other two. Farmer’s luck ought to be defined [...]
I have often thought that some of the best stories are the ones that are never told. There are likely many such tales in each one of our family histories, and knowing this makes me wish I could interview the so-called average Joe and spend each day writing someone’s life story. Stories I was thrilled [...]
“We need another and a wiser and perhaps more mystical concept of animals. In a world older and more complete than ours they moved, finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the sense we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they [...]
