Fainting goat shares her life story
(Editor’s note: With a busy season and remodeling projects under way, guest columnist and fainting goat Ms. O’Malley is taking a turn filling in...
A real worker finds something to do
The undercooked thought and overbaked talk that endlessly paralyzes Washington would not have gone far on the southern Illinois dairy farm of my youth before someone, boss or hired hand alike, would have condemned the yak and urged all to "get to work."
Cicada killers are vampires of the insect world
On hot summer days, the pulsing drone of dog day cicadas reminds us that outside temperatures flirt with 90 degrees. It's also fair warning to be on the lookout for a monstrous insect, the cicada killer.
Count your blessings in disguise
Life is not the way it's supposed to be, it's the way it is. The way we cope with it is what makes the...
How the 1940 Nash slipped through my hands
As most of you don't remember, my birthday falls early in August and I always wax a little nostalgic around this time. For a number of years, I've had a low grade itch to own an old car or truck, but hate to spend the money that people want for most of them.
Disappointing grain trading and confusion before the report
Since the direction of the market for the remainder of the crop year depends mostly upon the size of the crops, the Aug. 11 USDA Crop Production Report is a big deal.
You want economic stability in your town? Think farms, small businesses
It will take new ways of thinking to climb out of this current jobless hole. We should foster entrepreneurship, incentivize innovation, encourage education, and reward small businesses and the self-employed.
Count your blessings in disguise
Life is not the way it's supposed to be, it's the way it is. The way we cope with it is what makes the...
Part III Looking back offers perspective
“We are each feeling quite alone and low now. For what is a home without a mother?”
— Alexander Smalley, 1894Part IIIThe next best...
Ask FSA Andy by FSA Andy: What is a disaster?
Hello Again!What would you classify as a ‘disaster’? I guess the answer to this would depend on who you asked and the timing of...