There is nothing more joyful than laughter and conversation wrapped around a hearty meal with friends.

My grandmother once told me that my generation had no idea what real housework consisted of, especially when it came to wash day. She was always appalled when young people had the nerve to complain about how much laundry they had to do, saying, “If they had to work at it like we did, they [...]

By JUDITH SUTHERLAND Farm and Dairy columnist Hoping for a little Irish luck, all I am asking is to replace the mud with a whole lot of green. Bring on the sunshine and balmy breezes! One day recently, after having had winter weather storm warnings with a flood warning thrown in on top of it, [...]

“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.” — Gilda Radner By JUDITH SUTHERLAND Farm and Dairy columnist Each day on this farm is a new gift, the best of which is enjoying my cast of characters — my dogs. My [...]

I wish I had a nickle for every time I have been asked, “how do you find something to write about every single week?” The only answer I know to give is that writing has never seemed like a chore to me. I don’t feel the enormity of it that others seem to see. I [...]

Have you noticed a trend in the American work force? It seems that everyone I talk to is either being worked to death with no time to enjoy life and family, or they have no work at all and have the constant worry of trying to hold it all together. Conversation I struck up an [...]

You know you are getting old when snow no longer holds one single bit of appeal. I think of all the times I hoped for snow — heck, even prayed for snow. We wanted enough snow to create an incredible winter wonderland. It wasn’t like getting off of school meant lying around for part of [...]

“The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It’s the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for its existence against the winds and rains and scorching sun.” –Napoleon Hill By JUDITH SUTHERLAND Farm and Dairy Columnist [...]

“I was shaken awake by a nasty wind this morning. As I headed out to the barn to begin my chores, I saw that a nice little fall of snow had created a flattering prospect for sleighing.“ – Alexander Smalley, entry in diary, January, 1868 By JUDITH SUTHERLAND Farm and Dairy columnist I have often [...]

“I’d passed the teacher test. I was being offered the job of an itinerant replacement teacher in northern Arizona. The school that was expecting me was in Red Lake, Arizona, five hundred miles to the west of our farm, and the only way for me to get there was (on my horse) Patches. I decided [...]