There was the milkman, the postman, the soda jerk and the hardware clerk. We had the shy guy, the intrepid talker, the lady forever dressed to the nines with every hair in place, no matter it was just a boring Monday in our little town.
We were blessed with the grain elevator owner who respected […]
“As part of a training exercise, those newly-inducted were served orders that they could run the world as individuals for a full seven days. They tried their best to operate in an individual fashion, barking orders in their own way. The cadets fell all over themselves making one huge mistake after another until they reached […]
“To be with a child is to become a bit of a child again, for that magical moment.”
— Anonymous
For one wonderful day last week, I had the chance to return to being a kid for an entire day.
My niece Jody and her husband, Dave, have been blessed with two wonderful little boys who are farmers […]
This past week has been one in which I have come to realize how very much I should appreciate the freedom I tend to take for granted, and the many blessings of living where I live.
As the nation celebrates Independence Day, two very opposite stories have landed in my lap which opened my eyes to […]
“The Salinas Valley is in Northern California. It is a long narrow swale between two ranges of mountains, and the Salinas River winds and twists up the center until it falls at last into Monterey Bay. I remember my childhood names for grasses and secret flowers. I remember where a toad may live and what […]
Has farming ever been more exciting and more nerve-wracking at the same time?
I had the opportunity to talk with a life-long farmer who I respect greatly one morning last week, and we discussed the ups and downs of this incredible agricultural scene. He was debating how much of his corn crop to contract, saying, “The […]
One magical element of a farm childhood includes the thrill of tree climbing. When mountain climbers have been asked, “What makes you do this?” and the answer is “Because it is there.”
I could relate through my own experience of tree climbing. The first time I heard what sounded like a decidedly derogatory statement about “those […]
“Go the way the wind blows, but be sure to always hold on to your hat.”
— Bill Cosby
This is the season for graduation ceremonies and sage words shared. One of my favorite old sage-sayers is Bill Cosby. When he spoke at a college graduation a couple of years ago, Cosby reminded those in […]
“Idleness is a sign of weakness. Let no dust settle before sunset.”
— Anonymous
I grew up knowing that there would be no allowances made for tired bones. My father had been raised in the shadow of a grandfather with an undeniably large dose of German blood, a man who lived the motto that says there […]
I can think of nothing better than living the farm life, and it becomes especially clear during the month of May. This morning’s walk was filled with sunshine and blue skies, with the countryside blooming both under foot and over head.
The birds were singing with such enthusiasm, it was impossible not to whistle along. […]