Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Struggling in my handbag is an almost daily experience for me. Oh, I made sure to choose a bag with all the organizer pockets including one for a cell phone.

For nearly two years, U.S. farmers and ranchers watched as the second shoe grew bigger and bigger. On Nov.

It was a gray and dreary morning. Not much happening. Not much to spark the day. Until the phone rang.

Here we are in December and I see livestock in numerous pastures where there is no grass left to eat.

Based on the e-mails, brickbats and live grenades sent me the last few weeks, it's time to come clean: I kidnapped the Lindbergh baby.

My daughter Caroline is putting her driver's permit to good use, always asking if there is any place I need to go, ever willing to drive me.

I am proud - if a bit startled - to report that my younger cousin brought her own baby to Thanksgiving dinner this year.

The surprise came from two words cropping up in the exit poll reports. Moral values. The election was hinging on moral values.

Even before Ann Veneman quietly submitted her resignation as secretary of agriculture Nov. 12, the Washington grapevine hung heavy with a long list of likely replacements.

Just this past week, I once again had a meeting with school officials regarding Cort's on-going struggle with his health and how that pertains to his education.