Columns

There is concern, and rightfully so, among many on today's farms as outside influences converge to voice opinions on everything from long-standing ag business practices to animal treatment.

Farming is a great lifestyle, but it can also be dangerous.

Everything off the grill is a special treat, maybe in part because a cookout usually means we're gathered with family and friends.

When the lovely Catherine and I slipped out of steamy Illinois for a driving trip to New Mexico June 30, the last item I tossed into her car was a rain parka.

As I sat talking with a couple of friends one day last week, the subject of prisoners and prison life came up, somehow connected to all the media hype over poor little rich girl, Paris Hilton.

The ag world treats the cyclical years when the farm bill is written as The Years. As in "this could be The Year that meaningful reform streamlines ag programs" or "this could be The Year that environmental mandates include substantial financial assistance.

There is an old but tried saying that you can't fight City Hall. I have found it indeed true. In fact, because I have been fighting a utility instead of city hall - but it is the same thing - I may be in jail by the time you read this.

Pity the people who flocked to be married this past weekend, convinced that all it took was a magic number, in this case the date of 7-7-07, to insure their wedded bliss.

It was the use of the phrase "party circuit" that finally put me over the edge. The phrase was used in conjunction with the word "birthday" as in, "Are you doing the birthday party circuit?" The term used to explain that any self-respecting modern child must first have their "actual birthday day party" with cake and presents from immediate family followed by their "class party" whereby they take treats into class.

It's been said that ice cream has a vocabulary all its own. If words or phrases have any link to ice cream, most ears will prick up at the sound of them.