Tag: family
Autumn glory
We romanticize autumn with flannel and foliage, but the reality brings Ohio weather roulette, furnace standoffs, and reluctant dogs. Kymberly Foster Seabolt embraces the chaos of soup season, frost, and chilly days in this humorous look at the true fall experience.
Part 3: Tragedy befalls the family
In the late 1890s, a Pittsburgh family's thriving life was shattered by a typhoid epidemic and sudden loss. After losing his sister and father, 12-year-old Charlie Myers boarded a train to an Ohio farm to begin life anew. Read Part 3 of the Myers family history.
How a child’s gleeful innocence brought grandpa’s sparkle back
After a tragic 1946 loss silenced a family's joy, a toddler's playful bond with her great-grandfather Charlie brought back his sparkle. From shaking straw bales for circus peanuts to farm truck rides, reflect on the special memories that healed a grieving heart.
How a Farmall M and family restored Grandpa Charlie’s spark
Life is full of sad and glorious moments. Discover how an autumn 1959 farm sale, a red Farmall M tractor, and the love of a growing young family helped restore joy, purpose, and laughter to a grieving great-grandfather who had lost his spark.
Caregiving crisis: A growing challenge for farm families
As the farming population ages, more agricultural families are forced to balance off-farm jobs, demanding daily chores, and caregiving for aging parents. Ohio State University Extension's LuAnn Duncan explains the impact of this chronic stress and why open communication and planning are vital for rural caregivers.
Childhood memories: The sensory scents of late summer
August brings a unique sensory blend of late summer and early fall. Kymberly Foster Seabolt reflects on the powerful nostalgia tied to everyday scents, from sunscreen and fresh pencils to Jergens lotion and old wood floors, proving that our childhood is often stored in the smells of the past.
Celebrating new beginnings and lifelong country church bonds
Reflecting on childhood memories at a rural country church, the author reconnects with an old friend to celebrate his new marriage. How deep community roots, shared faith, and lasting family connections can bridge decades apart to bring pure joy.
Growing up on the farm meant no time for boredom
From building straw tunnels to diving into the farm pond, Judith Sutherland refelcts on her rural childhood where summer meant a mix of hard work and ultimate freedom. Unlike "townie" friends who faced afternoon boredom, farm life ensured there was never a single precious moment wasted.
Earned wisdom: Learning when it is time to let go
Life is full of challenging situations, but finding peace requires surrendering our illusions of control. From laughing at life's craziness to retreating to the barn for a dose of fresh perspective, explore these heartfelt reflections on learning how to travel light.
The best fishing partners have a wagging tail —and a closed...
From learning when to keep his "beak shut" about secret honey holes to mastering the classic fish story, Jim Abrams reflects on a lifetime of angling. Discover why human partners often talk too much, and why a loyal dog makes the ultimate, trustworthy fishing companion.
