Tag: rural life
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 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.
Character was built in childhood
Growing up on a farm meant turned-up hoses, makeshift wooden toys, and adventures high up in the barn mow. A nostalgic look back at how mud, sisterly dares, and outdoor exploration helped instill a lifetime of character, grit, and resilience.
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.
Nielsen surveys: Remembering life before streaming and cellphones
After receiving a dollar from Nielsen, Kymberly Foster Seabolt reflects on how much media and communication have changed. From waiting a week for TV cliffhangers and taping songs off the radio to pay phones and long-distance calls, she looks back at life before instant streaming.
Part 4: Civil War letters home send hope that the war...
In part 4 of Civil War letters home, 18-year-old Stephen Boyd of Ashland County, Ohio, writes from Tennessee about camp conditions, the fall of Vicksburg, Morgan's Raid, and his optimistic hopes that the war will end in time to return to Jeromesville for the fall corn harvest.
Neighbor talk: Why I adore the everyday drama of rural Facebook...
While many love to hate social media, rural Facebook "Talk" pages offer essential local news you can't find anywhere else. Kymberly Foster Seabolt takes a humorous look at lost goats, mystery booms, misdelivered packages, and the everyday drama that keeps small towns connected.
Stop asking for reviews: The joy of thrift store shopping
From Home Depot hounding us for shelf bracket reviews to app pop-ups asking if we're enjoying ourselves, modern retail won't leave us alone. Here is why yard sales, estate sales, and thrift stores are superior: no tracking, no surveys, and sometimes even free baked goods.
A son’s tribute: Tractor roadside lineup honors late Portage County farmer
Kevin Kibler set up a July 4th roadside display of over 20 tractors spanning nearly 80 years in Edinburg Township to honor his late father, Bill. The impressive tribute of classic Farmalls and Internationals captivated passersby across Portage County.
How paint-covered raccoons and wildfire smoke ruined my week
Between a dog tracking white paint on the floor, raccoons decorating the deck with a wet paint roller, and heavy wildfire smoke rolling in, columnist Kymberly Foster Seabolt finds plenty to write about—and a perfect excuse to skip the vegetables and hide indoors with childhood snack cakes.
