Tag: rural life
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.
Coming clean about clothes washing chores in the early Ohio Country
Before modern washing machines, early Ohio Country pioneers faced the grueling task of cleaning clothes in creeks and iron kettles. Columnist Paul Locher dives into the smelly history of 19th-century laundry chores and the evolution of the scrub sticks and patented washboards that followed.
Jeromesville honors Civil War heroes at heritage tree dedication
As part of the America 250-Ohio celebration, Jeromesville dedicated a native white oak tree to its history. In this column, the keynote speaker shares the moving stories and letters of three local Civil War brothers who left their Ashland County farm to fight for the Union.
Hose water and vinyl seats: How we survived 1970s summers
Remember when summer survival meant drinking from a garden hose, sliding down scorching metal slides, and riding in cars with sticky vinyl seats? Columnist Kymberly Foster Seabolt takes a nostalgic, humorous look at how we survived childhood heat waves in the 1970s without air conditioning.
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.
