Tag: rural life
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.
Left unsupervised: Conquering the pantry doom room
What happens when you leave a determined woman alone with a drill? Kymberly Foster Seabolt shares her hilarious weekend DIY mission to conquer her century-old pantry "doom room." From wrestling 10-ton shelves to clearing out endless buckets, see how she pulled off a major organization win.
Wildlife cartels and the cat who leads them
Most cats aggressively guard their territory, but Kymberly Foster Seabolt's prefers to host guests. From a "raccoon cartel" to lounging possums, meet Kai: the feline social director who turned her porch into an interspecies wildlife sanctuary (leaving Kym wondering who is actually running the show).
The handyman’s wife: Why marrying for ‘maintenance’ beats money every time
"So babe, I’ve been thinking..." After 30 years, Kymberly Foster Seabolt reflects on the perks of marrying for maintenance rather than money. It’s a humorous look at love, DIY renovations, and the legacy of a skilled partner as they pass their tools and "can-do" spirit down to the next generation.
Building character — one awful farm chore at a time
From scrubbing pipelines to bucket-breaking rodeo calves, farm chores were never just work. They were character building, at least that's what columnist Judith Sutherland's dad said.
Checking a major ‘bucket’ off the list
Can playing with Barbie dolls lead to a career? Kymberly Foster Seabolt explores how childhood "puttering" paved the way for her latest obsession: operating the big tractor. Learn why moving a yard of mulch with a bucket is the ultimate adult milestone and how she finally crossed it off her "bucket list."
