Tag: rural life
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.
In good (enough) health
Columnist Kymberly Foster Seabolt humorously reflects on the daily struggle of adult meal planning, healthy eating, and packing lunches. From trading sad spinach salads for Dairy Queen runs, she shares why balancing good health with life's simple pleasures is easier said than done.
Sweet memories: Ohio brothers recall 1960s pony ice cream route
In 1960s New London, Ohio, four brothers turned a beloved pony and a custom surrey into a thriving summer ice cream route. Decades later, the Sutherland family honored their parents' creative vision and lessons in hard work during a final parade appearance.
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.
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.
