I had a pile of old calendars in my office. They stretched over several decades. I just could not destroy them since they documented so many little details I preferred to not forget. Some have great photos from which I might get some use. But the dates and the events we have participated in bring back special memories.  So in an effort to “spring clean” the office, I decided … [Read more...]

Howdy, folks!  It is good to be with you one more time.   To review, my name is Jack.  I am a German Shepherd.  I was invited to live in southern Wisconsin, and I adopted a boy.  He comes with a mom and a dad, so they are mine, too.  I grew up there, and I am the king. I am three years old.  Folks remark at how handsome I am.  I have silver-sable coloring.  But that is not my … [Read more...]

Howdy there, folks!  I am glad to meet you.  My name is Jack.  I am a German Shepherd.  I came from Northern Wisconsin.  I was invited to live in southern Wisconsin, and I adopted a boy.  He comes with a mom and dad, so they are mine, too. I grew up there, and I learned my new territory well.  I am the king.  My boy brings me water when I need it, and food when I want it.  … [Read more...]

Heritage Farm is home to (as my husband says) too many cats.  With the birth of two new litters this summer, the population has grown.  We like to have them around to keep the number of rodents down… provided they hunt. The younger cats and kittens are a delight to the young children who visit us at the farm.  They like to hold them close and pet the kittens. So you can … [Read more...]

Vacations can be at a beach, in the mountains, in farmland, the ocean side or even in the desert.  Whether touring, fishing, boating or shopping, a change of pace can energize some and wear out others.  As farmers, our lives have been spent pretty close to home, but a few short weeks ago, we took a long overdue trip to visit my husband’s brother and his wife in the 48th state … [Read more...]

Many folks like us have an apple tree nearby. Some years the blossoms are profuse. Apples may or may not grow as a result. Bugs and other maladies can affect any plant or tree as it seeks to produce fruit. And when fruit appears, bugs may still mess with the crop. But this year turned out to be different. Our fruit trees did the unexpected. Tree branches hung low under the … [Read more...]

Memories can come at any time.  But today as I have been out in the garden, memories invaded my thoughts.  As I picked each buttery-colored wax bean, I thought of my mother.   Even when she lived with me at the age of 94, she helped me snip beans.  Along with the beans, I brought in a fine bouquet of gladiolas to please her and to perk up the scenery in the house.  Though … [Read more...]

With the ripening of berries like currants, Juneberries, and especially raspberries, I have been reminded of past situations at berry time.  The following story taken from the book, “Tales From Heritage Farm” by Randall and Wenda Grabau illustrates such a memory. Judy, my mother-in-law, had a raspberry patch which I inherited when my husband and I moved onto Heritage Farm. I … [Read more...]

Over the years, I have developed an interest in several different languages.  I have also enjoyed studying botany, the science of plants.  So when I learned from a naturalist at Forestville State Park that a particular, seemingly ordinary plant had its origin in France, I listened attentively.  Immigrants inadvertently introduced this plant onto the American landscape many … [Read more...]

The following is taken from “Tales from Heritage Farm” written by Wenda and Randall Grabau. Huffing and sputtering out her troubles, Hildy listed all of the things she expected to encounter that day. “I’ll hunt and get pecked by Annie. I will peck and be nipped by Dolly. After scratching a while, I’ll get chased and jabbed at by Little Red. Once I lay my big brown egg, … [Read more...]

Recently we have been at work to remodel our kitchen.  It was last remodeled in 1941.  It has brought us an added appreciation for how workers before us put such good quality in their workmanship.  We boxed away and neatly hid light fixtures and decorative items away in the basement.  Much went to the basement, but for our sustenance and survival during this remodeling … [Read more...]

Bittersweet - Part 1 Excerpt from Tales From Heritage Farm written by Wenda and Randall Grabau. There are snapshots in life when the sweet moments delight us. But oftentimes it comes mingled in the bitterest situations. The following story illustrates a day in the life on one girl and her mom who tasted the bitter with the sweet. * * * * A huge tear welled up in her … [Read more...]

Today, my workday included printing and cutting this year’s Christmas cards with its accompanying year-end letters.  We send out cards intending to reconnect with many dear friends and relatives. At lunch, my husband brought in the mail.  As I went through the various envelopes, it brought my attention to bills to pay and a bank statement from which to balance our account. … [Read more...]