The beauty of it all Since I have lived on a farm that has been in our family since 1856, two years before Minnesota became a state, I have a wealth of history to search out and consider. History is told in the photos we store in the house. We have old photos of the farm buildings and fields. Some pictures introduce us to people who either lived on this farm or who were … [Read more...]
Springtime inspiration
The coming of spring greatly influences each of us in many ways. On the farm we have planned for it, but some things still happen with elements of surprise. Just take today, for instance. Today started with an unexpected early morning phone call. “Hi, I am calling from the post office. I have some chirping chicks here for you,” the caller informed me. I had ordered … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
Diary about the little orphan Day One: Today started like most others. After doing exercises, I did my reading and had breakfast with my family. I admired the new seedlings that I have been nurturing. I checked my emails and set out to do my regular chores in the house. Then I heard my name called from the basement. My husband ascended the stairs and handed me a … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
When a high school student, one of my least favorite duties in English class was the oral book report. First, I had to read a book. Second, I would have to write a paper summarizing what I read. Lastly, I was required to give a report on the book orally to the entire class. To stand up before a crowd and to present the idea given in the book repulsed me. Rather than … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
It all started with a phone call from my daughter. “Can we come visit? I need to leave the kids with you so I can keep an appointment.” Now this kind of news generally comes to me with particular delight. I enjoy having my children and grandchildren at the farm. “Of course, honey. When will you be here?” I responded. “I really won’t be there much. I will have to leave … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
I have been looking for an interesting recipe to share with you this month. Since I happen to live on a farm that has been in our family since 1856, I have several historic assets in which to look. I spent time yesterday looking at a bunch of recipe books I inherited from our parents and, perhaps, our grandparents. They range from how to cure bacon to making liver cakes, … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
Did you know that God “scatters the frost?” In Psalm 148:8, we find that the snow fulfills His Word. Job 37:6 tells us that He says to the snow, “Fall on the earth.” Perhaps, as Minnesotans, we consider the snow and frost to be simply an ordinary part of life. It makes us shovel and sweat as we have to make our sidewalks and driveways passable. Much of our tax money is … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
Well, it is about time to take down the old Christmas tree. Some years I have been the lone decorator. At other times I have been delighted by a surprise when my family put up the tree and donned it with lights, garlands and ornaments. Our first Christmas tree filled our apartment with the typical refreshing scent of pine. As a young married couple, our budget did not allow … [Read more...]
November Stroll
I made my way this morning to my rural mailbox to send a gift to a friend. Its blistered paint reminded me that it needs some tender loving care. Mild temperatures called out and lured me to stroll around this old farm. I noticed the sights and sounds today that I have so long neglected. Horizon to horizon stretched a canopy of varied shades of gray. Naked tree … [Read more...]
The Burr Oak The Burr Oak This day began like most other days. But the planned events made this particular day one that proved to be out-of-the-ordinary. This morning, a woodcutter would come and remove a landmark that had towered over our farm for as long as any of us could remember. For an unknown number of years the monster Burr Oak tree sheltered our family from … [Read more...]