Agriculture is a diverse occupation. Not only do we raise crops, but we have a variety of animals. Dairy was our main product for many years. We now raise beef cattle. In addition, for our own use we raise chickens. There are many ways where farming is productive and of value. The chickens, though small creatures, do require attention. Generally, our flock is free to … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – A berry good day
Summer can be a very fruitful time on the farm. Besides baling hay, the garden gets a start in producing its treasures. After the asparagus and rhubarb emerge and produce, the berry blossoms silently make their presence known. As the mature strawberry crop climaxes and declines, the June berries, the currants, and raspberries take to the fore. Yes, fruit is in the making … [Read more...]
A goodly Heritage
Farming Father’s Day Melodious bird songs, bright sunshine and the wide blue sky greeted us as my family awoke on this Father’s Day. We all set out to prepare to attend church. The grandchildren, their parents, my daughter and I busied ourselves to celebrate Father’s Day. From all appearances we could expect to spend the day happily with Father. One of our number was … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – Hidden treasures
You never really know what a day will bring. I can make plans, but situations come about in which I need to reassess my “Do List” and make changes. Has that happened to you? Today I arose to do my daily reading. I read the Holy Bible. After my devotional time I read a couple of pages from some classic writer. Washington Irving is the author I have been reading lately. I … [Read more...]
A goodly heritage – Triumph in the farmhouse kitchen
The milk production from our cow is tapering off, but the chickens are producing many eggs. Some days customers empty out our cache of large brown eggs. Then there are other days when 20 dozen sit in the cellar waiting to be used. My husband collects nearly four dozen eggs a day. You might imagine what a challenge it is to use all of them. We give many to our children to … [Read more...]
The Bible is the Word of God
In support of the commentary published on March, 7 by Steve Eickhoff, I would add some comments. Whether or not men and women consider the Holy Bible to be the Word of God, the fact remains that it is the Word of God. The Bible will not change though men’s opinions may. The apostle Peter called it “the living and abiding Word of God” ( I Peter 1:23 NASB). He also said “that … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – When you were a kid
“What was life like when you were a kid?” Have you ever been asked that question? That happened to me just a few days ago. I met a young man from Russia who curiously, posed this query to me. I obliged him by listing a few everyday lifetime memories. Some are unique to my family, but no doubt there are those which many folks share. As the firstborn child in my family, Mom … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
Valentine wishes It is not always that I get the chance to publish an article on the exact date of a holiday. So this is a unique opportunity to share with you something out of the ordinary. My interest in writing did not emerge until my children began to learn about composition and creative writing in high school. Since then I have tried my hand at writing short stories, … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
How is your memory? As the old year passes and the new one arrives it is common for us to look back over the events of the past year and reminisce. For some people wonderful things happened, yet for others harsh or tragic experiences occurred. My hope is that the former has brightened your life and been a delight. For those with the severe times of life to recollect, may … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
My “Milky Whey” day Today went quite well. Early in the morning, my husband gifted me with a bucket containing about three gallons of raw, chilled milk and its cream. He carried it from the milk house ready for my use. Since my refrigerator was already filled with all of the milk and cream I could use, I skimmed off the cream and dutifully began making butter. Mixing the … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
After-beaver clean-up I once wrote you a story called “A Beaver Tale.” Unfortunately, to my point of view, the story was not over. Mr. Landowner returned to his little cabin on a small lake in the north woods of Wisconsin. His aim was to improve the cabin itself by cementing in several stunning split rocks from the fireplace and chimney. The past 50 years had taken a toll … [Read more...]
A goodly Heritage
The old house story I drove to town today to get groceries. My four-year-old grandson accompanied me. We chose to take a picturesque route. The farmers’ fields sporting the typical colors of the harvest season attracted our attention. The blue sky illumined the way before us. I have taken this road to town for many years. During that time much has changed and much has … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
Time out with the kids Grandpas and grandmas can find it a challenge to get time with their grandchildren. Time and distance take a toll on how often and how deep their relationships can go. Our children’s families are not unlike many others. Their homes are not situated close to the farm. So we are faced with making the times we have together something special. One … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
Thankful for once a year jobs Today I sat in my centenarian farm kitchen cutting fresh broccoli we harvested from our garden. As I worked I could hear the echoes and the low drone of my husband’s tractor. Finishing my job of blanching the green delicacy and packaging it, I sauntered outdoors to the corn cribs where the action was taking place. A corn crib is a structure … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
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...]
