The cool air of autumn carries so many memories and feelings as it swirls through the leaves. There’s not much that can give feelings of nostalgia quite like a perfect fall day. Memories of playing in leaves, fires with marshmallows, harvest parties, wagon loads of corn, and as much apple crisp with ice cream as we can eat. But do feelings of nostalgia tell the whole … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Dry Bones
By Pastor Pam Seebach Harmony, Mabel, and Newburg United Methodist Churches We had dry bones, didn’t we? For weeks on end, we saw no rain, felt no moisture, dragged about in the heat. Hope fizzled for a good crop. Our very bones were dried up and lifeless. God knows what this lack of hope does to us. God spoke through the prophet Ezekiel to give many messages to the … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Money Creek Bricks, Caledonia Chicks, Hokah Hogs and a Green Silk Veil
Part three of a series In preparation for Houston County’s diamond anniversary (75 years) homecoming celebration in 1929, one committee produced a 48-page history pamphlet that included the information recounted here, surely drawing from extensive county histories published in 1882 and 1919. One section was devoted to the early settlement of several townships and villages. … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – To Renew or To Make New Again
To Renew or To Make New Again Between the harvests of several crops and caring for our animals, farming brings a lot of repair work. Many things on the farm age and need a helping hand to renew them to usefulness. This summer has been no different for us. My husband has been busy renovating, or bringing back to life, a shed which formerly served as a chicken house, a … [Read more...]
If Something Bites You and There’s Nothing There — It’s Fall
It was too dark too early too soon. Pumpkin spice lurked in a dark alley where hoodies make people look like walking chrysalises. September is a handy place to start fall. Autumn means it’s not winter yet, butterfly wings are tattered and the pickleball fantasy league comes to a screeching halt. I can see the seasons change in the birds. They’re wearing their work clothing … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Sugar Never Showed Up, Treasurer Ran Away
Part two of a series In 1861, the Houston County treasurer disappeared, and “the air was heavy with rumors. The fact that there was a defaulting treasurer spread over the county on the wings of the wind… the deficiency in the accounts of the late treasurer was found to be $3,890.00.” There were about 30 bondsmen, so the loss, if evenly divided, was not devastating for any. … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions: Everything is So Expensive
By Pastor Kevin Barnhart Spring Grove Evangelical Free Have you noticed higher prices these days? Of course you have. This has been such a strange season and what things cost is hard to keep up with. It could be the price of eggs going up and then down. There are so many things we might pay attention to, some watch the price of gas like a hawk, while others bring their … [Read more...]
I Can No Longer Say I’m All Original Parts
My body’s check engine light came on. Eventually, we become like our old car or aging house – fix, fix, fix. I was taught to never sit until I was invited. That has led to uncomfortable times for me in waiting rooms, which stretched the concept of time. But soon, a nurse held my hand with her two strong ones. I was lightheaded. The room was spinning. I had heart palpitations. … [Read more...]
Fresh off the Farm – What’s Your Today?
What’s Your Today? If today was the only memory your child would have, would you live it differently? Some of us would forget everything else and have a cake fest. Others would schedule things out to the minute. Maybe some wouldn’t leave the couch to allow for every last snuggle. I doubt any of us would carry on as usual. We always think we have tomorrow, but no one ever … [Read more...]
Streams, Bluffs, Snow and Parched Corn
There were 17 committees that worked in preparation for a three-day Houston County diamond anniversary (75 years) homecoming celebration in 1929. The Historical Booklet Committee produced a 48-page publication that included the information recounted here. Previously, there had been far more extensive county histories published in 1882 and 1919. The land that became Houston … [Read more...]