Hocus Pocus, I need wine to focus!  Just kidding.  I have been watching too many “Fear Fest” movies on television.  Most people associate October with Halloween.  Who doesn’t like to dress up and get free candy?  I think of October as a very romantic month.  No, not because of “Bride of Dracula.”  I was married on October 4.  It was a beautiful day and many people helped make … [Read more...]

What does she need? Here I am, standing in front of her. Deep, dark-brown eyes, long slender legs, floppy ears, and she’s not eating. Something is wrong. Standing next to this gentle giant, I wish she could talk. She’d explain how she’s feeling, or why she’s bent on doing the opposite of everything I want her to do. Communication. Should I say, “Why does it have to be so … [Read more...]

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...]

“My momma didn’t raise no spendthrift.” She loved sales, particularly with 80% off. She shopped garage sales and often picked up the entire free box. We had few books in our home, but after I learned to read, I discoveredthe public library. Almost everything was free. There was one rack that was a rental usually preventing young children who didn’t have a quarter from reading … [Read more...]

Not everyone may consider themselves to be a host or hostess.  For some folks it comes naturally, but whether or not we see ourselves with such a gift, there are times when we have that very opportunity to entertain guests.  We had that chance recently. Now you might find this list of events a bit much to handle.  Back to back like this, they might be.  Despite being … [Read more...]

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...]

“Recipe” for success: Raw milk benefits for your immune system “I love when my kids are sick,” said no mom ever. Playing mommy-nurse is hard. (Especially if you are sick!) My daughter had RSV as an infant. I spent countless nights watching her labored breathing, wondering what I could do to strengthen her struggling lungs. For many months after that, every cold she got … [Read more...]

Soon after wagon trains crossed the country, but B.C. (before computers) ; women saved recipes on index cards in special boxes. These were made of wood or metal and called recipe boxes. Don’t you love the logic of this? I collect recipes. I own 15 recipe boxes. The ones with advertising on them are the most valuable but most of them cost under $10. I used to organize recipes … [Read more...]

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...]

Growing up, I lived several feet from the Root River and the Preston Soybean Mill.  Soybeans and water attract rats.  To combat the rats we always had pet cats.  They were all free, named Tabby, and died young from eating poisoned rats.  After moving away from the soybean mill we didn’t need the cats anymore. When I was a junior in high school, I had boyfriend who had … [Read more...]

It can be interesting to learn the history of a lifetime habit or a hobby.  Recently, I have been caning an antique rocking chair.  Its back and seat need to be caned.  I enjoy the weaving and the beauty I see when the project is done. I learned caning when we still had babies growing up in our house.  From my husband’s parents, we inherited a high chair that my husband’s … [Read more...]