I’ve heard some wild, wild stories during the eight years I've resided in the West. Tales of people traveling long lonesome highways being helped by neighbors to lighten burdens, mend hearts and fences. In each instance there’s been a sprinkling…
I've been hauling around hope for the release of a new publication long enough. It's getting heavy so I've been working towards a fall deadline. And according to all environmental indicators, autumn is nearing and it's clearly time to make it happen. I, along…
Remember when the sole purpose of owning a farm was to feed one's own family? Equity companies had no involvement, and the only investors were the parents and their children who tended the animals. The first hours of the farmer's morning was spent…
“Only those who sow seeds of change can hope to grow and reap a harvest.” ~ Andrea Goeglein The turning of the season is coming. Cool evenings and mornings are already upon us. The best produce our little porch garden has provided are…
In my opinion, we need to redefine the "Value Meal" to mean an investment in strong families by dining together rather than thinking of the term as the most economical way to order fast food takeout. The act of gathering around the…
"Sometimes the best families are the ones God builds using unexpected pieces of our hearts.” Melanie Shankle I received a surprise email last week advising I was a finalist in a writing contest. I had forgotten I had submitted. The task for all…
If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes. ~The Houghton Line, November 1965 The other day I studied a painting that depicted what I often think of as a long lost art - custom shoe and…
I'm gladdened by a story New York Times Best Selling author Jon Katz posted on his Bedlam Farm blog this week. The good news item is a demonstration of the generosity of spirit of ordinary Americans. I met Katz some years back…
In today's world it's so easy to give others a hand up. With the aid of social media we can all empower each other. It's an easy concept. I received this "arm candy" made by artisans in Nepal from my mom and…
"What love is to the heart, liberty is to the soul of the man." ~Robert Green Ingersoll Have you ever gotten so captivated by something that in order to be pulled out, someone needs to say "I'll give you a penny for…