In the last month, I gained 9 pounds. My pandemic bottom was expanding. It all started with the Wal-mart online order of a 36-pack of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. They could not get here quick enough.
One Ringy Dingy Leads to the First of Many
My phone rings. And of course, I already know who it is because my caller I.D. tells me. It’s my mother. I choose to answer. And immediately, the first question out of the interrogation box: “Where are you?” Well, for starters, most people who call me must not feel privileged enough to ask such a…
Harvest Triathlon
I just got home from the harvest field. The kids showered and bathed and put in bed. And I’ve been thinking. Again. Have you heard about the guy who recently ran a marathon in less than two hours? Amazing. There should be something out there like this for farmers. Like a harvest triathlon. An Iron-Damaging…
Plan Your One and Only Bespoke Funeral
A couple of years ago, I created a funeral planning questionnaire. I sent it to some friends in the ministry who are well acquainted with eulogizing and comforting. They seemed to get a kick out of it. But I never released it to the world because the timing just never seems right. All around us,…
Anniversary Trippin’ with the Steak Farmer
“Travel has no longer any charm for me. I have seen all the foreign countries I want to except Heaven and Hell and I have only a vague curiosity about one of those.” Mark Twain
Love and Marriage… Children, Too
Mother’s Day came and went. And my wedding anniversary, too. They happen to be on the same weekend. Every year. Which has me thinking. The most worthwhile thing in life is love. Coincidentally, the most challenging thing is also love. We go to all lengths to find and secure love. Not just from a significant…
Volunteers Make the World Go ‘Round
Our communities, large and small, only work when people are willing to give of their time and money to causes that benefit us all. Don’t get me wrong, capitalism is needed and valued. But sometimes, there’s no monetary profit in the things that are truly, truly important. In churches and ministries you especially see this…
Christmas in Flyover Country
Every family has its Christmas traditions and my family of origin (let’s just call them FOO for short) just happens to celebrate the season with a southern spin. I know, I know. Yes, I am well aware that I grew up in COLORADO, not particularly seen as southern, but as my brother fervently claims: we…
On the Lack of Thorns in Christmas Letters, and Christi’s Favorite Things
I hadn’t thought twice about not sending out a Christmas card this year. Until this weekend. When my photograph-taking mother insisted on taking lots of family pictures at their house. Here is my son. And one with his sister giving marching orders to her Grandpa. Family trait. And one with the gingerbread house construction crew….
The Farmeress 