There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage. Martin Luther Brit and I raised our eyebrows as the lady in the farm and ranch store kept talking. She had already jumped out from behind the doors to startle one of the kids for a joke; now, she was continuing to tell us about her pet goat that she dressed like a baby. Leaving, I asked my sister, “Are we going to address […]
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Champions Are Made
Almanzo knew that in the whole world, there was nothing so beautiful, so fascinating as a beautiful horse. Laura Ingalls Wilder- Farmer Boy “Dad, did you ever see a snake or a rattler while out working cattle,” I asked. “Oh sure, from time to time.” “Were you scared?” “Lord, no. I just used my lariat, knocked him out, got off, and killed him.” My eyes were wide as pie pans while he talked casually. When I could speak, I vocalized, […]
Continue ReadingMother Knows Best
It is difficult to understand anybody without visiting their home. Houses reveal character. Gilbert Highet 1906-1978 The dogwoods in full bloom spoke that spring had arrived. I could smell the Honeysuckle on the back fence up near the woods. Beautiful white buds filled the vine. Pinching off the end and pulling a single stem from the middle gave my kids their first taste of spring. There’s nothing like sharing with the hummingbirds. I headed to town with the family on […]
Continue ReadingTaunting of the Giants
We are always getting ready to live but never really living. Ralph Waldo Emerson She felt warm to the touch. The room was spinning, and her body ached. It didn’t take much diagnosis to realize Eva had the flu. Charlotte was next. Not letting on for fear the playing would come to a stop, she pressed on till she fell fast asleep on the couch. I knew then something wasn’t quite right. For the next two weeks, the flu cycled […]
Continue ReadingKeeper of the Lighthouse
May the light be always on wherever home may be and our hearts forever lit with love by each sweet memory Anne Calodich Fone Forty-one years of memories have flooded my thinking over the past couple of months. How did I get here so fast? Just yesterday, my sister and I were little girls in matching nightgowns and rollers sitting on Grandma and Grandpa’s felt brown couch with wooden armrests, waiting to go to sleep. It didn’t seem like many […]
Continue ReadingMeasure of Success
Make yourselves nests of pleasant thoughts, bright fancies, faithful sayings, treasures; houses of precious and restful thoughts, which care cannot disturb nor poverty take away from you; a house is built without hands for your souls to live in. John Ruskin It was early, but it couldn’t wait. I needed answers. The prophet Samuel has always been a hero of mine. How could I have missed this? I had read about him many times, more than I can count, yet […]
Continue ReadingHometown Pleasures
To get the full value of a joy, you must have someone to divide it with. Mark Twain Seeing the sign from the interstate, I told Chuck, “Let’s go check out that town.” I thought maybe it could be the place we were looking for. After all, we had looked at so many; surely, one town would finally be right for us. He was not convinced. He veered off anyway to pacify me. I watched the sun beaming from […]
Continue ReadingThe Theater
Charlotte was ecstatic. We were heading off to watch Elsa light up the stage with the FROZEN production from the local theater. Reluctantly, Eva had to stay behind sick with the flu. I had two other friends tagging along with Charlotte, which made for a glorious afternoon. Feeling well put together and arriving on time, we hurried inside to get our tickets and concessions. While getting our snacks, I noticed eyes watching me. I could tell a slight irritation was […]
Continue ReadingJonah Days
The blue of Heaven is larger than the clouds, reminding us to look for the rainbows after the storm. Unknown. I saved my money and bought him all on my own. Chuck offered to buy him for me, but I guess the girl who saved up for the saddle still wanted to do something on her own. He was all mine. I was delighted to have him. Since I was a little girl, I dreamed of the day I could […]
Continue ReadingGod of the House
The sea, dry land, winter cold, summer heat, morning light, evening shade are full of thee. God gives them richly to enjoy. Puritan Prayer Sitting at the breakfast table almost twelve years ago, my mother was busying herself at the sink as I sat at the table talking to Dad. I was asking about Jacob. Dad backed up to Abraham. To hear my dad tell a story is to have shared in the event itself. He makes it come alive. […]
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