There is an unwritten rule that mothers of large families know. The ones who do not know this rule, figure it out on their own pretty quickly, as there are no shortages of situations in which it will need to be applied. Any stranger in the grocery store, most relatives, casual acquaintances, pastors, and even […]

It really makes me cringe. I know it isn’t all that huge in the grand scheme of things. I mean really, what with global warming and all (right Mr. Gore?), it just doesn’t rank up there in the top list of world issues. Being aware of this, I still reserve the right to vent […]

I hate memes. I do not mind reading them, mind you ~ it is fun to read other folks’ ~ but I know me… if I started doing them, I would feel pressured by the things and feel as if I had to do it every week. I have enough real responsibilities without my […]

It really is freeing. Getting rid of all our superfluous stuff makes the days run smoother and creates a peace in me that is addictive. After a season of thorough decluttering, I want to always live like this! Without the follow-up step to decluttering ~ that of keeping the stuff out ~ I […]

Mr. Visionary and I talk a lot. He was born to explain, exhort and encourage. It is a gift. I was born to question, condemn and complain. It is not a gift, per se, it is…ummm…an inherited trait. In any case, we talk a lot, with myself usually asking questions, and he usually […]

It must have happened when I was playing with Babydoll in the Red Clover field. I don’t know if Babydoll or the puppies were the instrument that caused it to come out, but either is equally likely. It is thought-provoking how they have survived this long, through this many grabbing babies, many moves, and lots […]

It didn’t happen by accident. But happen it did, and the transformation has been profound.  I’m not saying that I purposed for it to happen by any stretch of the imagination.  I assure you that it was truly far from my personal aspirations or even desires for that matter. And while a psychologist may […]

It all started when I killed my tiller. OK, so maybe it’s not a mortal wound, but it doesn’t exactly till, either. When the thingy that holds the roundy part in place fell completely off as  I rammed gently bumped the cinder blocks at the end of a row, I knew I was in trouble.
Having […]

I was walking along, minding my own business, when it happened. Two Autumns ago, during my early morning driveway walk, I had my two partners: my gun (because of lions, tigers and bears) and my Walkman. The day in question, I happened to be listening to a Jonathan Lindvall tape ~ nothing unusual there, I […]

The once-a-month opportunity for a morning of calm, peaceful “girl time” is not my favorite part. Compared to what we are used to, the quiet is actually a little disconcerting. As much as we enjoy our time alone for all things girly, we secretly (shhh…) are glad when our guys get home from their monthly […]

Tevye once said in Fiddler On The Roof, “And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word: tradition!” I know little (Ok, none) about fiddling on the roof, especially eight months pregnant, but I’ll agree that tradition can be a good thing.
Our children started conniving about planning this […]

Dear Dad,
 
I want to tell you this Father’s Day about some of your qualities.
 
You are patient: thank you for teaching me how to drive the little tractor.
 
And you are peaceful: Like when the cops said they could take Mom away.
 
And you are kind: You are so kind in helping us build the tree house. […]

Father’s Day, 2006
Dear Father,
 
Greetings in Jesus’ dear name. I like how the other day you told me how I was getting big and tall. I felt proud.
 
I reallly like how you take me out to breakfast, lunch and dinner, and spoil me with junk food.
 
I really like how you talk to me and chat. I […]

Dear Dad,

I like it how we shoot the BB gun together and work on the tree house together, because I like spending time with you.

I like it when you take me out to run errands with you. You are a good tree-climbing teacher.

Thank you for teaching me how to play football […]

Dear Dad,

Happy Father’s Day!

I like it that I get to go milking with you. I like climbing on the stall doors in the barn and watching you milk Millie.

I love our wrestling fights especially when we use pillows. You make Family Night so much fun.

I like to ride bikes together. […]

Dear Dad,
 
I like you because you are so nice and you love me. You wrestle and have pillow fights with us, and you are lots of fun.
 
Some other stuff I love about you is that you ride me on the tractor, and you carry me when I am tired. I like wearing my working boots […]

I used Mommy’s Yipstick to put kisses all over your picture.

Few chickens have ever lived so well. Of this I am confident. Two years ago, when we moved to Old Paths Family Farm (our first farm!), we bought baby chicks. Fifty-five of them to be exact. Fifty beautiful Buff Orpington hens and five roosters. It is probably everyone’s starter critter project. They are little (at […]