In April of ’72, I made the first visit to the homestead, built in 1890. It was the homestead of my mother-in-law and her sister. When we visualized the inside of the house after the renters moved out, it was a disaster. When Grandpa Cutler said, “Set a match to it,” it went unnoticed, since he had no say. Mother-in-law did build a downstairs bathroom, and did some wallpapering over the old horsehair plaster and lathe…YUK!!. My parents put in carpeting and gave us furniture. We lived in the downstairs for 6 yrs. After…
How many times I heard this proverb growing up? How many times have all of us rushed through a test, an activity, all to our dismay. Granny always said,” If you take your time, you’ll never whine!” How right she was. After I married Mr. Moo Cow, I did things that I never imagined were possible! Occasionally I drove a tractor. However, that was usually dad and grandpa’s job, until the boys came of age. Farm kids are so successful as adults, in all walks of life due to the following: *great parenting * personal motivation *usually families of…
As a child growing up, whenever I would have a struggle Granny would laugh and say, ”What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Oh! I can’t tell you how many times I reiterated that to my friends and children throughout my life. When I had a serious illness at 10 years old, my mom said, ”When you’re having health issues, it’s hard to see yourself clear to the other side. God will get you through this. When it’s all over, you’ll be stronger, healthier and happier than before.” Whether it’s a health issue…
“For wisdom is a kindly spirit, yet she does not acquit blasphemous lips. Therefore, guard against profitless grumbling, and from calumny, withhold your tongue. For a stealthy utterance will not go unpunished, and a lying mouth destroys the soul. A Fools thoughts are in their mouths. Wise men’s thoughts are in their hearts. Who will set guard over my mouth, and upon my mouth an effective seal; that my tongue may not destroy me.” The Tongue: It can either speak words from The Holy Spirit, or words from the mouth of hell. Fear, cursing, anger, bullying, confrontation…
Often times either Mother Nature or her little creatures, teach us lessons. So is the case with Petie and Sadie, our Chocolate Lab Litter Mates. These pups have grown up so fast, they were becoming restless and hard to control. Twice, when we had come home, they had literally gnawed holes in the wall. Sadie was also becoming infamous at trying to take things off the counters. I needed to change their paradigm very quickly. They needed an area to run, play, and wear out their energy. In comes Chip to the rescue, my Invisible Fence Hero. The pups play…
Granny and Mom were never judgmental. Dad…somewhat, but all three of them taught me to make good choices. Growing up, I was a pretty good judge of character. I recognized very easily those with whom I didn’t wish to associate. I graduated from college in’72. It was the Hippie Era, when drugs and pot became ignited within our society. Thank God, it was never my cup of Tea. Twelve years of nuns did give me a good mindset, as far as drugs and morality were concerned. I dated a lot of zeros. I learned what I was…
This morning I was watching Rachel Ray. She was creating her favorite Sicilian Recipe that she used to make with her grandfather. She noted the fact that when she gets to heaven, it would be the first meal she would fix for him. This so touched my heart. It took my mind on a journey of dishes from my German heritage. When I get to heaven, these are the meals I want to share with my heavenly ancestors. Mom..Pork roast…sauerkraut…mashed potatoes..applesauce. Dad and Granpa O… Limburger cheese on black rye bread..onion..mustard..and an ice…
Outside of Columbus, in the small town of West Jefferson on Rt. 40, is a small diner known as HENRY’S. It’s a little hole in the wall, soon to be remodeled. Before the freeway systems were built, Rt. 40 was a major highway from Springfield to Columbus. Back then, Henry’s was a gas station, restaurant. The eatery has recently been passed from father to son. Big plans are in the process for a complete overall. However, to look at it now, one would exclaim, ”What a Dive!” Not only the food/famous pies, but also the gentleness…
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you. Plans not to harm you, but for a hope and a future. This morning I was watching one of my favorite programs, Life Today with hosts James and Betty Robinson. The guest for the day was Squire Rushnell, the author of God Winks. WOW! I’ve REALIZED many in my lifetime. I capitalized the word realized for a reason. We all get God Winks. Many of us REALIZE that they occur through a Divine Alignment (Rushnell’s new Book). Others do not. For those tapped into “The Source…
The winter of ’86…….SNOW BLOW…SNOW BLOW! That’s the way winters in Ohio usually pan out. We have been very blessed the last two years with mild winters….Don’t get used to it….You know Ohio….Just say’n. LOLOL! Our boys were 11/9/2. The 2 oldest ones had their routine when they got home from school. Here was their regimen: snack/playtime/tv/homework/dinner/chores. However, if you know about kids on the farm, chores and playtime coincide. After the Blizzard of’78, everyone was aware of the following: one could easily get…
This is one of Granny’s most profound quotes. Proverbs 16:18-19 Pride goes before disaster, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be humble with the poor, than to share plunder with the proud. I heard Granny say this to us diligently. As you well know by now, it was Granny and Mom who formed my faith, spiritualism, and character. They were my role models of wisdom. All you have to do is turn on any of the award shows from Hollywood, and you’ll see what I mean. There are many who receive…
It was President’s Day 2003. A huge snowstorm blew in and dropped about 6 inches of white fluff. School was already cancelled for the following day. Country kids drive 4 wheel drive trucks etc. Therefore, 10 of my son’s senior friends showed up about 6 pm. Our entire barn lot was transformed into a huge snow-fort. Farmer Thomas took the big loader on the tractor, took all of the snow from the barn lot and scooped it into mountains of snow encircling a campfire. The kids created their own universe with tunnels, slides, snowmen, ice bricks, and…
Have you ever had one of those days where you hear a statement in the morning? Then you hear the same statement from another source the same day? Yep! That’s God using your OCD to help you get it! LOL! He does this to me all the time. Yesterday morn I was at my Women’s Bible Study Group. I am not a member of this Vineyard Church. I was invited by a friend, and welcomed with open arms. I am so honored to be with such strong, Godly Women. Last year we did a Pricilla Shier Study that…
Last week, I relayed to all of you, how Colonel Grandpa touched our lives. When he came to us, an entire, new era began to blossom upon the farm. Not only did my farmer have an extra dairy/field hand, but also a mechanic, construction worker, vet, and Ag Researcher. He introduced so many new venues of farming, that I couldn’t begin to name them all: chisel plowing, drilling soybeans, rolling hay, a new tractor and kick bailer and …..Growing Potatoes. When he brought this new idea to us, we thought he was joking. One afternoon in the early…
Our young ,married life on the farm was given a huge blessing. A year after Tom’s dad passed(a week after we married), my mother-in-law married her widowed, college sweetheart. Thus our lives took on a new venue. Colonel Grandpa Ashton, arrived upon the scene. He was a breath of fresh air, in the lives of a young couple under pressure. As a retired, army veteran/veterinarian ,who was raised as a dairy farmer, his wealth of knowledge and experience was a treasure. He served in WWII and the Korean War. I so wish that he was…