Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by. Today I'm sharing a story I wrote for Good Old Days Magazine. It's a story that reminds me that sometimes, the most treasured heirlooms are the memories of our family. It was just an ordinary spring day in 1952. Like many times...
I hurried down the steps, my bare feet on the heels of my brother’s as we raced to the tree. “Santa came!” I squealed, spotting several neatly-wrapped presents tucked under the branches. We plopped to our knees and began inspecting every package. “This one’s for you.”...
Sometimes farm kids have to make their own fun. That’s what I did one time when my parents left me alone with a bunch of cows. But you’ll never guess what I did to pass the time and entertain myself … Every cow was in the corral – except one – and I knew what that...
I can’t believe it’s already strawberry picking time! This time of year always reminds me of my great-grandma. We picked strawberries every summer at her house when I was a kid. We’d pull into the driveway, chickens squawking and scattering across the barnyard, while...
The other day Emily and I stopped by a store I hadn’t visited in a long time. From the moment the automatic doors slid open, I noticed a very distinct aroma. Let’s see, how should I describe it? It’s probably a mix of new tires, livestock feed and various agricultural...
Gotta love that smile! Snow days. Funny how those words sound very different to me as a mom compared to when I was a kid. Before I begin, let me give you a warning. Some portions of today’s blog may make me sound old. Okay, I’m ready now....
Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. But as many of you know, it’s also a difficult time of year to lose a loved one. I was reminded of this last Tuesday morning when my 92-year-old grandpa passed away.Now I know what you’re thinking. Ninety-two years! And...
Thankfully, this is not the house I grew up in! As a young girl growing up in a big old farmhouse, there were certain places in my home I’d learned to avoid. I’m not sure when it began, but I know who’s to blame. My brother. His favorite pastime was to tease and...
My childhood home ... Last weekend Curt and I found ourselves in unfamiliar territory. We looked at our calendar—and found nothing on the schedule! It was a beautiful day, so we decided to take the girls fishing at Grandma’s house.Whenever I visit Mom and Dad’s house,...
It’s hard to be patient when there’s a long road ahead. Maybe your goals feel way beyond reach. That's when it's best just to enjoy the journey. A couple of years ago we drove to Florida. We would have preferred to fly, but the cost of five airline tickets...
We arrived home late that Sunday night. Curt unhooked my car from the RV, and I parked it in the driveway. Normally I would pull it into the garage, but we’d been gone for the weekend and my daughter’s vehicle was in my spot. I thought Curt was going to finish up with...
Two ridiculously cute shih tzu puppies wrestled and played while I asked myself the same question I’d pondered many times before. Why do I put myself through this? I scooped up a sweet little fluff ball, snuggled her against my cheek and snapped a selfie. Then I...
I don't know about you, but this sheltering-in-place thing is making it hard for me to keep track of what day it is. Is it Monday? Is it Saturday? Who knows? I still have two college girls, a high-schooler and a husband here every day. To make matters worse, last week...