Editor’s note: In the first column in this series, Val Farmer wrote a fictitious letter created to summarize a common complaint attributed to a rural woman called “Carol.”
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It should be no surprise that I love words, especially unusual words. Years ago, I came across the word “anachronism.” I was not familiar with the term.
Twenty-five years ago, our nation mourned as nearly 3,000 Americans, including 400 firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel, perished in terrorist attacks on our own soil.
This is a fictitious letter I created to summarize a common complaint. I attribute it to a rural woman I will call “Carol.” These thoughts capture the distress many women feel about the quality of their marital relationships in farm and ranch family business operations.
As I write this, farmers here in north-central Montana are sidelined from harvest by rain. A few overnight showers turned into true rainfall by mid-morning, dashing hopes of being in the field for the next several days.
It was so hot the other day I saw a funeral procession pull through a Dairy Queen. OK, that’s an exaggeration, but it was really hot.
- By Steve Bohr
Bridges have structure (a guardrail) to protect cars from going over the edge and into the water. Every time I cross the Mississippi River into Illinois, I wonder how many of us would drive differently across that bridge if there were no guardrails to protect us.
Editor’s note: This column was originally published on Nov. 1, 2004.
- By Terry Rasmussen, Jubilee Creek Farm
Whether you’re an individual or a business, you need to constantly evolve.
My parents were the best educators in life lessons, whether it was in 4-H, religion, on the farm or with family. We always knew where we stood and we always had a stellar example to follow.
- By Arvid Huisman
As I have grown older, I have witnessed an increasing frequency of funerals.
DENVER, Colo. — The U.S. economy has continued to perform reasonably well despite a growing constellation of warning signs. However, surging energy costs and extreme volatility in oil markets resulting from the ongoing Middle East conflict could shift the trajectory of the U.S. economy for t…
Editor’s note: This was originally published May 30, 2005.
- By Darla Tyler-McSherry
Every time I travel back to Lonesome Prairie, I am so acutely aware of its appropriate name.
- By Arvid Huisman
Compared with a lot of men, I’m a rather boring guy. I have no major hobbies.
I marvel at the ability of artificial intelligence to express coherent summaries of content. The world's storehouse of knowledge is indeed at our fingertips.
Years ago a somewhat wise person told me the more birthdays you have, the longer you live. This came to mind recently when I celebrated another birthday.
Only one time in my 33-year career have I witnessed an heir negotiate their own inheritance before the death of a parent.
Only one time in my 33-year career have I witnessed an heir negotiate their own inheritance before the death of a parent.
Author’s note: Over the past 14 years since retirement, I consciously removed myself from the front lines on helping rural families with their life challenges — especially in the realm of economic crisis, which some farmers are now facing again.
As a society, we are too often preoccupied with the superficial. Good looks and athletic ability too often carry more weight than a pleasant personality, a caring heart and mental acuity.
As I continue to plod my way through winter, I’ve been mindful in trying to follow my own recommendations when it comes to managing mental health.
- By Tom Barton, Lee-Gazette Des Moines Bureau
Farmers and business leaders say the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs Feb. 20 underscores the need for stability in trade policy, while also amplifying concerns about the economic strain tariffs have placed on agriculture and manufacturing…
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