Some thoughts from the founders of the country

Benjamin Franklin, 1774The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy.

Election should focus more on ag isssues

The number of times agriculture has been discussed during this gubernatorial campaign could probably be counted on one hand.

America’s 250th: A gift to be appreciated, savored

Citizens around the nation are marking this Independence Day as a once in a lifetime milestone. Two Hundred and Fifty years as a republic is a rarity in human history.

The Pains of Parenting

Everyone is aware at some level of the pains of a mother bringing her children into the world.There is no denying that the searing pain of these events forever links the children to their mother.The father experiences no pain whatsoever then.The pain he is likely to experience comes much later.

PRESSED BETWEEN THE PAGES: When life gives you storms

It began slowly. Three successive clunks on the roof. Then a few more until soon the pounding noise came in deafening waves that matched the howl of the wind through the trees. Through my window, I watched the ice marbles hit the ground and bounce before settling among the fading red tulips.

The Doldrums

Language can be uninteresting… detached, like when someone says they feel depressed, “in a rut” or they are “going nowhere”.I have always felt that lack of language mastery actually can trap people in ruts of their own limitations.

Home Country: Giving some ‘expert’ advice

June just might be the first month of summer … to most of us. But for some of this planet’s people, it’s the dead of winter. That would be those wonderful folks who live south of the equator, of course.

PRESSED BETWEEN THE PAGES: Adjusting the Sails

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails” –William Arthur Ward I do not like the wind. It sucks moisture out of my garden. It beats baby pepper plants to shreds. In fall it steals the lovely colors from the trees.

The Finger of God

Some things are so out-of-theordinary and rare that when they occur, if positive, like miraculous healing in a chronically ill person, we refer to them as “Finger of God” events, because nothing else has such all-encompassing power over people, events, life or death.

A Rural Reality Check

Spend enough time in a small town and you’ll hear it everywhere—sometimes whispered over coffee, sometimes declared at the city council meeting, sometimes baked into the way we talk about our neighbors: “They should’ve handled that differently.” “She should be more involved.” “He should know better.