Stray Thoughts: Imagine (Part 5)

Your father is dead as are thousands just like him. Your house is destroyed. Neighborhoods, schools, and churches are all scattered chunks of bloody concrete amid the scorched, pockmarked rubble where your life used to be. Your life was not taken…but wasn’t it?

Little Pasture on the Prairie

We’ve once again passed through the darkest part of the year, and I can’t remember it ever feeling quite this good. Though the light has been growing stronger ever since the winter solstice in December, the days are now officially longer than the nights. The growing season has arrived.

Imagine (Part 4)

In less than five minutes, they had a quick smoke break before loading the 90-pound high-explosive round into the breach of the artillery piece and adjusting the windage. Then they fired the munition into the city.

Ten questions for Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month. which makes us ask: Do you know your LOCAL women’s history? Let’s find out, with these questions. 1. Who was Timber Lake High School’s first Homecoming Queen? 2. Who discovered two new species of ammonites and a Mosasaur skull during 20 years of fossil hunting? 3.

Little Pasture on the Prairie

Our first calf of the season was born this week in the middle of deep cold. Knowing the mama was close to labor as dusk approached, my husband trudged back and forth to the barn all evening and into the night to check on her in case she or the baby had difficulties.

Little Pasture on the Prairie

I woke up today in a funk. I overslept after staying up too late, and felt overwhelmed before I’d even begun. For one thing, the house was messy.

Stray Thoughts Imagine (Part 2)

Imagine you are working at the job you have held for years at the bakery when suddenly you are told to go home and gather anything you can and meet others like you to defend your country against invaders.

Something we can do something about

In the world today there is so much that we can do little or nothing about. But in our communities, there are opportunities and needs that we can address. In small but significant ways, we can make a difference.

Little Pasture on the Prairie

Last winter it didn’t snow. The kids waited and waited to take out their sled, but they never got the chance. The dams that usually fill with spring melt stayed empty, the grasses that usually get their first start the same way stayed gray and brown. Spring turned into summer and no rain fell.

Imagine (Part 1)

Imagine a day not unlike any other day, eating dinner and watching TV with your children, when an alarm sounds and tells you to evacuate right now because they are coming in minutes.