Living in a rural community can’t be beat! Volunteering and helping out one another is a regular occurence here. Recently a fund raiser was held in my hometown for its rural fire department, who along with many other area fire departments came t...

It’s time to get after those invading noxious weeds we farmers have to fight year after year on our land. Though the musk thistles are the worst, if the thistles are treated and taken care of, their numbers can be kept at bay. But it takes a lot o...

As schools are now out for the summer months, it’s not only the students who get a vacation from their studies,it’s also the teachers who get a well deserved vacation. As we have two granddaughters currently studying to become teachers, it bri...

The weekend in this area was filled with celebrations and memorials. Visitors and residents in this area could certainly be kept busy and no one could say they were bored. The annual Vestey Day event was held in Superior and was filled with...

Will the peonies be ready for Memorial Day? That is the question asked at this time every year. My mother, mother-in-law and grandmothers always looked forward to seeing the lovely peony flowers out in their soft and bright pink colors every...

It is beautiful, breathtaking and a sight to behold, all around these Country Roads. With the colder temperatures, high winds and dry weather behind us, spring finally takes the stage in all of its glory. Maybe this sounds wordy but how else can it...

May 8 should have been celebrated across the United States, but that date wasn’t recognized. There were no parades, memorials or celebrations held. Some people may not have even remembered or made aware of the importance of that date, the way l...

As I checked May birthday and anniversary dates of my relatives and friends in my Days To Remember book, it brought me almost to tears. I’ve had this special book of such recordings for about 57 years. Many of those that are recorded have left t...

I hope everyone found great bargains at the local city wide garage-yard sales. I knew of two in this area; Jewell and Superior. It seems about every town has their city wide sales at one time or another. With the climbing inflation, taking advantage...

It’s time to start getting outside digging and clearing flower beds and preparing the garden for planting. Flower bulb catalogs are reviewed and visits to the local greenhouses and landscaping businesses are planned. But we need warmer t...

Where will Easter Sunday find you? I’ve heard that Easter is the one Sunday where the church pews are filled more than any other Sunday of the year. I grew up hunting for Easter Eggs on Saturday and going to church on Easter Sunday, as well as attend...

Again it was proven how our small town, rural communities come together when needed. A wildfire began northwest of my hometown of Burr Oak last week and quickly spread thanks to the lack of moisture and the strong winds. The hometown fire department...

Today, this columnist is giving everyone a “heads up” by warning to watch out for the pranksters and jokers and don’t be “fooled” tomorrow (Friday). It’s April Fool’s Day! It’s been an annual custom on this day to play practical jokes on each o...

Guys like to look back and reminisce about the hot fast cars of their past years, wishing they had kept them or could somehow get them back. I’ve heard over and over, “I sure wish I hadn’t sold that car.” If they could only turn back the pages o...

While taking a winter trip in Texas, we made a stop in a favorite town called Fredericksburg. Every time we go to Texas, it is a stop we make. It’s in the Texas Hill Country and is known for it’s big and small ranches, peach and pecan groves, cow...

Who still hangs out their clothes to dry on the clothesline? I’m talking about the clotheslines outdoors, not on stands in the bathroom or basement. I remember when about every household had a three line wire clothes line where all the washed clothes...

Any ideas for winter meals? Most of the time it seems like the same menu pattern at our home is often overly repeated. There are the soups, casseroles and stews. There are roasts, noodles, beans and cornbread. These meals are repeated and repeated....

Have you heard of Pickleball? It is fast becoming a popular game, played and enjoyed by young and old. When we travel south to Texas during the winter months, Pickleball has gained popularity, especially by those over the age of 55. When we first...

I can’t understand when someone says music doesn’t mean much to them. Music has been a must in my life. I believe it was instilled in me before I was born. My mother loved country music. Her favorite singer through the years was Ernest Tubbs. She...

Where is the snow we had years ago? It seems when we do get snow, it is described as being a “dusting” of snow. I remember as a young child having it snow for days. Finally when it quit, my sister and I would run outside in our snowsuits, glo...

Where is the snow we had years ago? It seems when we do get snow, it is described as being a “dusting” of snow. I remember as a young child having it snow for days. Finally when it quit, my sister and I would run outside in our snowsuits, glo...

There are some creatures God created that I often wonder why? Mice are one of those creations. To me, they have no purpose except to be an unwanted rodent. There are those lovable cartoon character mice such as Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse but they...

Holidays bring back memories of my parents and grandparents, and how much they are missed. So many wonderful Christmas’ with my parents and the two sets of grandparents. We were blessed that my sisters and our children lived within close distance s...