What do the Barbie doll, Richie Valens, and I have in common? — Barbie was first sold by Mattel in 1959, and the song Oh Donna, written by Ritchie Valens, became popular after Valens died that year in a plane crash in February when he and other musicians J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson and Buddy Holly crashed outside of Clear Lake, Iowa, killing…

The Original Plan I moved into my current home at the beginning of the pandemic. My husband and I had purchased our property at the end of 2019. We expected to build a tiny house and move into it during the summer of 2020. I would plan a large garden that I would…

Beans are legumes which means that they fix nitrogen in the soil and if eaten as dried beans, mixed with a grain makes a complete protein. Many types of bush beans exist and there’s something for almost everyone. …

Grandpa’s Ride Back in the nineteen-teens, before Dad was born, Grandpa was driving his cows from the pasture to the barn for milking. Because his pasture was across the road from the barn, he had to cross the dirt road at the front of his property several times. He unlatched…

I have been growing garlic every year since I planted the first bed of this allium in 2019. Last year was the first year that I had more than enough to sell some at our local farmers’ market. I also had enough to include garlic in many of the dishes…

Create a Beneficial Wildlife Garden — Just as you need food, water, and shelter, so do beneficial amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals that you want to encourage in your garden and yard. A great place to start helping beneficials is by providing beneficials with water and the perfect place to start providing water is by adding…

A Hidden Cause for the American Revolution: Desire for More Land — In 1750 a backwoodsman of the American frontier carried his squirrel gun and dirk (a short Scottish dagger) in his saddlebag. Upon his head, he wore a fur cap. He was dressed in greased leather pants and a homespun shirt and wore moccasins on his feet. …

Developing better life skills is better than making New Year’s resolutions — Rather than making resolutions this year, I have decided to focus on developing principles to live by and on my annual goals. I will discuss my goals in another article. In this article, I am looking at the principles that I want to solidify in my life this year. I…

What are you answering to? — My husband always told my children when they complained that someone called them a name, “It ain’t what they call you. It’s what you answer to.” He got that from an old W. C Fields’ line. One of the most profound things that I learned in 2022 was “I never…