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Last Bits of Work
Two hours before my shift at the orchard I was feeling punk. I went to work anyway. While ringing up a dozen customers I felt light headed and a bit nauseous so my supervisor sent me home. She didn’t...
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Sea of Humanity
Each week I dive into a sea of humanity and end up alone, in the morning, writing about what I have experienced. Whether the output is political, journalistic, scientific, culinary, agricultural or...
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Arriving Home After Military Service
October 22, 1979 Davenport, Iowa I’ve been in Davenport for just five days and already my mind is flooded with thoughts about projects to get involved with — many different activities. My mind is...
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Wednesday at The Java House
A small group of writers met at The Java House in the county seat last night to consider what’s next. It was my first outing with friends since the general election. Consensus was it’s too late to...
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7 Things About 2016
It’s Christmas Eve in Big Grove, the ambient temperature is about freezing, and we’re ready to bunker in, finish decorating our Christmas tree and prepare a traditional supper of chili and cornbread....
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Report From the County Seat
My birthday trip to the county seat included these real-world variations from yesterday’s plan: Ordered a voter list for my precinct from the county auditor to start organizing for the 2018 election...
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On Our Own into 2017
In this final 2016 post it was easier than last year to outline my writing plans. The work I do to pay bills and support my writing has been tough mentally and physically. To cope with an aging frame...
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Unsolicited Farm Advice
From: Paul Deaton Sent: Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 10:14 AM To: Farmer Kate Subject: Processing and other ideas Kate: Thanks for the kale and spinach. We had both for dinner last...
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What if the Jobs Don’t Come Back?
Since the general election I’ve been laying low, listening to people talk — in person — about the new administration and what President Donald J. Trump means to them. It was about jobs. Most supporters...
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Final Lap in a Workingman’s Race
In several ways, 2017 will be my final season as a working person. That’s not to say I won’t continue to work hard in life. According to the Social Security Administration I have a lot of life to live...
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Sleepless Nights
The month since the inauguration of our 45th president was characterized by sleepless nights, stress and constant weariness. It’s not sustainable. With that in mind, I’m planning to reduce the...
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Spring Pilgrimage
“Lordynges,” quod he, “in chirches whan I preche, I peyne me to han an hauteyn speche, And rynge it out as round as gooth a belle, For I kan al by rote that I telle. My theme is alwey oon, … Continue...
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Saturday at Home
After a Saint Patrick’s Day meetup with friends in Iowa City I drove home, parked my car in the garage and haven’t moved it since. It was too cold for outside work on Saturday so I stayed in, did...
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Potatoes Toward Weekend
Rain kept vegetable farmers out of their fields. The rule of thumb is wait four days after a rain for fields to dry. It rained all day yesterday. Equipment is ready, truckloads of seed potatoes wait in...
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Defining Community
Each of us defines community through our engagement in society. Whether participation is passive, active, or in between, our lives and how we live them contribute in a meaningful way to how we live...
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Writing Through
One third of the way into 2017 I’m like the horse that smells hay in the barn. I can’t wait to finish the year, bed down for an evening, and get on to what’s next. When writing about this final …...
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Winkling the Week
Sunday afternoon I felt a bit dizzy. I assumed it was the long day, split between two farms, getting tired after making 57 trays of soil blocks. As I placed the last tray of 72 blocks on the table for...
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Cooking is Inspiration
The folks I hang with in the local food system are focused on product. Is the asparagus ready? What about the rhubarb? When should I plant peppers and tomatoes? How much should we put into a member...
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Living, Writing and Blogging
It’s 287 days until I plan to leave work at the home, farm and auto supply store and create a day job as a writer. I had hoped to continue writing when I joined the retail outlet. However, it has …...
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Home Stretch
The campaign to survive after a transportation career turned the bend and is heading into the home stretch. Economic realities we face as a family continue to exist, but the effort to cope — including...
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