Holiday Writing
In May 1972, in the English Philosophy Building of the University of Iowa, professor David Morrell held up a copy of the book he published the previous year and asserted it represented the future of...
View ArticleOvercoming Inertia
When I left full time work March 16 I had no expectations. After all, there was work at two farms in spring and early summer, and fall weekend shifts at the orchard, all to keep me busy. That’s along...
View ArticleSo It Begins
The holiday season is over and today I return for a shift at the home, farm and auto supply store. I’m fine… I’ll be fine. Since the orchard closed for the season it has been two months of reading,...
View ArticleComposing 500 Words
Post today, move on to tomorrow, and for the most part, walk away once the post is up. That’s blog writing. While a writer can improve his or her craft by writing regularly, the impetus to post on a...
View ArticleBunkering in During Snowfall
Snow began overnight and is expected to continue all day — the first real snow this winter. We need more from winter, a week of subzero temperatures to kill bugs in the ground and to stop the sap flow...
View ArticleAfter 50 Years
Feb. 1 will mark 50 years since Father was killed in an accident at the meat packing plant. Memories of Dad have hardened into meaningful stories. I was thinking of him when I woke this morning. What I...
View ArticleLunar Eclipse
Refracted light creating a reddish-orange hue on the moon’s surface looked pretty cool last night. It was an event to remember, one that transcended daily life. It drew many of us together with a...
View ArticleWhat’s in the Junk Drawer? – IPERS Edition
Is there a post in the detritus of a life? Do we have time for the leftovers, the dregs, or residue from a cooking pot burnt once too often? Probably, although it would hardly be a main event. This is...
View ArticleNewspapers Are Dying – What About Blogs?
Every Wednesday evidence newspapers are dying is delivered to the end of our driveway. I’ve asked the Iowa City Press Citizen to stop this delivery as we get a digital subscription. They can’t. They...
View ArticleAddicted to Writing
I’m addicted to writing. Since retiring in 2009 my morning routine includes making a French press of coffee shortly after waking, wandering downstairs with sleep sand in my eyes, reading at a computer...
View ArticleSoup for the Polar Vortex
Monday I made a big pot of vegetable soup using what has become a standard process. Mirepoix of onion, celery, carrot and salt sautéed in a couple tablespoons of vegetable broth. Potatoes peeled and...
View ArticleRest of the Way Out
Seems like I’ve been hunkered down and bunkered in since apple season. I’ve been thoroughly funkified. With 45 days left until spring I’m restless to get out of my lair. The number of indoor places I...
View ArticleMarket and Linn Streets
Editor’s Note: Originally posted on Nov. 4, 2011. I live in the country, in case this is the first time you are reading this blog. In economic tough times, we have to multitask any resource use, so...
View ArticleDigging Out, Getting to Work
After four hours digging snow in the driveway wind came up and I shut down the operation. Mid-dig I made a cup of hot cocoa and took a break. I made it to the road, gaining access for when I … Continue...
View ArticleBrief Respite and T.V. Culture
The farmer sent a long text message. We delayed soil blocking because the forecast is cold overnight temperatures for the next week. The seedlings we might have planted would be at risk. Lambing at the...
View ArticleBird of Prey
There was no time to stop and get a photograph. While eastbound on Highway 382, a large bird lifted from the ground within my headlights and dropped a recently killed rabbit. It hesitated, perhaps...
View ArticleUsed Book Sale and Other Necessities
Yesterday was the annual used book sale at our library. In addition to clearing the stacks of unpopular or outdated books, the community donates books, media and labor to manage the sale. Each item is...
View ArticleTuesday Snow Melt
Depressions in the snow pack made a Swiss cheese-looking melt outside the French door where we feed wildlife. Deer are nocturnal grazers, eating what birds, squirrels and mice don’t, leaving their hoof...
View Article40 Acres Sans Mule
There is nothing magical about 40 acres in the 21st Century. Today’s American farmers can make a living on much less, largely because of crop diversification, technology, and emerging markets for...
View ArticleStarting Spring
It felt good to be outdoors on Friday. The sky was clear and temperatures warmed enough to shed my coat. Green-up has begun. We filed our income taxes with the Iowa Department of Revenue and the...
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