StillwatersIowa

Reflection has a couple of meanings. It can mean to look back, to think about, to contemplate. Like the images of the trees in the pond in the picture below it can also mean to take something and send it out or back, like a mirror.   I have so much to be grateful for. At our Thanksgiving service Pastor Paul asked what we were thankful for. Family. Friends. Things to do. Much better than expected crop. Great weather for Iowa in late November. I just noticed in the pic below five of our seven granddaughters sat in front of us Thursday morning. Let's take that being thankful a step farther. How can we reflect that and enable those around us to be grateful? Do our conversations absorb ourselves or reflect others? You know a $100 bill hidden away somewhere has no value until you spend it or give it away. Our time is the same way. What and who do we spend our time on? Last Sunday evening I was blessed to be invited to a Thanksgivi...

I often wonder what you folks would like to visit about. My ideas usually come from our jobs during the work week. An explanation of what we are up to. And then an application to how it all fits together in life.    When we chisel cornstalks we are getting ready for another corn crop next year. Soybeans are forgiving and can be easily no-tilled in last years crop residue. However you want to plan for a corn crop not to have a bad day. The deep rippers on this tillage trip go about 14 inches deep and is the vertical operation. Their job is to break up compaction. This allows the soils to better receive and hold next years rains rather than have the water run off in a sheet like fashion. It also really helps develop strong corn roots. The disk on the front and back of these machines are designed to stir, mix, and bury previous crop residue in the soil structure. This is the horizontal action. Burying old crop residue builds ...

Yesterday was set aside to honor veterans. At the state football playoffs yesterday a coach from each team was selected to be recognized. Jeff from Iowa City Regina and son, Mike, from Pella Christian were selected and honored for their service to our country. Mike was in the Marines from 1995-1999. The Pella Christian football team made the state playoffs this year and played at the UNI dome yesterday. Even though they lost a close game by two points they gave it their all. Thanks to the players, the coaches, the cheerleaders, and the fans for a good showing. I was honored to help Andy with his plan yesterday. On Friday evening he asked if he could make a quick trip to Des Moines. He was planning on chiseling his new farm on Saturday afternoon and asked Amara to ride along. He placed a large rock in a waterway with an engagement ring underneath it. While chiseling together they noticed the rock  and Andy asked Amara if she would help him pick...