StillwatersIowa

Jan and I were reminiscing back 40 years ago. We had just had our third son in two and a half years. Folks were saying, "Oh we're sorry you didn't have a girl". We didn't feel sorry at all. We felt blessed. We weren't to have our daughter Becky until 3 years later. She and her husband Brian had four boys before they got little Hazel. Then 6 years after Becky we had two more boys, one of which is in the picture below. Thanks for the picture Emily.    Kurt and Emily had their third son last Saturday. His name is Lane Henry and he joins his brothers Jackson and Jayden. 30 years ago during fair season and small community celebrations our kids used to compete and do well in pedal tractor pulls. Our grandkids are continuing the tradition. Thursday evening at Oskaloosa's Sweetcorn Serenade Mark and Stacy's Elijah won, and his brother Anton got 2nd in their age classes. Thanks for the pictures Mark. Raising kids starts with those responsibiliti...

About 15 years ago Jack and his wife Karen from Marengo, Ohio purchased a run down campground along Interstate 71 thinking they would make it into a family friendly campground. Below Gideon is shooting sporting clays while Colten and his sister Emily watch. Members of the Ohio Trapshooting Association approached Jack and asked if he would consider turning the 500 acre property and campgrounds into a trap shooting range. Jack said he wasn't interested. However the OSTA was persistent. Illinois had just defunded a large shooting range in their state that had previously held the National shooting matches. They invited Jack to a state shooting meet.   As Jack observed the folks and teams at that state event he was impressed with their friendliness. He was surprised how they just left their guns unlocked in racks and keys in their Rangers and golf carts when they went into a store to shop or eat. Many had USA and state flags flying from their vehicles. Jack d...

Kids that watch their parents and grandparents live the power of principle are much more prepared for the chores of life than those that grow up observing the principle of power. This concept is not only true in families but in businesses, in the workplace, in churches, and in politics as well. Below Elijah is feeding his calf Daisy while his sister Allison watches. Last weekend Doug and Ginger hosted a weekend campout on their farm for family and friends. This is the 15th year this group has gotten together. Below is prayer time after church service and before the noon meal last Sunday.  Jan and I and Mark and Stacy's kids joined Brian and Becky's family and the Sully community for their service in the park last Sunday evening. Summer is sneaking away. It's time for second cutting alfalfa already. Although I don't have pictures it's also time to harvest rye for this coming fall's cover crop. Rye and oat harvest also include baling straw. Since ...