StillwatersIowa

  In 1977 Jan planted this Pin Oak tree on our yard. It was a drought year. It was the year our oldest son Mike was born. He celebrated his 43rd birthday this past Tuesday. This tree is straight and strong. It has a single trunk thanks to Jan's care and pruning. This trunk's purpose is to point the tree upward.  It serves us well. This Bur Oak tree died in 1977 across from our house. We've never taken it down. It used to be healthy, standing with others on the bank of a creek. The first year here, I made this ditch into a waterway with a dozer. I saved this single tree because of it's size and health. However it died when it lost the soil and structure around it's roots. Jan's Grandpa Frank planted this tree some years before we moved here. It was a freebee from opening a bank account somewhere. It looked like a bush when he planted it. It still looks like a bush today. This tree doesn't have a clue which trunk is it's main one. It had no guidance, direc...

 With everything being so weird this year it seems there has been a more vivid and current appreciation of the little blessings we have in the here and now. Like when we experience normal. Like a visit with someone who makes us comfortable. Like being ok with helping water flowers. Like homegrown vegetables. And yes, like in-season sweetcorn. Right Lane? How will our kids and grandkids remember this year? How will they remember us as they watch and listen to us during these times? A legacy is a family heritage that has been handed down. That can include things and stuff. It can include traditions. It should include values. What about attitude? Do we hand down positiveness or negativeness? Faith or fear? Confidence or uncertainty? In 1980 Ray, a landlord who's gone now, built me a cabinet. It has things in it I value. The ball glove I was given in the 6th grade. Some limited edition toys I used to collect at farm shows. Some 4-H, soapbox derby, and tractor pulling trophies. And some...

 Good morning folks. This coronavirus and efforts to curb it have stirred up all kinds of emotions. Frustration, anxiety, stress, sadness, anger, and even apathy to others' needs. And yes, guilt and fear. Below Karl is addressing our appreciation supper guests. He did a great job.   We have sports teams and athletes trying to make us feel guilty because we love our country and will stand for it. We have politicians and teachers unions wanting us to feel guilty because we want our kids to go to school. We have news outlets that have made us to feel guilty for not staying home, or wearing masks, or social distancing. Below is the crew I have the privilege of working "closely" with on a regular basis minus Jim and Pablo. Last Sunday evening brother Doug's family, brother Bill's family, and Jan and I sat outside Mom's window at the nursing home and listened to a church service together. Mom opened the window just a crack. She was scolded and made to feel guilty fo...

 When we're not sure what's ahead we often look for signs to help us navigate. I apologize for the blog format this morning. The Blogger site updated this month and it's been raising havoc. It's 4:15 am. You're wide awake. Are you thinking about what's happened or what's ahead? The early morning full moon has been exceptionally bright this past week. Last Sunday Mike and Suzanne's, Cody, and Mark and Stacy's, Ethan, along with Trisha, made their profession of faith in our church. It's a blessing to have grandchildren that love their Lord. We are starting to think about fall harvest. It's time to get the combines, graincarts, and semis ready. We helped haul some corn yesterday for neighbors. Corn dust seems to have similar symptoms to Covid. This morning I'm achy and stuffed up. I did wear a mask in the bin. Wednesday I had to do a zoom meeting. I'm not much into zoom. Social distancing is not social. As we think abo...