The year was 1930 and my Grandmother was 5 years old. For historical preservation, the dog, Spot, was lovingly noted on the back of the photograph. A while back, I wrote about round bales versus smaller square bales. Today, the picture depicts a time before either of those existed and hay was moved in loose piles. This photograph is my … Read More
2-way? 9-way? Which way?
Today, we have 2-way radios, 3-way light bulbs, 2-in-1 juicer/squeezer and 3-in-1 breakfast makers. They’re designed to make life easier, quicker and simpler. Now, out of the kitchen and into the shop…..if anyone has ever looked in my husband’s toolbox, you’d know that wrenches, nuts and bolts are anything but easy and simple. He has square-head, hex-head and 12-point wrenches. … Read More
The Weight of the World is On My…Horns?
It seems like my grandpa knows a little bit about a lot of things. Jack of all trades, master of none is how some people put it. I like to think he’s a walking dictionary, encyclopedia and history book, and I enjoy his stories. The other day, I asked him to pull something out of his treasure trailer that he … Read More
Everything But The Squeal
About 20 years ago, my grandfather wrote a book about our family history. He had it printed, and as we unpacked at our new house, I came across that family story, neatly bound and stored amongst my set of office books. I later sat down with him to hear about one such experience contained in the book, and am now … Read More
How Does This Thing Work?
Item #48 on our wedding registry: automatic can opener, a.k.a. item #8 that still sits on the pantry shelf and has never been used. I guess I shouldn’t say never. I think my husband used it once or twice. Raise your hand if you still use the old-fashioned kind where you have to manually turn the knob. I know, there … Read More
Are Those Crop Circles?
On a plane back to Denver, I was listening to the conversation taking place in the row immediately behind me. I heard a gentleman ask of his seat-mate, “Are those crop circles down there?” To which the other man responded, “No, that’s the edge of the field where the water doesn’t reach.” Also knowing the answer, I was about to … Read More
It’s 100% Wearable
Before I buy a shirt, I look at the label to see if it’s 100% cotton. If it is, it usually requires ironing. I think I have an iron and ironing board somewhere in the house. Maybe. 100% cotton means it stays on the rack and I look for another shirt. I bet when Grandpa’s mother made a sweater out … Read More
Area Code First
I can imagine how it sounded: “Can I have your phone number please, starting with the area code?” “6.” “I’m sorry, I just caught the first number. Can you give it to me again?” “Yes. 6. That’s my phone number.” I can’t even keep up with the latest in cell phone technology. Pretty soon, we’re going to have a chip … Read More
Burning The Midnight Oil
When I tell people where we live, I’ve actually had a couple folks ask if we had indoor plumbing. They picture rural Nebraska with outhouses and well water that we have to carry in with buckets. (We are on well water, but it has a pump and we have an operating sink!) We’ve come a long way since then, but … Read More
The Tea Leaf Collection
Before we got married, we went to the store and registered for gifts we thought we needed as a new couple, some of which included two sizes of plates, matching bowls and coffee mugs. I think a place setting totaled about $8, if memory serves me right. The coffee mugs have never been used – I guess square plates are … Read More