If there’s one room in the house that has the most “stuff” it would have to be our kitchen. We’ve moved several times in the past five years and with each move, we toss, sell and donate more and more items. However, the kitchen always takes three times as many boxes when it comes to packing. I have a gadget …

The Country Living Association (CLA) has decided to discontinue operations effective today. In an email to readers, members, stakeholders and friends, CLA director Courtney Yuskis wrote that economic conditions forced them to make this difficult decision. It’s with some sadness that I am writing to you this week. The Country Living Association has decided to discontinue operations effective today. The …

I sat down at the lunch table one Monday noon (when I was 33 years old, not 12), pulled out my ground meat (not PB&J) and the “kids” at my table thought I was crazy. Ground meat? I guess to them it looked slimy and unfit for human consumption, but I on the other hand was looking forward to a …

As a parent, it’s hard NOT to steer your children toward a career path. However, it IS our job to introduce them to new ideas, give them a solid foundation then let them decide for themselves. Some kids are born with the desire to be a doctor at age 5; others get through years of school only to find that …

I’m starting to age myself by writing this column. See, I show you pictures of Grandpa’s old things, but then I go and post pictures of MY old toys and you can tell just how old I really am! These are the rollerskates I used as a kid and get this – you left your shoes on and they adjusted …

There’s a pile of old tools sitting in the shed and they look a little bit like this. Included are wrenches, tire irons, scissors – and that’s just the top layer! This collection got me to thinking about other life tools necessary to build a family, a career and relationships within our communities. I wanted to share my short list, …

When is the last time you ever heard someone say, “Can you grab me a soda from the icebox?”? I bet it’s been a while. Let me translate: icebox or ice chest = freezer/refrigerator. And when I came across this large tong-shaped item my curiosity kicked in. It’s an ice hook. In the early 1900s, folks would use this tool …

The Salute to America celebration in Jefferson City included a bird show. The star was this bald eagle. They made their appearance before the evening concert series. We heard all about hawks, owls and eagles with this one being last on the program. “This program features our country’s symbol – the bald eagle,” said Walt Crawford, Director of the World …

If you’ve been along with me on this AgWalk, you may have come to believe I spent most of my early childhood years riding in tractors and checking the cows with my dad. Truth be told, I did do a lot of that but I also spent a large amount of time in the hay loft of an old barn …

Let’s just say there are 8 pounds of water in 1 gallon. (It’s 8.34 but round numbers are easier.) Let’s say this #3 butter churn is 3 gallons. That’s 24 pounds of butter, assuming butter and water weigh the same. Let’s say this #4 butter churn is 4 gallons. That’s 128 sticks of butter. (1 pound of butter = 4 …