If ever you were a visitor to our family at the house on the hill near the university, the Third Street bungalow, or our current homestead, you sat on the purple couch, or, at the very least, took note of its presence. The purple couch was like an old friend. It accepted us, its people,Continue reading “The Purple Couch”
Author Archives: 1maniac1989
Trying to be a Farm Girl
My nine-year-old and a couple of his buddies were loading into our car after baseball practice. Before I had started the engine, he surprised me with what he had to tell his friends: “My mom’s going to play stupid ‘Follaton Wood’.” He neglected to tell his teammates that he has been asking for that songContinue reading “Trying to be a Farm Girl”
So Was That It?
Lush green foliage exploded up the century-old corn crib which had been transformed in recent years to a hobby farmer’s fancy. The lace white blooms of the Sweet Autumn clematis were a few weeks from showing, but the vine was rich and full. It would, we thought collectively, make the perfect backdrop for nextContinue reading “So Was That It?”
Eight Days
“Is my suit ready for tomorrow?” There was a sense of urgency tainted with a little hesitation that accompanied my son’s question. It was late. I wasn’t planning to do any more laundry. He had been thinking this through in his head, rehearsing how the mornings would unfold, likely since the day he learned ofContinue reading “Eight Days”
The Kindest of Wolves
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not into thine own understanding.” –Proverbs 3:5-6 “Shut up, you stupid idiot, or else I’m going to punch you in the eye.” “Hi, Miss K. I love you.” I am secretly just a bit jealous of the spontaneous embrace that my little boy gave toContinue reading “The Kindest of Wolves”
Circles
“Yesterday, a child came out to wonder”. The voice in my head pleaded, “Don’t cry…don’t cry…don’t cry on your way to the post office.” I had been unexpectedly emotional since the early morning phone call from the postmaster letting me know that my new chickens had arrived. Chicken keeping, like most everything else, has aContinue reading “Circles”
Raccoon Vs. Chicken Vs. Me
As far as I could see, the gravel road stretched into the expanse of the dreary midday. The road seemed to lead to nowhere, but I felt as though I knew where I was going. I must have waited at the edge of the road for at least twenty minutes. The wild grasses were soContinue reading “Raccoon Vs. Chicken Vs. Me”
Circus Freaks and an Animal Parade
I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t say anything. I had no idea what to do, so I did nothing. Still, the days passed, and there was another sunrise, a ball of red-orange casting a spell of yellow softness onto the white snow, but only for a short time. The hours pass withContinue reading “Circus Freaks and an Animal Parade”
Open My Eyes; Take Me To My People
It sure is cold outside. She was as sweet a baby as ever I have known, and I was so happy that she was mine. But actually, she wasn’t mine. The first time I took her to the social services office to visit with her mom, I had dressed her in my daughter’s outfit, theContinue reading “Open My Eyes; Take Me To My People”
The Butterfly Child
It’s not that I’ve lost my way; I am just not yet sure where I am going. For a time, I was sure that I knew: the activities of my future were far in the distance, many rotations of the sun from the rhythm of today. There was much between my tasks of the dayContinue reading “The Butterfly Child”
