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How we treasure our family heirlooms, if we are fortunate enough to have some handed down to us. Maybe we treasurer them a little too much. Sometimes we store these heirlooms safely and neatly tucked away in a chest, a drawer or a cabinet. There they remain unused, and not viewed for a long periods of time. We are so afraid something will happen to them that we wait to to use them or a look at them. They are never fully enjoyed. Maybe the well kept heirloom is grandmother’s china and silverware too special to use, a quilt that was lovingly made...
Maybe I’m considered to be old fashioned in today’s society, but I enjoy holding a book in my hand to read instead of looking at the words on a tablet screen. When I go shopping for something, I like to hold it in my hands, look at the exact color and try it on if it’s clothing instead of looking at items on the computer screen. Though I do necessary online shopping from time to time, I still prefer to see what I’m getting. Another of my perks is I enjoy sending and receiving hand written notes and letters. Now I know a person these days ca...
The cold, freezing and snowy weather we have been enduring made me think of the winter days at Oak Creek Country School where my sister and I attended years ago. Some of the students in today's schools would not understand what it was like to attend school during the winter months in that little one room schoolhouse. No, we didn't have to walk three miles to and from school each day as some had to in years before. We were blessed to have a little Jeep bus that picked us up at our homes and...
Jewell County was established in the late summer of 1870. Its first election was held in September. The county was growing as more settlers arrived. Soddies and dugouts were built to house the settlers and their families. Getting the living quarters built happened quickly so farm and ranch work could begin. One can imagine the scene in the Kansas song, “Home, home on the range where the deer and antelope play. Where seldom is heard a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy all day.” Yet, those early settlers had to face a lot of cha...
A reminder that Sunday, February 14th, is Valentine’s Day. So it’s time to get or make that special someone a special something. Maybe that “something” is a flower bouquet, a piece of jewelry, a box of chocolates, or a sentimental card. No matter what it will be, it’s the thoughtfulness that will be appreciated. As a child, Valentine’s Day was looked forward to at the Oak Creek Country School. Red and pink paper cut out Valentine’s were made, and put on ribbons or strings that were draped across the walls of the school room. White paper w...
Kermit and Joyce Jeffery will be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary this year so who better to be recognized on this Valentine's Day? Kermit and Loyce were not only class mates while attending Burr Oak High School, but they soon became high school sweethearts, a love that has remained with them for almost 74 years. Kermit, who will be celebrating his 90th birthday Friday, has lived in Northbranch all of his life except for the two years he served in the Army. He was born in a...
I’ve heard couples say, my children are so noisy and cause so much ruckus at church on Sunday that we don’t think we should come until they get a little older and behave better. I try to assure those couples their children may be a little noisy but they are not bothering anyone as much as bothering their parents. Children are the future of the church and it is at the earliest age that they need to start coming to Sunday School and church with their parents to learn what is there and what it is all about. It should be every parent’s top priority...
It could be said that a couple that crafts together, stays together. Cliff and Glenny Barnes, having been married for 61 years and fit that statement. The living room in their Burr Oak home is their work room. It is in this room within a couple of feet from each other that their crafts are brought to life. In one corner of the room is Cliff's small table where he sits and paints his wooden cut outs. In Glenny's comfy chair, she sits and crochets and stitches on her many creations. They like to...
Monday was a “Snow Day” in this part of Kansas! School, events and some business closings were announced Sunday as a winter snow warning was issued. The large snowflakes began falling in the late night or early morning. It was coming down so thick that viewing out our farmhouse windows was limited. Reports on the weather were coming in. It seemed Mankato and Superior made the news as having some of the highest amounts of snow being 8” to 10” as of noon. Right after lunch, the snow seemed to quit falling but a small amount more was expecte...
With the country sides being so dry from the lack of moisture, and the high winds of last week, several severe fires swept across the farmlands for miles. Some of these terrible fires were local and as some of the farmsteads and homes were being evacuated and animals moved, many brave firemen were rushing for hours trying to put the moving fire out. These firemen, and maybe I should add firewomen, were not paid professional fire fighters . They were volunteers. Those volunteers left their jobs, homes, meetings and businesses to help where neede...
Men have their "Man Caves" so women these days are asking for their equal, a She-Shed, and Phyllis Liggett's request was definitely answered. The word "She-Shed" is described as being a small building reserved specially for the use of an adult woman in which she can relax and pursue her interests. Phyllis' She-Shed certainly fits. For many years, Phyllis has done her art work in a small bedroom in the Liggett house but when it began to spread out into their living room, her husband, Mike,...
Living on a farmstead has a lot of pluses. Some of those are the panoramic views provided every day and night. When either standing outside or looking out the farmhouse window, the sights are almost unbelievable. There are no city views of tall skyscrapers, or their thousands of lights that flash on at night out here. Glorious sunsets with colors of reds, golds and oranges can easily be seen. No city buildings block those sights. Marvelous sun rises as the sun first glides up in the east light up the sky. As the billowing storm clouds begin to...
No, I do not have a New Year’s Resolution. I am just thankful to get beyond 2020 and into 2021. Now what’s to say 2021 will be any better? I don’t have an answer for that question but it’s at times like this it would be good to be able to see a little beyond and into the future. The closest I came to being able to see into the future was years ago when I was a sophomore at Burr Oak High School. Every year a high school carnival was held in the school’s gym. We all had such fun preparing for that carnival. I can’t remember how it was done bu...
It’s time for to do a “year in review” but do we really want to take a look back on 2020? We’ve heard it over and over, “this year will certainly be a year to remember.” The year started out fairly normal with New Year’s Eve 2020 celebrations as friends and family got together to play games, visit, eat goodies and ring in the new year, never dreaming what was ahead. The usual New Year’s resolutions were made and most were broken. But something was appearing in the news, warning of a threatening unusual virus happening on the east coast. Feb...
Christmas memories are showing up this week. There are the memories of the Oak Creek country school’s Christmas programs that were prepared in songs, poems, and making those special gifts for our parents. The little stage area in the one room schoolhouse had a wire stretched above the stage and sheets were used to create curtains. The classes took turns preforming their parts for the parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors who were seated on folding chairs in the audience. Then Santa would arrive, passing out treats. Sunday School Christma...
Not knowing if any or all of our family are coming to stay part of the Christmas season at our home, left me trying to figure out just how much decorating I should do this year of the COVID virus. This time of the year most all of our children and grandchildren make their way to our house to eat a holiday meal or two. Then we gather around the brightly decorated Christmas tree and amongst the laughter, and chattering, the gifts are unwrapped. My husband suggested we just skip the usual holiday decorating this year, but with it being my...
I don’t know if it’s just me but it seems it gets harder and harder to find anything fit to watch on television. Oh, there are some good shows but fewer of them. My husband and I have found ourselves watching the golden oldies or as I’d rather call them the “classic” television shows. There’s the Andy Griffith Show and good old Mayberry, where everybody would have loved to have made their home. The classic comedy shows are enjoyed as they are nothing like the modern day shows where the jokes are nasty and political. There are shows like the Ho...
December 7th, 1941, a date that “will live in infamy” happened 79 years ago. For many of us, the one year planned sneak attack by the Japanese on the United State Pacific Fleet base on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, probably was first learned about while seated in history class. For those who can remember that emergency, shocking radio report of the attack, it still will forever remain in their minds. I can remember my father telling me he and others were traveling in a car by Hardy when the news came on the car radio. They were all in disbelief. The...
Thanksgiving 2020 is turning out to be one of making adjustments that may include cutting back on getting the whole family together as usual because of COVID warnings. For most people, it’s been dealing with making adjustments and trying to decide what is the right way to celebrate this meaningful holiday. Maybe if the family can’t all be together, it will just make a person thankful of the past family Thanksgiving Day gatherings. Hopefully next year will be back to the way it used to be. This year may be a great time to just simply sit dow...
“Button, Button, Who’s Got The Button?” Do you remember that childhood game? While attending country school at Oak Creek during the winter months, we would play all sorts of games that were enjoyed while remaining inside the warm schoolhouse. Some of the students would stand or sit in a circle with their hands in a prayer-like position. A person would place a button in their hand, also in a prayer like position, and walk around the circle moving their hand in between each person’s folded hands. Only the person placing the button and the one...
Blow Kansas winds blow! Kansas is known for the winds of the plains. Sunday a strong south wind blew through Kansas on into Nebraska with wind gusts reported from 40 upward of 50 miles per hour. As I drove to church, going west to east on the highway, I had to keep a tight hold on the steering wheel as I tried to keep the vehicle on the roadway. The main door into the church foyer opens to the south. After the service as people opened the door to walk out and the blast hit them. One small woman had a hard time standing up as she walked toward h...
I will certainly be glad when this election is over. It used to be by late election day evening, it was known who won the election. This year it may be a different story. We may not learn who won until days or weeks later. This election has been one for the books. So much confliction and diversity. Let’s hope when it’s over, we all have the “sportsmanship” attitude and unite again behind a common cause. ———— Veteran’s Day is November 11. The special day has been so important to my family. My great-grandfather was a Civil War veteran. My grand...
It was an awakening this morning to note the ground was covered in snow with more flakes steadily falling. We heard it was coming via weather reporters last night but had hoped we would be missed this time. I know, I know, we need the moisture but we had hoped fall rains would come instead. This snow fall came earlier than usual but like it or not it’s here. It’s covering my patio chair. I have enjoyed walking out onto the deck every morning and sitting with a cup of coffee to watch the birds flocking to the three feeders in the yard. The blo...
Playing the piano has been an enjoyment in my life. I’m not an accomplished concert pianist by any means. Playing for the fun of it is what I like doing, and of course playing hymns for church is also top on my piano selection list. My parents were determined that I should play the piano. They started my lessons while I was in kindergarten. It never was easy as a youngster practicing the piano every day. I remember Mother sometimes having to stand over me making sure the practicing went as planned. I loved being able to entertain by either s...
At this writing on Oct. 12, this country is not only observing Columbus Day but it’s also the Annual National Farmers Day! So are the farmers and their families out celebrating today, taking a day off, observing a holiday? Most all of the farmers today are knee deep into fall harvesting, baling the cane crop or planting wheat. No, they will not be taking a day off. Living on a farm all of my life makes me understand what it’s like being a farmer and a member of a farm family. It’s not an easy life but farmers would be the first to tell you t...
