Laura Unearthed

I’m a Full House fan.   We never had satellite, so I watched the reruns on channel 23 everyday at 5 pm.   Over and over and over. And, when I finally had cable for the first time in my life in my dorm room… Full House . It’s just that good, and I couldn’t resist a post with the premier of Fuller House .   [*I actually watched the first two episodes before wrapping up my writing, so now I’m just annoyed to be revising when I could be watching more episodes of Fuller House … I laughed, I cried (no seriously, not just an expression…sadly enough).   It was basically everything I needed it to be.*] I’m glad to report that Farm House families and the Full House family may have more in common than you realize… 10) Gathering ‘round the dinner table.   First, I just want to say that my girls and Tommy – they have the SAME high chair.   Geez, listen to me… (now if I can just get my hands on one of those blue plaid couches…) ...

I vaguely remember when I first learned about "blog world."  I thought blogs were really strange.  Who has time for that? When I would happen across one or two to read, I thought it was extra strange how these people acted like friends in the comments with people they had never met.  Fast forward… You can only sit through (and promote) so many workshops emphasizing how important it is to tell the story of your farm before you act.  So, I entered “blog world.”   What a great experience it has been, so far! I love being a part of this edifying environment of smart, strong farm ladies.  I even got to meet one of our hosts, Laurie at Country Linked !  Here’s to the cynics: Blog World IS the Real World.  Real people, real stories, real relationships: here’s to more in 2016.  On to Christmas in the Country!  This is my first time participating, and I loved the experience. Lara at My Other More Exciting Life ...

Image courtesy of nuttakit at FreeDigitalPhotos.net The summer after my eighth grade year, my brother was preparing for his senior year.  One morning, he was headed off to help with an FFA contest, but a couple of people had just canceled, leaving the opportunity for me to fill their spots.  However, I was easily intimidated by the older kids.  I was still debating as he headed out the door, and said, “You can choose to be involved, or you can choose to not be involved.”   His words resonated with me, I hopped in the passenger side of his truck and had a great day. Today, our society seems to be on overdrive with activities.  Networking, serving, socializing, and honing skills are all very important to me.  Many times we say we can’t, when really we could, and we would better ourselves or others richly.  But other times...you just can’t. One of my unofficial personal mantras is “take advantage of all opportunities.”  However, hub...

Harvest is growing long these days. It’s been a good harvest.   However, there’s nothing more disheartening than watching the yield monitor register some of the best corn you’ve ever had, only to suddenly drop by 100 or more bushels an acre. If corn is selling for approximately $4 per bushel, simple math tells us that equates to $400 an acre.   What’s causing this loss? Wet holes. The flat creek bottom where we’ve raised our best corn is littered with low spots where water collects.   Even though we know corn needs water to thrive, too much, in this case, water pooled in low lying areas, stunted our corn yield by over half.   The areas with lighter colored corn are in wet spots.  Corn standing in water or wetter soil is stunted in growth because the water fills the spaces in the soil, and the roots cannot receive oxygen.  This severely limits yields at the end of the season. Plus, the water runs off the field haphazardly causing erod...

Hey old friend, I miss you.   Remember the days in grade school when we made clover “jewelry” and “crowns”, played four-square, and begged our parents for sleep-overs?   Or when we spent hours outside of class making that video for our English class project?   Those were the days. Or maybe you’re my acquaintance.   My friend of a friend: maybe we were in a wedding together and shared a great time on the dance floor.   Maybe we shared one college class and really hit it off, but haven’t talked much since then. I see you on Facebook, now and then.   Enjoying a fall coffee or beautiful sunset.   Or… blowing off steam about the latest divisive issue. Transgender, abortion, which lives matter, the range of sexuality, gun control, common core, entitlement programs, presidential candidates… …and let’s not leave out: GMO, organic, animal welfare, factory farms, grass-fed, eat local, the environment. Do you want to know what gets und...

In these parts, we’re currently experiencing the regional holiday known as: fair time.   It really might be better than Christmas because we see all of the people we care about and eat great food that we don’t have to cook.  Loving on her cousins' show cattle... just like her big cousin did with mine when she was little. :) This week is the lull between our district fair and the county fair to our north.   I could write pages about all of aspects I’ve looooooved about these fairs over the years: cool fall mornings, steam rolling off of a heifer’s back at the wash rack, hanging out with your “family” all week.   Although, I’m not sure if I could put into words the joy of watching my sweet daughters begin to fall in love the same traditions.   Which is good because that’s not what this post is about… My farmer and I both enjoyed several years as livestock exhibitors.   We love chatting about sharing this tradition with our daughters when they are ol...