“Live to Live or Live to Die” –The Jed Nield Story
Jed Nield is a man who has earned my respect. He is a rodeo competitor (a team roper), a father of four children, and manager of a 13,000-acre ranch in Idaho. Why is Jed so impressive to me? After all he is not the only person with these attributes, and in fact there are…
Read MoreMilk Buckets Are For Milk, Not Rocks
Dr. Worthen was the country doctor who operated on my elbow after I fell off a horse and dislocated it. When he took off the cast he suggested to my grandmother that I carry a milk bucket full of rocks around the farm. He explained this would help straighten my arm. The torture began as…
Read MoreThe Snowshoe Hike
When I was younger I was a boy scout, and I have positive, fun filled memories as well as memories of drudgery and mental torture. I learned from both. My most vivid scouting memory occurred when I was 16 or 17 on an overnight snowshoe hike to a cabin belonging to an uncle of one…
Read MoreKeep on the Sunny Side of the Street
A few weeks ago I attended a musical program with my father and his wife at their care center. One of the songs the performers sang was called “Keep on the Sunny Side,” The song was beautiful and the words inspiring so I did a Google search to learn more about its genesis. Ada…
Read MoreProcessionary Caterpillars
Several years ago Jean-Henry Fabre, a French Naturalist, did an experiment with Processionary Caterpillars. These caterpillars feed on pine needles and move through the forest in long processions. One caterpillar leads and the others follow with their heads snugly placed on the caterpillar in front of it. Each plods along assuming the lead caterpillar…
Read MoreThe Athletic Frog
I once heard a story about some frogs that wanted to compete in an athletic event. A committee was selected to find a suitable event. There was only one condition; it had to be something in which any frog could compete if they so chose. After looking at many options, the committee recommended a challenging…
Read MoreMy Helmet Was ‘Blowed’ Off
I have known Earl my entire life and have had many interactions with him. He was a quiet man born in Ogden, Utah in 1891. In 1918 he received a letter from Uncle Sam ordering him to report to the 37th Ohio Division for active military service. He was sent to Europe as part…
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