As I attempt to assemble thoughts and peer out our east living room windows on this first morning of 2021, I see the pure, white, driven snow falling at about an eighty-degree angle. There’s just enough wind to carry the large flakes a fair distance, and enough to make the current temperature of 34 feel colder than it is
Read MoreI believe Merle Haggard was right in 1973 when he sang these lyrics: “If we make it through December, everything’s gonna be alright I know”. We’ve got 31 days to find out.
By now I think we all know someone who has been directly affected by the corona virus. The indirect
Read MoreDoes anyone else wonder who was responsible for designating each month as a particular "awareness month"? Just another job in the long list of occupations I don't recall seeing at career day.
Read MoreFellow Montgomery County Farm Bureau members, please follow our Facebook page for some of the fantastic items that will be offered at our 3rd annual benefit silent auction at the upcoming October 6 annual meeting.
Read MoreKansas Farm Bureau recently announced their newest member benefit partner, KEY Apparel. Members can save up to 20% on online purchases with free shipping on orders over $75. Members also have access to the KEY Business Design Lab to create custom-branded KEY apparel for your business.
Read MoreOnce upon a time, back in the day, when I was a kid, I remember when, well, we’d been a drinkin’…. As you get older, do you find yourself using phrases like these to preface a story, a remembrance, or a legendary tale?
Read MoreFor those who don’t know, I own a furniture repair and refinishing business, Chuck’s Country Creations. From time to time I also custom build furniture and craft type items.
Read MoreCan we just get back to normal?
No, I’m pretty sure we’ll never experience normal as we once did. But, you know what, normal has always been on somewhat of a sliding scale.
Read MoreWell, I can’t say I was overly enthused with Governor Kelly’s May Day eve address to us, the people of the Great State of Kansas.
Read MorePerhaps ol’ Phil was right; we very well could have an early spring. Despite the fact that the official calendar beginning of spring is March 19, daffodils are blooming, ticks and mosquitoes are out, and I’ve seen frogs in the pasture thirty yards from the creek.
Read MoreHow ‘bout them Chiefs!!! I remember when they won the big game fifty years ago. For years during McLouth Elementary recesses we boys all pretended to be Len Dawson, Otis Taylor, Jan Stenerud, Willie Lanier, etc. I can only imagine kids today imitating Mahomes, Kelce, Hill, Honey Badger, and so on. What a great lesson in believing in your team, faith, and execution of a game plan. Some businesses could learn a few things from this team’s progression.
Read MoreI trust you all survived the holiday season. It seems as families grow, mature, and move away that more coordination and planning becomes necessary. It is my belief that it’s important for Santa Claus to visit the little ones at their own home, which means sometimes cousins, aunts, uncles and even Nanas and Papas have to wait their turn. Even then it becomes a challenge to gather them all together. Nonetheless, the wait is worth it to share the love and laughs with those we adore most. Just think how absolutely wonderful our lives could be if we would just carry that happy holiday emotion with us every day.
Read MoreWell, the voters have spoken; I’m back for another year. A couple of board members asked if I would continue composing this column if I wasn’t re-elected President. I said I wouldn’t, so here I am. It’s funny how things work out sometimes. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed leading Montgomery County Farm Bureau last year, and I look forward to the coming year as well. By the way, if you’d like to help with any of our activities, please let us know.
Read MoreFirst and foremost for Montgomery County Farm Bureau members, the annual meeting and banquet is October 1st at 6:30pm at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Parish Hall in Cherryvale. Invitations have been previously mailed to all members. Furthermore, we are sponsoring a silent auction to help offset some recent medical costs for Darren Felts. We have received some very nice items from generous contributors all around the county. If you are unable to attend the meeting, or are not a member but would like to donate, send a check to our office at 217 W. Myrtle, Independence, Kansas 67301. Please try to have funds to us by October 10, and write “Darren Felts” in the memo line.
Read MoreOpening day of dove season, Labor Day weekend, kids are back in school, State Fair, and football season is here again! That means days are getting shorter, temperatures will start dropping and combines will begin rolling in the corn fields - just as soon as they dry out some. What a growing season it’s been thus far! At least there’s no current forage shortage for cattle grazing in lush pastures, and we’re not hauling water. This is usually the time of year we pray for rains to kick the fescue back into production. I just pray the water gap fence stays put with each rain.
Read MoreIt has started with a bang here along the Sycamore Urban Boundary. I was rudely awakened by the thunder and lightning around 2am this morning. It was concerning enough that I got up to check the local radar, and it indicated we were on the extreme west edge of the meteorological activities. And the leading edge winds; I wouldn’t be surprised if there isn’t some corn leaning southward now. I’m sure there is tree damage between here and Joplin.
Read MoreOfficial rainfall total for Independence in June was 8.62 inches, with the average being 6.34. I know for a fact other areas of Montgomery County received more. I’ve repaired the water gap fence in the creek more this year than probably the previous four years combined. Nonetheless, my cattle have fresh running water, as well as a full pond. The grass is thick, and so are the mosquitoes. And the humidity, oh my.
Read MoreBut first, a little May recap. According to the National Weather Service, Independence received 16.67 inches of rain. I’m sure there are some isolated areas that received more. That represents one-fourth to one-third of our average annual rainfall. May is typically the month we receive the most rain, with an average of 6.5 inches. We sure blew that average out of the water. (too soon?)
Read More
