It’s easy in the winter to plan big.  It’s easy to think somehow those long days in June can never be overfilled.  And July — why, July has no harvest or planting, so there will be plenty of time to read a book in a hammock as well as learn something new that challenges.
Add Comment
 
Spring Challenge 09/01/2011
 
It’s a very spring-like day,
    I’m standing in the field.
The winter scars of frostbite
   Have nearly all been healed.
Add Comment
 
Change of Heart 03/08/2011
 
After all we have invested
   In our marriage through the years,
After all the joy and laughter
   Working through the sweat and tears.
Add Comment
 
 
I’m sitting at a quilt shop
   Waiting for my wife.
I don’t think I’ve been here yet
   For more than half my life.

This one seems a little longer
   Than the stop we made before.
But I’m quite sure it’s only been
   One or two days more.

It’s fun to see the seasons change,
   To watch the flowers grow.
Soon the pumpkins will come down,
   Then Christmas lights will glow.

But I sit here patiently
   As she fingers every swatch.
It’s good I brought along an extra
   Battery for my watch.

I brought along some bookwork.                                     
   I finished up my tax.
I’ll still make the deadline
   If I send it off by fax.

I’m sure there is new merchandise
   She has never seen before.
Even though to me it looks
   Like every other store.

I know more things than shopping
   Come into the mix.
It’s more than checking every bolt
   To get a cotton fix.

She needs to meet with other gals
   Who share the same affliction.
Except that this group therapy
   Helps promote addiction.

Here she comes with half a bolt
   And an extra quarter,
A rotary cutter, yellow thread,
   Some piping for a border.

I help her load her packages,
   I ask if she had fun.
I say that we should head for home
   If she is sure that she is done.

“Just because it’s on the way
   Let’s hit the John Deere store.
I know that it will only take
   A couple minutes more.”  



Add Comment
 
 
The toolbox on my tractor
     Has a little tray.
So I can take with things I need,
     Or just think I may.
2 Comments
 
 
     It’s really dark out here. We have been blessed with clear skies since the beet harvest season started. There is no moon, so the stars are beautiful. But when I shut off the pickup headlights, man, is it dark out here!
1 Comment
 
 
I need three weeks of winter
     Right here in July.
The projects on my workshop bench
     Are piled up to the sky.
Add Comment
 
 
You know that spring is close at hand;
     The yard has turned to slop.
The winter projects all complete
     Are stacked up in the shop.
Add Comment
 
 
   Ijust can’t hold back any longer. I need to weigh in on the health care debate.
      Right there is a large part of the problem: They aren’t debating healthcare. Congress is only arguing about who will pay the bill. No, I admit I haven’t read the 2,000 pages, but the news is only about the bitter posturing.
Add Comment
 
 
     I ran into a disagreement with electrons again today. Sometimes they are so helpful. Marching in nice straight rows like a Russian May Day parade, their disciplined behavior and orderly rows lead you to believe they could do great things, and they can. But with just one touch of the wrong button, they assume all the organizational characteristics of a kindergarten soccer team. I quickly get to the point where the only alternative is to unplug the game, get them back on the “buss” and start over.

      Electrons Gone Astray
It’s happened often in my past
     And once again today.
Just as I think I have it set,
     Electrons go astray.
1 Comment