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www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — JUNE 25/JULY 2, 2021
The garden and life are synonymous — weeds and all All winter long I had been dreaming may not even be known to us — until, at about being outdoors and spending time some inopportune time, it will suddenly in my garden. Well, summer has finally expose itself. So many times I may be arrived for real. These weeks of 90-plus sharing my garden with others. It looks temperatures only confirms that summer clean, but all of a sudden there is this is here. It is time to put all that winter glaring ugly weed that somehow was ambition into action and enjoy the warm missed. So it is with us. sunshine. Throughout the years, new plants are And so I am. Usually I just enjoy listenadded to the garden. Some I have FROM MY ing to the birds sing their praises, and let searched for, others just seem to find me FARMHOUSE my mind wander to wherever it wants to and are perfect for a specific location. KITCHEN go: menus, people, writing. It is always Scripture is like that. Sometimes when By Renae B. fluttering off somewhere — somewhat our souls are hungry or desirous for Vander Schaaf akin to the bumblebees buzz around the encouragement, direction or correction, Drumstick Alliums for a bit, then off to the we search the Bible for help. Other times, a verse Beardtongue/Penstemons. jumps out grabbing our attention. But this season that old gospel song “Life Is Like Most of my plants are perennials, returning each A Mountain Railroad” just keeps playing in my spring. They are reliable and familiar. We all have mind. Railroads were quite significant when this our scripture passages we depend on to bring comsong was written and played a role in almost every- fort; or when rejoicing, the verses will just flow from one’s life. our heart. Railroads conveyed people, livestock, food, dry On that same note, gardens will not thrive withgoods, farm machinery, and whatever was needing out water and nutrients. So too do we need spiritual transporting to destinations hither and yon. Since food which comes from reading and meditating on most of us have never ridden on a train, or loaded scripture, listening to sermons and worshiping with livestock to be taken to the Chicago Stockyards, we other believers. When that is neglected, we suffer. rather forget how the words of this song really corIt seems as though asparagus, cilantro and garlic related to life — and still do. like my flower garden spot. They pop up wherever I can hear the train whistle when I am weeding. It they want to. I leave them, as it is hard to weed out seems to me that there is much in the garden that food that may be needed someday. These plants also parallels life, too. remind me to sprinkle good deeds whenever, wherever possible throughout each day because someone Obviously, the weeds are easy to equate to sin in may be in need. many ways. Purslane is quite small at this time of the year and appears quite harmless. But … oh, It’s evident in the garden that there are seasons. how it spreads. Even so, a seemingly small sin can The crocus and tulips have finished their blooming. escalate and invade our whole being. The peonies and lupines are in their prime now. As they fade away, the Monarda and Butterfly Weed A weed growing close to a plant is often hidden and overlooked until revealed through closer inspec- will burst forth in colorful bloom. tion; or it towers over the plant that it had been So it is with us. We are as grass, here today, gone using for cover. We may harbor hidden sins; or a sin tomorrow. The Bible tells us: “For all flesh is as
Because I mentioned this song, I suspect the tune is now in your mind. Life Is Like A Mountain Railroad (from Hymnary.org) Life is like a mountain railroad, with an engineer that’s brave; We must make the run successful, from the cradle to the grave; Watch the curves, the fills, the tunnels; never falter, never quail; Keep your hand upon the throttle, and your eye upon the rail. Blessed Savior, Thou wilt guide us, Till we reach that blissful shore; Where the angels wait to join us In Thy praise forevermore. You will roll up grades of trial; you will cross the bridge of strife; See that Christ is your Conductor on this lightning train of life; Always mindful of obstruction, do your duty, never fail; Keep your hand upon the throttle, and your eye upon the rail. You will often find obstructions; look for storms of wind and rain; On a hill, or curve, or trestle, they will almost ditch your train; Even if true (Grassely cited an Iowa State Put your trust alone in Jesus; never falter, never University source for the number) not even a nickel fail; of the money would flow to most hog farmers since Keep your hand upon the throttle, and your eye about 85 percent of all U.S. hogs are raised under upon the rail. contract for … wait for it, yes … meatpackers. As you roll across the trestle, spanning Jordan’s As such, most — if not all — of any extra profit swelling tide, made through faster, more dangerous kill speeds You behold the Union Depot into which your train would flow to the packers, not the hog farmers or will glide; plant workers. There you’ll meet the Superintendent, God the But that’s the way it’s been since … well, too long. Father, God the Son, With the hearty, joyous, plaudit, “Weary pilgrim, The Farm and Food File is published weekly welcome home!” through the United States and Canada. Past colRenae B. Vander Schaaf is an independent writer, umns, events and contact information are posted at www.farmandfoodfile.com. v author and speaker. Contact her at (605) 530-0017 or agripen@live.com. v
Workers won’t profit from new rules GUEBERT, from pg. 3 reported by DTN, Grassely claimed “slower line speeds could lead to a $23 per head decline in hog prices.”
Correction Well … there’s bad news and good news. The bad news is the dates for the Todd County Fair were incorrect in The Land’s County Fair Guide. The good news is, you haven’t missed out on this year’s Todd County Fair. The correct dates for the event are July 15, 16, 17 and 18. We apologize for any confusion we may have caused. Enjoy the fair.
grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” (I Peter 1:24,25 King James version)
