From My Farmhouse Kitchen

FROM MY FARMHOUSE KITCHEN By Renae B. Vander Schaaf

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 listen- added to the garden. Some I have ing to the birds sing their praises, and let searched for, others just seem to find me my mind wander to wherever it wants to and are perfect for a specific location. go: menus, people, writing. It is always Scripture is like that. Sometimes when fluttering off somewhere — somewhat our souls are hungry or desirous for 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 correlated to life — and still do. It seems as though asparagus, cilantro and garlic 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, wherObviously, the weeds are easy to equate to sin in many ways. Purslane is quite small at this time of ever possible throughout each day because someone may be in need. 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 A weed growing close to a plant is often hidden and overlooked until revealed through closer inspecthey fade away, the Monarda and Butterfly Weed 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

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.

Even if true (Grassely cited an Iowa State University source for the number) not even a nickel of the money would flow to most hog farmers since about 85 percent of all U.S. hogs are raised under contract for … wait for it, yes … meatpackers.

As such, most — if not all — of any extra profit made through faster, more dangerous kill speeds would flow to the packers, not the hog farmers or plant workers.

But that’s the way it’s been since … well, too long.

The Farm and Food File is published weekly through the United States and Canada. Past columns, events and contact information are posted at www.farmandfoodfile.com. v 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)

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;

Put your trust alone in Jesus; never falter, never fail;

Keep your hand upon the throttle, and your eye upon the rail.

As you roll across the trestle, spanning Jordan’s swelling tide,

You behold the Union Depot into which your train will glide;

There you’ll meet the Superintendent, God the Father, God the Son,

With the hearty, joyous, plaudit, “Weary pilgrim, welcome home!”

Renae B. Vander Schaaf is an independent writer, author and speaker. Contact her at (605) 530-0017 or agripen@live.com. v