A few weeks ago on a Friday afternoon, the Jones family got to travel back in time — not exactly by choice. The chance meeting of my propane tank and a skid-steer resulted in the emptying of my propane supply that would rival Old Faithful. Thankfully no one was hurt,...
Father’s Day may be June 18 this year but to all of the people who hold the title of dad, every day is special. Nothing makes a more profound change in a man than becoming a father. In fact, some would say fatherhood is a journey that leads boys on a path to becoming...
I have never been considered the classiest dresser on the block. In fact, when my wife and I were dating, I firmly believe Lindsey thought I was colorblind. Maybe she saw a diamond in the rough, maybe it was pity — I’ve never asked and she’ll never tell. Most of my...
I never know what I’m going to find when my brother shoots me a text. Recently it was a photo of a spittoon at the Bates County Courthouse. It made me chuckle for a lot of reasons. I knew right away he was in the middle of a trial back in God’s country. Some of the...
There’s a funny story about a man from Texas who liked to brag about how huge his ranch is. He told his friend that if he set off in his truck at sunrise, the sun would be setting by the time he got to the other side. His friend replied, “I had a truck like that...
A couple nights ago, Lindsey and I got the kids to bed and we sat down on the couch to watch some TV. I started to flip through the channels trying to find something we could agree on. On the screen was a show called “The Real Housewives from Somewhere or the Other.”...
I’ve always thought the best place to get a haircut is on the courthouse square in just about any small town in Missouri. While I haven’t quite figured out how they do it, every downtown barber is well-versed on topics as varied as when to plant your corn, who has the...
I love this time of year. Things slow down, I get to see the kids more and the cool weather makes me nostalgic. As I write this the last of the negative election ads are playing on the TV. I want to tell them to save their money. Can there be anyone who hasn’t...
Recently I pulled up at a four-way stop and spotted a 5-gallon bucket in the middle of the road. I couldn’t help it. I stopped the truck and picked it up. I know every farmer reading this can relate. You just don’t pass up a good bucket. I wish I could count the...
Many years ago, my dad thought it would be a good idea for my brother and I to help a local farmer roof his house. While it seemed like a great idea, when we started climbing across that felt-covered roof in the July heat I think we all started having second thoughts....