An Unsung Hero of my Own
This post originally aired as a commentary on Tri States Public Radio. To listen, go here. NPR has started airing a new series called My Unsung Hero. Produced by Hidden Brain Media, its mission is to provide an antidote to the despair brought on by the daily news, with the goal of renewing faith in […]
Stay Calm and Bake Pie — Episode 6: Gluten Free Strawberry Rhubarb
Because I had so many requests, I made a gluten free pie crust for this episode of “Stay Calm and Bake Pie.” I’m no expert on gluten free baking — and I don’t need to be! That is the whole point of this series — to show you that pie does not have to be […]
Stay Calm and Bake Pie — Episode 5: Chicken Pot Pie
In episode 5 of “Stay Calm and Bake Pie,” Doug is back by popular demand, demonstrating his culinary skills. Not sure if it’s him or my improving editing skills, but damn if he doesn’t look like a professional chef in this episode. Also, there’s some great music in this one. The Mike and Amy Finders […]
Stay Calm and Bake Pie — Episode 4: Key Lime
My farmer’s hands. They not only build strong fences,they make good pie! And now for something a little different in the “Stay Calm and Bake Pie” video series. Doug appears as the guest baker in this episode, making key lime pie. There are many approaches to making pie and yet the same pie made in […]
For the Love — and Grief — of Goats
Mr. Friendly, Mamacita & Chaps asking, “Yo! Where’s our breakfast?” Three weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, I went out to the barn, as I do every morning, to feed the goats. The three of them—Mamacita, Mr. Friendly and Chaps—are normally waiting at the gate, having already been staring at the house with anticipation upon […]
Radio Commentary: An Outlet for Dealing with Overwhelming Issues
Over the past few years I have occasionally written commentaries for Tri States Public Radio, but only when an issue bothered me so badly I was compelled to weigh in on it. Apparently listeners appreciate the positive messages I try to convey as I was invited to contribute more commentaries, but this time I was […]
Guest Blog: Life in the Not Very Fast Lane at Camp Doug(h) — by Doug
There is no set time when Happy Hour starts on the farm. Beth’s dad, Tom Howard, had a set in stone 5pm start time. For us, in the late spring or summer, it may start at 9pm while we are fixing supper. But now and then it actually starts right on time. The official start […]
Guest Blogger: Jack Iken on Life at Camp Doug
Hi, this is Jack Iken. The last time I guest-blogged on my mom’s page was five years ago, which is like 42 years in dog time. I only guest-blogged one other time. I have posted on Facebook a few times since then, but blogging is way better because you can say more and the stories […]
Seven Years
“Seven Years in Tibet,” “The Seven Year Itch,” seven chakras, the seven-year Shemitah cycle, there is a lot tied to this particular number of years. Today marks the seventh anniversary of Marcus’s death. That day. That phone call. That searing pain of a broken heart so shattered I wanted to crawl out of my skin. […]
Summer Fun: Pop-Up Pie Stand and Pie Classes
Big news! I’m doing a Pitchfork Pie Stand Pop-Up on August 27. It’s at Sip Coffee and Wine Bar, located at 120 South Main Street, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, on Saturday, August 27, from 12 to 4PM. Sip is right on the town square of this quaint and tidy little town at the intersection of […]