I walked into my credit union two months ago, just as they were starting a remodel on their building. The counter was busy, so the manager called me over and helped me at her desk. As I sat there looking out the large front windows, it occurred to me that the wall in which they …

Last Friday morning the kids and I were buzzing down the road to school and work. We came around the curve and I said, “Look, kids, a bear.” Every time I see a bear in the wild I think first of a dog, but am immediately corrected by its pear-shaped body, stretched out neck and …

Here are some things we do: – Tithing. This is the foundation of our financial survival because withoutit we cannot expect God’s help. We pay tithing religiously (pun intended)and that is how we can make it. It’s surprising to me how many people know this, from lots of different churches. It’s one of those things …

Yahoo! I galloped down and shot this image this morning before getting ready for work. Ain’t it purdy? These are our five raised beds freed, mostly, from pigweed and other distractions. You can practically see the food growing before your eyes! On the left you can see some of our fruit trees, including the two …

This is one of the things I love to do. I’m not very good at chain-sawing, but just like many other things I’m not good at, I get better with practice. If whatever I’m blogging about is something you’re interested in, you can learn from (or laugh at) my inexperience, and I lack pride to …

We’re actually debt free, except for our mortgage. I’m not sure I’ve mentioned that before, but even if so it’s worth repeating lest you think we are spending extravagantly to maintain and develop our dream. Um, no. The truth is that I support nine people (and two dogs, two cats, nine ducks, six chickens, myriad …

It’s a 1998 Ford Expedition. The unspoken Law of the Forest dictates that every citizen thereof have a dog, a gun, and a pickup. Well, when I had the choice, I opted for a Jeep. So no truck. Our neighbor has a pickup, but the second time I ever borrowed it I busted the back …

We had Emma shoot this after I was done taking pictures of all the kids that I posted yesterday. I’m not much to look at, but I love to look at Jessica. I love talking to her, being with her, and sharing all the adventures of life with her. Fourteen years, seven children, four states, …

Here’s our current posterity in order of age: Emma (13), Rebecca (12), Katherine (10), Abigail (7), Natalie (4), Sarah (2), and Jacob Andrew (four months). We were out in the yard the other evening and Jessica asked one of the kids to bring out the camera. It’s a good thing to occasionally record our children’s …

I forget what I was working on Saturday morning*, but in the afternoon it was time for another exploration party. This is off a dirt road about half an hour from our house. We are inside a federally designated wilderness area, and the old bridge we’re sitting on leads to an abandoned mine near Rock …