A few weeks ago, “Aunt Louise”, my prized Saler cow, gave birth to little 52-pound “Giuseppe.” He’s the first bull calf she’s given birth to and boy is he an active little fella. At three weeks old, he’s now into everything. He loves to come up and bull the tires on my ATV, eat hay, Read More >
Last fall, I was invited to take part in a Missions Board meeting held by one of my clients, who has become more like family than a client to me. Knowing their company puts its corporate profits toward missions work around the world, I recognized the enormity of this effort. When I saw the list Read More >
Many who survived English Literature in high school remember the Montagues and the Capulets. Anyone from Kentucky or West Virginia knows about the Hatfields and McCoys. How many of you know about the feud with the Mectins and the Zoles? For ranchers, this feud has been going on since the fall of man. Like other Read More >
Lonely and afraid, you tremble when he motions you to come with his AK-47 rifle. He’s killed five of your classmates in recent days. Are you next to die? His face covered with a dark balaclava; approaching, you see his cold, lifeless, soulless eyes peering at you. You wonder, Is he in pain from chewing Read More >
Do you have a “Comfort Item”? I never thought about that term until a friend posted about her hospital shirt and how it brought her comfort and peace. After reading Mrs. Melissa Henderson’s post (https://melissaghenderson.com/2019/12/16/the-hospital-shirt-finding-comfort/), I thought about things that bring me comfort. My first thought was of my wife Diane. She is a great Read More >
As the calendar year draws to a close, I want to spend a few days in prayerful appreciation for all that’s taken place in the past twelve months. It might be a little more challenging this year as Diane and I have three little friends staying with us. That just means I need a different Read More >
In case some of you may not know this, I’m “crazy” about my cattle and livestock. I talk, rub, and pray over them daily. Some say “JD has the most pampered cattle in Delta County.” While the tiny community of Ladonia, TX may or may not be in Delta County, it depends on which side Read More >
Every muscle ached, legs felt mired in concrete, shirt soaked through with sweat; still I hadn’t felt this alive in months. In my sixth month of shoulder rehab, I knew the last warm day of the year had arrived. I called a young friend from church to help. This past Saturday was the first full Read More >
In September, Mr. Ron Gallagher (an insightful writing friend), published a post entitled No Breath–No Life (https://gallagherspen.com/2019/09/21/no-breath-no-life/). His thoughts about a stagnant pool of water in his neighborhood led me to think about two things. First, I thought about how my pools (man-made ponds) can become so muddy my cattle won’t drink from them. Rainwater Read More >
When was the first time you remember sitting down at a formal meal? We’re talking the decades old bone china with gold inlays (the stuff you have to hand wash), stemmed crystal water glasses with a gold rim, matching coffee cups, two forks, and a real napkin! I will always remember the thrill of my Read More >