I think back to a time long ago when I reported to the military; just a young kid fresh out of high school. In the folly of youth, I convinced myself I was going to be a career soldier, live a life of adventure—filled with tales of heroic actions and daring escapades. But alas, like Read More >
Ask any farmer “What do you look at the most?” and they’ll respond with, “The weather.” We order our lives by it. Did it just rain? No mowing, tilling, planting, or harvesting today. Is it fixin’ to rain? Better hurry and get the seed drilled in, the fertilizer slung, or the drainage cleaned out. Scorching Read More >
With all the chaos, furor, and clamor happening around us—and what may soon come—our nation appears on the brink of destruction. Satan has created a strong current of partisanship, distrust, division, and hatred within this world that is now threatening our nation. This division is seeking to overwhelm and destroy the very nation founded on Read More >
Mowing the grass one summer evening, I’m gripped by the sweet, pungent smell wafting through the air. Pushing forward on the levers, I encourage my mower to move quicker toward the aroma. It’s captivating. The fragrant bouquet of pear, apple, and honey draws me to its source. Our Papple tree stands majestically behind my workshop; Read More >
Here in cattle country, a brand means something. More than identification or a marketing tactic, a man’s brand denotes what he stands for. Here at the Cross-Dubya, and in my Christian writing, it means we put Christ first in everything we do. It’s reflected in the way we seek to honor God through caring for Read More >
Three small words. Individually, they seem harmless; but when combined, they become a call to action that men and women have been willing to die for. I first learned the motto for the United States Army many years ago. I was in the 9th grade and enthralled with the military history I was learning in Read More >
At the Cross-Dubya, as with any ranch, something is always in need of repair. It’s just a fact of life when farming and ranching. And if you’re not handy with tools and able to come up with innovative solutions, you’ll soon be a broke farmer or rancher. My three-year-old hay rings are a good example. Read More >
Each year in late August, the reports trickle in. By mid-September, you hear of them almost daily. If you’re not prepared to do battle before you spot large brown spots in your pasture, you lose. What do farmers and ranchers in east Texas battle each year as we transition from summer into fall? Army worms! Read More >
A few months after delivering her first calf, my clown-faced cow “Lulu Belle” developed a debilitating foot problem called corkscrew claw. Thought to be hereditary, this Saler-Hereford cross is one of my favorite brood cows and is as gentle as they come. One of the few calves I got to name; she got her name Read More >
Among the greatest blessings of living in our little farming and ranching community, is how we share our lives. I enjoy saying, “We know when folks are married and buried.” We pray when someone is ailing; we celebrate achievements and milestones together, and we pitch in to help our friends and neighbors whenever we can. Read More >