When February arrives on the farm, we don’t look for the groundhog’s shadow; we look for weeds. Their emergence is a harbinger of spring, a sign of what’s coming. The first weeds are welcome: a bit of green, evidence of moisture and the promise of new growth. Their perennial nature reassures us there is the […] Read more
Stories by Beverly Biggeman
Path to farmhouse paved with rocks
Producers put the rocks they have collected over the years to good use while remaking a front yard patio
Our neighbour Stewart was surprised when he spied a large rock on top of the feeder house of the combine when he called one day at harvest time. He couldn’t believe anyone would stop, get off the combine and pick a rock, much less travel around the field with it until end of day. I […] Read more
COVID victory garden ended up for the birds
Careful fencing was able to protect the garden patch from most wildlife, but feathered friends became a different matter
In May of 2020, I planted a COVID-19 Victory Garden. Many others were doing the same in their backyards. I chose to plant mine in the field across the road from the farmhouse. The field included a six-acre piece that had never yielded much, perhaps because of a wide strip of Manchurian elms, which formed […] Read more
Reflection can unlock deeper learning
Lately, I have been wondering if COVID lockdowns and cold weather are taking a toll on my brain and my energy level. I became concerned that I was spending too much time thinking. Pre-COVID, I was accused of being too serious, too analytical. I like asking questions. In fact, my granddaughter, Hazel, and I, have […] Read more
Old farmhouse relinquishes its treasures
Sorting through the contents of a 104-year-old home while making it liveable again offers an enchanting link to the past
A 104-year-old farmhouse can yield a treasure trove of stories, memories and folklore. When my husband, Bob, and I moved into the family farmhouse near Swift Current, Sask., we began a 10-year-long project to restore the farmhouse to its former glory. We determined at the outset that we were not going to sink our life […] Read more
‘Last field’ always causes the most problems
Whether it’s rain or mechanical trouble, this field never fails to cause its fair share of headaches at harvest time
Why is it that Murphy’s Law is sure to be invoked when working on the last field of harvest? Our last field this year, which is also the furthest from home, is the perfect location for breakdowns, down time, and weather events. This year, other than one or two minor breakdowns, we sailed through the […] Read more
Producers specialize in divergent thinking
If you are retired and want to keep active, or if you just want to test your brain power, ride along with a farmer in the field for a day, volunteer as a farm worker, or better yet, get a job on a farm. Forget sudokus, crosswords, and brain teasers. Hanging around farmers is a […] Read more
Letter writing helps ease the pandemic blues
The project matched a senior with a Grade 6 student, who was given time in class to write a letter to his or her pen pal
I was hesitant to pick up the senior’s package at the local library fearing that it would contain pictures to colour and notices about activities I could get involved in. I have difficulty embracing retirement and being a senior, in that order. The cover page of the package, however, drew me in — one of […] Read more
Birds become welcome hobby during COVID-19
The experience of bird watching was introduced gradually as pandemic restrictions took hold and life slowed down
I never thought I would become one of those people who sat by the window and watched birds coming and going in the tree in the front yard. The flowering crabapple is perfectly positioned outside the living room window for just such an activity. It’s so perfect, we have set two armchairs next to the […] Read more
Desire to not ‘go fast anymore’ drives passion for mules
Owners say animals’ surefootedness makes them excellent candidates for trail riding, packing, and working with cattle
If you are experienced with horses and have more than enough patience, you might be ready to own a mule. These horse/donkey hybrids are tough, intuitive, and loyal members of the equine family. Laureen Kress, and husband, Joe, who live on an acreage near Waldeck, Sask., are mule enthusiasts and have been so for almost […] Read more
