Most business owners are focused on growing their business and legacy. But at some point, they must consider a plan for retirement. That’s why it’s important for business owners to begin thinking about how Social Security fits into their retirement planning. Social Security benefits are part of the retirement plan of almost every American worker – including business owners.
Luke 22: 61-62 “And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”
First of all, a thank you to all of you readers that attended my book signing at the Plain and Simple Craft in Shipshewana, IN. It was a pleasure meeting all of you! Even a reader from California attended. She was out visiting her sister. It’s always an encouragement to meet and talk to readers and hear all the kind words. Sometimes I feel like time is so limited with being a mother and also grandmother to thirteen precious grandchildren. It makes my time worth it all when I hear the encouragement. To me this is the only life I have known. It saddens me to hear of others that have never experienced the family life I do. It does make me appreciate it much more. I was very surprised to have Uncle Melvin (my dad’s brother) and Aunt Kathryn come to visit awhile at the signing. It is always a good feeling to visit with your deceased parent’s siblings. So many fond memories, and once they are gone the memories are all you have and you treasure them even more.
A new trend emerged at the CTTC conference last month. At least one third of presentations had soil health, regenerative farming, or cover crops in the title. A big change in farming practices started with soil and health and cover crops from 2010-2020, but that trend has slowed down. Was it just a fad?
We have entered the fourth month of 2025. It is 26 degrees at 5:30 a.m. My husband Joe and son Benjamin have both left for work. I have lots and lots of laundry to wash today so I thought I had better get this column done first thing this morning.
The monarch butterflies that were born here in Ohio late last summer and early fall, have spent their winter in the mountains of Central Mexico. As of the first week of March, all of them have left their oyamel fir forest sanctuaries and are headed north.
I don’t remember much about third grade during school hours, but after school I do remember my first cigarettes. Both of my parents smoked, as did a lot of adults then. I was already old enough to carry the trash from the house to the backyard burning barrel and use matches to light the fire.
Three years of national survey results have now been collected on farmers who no-till. No-Till farming magazine recently shared these 2nd half results. Farmers use a lot of different equipment, different brands, and different sizes. A major change has been the switch to larger corn planters. No-till and probably most farmers are switching to 16-row (40 foot) corn planters 31.2% up 3.9%, 24-row (18.2%) while 12 row planters have fallen from 28.4% to 23.7%. While farmers have less money to invest due to lower prices and weather concerns, equipment is always a major expense on every crop farm.
The sun is shining brightly and the temperature is in the upper twenties. The wind makes it feel colder than that. Twenty-one years ago we moved from our Indiana home to our home here in Michigan in March. It was cold with snow on the ground that year (2004). It doesn’t seem possible that it has been that many years ago. Daughter Lovina was born three and a half weeks early and arrived before we were all unpacked. Son Kevin was born the next year completing our family of eight children. Life has brought many changes during those years.
As our part of the world wakes up from winter’s slumber, we see wonderful signs of it all around us. The plants, animals, birds, and insects make their presence known both visually, and in some cases, audibly. Their behavior changes as they transition into spring.