The Farmer's Daughter

 

I grew up around tractors, manure spreaders, hay balers, and harvesters, played in tool sheds, corn cribs, and granaries, hefted pitchforks and hay hooks, steered clear of electric fences, root cellars and well pits while pushing brooms, mowers, and runaway rototillers. I learned to watch where I walked and to know who or what I was about to run into or over.

There’s a wild, uncut three-acre field between our lawn and a creek. This summer, I decided it was time I learned how to brush hog. With the implement raised a high as it would go, I made the first pass, chopping through the four-foot-high weedy vegetation. Grasshoppers and dragonflies sailing over the seed tops, and I drove slowly so they could get out of the way. Voles and mice scattered in front of me, darting into tall-standing, goldenrod, thistle and nettle to live another day.

I mowed around small saplings choked by the aggressive goldenrod and noxious burdock, creating a maze, and my old dream of a reforestation project resurfaced as tiny maple, oak, elm and sumac saplings emerged. With room to breathe, and sun to see, maybe they’ll take off in the coming years. Maybe my dream will come true for a future generation.

Favorite Books of 2026

What are your three favorite reads of 2026? asks the folks at BookDNA. I keep a list of the books I’ve read in my journal, because otherwise I wouldn’t remember all of them. A few could stand out without the penned reminder, but most fade into the back of the bookshelf.

At present I’m reading "Whistler" by Ann Patchett but haven’t read far enough to form an opinion. I’ve liked some of her books in the past, "Dutch House", in particular, because it hit close to home. As I consider her list, I’m reminded of a quote I saw which becomes more relevant every day.

“I’m an American and there are many things about that I don’t believe in and am appalled by, but there are also things I love and believe in. What matters is we do the best we can with the life we have.” – Ann Patchett

At the top my favorites thus far for 2026 is the short but amazing “Seascraper” by Benjamin Wood for its atmospheric setting on the coast of Northern England and portrayal of a young man’s daily toil versus his private dream of being a musician, 

and “A Good Animal” by Sara Maurer, which is a comp for my own  “Black River” (excuse the shameless plug) as it reveals the beauty and brutality of farm life. Maurer’s debut novel also takes place in Michigan. 

Honorable Mention belongs to Ryan Dennis and his memoir, “Barn Gothic, The Death of the Family Dairy Farm”, as I grew up with it and lived it and know it to be true. “Go Big or Get Out”, Earl Butz’s command as Secretary of Agriculture under Ronald Regan, both of whom my late father, farmer and newspaperman, railed against.

At the top of my TBR list:

“Water Lines” - Riverhorse Nakadate,  a self-proclaimed angler, musician, environmentalist, and lifelong nomad, recommended for readers of Mary Oliver and Jim Harrison.

 

“The Beauty of the Days Gone By” - Jason Stone, a good ‘ol epic Western about the historical struggle between Texas cattle ranchers and the Comanche and Kiowa Nations.

 

“Pachinko” – Min Jin Lee, 1900’s Korea and Japan, the highly acclaimed historical novel spans generations and addresses current problems of immigration and racism. I read the sample on my Kindle and loved it. It’s on my library wishlist. I prefer the physical book over electronic.

Finally, I'm super excited about Peter Heller's new novel, "The Far Blue" coming out next April. I've loved everything he's written.

 

Aren't books fun? Drop a comment and let me know what you’re reading or if you have a favorite of 2026.