“What I wanted was a piece of land which I could love passionately, which I could spend the rest of my life in cultivating, cherishing and improving, which I might leave together, perhaps, with my own feeling for it, to my children who might in time leave it to their children…”

— Louis Bromfield, Pleasant Valley

Latest Posts


  • The Danger of Becoming TOO “Deep in History”

    I’ve admitted many times that the final straw that opened my heart to the truth of the Catholic Church was the reading of Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman’s two classic books: his Apologia Pro Vita Sua and particularly his Essay… Continue reading

    The Danger of Becoming TOO “Deep in History”
  • The Operative Word

    The photo is the portion of our mature woods where this year we tapped six sugar maples, collecting over 80 gallons of fresh maple sap. Not being prepared yet to complete the process, we gave this away to friends to… Continue reading

    The Operative Word
  • A Single Purpose

    When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:1-2) This… Continue reading

    A Single Purpose
  • Salvation Is Nearer Than You Think

    Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. (Romans 13:11) I’ve been slowly re-reading through St.… Continue reading

    Salvation Is Nearer Than You Think
  • Telltale Bookends

    I’m in the process of taking one more step towards trying to understand what so called self-imposed “retirement” is. So, I’m rearranging, upgrading, and organizing my small home Study. The goal is to make it so appealing, warm, comfortable, even… Continue reading

    Telltale Bookends
  • The Face of Jesus?

    Do you see Him? I called my son Richard to come out of the basement, away from his computerized war game, and see. At first he didn’t, but then, in time, he saw, and said, matter-of-factly, “Wow”, and returned downstairs… Continue reading

    The Face of Jesus?
  • His communication is true, because it is inspired by love.

    It was really cold out there this morning. None the less, I followed my usual routine. I first fed our four barn cats, and then cautiously walked down the frost-covered hill to fill the bird feeders. As I was inserting… Continue reading

    His communication is true, because it is inspired by love.
  • Good Fence Lines

    The fence line in the above photo has a Michenerian history, and as “just an old man out standing in my field”, my entire homesteading experience definitely has the same Michenerian bent. You may be wondering what the heck is… Continue reading

    Good Fence Lines
  • A Blessing, Not a Burden

    Maybe only older folk like me can relate to this article, but frankly, I wish I would have taken this more seriously much earlier in life. Seriously, I can’t put any of this off any more; now is the time.… Continue reading

    A Blessing, Not a Burden
  • Mystery Solved

    Disconcerting is the only word for it. This past Sunday was a fine, relaxing, normal day out here in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Well, not exactly normal. My wife, Marilyn, was away up north visiting the grandkids, so… Continue reading

    Mystery Solved