Family
Weaning, Part One
Every winter I end up caring for four or five cats. They’re usually young, semi-wild cats that need help getting through the tough season. When spring arrives and the snow melts I taper off the feeding program by putting food out only every other day. That causes them to get a little desperate and start to cast about for another food source. They quickly learn about mice and how to hunt. Keeping the mice and gophers in check is the reason for their presence on our place. As soon as I see that they’re not desperate for food anymore I quit feeding them altogether. They transition from being very dependent on me to becoming much happier when they’re self-sufficient and off their diet of dry cat food.
Read MoreHow Many Are On Your Team?
For the past 46 years I’ve been playing catch-up. That’s how long I’ve been a member of the Church. I was baptized and became a member just 20 days before my 20th birthday. Consequently I missed out on Primary, Young Men’s, Aaronic Priesthood ordinations, scouting, seminary, and a mission.
Read MoreLetter To Mom
Your great grandson, Isaac, spoke in church yesterday. It was Mother’s Day. He said that we should all write letters to our mothers. A great longing came over me to be able to do so. I haven’t seen you for 31 years now; but I’ve no doubt that you see me, and know what I do. I think that if I was to write you a letter, you’d probably read it.
Read MoreFamily and Stay-at-Home Mothers
In preparing for a talk that I was to give in stake conference some years ago, I asked each of my children, “What makes our family what it is?” Each had a different answer.
“It’s because we live on a farm.”
“It’s because we have no television.”