Blogs

The National FFA Convention is back in town, and that always brings a smile to my face. I love seeing people make new friends, explore the city and learn about agriculture.

I am quite outspoken when it comes to my thankfulness to have had the opportunity to grow up in the agriculture industry and be involved in the many different aspects that it has to offer.

There’s a lot going on at the Quinlan homestead this time of year. The chickens are staying cool in the summer heat. The grapes are ripening on the vine. Blueberries should be ready to harvest soon.

This blog is one of the last, for now at least, in what has turned out to be a series of sorts about helping five of my six kids prepare their projects and livestock for the 2021 Johnson County 4-H Fair.

With six kids, it can be hard to find time to do individual activities or have one-on-one talks with them. Usually, when one kid does something, it’s a good bet that at least two others want to join in on the fun, as well.

Last week, my husband and I decided to take the family on vacation and decided on camping — in the backyard. He thought it would make for great practice when all eight of us go on trips throughout the years to come.

The old saying that “time flies” couldn’t be more true. There is still so much to do and the Johnson County 4-H and Agricultural Fair is less than a month away.

Growing up, as I have admitted in the past, there were several chores I didn’t like doing, including picking strawberries from our family patch of close to 1,000 plants, pulling weeds and working with my 4-H livestock three times a day.

To say I have been extremely disappointed during this year’s March Madness would be a complete understatement. I know it’s just basketball, but for me and several others it felt like a sense of normalcy was returning after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, despite having to wear masks to the games and all 67 games being played in Indiana.

The long, dreary days of winter are upon us, and on top of that are strict restrictions and regulations still in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

It’s no secret that when it comes to cooking, and not burning what I am making, I’m not very good at it.

Over the years, I have only seen one or two inaugurations on the television, but I recently had the opportunity to watch the livestream of the 2021 Indiana Inauguration.

Now is the time when individuals tend to begin thinking about what their New Year’s resolution might be.

If you’re like me and usually not OK with change, I encourage you to open your heart to change and see what good can come from it.

Orion Samuelson, the iconic agricultural broadcaster, will retire at the end of this month after 60 years at WGN Radio in Chicago.

With the holidays right around the corner, this can be a stressful time of the year.

Every person deserves a good place to call home. It’s something I don’t take for granted.

I am trying to teach my kids that Christmas is not just about getting presents.