Do you remember in sights or sounds? For one family, the 1970s and 80s were filled with small moments in and around the farm that will never be forgotten. Waking to piano notes lilting from the music room and the sizzle of fresh eggs in the kitchen . . . scanning the horizon for a hint of rain or waiting for the first bean seedlings to pop through the soil . . . listening for the rumbling of tractors in spring or the gentle lowing of mama cows as they get their sunrise bucket of feed . . . tasting the bitter salt of sweat from hauling hay or the cooling breezes of a picnic under the trees . . . these everyday events in those simpler days seem more welcome than ever today. A labor of love for three siblings, The Stillmeadow Years: The Rhythm of Life on One Family Farm is a collection of family history, childhood memoirs, and biographical poetry that paint a picture of how a Midwestern family gave their all to one family farm.

Warning: This book is not in any way related to the beloved Stillmeadow Farm series of books by another author.

Preface

Where I’m From, Part I

The Stillmeadow Years

The Music Room

Portrait of My Mother

A Woman’s Place

Youngest of Eight

Backwards Through Time: A Photographic Essay

Livestock Projects Teach Tough Lessons

State Fair Lullaby

Where I’m From, Part II

Life Lessons From a Teacher’s Example

Sick Days

Somebody Might Think There’s a Problem

Life Is Not Always Fair—Especially in the Show Ring

Running Over Myself

King of the Road

Kenny Joe, the Cousin I Couldn’t Quite Kill

Betrayal

Those Who Wait

Where I’m From, Part III

About the Authors