The Writer’s Almanac with Garrison Keillor

Mornings on the Farm
by Dennis Ward Stiles

My father woke at five.

My own eyes often opened
before he touched my shoulder.

Mother’s hands had learned
to fly, to place his plate—eggs
cooked flat—on the table
just as his footsteps
reached the bottom stair.

We drank water
ate fast and said little.

Cattle and hogs with needs
keen as our own
waited, eager but wary
even as we fed them.

We were killers with a handout.
They felt our hurry
and the hint of death in it.

“Mornings on the Farm” by Dennis Ward Stiles, from The Fire in Which We Burn. © Main Street Rag Publishing Company, 2009.

Table for One?

Mike has abandoned me. While I slave away working in ATL and driving soccer carpool, he’s spending his weekdays @ the farm painting and playing. But I did feel a little sorry for him today when I got this photo. This is base camp. Note the stylish chair, comfy air mattress, and table for one (a.k.a. laundry basket). Yep, he’s livin’ in the lap of luxury.

Mike’s To-Do List…Part 3

Get pasture soil tested.
Figure out what kind of grass to plant for winter and spring.
Buy bright orange hunting vests so we don’t get shot walking the property.
Start building and repairing fencing.
Cut firewood.
Shop for Adrian’s “guy wish list”: used pool table, foosball table, basketball goal, futon for game room, pellet guns, BB guns and targets. Oh yeah, and an ATV (right).

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