Treat Others to the Best

Growing up just a few miles from this barn, it’s been a common sight for much of the last four decades for me.  While I’ve never used the product advertised, I have loved old barns.  So, it’s easy to understand why I have enjoyed seeing this barn and others like it throughout the years.  They are a part of America’s rural heritage and help us to remember times that were often simpler and happier – at least in our memories.

Barns painted with advertisements were a once-common sight across rural America.  As a means to reach passing motorists, companies would rely on these barns to promote their products.  In addition to a small stipend paid, these advertisers would offer the farmer a means of getting their barn painted – helping to preserve the integrity of the barn’s wood.  A win-win situation, if you will.

An early common advertiser was the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company, who’s “Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco – Treat Yourself to the Best” ads were painted on barns in more than twenty states.  These signs were painted by hand.  According to Wikipedia, the Mail Pouch program ran from 1891 to 1992.

While the Mail Pouch ads were the most common, other companies also painted their slogans and advertisements on barns.  In addition to barns, many other buildings were also used for canvasses for these promotional campaigns.  Feed and grain stores, tobacco companies – even tourist destinations such as Rock City, near Chattanooga, Tennessee, painted roadside structures in similar fashion.

In addition to barns, perhaps you may remember other rural roadside advertisements.

Perhaps, one of the most famous was the “Burma Shave” signs.  These ads would have several small signs in sequential order carrying humorous rhyming poems – with the last sign saying “Burma Shave”.  While these advertisements were before my time, I’ve enjoyed seeing pictures of them in different publications over the years.

These vintage barn and roadside signs are reminders that each of us displays messages every day.  Our actions often carry more weight than our words, and people often watch what we do to see if we can be trusted.  Regardless of whether we realize it or not, someone is always watching us – so let’s “Treat Others to the Best”!

Have a great day! 🙂

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Calves and a Milkman’s Lesson

On a recent delivery to a dairy farm, I noticed several calf hutches near the driveway. Several young Jersey calves were resting at these enclosures. While I loved seeing the young animals, it also brought back another memory a day later as I thought back to that stop.

Seeing those Jersey calves brought back memories of my Grandfather. He hauled milk for many years – until I was around six years old. Grandpa is where I got my love for trucking. (He may also be partially responsible for why Dad has worked at a cheese factory for more than forty-five years – and, they both played a part in why I love farms and rural life.)

Growing up, I loved trucks. It was always exciting to go to my grandparents’ place and climb into one of Grandpa’s truck cabs. All of those knobs and buttons were very tempting for little fingers!

But, there was more to Grandpa than just trucks. He loved people – his family, and the individuals that he met over the years. People are where these calves come in. I remember hearing how Grandpa used to enjoy talking to farmers as he picked up their milk. He also enjoyed sharing a funny joke or good story – and likely, many of those farmers looked forward to his arrival to add some color to their days.

As I’ve grown older, I still enjoy trucks. I don’t always find their cabs to be the fascinating playgrounds that I did as a child. Yet, like Grandpa, I’m finding that trucking allows me to have a unique way to enter other people’s lives.

I don’t have the ability to spend long periods of time getting to talk to my customers. Yet, I still enjoy those few moments of conversation that I often have with various people. It’s a privilege to get to enter into the lives of others – earning their trust as they tell me their stories. Those moments aren’t something that I take lightly – but, believe to be an opportunity that God blesses me with.

The Jersey calves reminded me of an important lesson that I learned from Grandpa many years ago – that we’re seldom too busy to give a listening ear to somebody else.

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Experiencing God

We live in a world that is always in a hurry. In the process, we often lose focus on what really matters: God and people. As a result of this misguided view, the rest of our lives, work and many of our best intentions become mediocre.

What if we took the time to experience God and listen to others? Perhaps, if we order our lives in a slower more orderly way, you and I can then say that we have given our best.

(Photo Credit: My wife.)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Life and Boots

Work boots are one of my favorite forms of footwear. Ever since I was a young boy, I appreciated the hard work that they represented. Since then, steel toes have protected my feet many times. And if I’m being completely honest, since I’ve always been a bit vertically-challenged, I like the additional height that they offer.

These work boots have traveled a lot of miles – quite literally. In addition, they’ve supported a lot of weight – mine, and the heavy, bulky construction materials that I often have to shoulder. After wearing them for over two years, they’re finally worn to the point that they will need to be replaced soon.

My boots don’t look nice anymore. The leather is faded and cracked – with holes developing in the toes. They are tattered and worn – having survived many seasons of both weather and life. If you were to talk about them with my wife, she may also tell you that they don’t smell very nice, either!

These work boots resemble how some of us may feel. We may feel battered, worn and exhausted by life – like we’re falling apart. Fortunately, God never says that we’re too old to have value, or worn beyond usefulness.

This picture reminds us of the importance of hard work and commitment. It also is a reminder that young boys will become men one day, so parents, let’s raise them up well.

Have a great day! 🙂

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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The Old Brick House

This farmstead sits just down the road from where my grandparents used to live. Ever since I was a boy, it has sat abandoned – causing me to be intrigued by this setting.

Old brick farmhouses built in this fashion are not as common around here as wood-sided structures. This causes me to wonder about the uniqueness of the place, and the family who might have built and called it home.

There’s beauty and a story in every house – and the life of each person. Even the most dilapidated structure or grievous offender can display the Creator’s love.

Every trip is an chance to see something new. It’s up to us to find diamonds – even in the rough.

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Going for a Drive

Ever since I was old enough to remember, I’ve enjoyed going on drives. Each trip is a new adventure. You never know what will be seen on each outing.

I think that there’s something almost soothing about a small rural road. It is here, where I can often slow down as I get away from the hustle and competing noises of the world that we live in.

It’s out on these small roads where I enjoy a front row seat at watching the Creator’s hands at work. All of creation speaks of God’s wonderful love and affirms His goodness.

So, let me encourage you to take a drive on some small, rural road. Take your time, roll the windows down and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. You’ll be glad that you did!

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Gluten-Free Pancakes

It’s been a few years since my wife and our son went gluten-free.

A normal Saturday morning breakfast for us are homemade, gluten-free pancakes. They also freeze well, allowing us to heat them in the toaster at other times.

Here’s my wife’s recipe:

2 c. gluten-free flour blend

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. sugar

2 c. buttermilk

2 eggs – beaten

2 T. vegetable oil

1 tsp. vanilla

Whisk dry ingredients together. Add wet ingredients to bowl and mix. Scoop onto hot griddle – mixture will be thick. Cook until golden brown on both sides.

Enjoy!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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The Places I Go

You may have heard of the Dr. Seuss title, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”. Perhaps, you have even read that story.

Different things, like this picture, remind us of people who we’ve met, experiences that have been had and places where you and I have gone.

Each of our journeys look different. Yet, the ebbs and flows of our lives help us to be unique – allowing God’s love to be shown in different ways.

It’s been said that our lives are a gift from God – what we do with our lives are our gift to God. Let the journey and the places that we go be a means to see and reflect the Father’s love.

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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What Are We Spreading?

A manure spreader doesn’t make for a real appealing photo subject to most folks.  I realize this – even if it’s horse-drawn, and found on an Amish farm.

I lived in the country when I was growing up.  Whenever one of the neighbors was spreading manure on their fields, Mom would sometimes ask my sister and me if we could “smell that fresh country air”.  To a former farm girl, I suppose that she figured that there weren’t many things more “fresh” smelling than newly-spread manure.  Perhaps, that was one of the reasons why she didn’t mind not having to farm as an adult!

We realize that manure is a natural fertilizer.  It provides valuable nutrients for the soil.  In addition, for farmers with livestock, spreading it on fields is a cost-effective manner of removing the livestock-generated waste material.

There’s another aspect of manure that many probably overlook:  how corrosive it can be.  I saw this firsthand recently, when I saw a farmer pulling a liquid manure spreader.  A large portion of the tank’s top had rusted away – likely from years of hauling waste, exposing the inside of the spreader.

Images of farmers spreading manure provide us with a couple of powerful lessons.

As manure helps crops grow, our words and actions can also have a positive effect on others – helping to encourage them.

However, we must be cautious.  Our words can take root like a random kernel of grain or a weed seed that may be found in manure.  Whether intentional or not, just like a manure spreader throwing its contents over a field, what we say and do can be thrown around in such a way as to inflict pain on others.

A manure spreader is a powerful reminder that we must be careful with our words and actions.  We can spread something that encourages growth – or, that is corrosive.

Let’s be sure that what we say doesn’t hurt and poison others.  Rather, may our lives and actions be lived out in a way that will promote and nurture kindness and grace to all who we may encounter.

Have a great day!

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…”  –  1  Thessalonians 5:11a (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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The Old Grain Drill

Growing up in a rural, farming community, I’ve always loved watching farmers work in their fields.  This is one of the reasons why I have always looked forward to spring and fall.  After all, what young boy wouldn’t be enthralled with large powerful trucks, tractors, combines and the host of other equipment used during planting and harvest?

Living in an area with a large Amish population, I also enjoyed watching as farmers used teams of draft horses to work their fields.  While I loved the sights and sounds of more modern farm equipment, there was also a sense of enjoyment watching a four or six-horse hitch of Belgians or Percherons working in a field.

With my love of farm equipment, it’s no wonder that I was fascinated by this old, horse-drawn grain drill.  It has covered many acres during its years of usefulness.  Even in retirement, it still serves as a planter – of a different type.

Seeing this drill is a great reminder that we plant into others’ lives.  Our words and actions often affect one another – even though we may not notice it at the time.

Looking at this picture, I’m reminded of all of those who enjoy watching farm equipment working cropland every spring.  In the same way, I hope that kindness, joy and grace will be crops that my life sows into the lives of others.

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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