Two Mile Ranch

Who are you?

Feb 14th, 2010 | By Fritz Nordengren
Who are you?

With the hoopla of the Super Bowl over, there is some commentary on the performance of The Who, playing their most popular songs, many of which also happen to be the theme songs of of the CBS shows in the CSI series. The most well known, perhaps, asks the question “Who Are You?”



…it was uphill, both ways, in cardboard shoes

Jan 18th, 2010 | By Fritz Nordengren
…it was uphill, both ways, in cardboard shoes

Oh, the stories we tell.

Winters now are never as bad as the winter’s of our grandparent’s youth, when they walked to school — up hill, both ways — in cardboard shoes — and they liked it!



Snow angel and the ghost of King Louie

Dec 26th, 2009 | By Fritz Nordengren
Snow angel and the ghost of King Louie

Fresh snow is perfect for making snow angels.  And by tradition, Christmas is the best time to be visited by ghosts from the past.
Last year about this time, King Louie, Scout and Ace were still hanging around Two Mile Ranch.  It was March, after a long and loud crowing season, when the three pheasants moved
[continue reading...]



She wrote: “Merry effin’ Christmas”

Dec 20th, 2009 | By Fritz Nordengren
She wrote: “Merry effin’ Christmas”

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
A newspaper man in 1897 wrote those lines in what became one of the most reprinted editorials in the history of print. Francis Pharcellus Church, answered an 8 year old girl who wrote him asking:
“DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
“Some of my little friends say there is no
[continue reading...]



Before the storm

Dec 12th, 2009 | By Fritz Nordengren
Before the storm

The weather news this week for most of the country was the winter storm.  I have to admit, it was impressive, the kind of snow I remember from my childhood, with snow banks taller than people and icicles, and drifts.
The wind was out of the west and north for most of the storm, so where
[continue reading...]



Introducing Zinger

Dec 6th, 2009 | By Fritz Nordengren
Introducing Zinger

One of my neighbor’s sons bought the red truck last winter.  His other son called me this week to ask if I was interested in adopting his dog.  He brought her by on Saturday and she’s now part of the Two Mile Ranch.  She’s a two year old Australian Shepard
I was impressed with how well
[continue reading...]



Saying Grace

Oct 14th, 2009 | By Fritz Nordengren
Saying Grace

The tradition of saying Grace – a prayer or expression of thanksgiving prior to a meal has personal meaning this week.
As I gathered each of the first 14 meat chickens I raised, I held each one, talked to it, and thanked it for allowing me to take care of it and for being part of
[continue reading...]



Autumn’s here: random bits and lose ends

Oct 13th, 2009 | By Fritz Nordengren
Autumn’s here:  random bits and lose ends

I carry a small Moleskine yearly planner in my jacket pocket or my truck cab.  For October 1, I made the note to plug in the heat tapes on the water lines.  That was my first note to start thinking about Winter this year.
October 10, 60 miles north, Des Moines broke a record for the
[continue reading...]



Daily harvest

Oct 3rd, 2009 | By Fritz Nordengren
Daily harvest

I’m packing and organizing for some media work at Farm Aid in St. Louis tomorrow.  I’ve also been working on fall projects and tonight we’re expecting a low in the mid 30’s.  Fall is quickly arriving.  For a brief post, I’m sharing a photo of the daily egg harvest.



Labor Day Snapshot: Bob’s Barn

Sep 7th, 2009 | By Fritz Nordengren
Labor Day Snapshot: Bob’s Barn

Today is the 128th celebration of Labor Day in the United States, a day when we celebrate the spirit and strength and of the trade and labor groups and workers.  It caused me to think about the idea of work and workers and one of the places that captures that spirit is just up the
[continue reading...]