Author: Lynne Phipps

When we replaced our septic tank last year, it required a lot of digging and earthmoving, which resulted in the loss of our biggest grazing area for the horses and goats. In another year or two, our greenery will be restored, but in the … Read more

This summer, my brother and I had two roofs to re-shingle. Before we could start, however, the old rolled roofing needed to be removed. Why? Because the weight of the old roofing plus the weight of the new roofing could prove to be too … Read more

As editor, publisher, and deliverer of our little town's newspaper, I am always amazed at the number of people who look forward with expectation to its publication every other Wednesday. The paper usually consists of a mere 4-16 pages, … Read more

I was so pleased with my flower baskets and how they were coming along. The vibrant colours brightened up the front and side of the house so nicely. Although I had somewhat begrudged the money that they had cost me, I was delighted with … Read more

The other night as I was cleaning the corral, I got such a laugh. I had just finished locking the animals in the stable because a lone wolf had been about again. Due to the long summer days and warm evenings, I left the top half of the … Read more

My five-pound Yorkshire terrier, Sienna, made me laugh the other day when I glanced up and saw her struggling and staggering around the yard carrying a bone. The bone was meant for the large, outside dogs who weigh seventy to eighty … Read more

This spring, we were able to install a Toyo stove — a small oil furnace — in our home. This new addition meant that during the shoulder seasons, spring and fall, instead of trying to regulate the wood stove, as the temperatures vary so … Read more

I have a scrap pail beside my sink. Apple peelings, pear cores, old lettuce, stale bread, carrot ends and such get tossed into it for the horses. These scraps don't seem like much to me, compared to the whole fruit or fresh bread, but the … Read more

Climbing up onto the stable roof and re-tarring all the rolled asphalt shingling is not my idea of fun. In fact, it's one of the last things that I ever wanted to see on my to-do list. And yet there it was: "tar barn roof". Oh me, oh my! … Read more

My mare, Mama had a crippled front leg when I bought her. How it happened, I don't know. For many years, she wore a leg brace, which was helpful in keeping her comfortable and mobile. One morning, however, we looked out to the corral and … Read more