Nowadays, my weekends are divided between two distinct environments. In the mornings I live in the blogosphere, where I am currently struggling to keep up with writing and editing four blogs.
In addition to writing this campaign diary daily, I am now posting 3 or more news items a week in the Clarion News Blog (see our new one posted this morning on Master Plans), as well as writing my regular column and posting Bill Lofquist’s Preserving Small Town’s column.
In the afternoons, I can escape into the beautiful June atmosphere that we are experiencing this weekend. Yesterday was an absolutely gorgeous day for a bike ride, and I spend over 6 hours going up and down the Lakeville-Groveland Road.
That road is the home to such luminaires as our esteemed County Treasure Carolyn Taylor and Town Board member Mike Tenalio. I had fun talking to both of them, but I also enjoyed meeting many common folk.
A particular highlight for me was my first visit to the Maxwell Brothers farm. This farm which has been in the family for at least three generations is run by three brothers, Ron who doubles as our town’s Code Enforcement Officer, John, who also serves as Chairman of the Town’s Zoning Board of Appeals, and Don, whom I had never met because, as he told me, he is too busy on the farm to mess around with such foolishness as politics.
After my 15 years failing to make a go of it on my own farm, I am always interested in the secret of successful farmers. When I questioned Donny on how they could support three families on 400 acres and 100 cows, he said the answer was diversification. In addition to Ron’s full-time job in town, the family is in the tire and seed corn businesses.
He also acknowledges that you have to be willing to work 16 hours a day, 365 days a year. I guess that’s where I went wrong. I don’t mind hard work, but I do like a little time off for good behavior!
It’s getting late, and the atmosphere is calling me. See you on the road!
Posted by corrinstrong 
