Skip to content

Family and Farming

“I’d rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.” ― George Washington

  • Home
  • Family and Farming
  • Recipe Directory
  • Topic/Month & Year Directories
    • Topic Directory
    • Month and Year Directory
  • About Nancy and Lila
  • About The Vintage Recipes
  • Contact

Category: Letters from Lila

Posted on April 25, 2022April 25, 2022

Lila’s April Poetry

Spring Field

Lila gives us two poems written in different decades that encourage us all.

Continue reading “Lila’s April Poetry”

Posted on December 27, 2021December 28, 2021

Be Careful What You Wish For

Hairbrushes for Sale

As we start a new year, we sometimes make resolutions and wishes when we don’t have proper foresight.

“Be careful what you wish for,” is from the Aesop Fable, The Old Man and Death.

Lila wrote a 23 word poem at age 89 that addresses this thought.

Continue reading “Be Careful What You Wish For”

Posted on August 23, 2021August 24, 2021

Soup Carrying

Cans of Cream of Chicken Soup on Shelf

Look Out For a Soup Carrier

Here’s a letter of advice written by Lila in the early 1990’s to my brother. She based her advice on the book East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

Just for a moment, pretend Lila is your mom. You will profit from this life-changing advice.

Continue reading “Soup Carrying”

Posted on March 29, 2021March 30, 2021

Relationship Advice

A pile of plastic bags

Lila wrote thirty-four word poem that gives us wise relationship advice. You will never look at a plastic shopping bag the same way again.

Continue reading “Relationship Advice”

Posted on December 21, 2020February 25, 2022

Love in the Time of Covid

Full Moon Over Field

“I don’t feel like reading anymore.” Those six words made me stop talking on the phone with Lila. Something was very wrong. Her back was hurting, her stomach was upset, and she was fatigued. Her appetite was gone.

Continue reading “Love in the Time of Covid”

Posted on February 11, 2020December 5, 2022

Why I Pray and Vintage Cherry Squares

Old woman in prayer

When you’re as old as Lila (age 91), you have wisdom. When Lila was in college in her 50’s, she asked her religion professor, Dr. David McKechnie Hay, for a list of the most important books he had ever read.

Continue reading “Why I Pray and Vintage Cherry Squares”

Posted on November 12, 2019December 5, 2022

Grandmaternity Leave and Pineapple Fluff

Grandparent maternity leave

Familyandfarming is taking a Grandmaternity Leave this November and December! We have a new grandchild!

Continue reading “Grandmaternity Leave and Pineapple Fluff”

Posted on September 17, 2019December 6, 2022

The Retirement and Sneaky Zucchini Brownies

Retirement Card on a desk

This is from Lila’s series about work. Get out your tissues.

Continue reading “The Retirement and Sneaky Zucchini Brownies”

Posted on July 9, 2019December 6, 2022

Women Gather at the Modern River Bank and No Fail Cornbread

Photo of photo copier

Lila wrote an observational poem in 1986, alluding to a Sigmund Freud quote.

“The great question that has never been answered, and which I have not yet been able to answer, despite my thirty years of research into the feminine soul, is ‘What does a woman want?'” Sigmund Freud.

Continue reading “Women Gather at the Modern River Bank and No Fail Cornbread”

Posted on May 28, 2019December 6, 2022

I Have Killed No Birds and Sugar-Crusted Rhubarb Squares

Here’s a poem by Lila about those who might clean too much to the detriment of wildlife.

I’m not one of those people…

Continue reading “I Have Killed No Birds and Sugar-Crusted Rhubarb Squares”

Posts navigation

Page 1 Page 2 Next page

About This Site

Life on a small family farm in the Middle of Nowhere, Iowa. Illustrated vintage recipes of Grandma’s you forgot to write down. Poetry & Essays from Lila.

Pinterest, Instagram & Facebook @ familyandfarming.com

Search

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Email
Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress