10 Reasons to Visit Lancaster, Pa.

Here's my article on the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which was taken from the Chester County Independent:

It is that time of year when the days grow shorter and nights longer. The air grows cooler and the leaves more colorful. Fall is also the time when we plan a long weekend or a road trip of several days. Although there are numerous places across America where tourists travel, none is more colorful than the Pennsylvania Dutch Country near Lancaster, Pa.

The following 10 activities are sure to tempt your family. Learn about our nation's history, participate in local festivals and fairs, and hitch a buggy ride with an Amish farm family. You will return with a sense of what make our country great!

7 Myths that Keep Pastors from Writing

Here's an article I wrote for Preaching Magazine:

A retired pastor asked a friend who owned a pickup truck to stop by his house. Once there, he loaded several heavy-duty plastic bags into the back of the vehicle. "Drive me to the city dump," said the elderly minister.

Once there, he pulled the large black bags out and stepped a few feet away. In a few minutes a bulldozer buried the contents. With a questioning look on his face, the friend asked, "Sir, what was in those bags?" With tears streaming down his face, the pastor said, "Sixty years worth of sermons and notes—my life's work." This true story should not have happened.

Perhaps this elderly pastor is similar to others today. As a young man, he intended to publish his work. Procrastination became his friend, and the myths of why he couldn't write became his enemy. As health and age-related problems crept in, he realized he had become a victim of false beliefs.

As a pastor, what keeps you from writing? Do you fall in the category of believing in one or more of these seven myths? Or do you seek the truth and use writing as part of your ministry? You decide!

To read the full article, click here.

Explore Peterhof: Home of Russia’s Peter the Great

Here's my article on Peterhof, the home of Russian Emperor Peter the Great, which was taken from the Chester County Independent:

Peterhof, the magnificent winter home of Peter I, also known as Peter the Great, (1672-1725) is often called the “Versailles by the Sea.” Known as the favorite residence of czars, the palace is an example of 18th – 19th century architectural style. Approximately 30 buildings and pavilions cover over a 1,000 hectares in this park ensemble. Over 100 sculptures claim a spot in the gardens. 

St. Petersburg is where you’ll feel Russia’s European influences and aspirations. Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, the city was called his “window to the west.” Canals were dug to drain the marshy south bank. In 1712 Peter made this place his capital, forcing administrators, nobles and merchants to move to this northern outback and build new homes. Architects and artisans came from all over Europe and the result is a city that remains one of Europe’s most beautiful.

The Cherry on Top: A growing industry around the country

Chemist Darshan Kelley, left,

and Adel Kader, professor at the University

of California, Davis, examine

and weigh cherries.

(Photo courtesy of Northwest Cherry Growers)

Take a look at an article I did for Growing Magazine on the cherry industry:

"On the average, there are 7,000 cherries on each cherry tree; 250 cherries make one pie; each tree makes 28 pies. If the average U.S. consumer eats 1 pound annually, this adds up to approximately 260 million pounds annually. Americans demand cherries—and growers are filling those expectations.

Often referred to as America’s Super Fruit, cherries are rising in popularity due to the recent focus on health-promoting properties of antioxidants. Instead of relying on fruits from foreign markets, health and nutrition experts advise consumers to look for American-grown fruit. An alternative to exotic berries grown and marketed in a foreign rainforest, the cherry packs a lot of nutrition. Plus, it’s available year-round as dried, canned, frozen and in juice.

Another reason for its popularity is that February is American Heart Month and also National Cherry Month. Could the simple cherry one day be the cure for diseases that affect the body? Scientists suggest that this fruit may offer powerful heart-health benefits that provide answers to the mysteries of illness.

With greater emphasis on the health and nutritional benefits of cherries, it’s not surprising that growers are planting more trees and cherry production has increased."

To read the full article, click here.

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Legacy

I recently took a trip to Missouri and loved it. See my article on Laura Ingles Wilder for Missouri Life:

"No matter what age, readers look for the same qualities in books: a compelling plot, interesting characters, vivid imagery, and a genuine page-turner. You hate to read the last page because the characters have become friends.

After more than 80 years, Laura Ingles Wilder’s Little House books have continued to be compelling. But why?"

To read the full article, click here.

Intro to the Writing Life

An excerpt from my recent North Jackson Magazine article, "Intro to the Writing Life" : 

"Being published is easier than you might think. Here’s how to go about it. 

People write for many reasons — and have various reasons for never putting pen to paper. Do you ever wonder how great writers of the past wrote in long hand, without the use of a spell  checker — yet still turned out manuscripts that have stood the test of time? Or do you believe the myths that steal your self-confidence and keep you from publishing? 

Writing for magazines is an excellentway to access more readers than most book authors are able to reach in a life-time. Are you interested in finding these numbers?"

To read the full article, click here.

Lessons From the Garden

An excerpt from my Tennessee Home & Farm article "Lessons From the Garden" :

"The dew had almost dried on the warm spring morning. After long winter hours of studying the Old Farmer’s Almanac and finding the right phase of the moon, my dad chose this Saturday in April to plant the family garden.

Dad added fresh gasoline and checked the oil in the 1950s Troy-Bilt tiller. A few sputters and clinks later, the motor churned, caught and pulverized the soil. Soon, the sweet smell of fresh-turned earth permeated the country air.

Spreading a wagon load of dried manure and turning it under, he was ready to lay out the rows in an east to west direction. This is where I came in. Breaking a short stick from the backyard pear tree, I unwound a ball of string collected over the winter. Cutting and tying one end to the stick and pushing it into the top of the row with the opposite end approximately 50 feet below would make for a straight furrow.

Standing at the end with both hands on his hips, Dad surveyed the row.

“Make your first row straight and the others will follow. Also, allow space between rows. Too close and you can’t plow between the plants. Too much, and ground space is wasted.”

Was it Gibran the Prophet, who said, “Allow space in your togetherness…?”"

To read the full article, click here.