When I was young, back in the time of the dinosaurs, we had this saying: “You can’t get a million-dollar answer to a 10-cent prayer.” That is so true, but what is a million-dollar prayer, and how do I know when I get the answer? Last article, I talked about prayer as a conversation with God.

What was the first thing the farmer did with his lottery winnings?Farm until it was gone. If I had a dollar for every time I heard that joke, I could buy a pocketful of lottery tickets myself.

A couple of months ago, I had an amazing opportunity. On a beautiful February morning I got up early and headed to Ford Field. For those of you unfamiliar with what Ford Field is, it is where the Detroit Lions play. What was unique about this event is: It was a dairy event. I was attending the Fuel Up To Play 60 Rally for School Health.

Last week, I opened the mailbox to find an entire envelope of coupons, just for me. Apparently, these select merchandisers were giving discounts to their favorite customers. I opened the coupons as fast as I could while thinking, “Finally, all my years of loyalty to Corn Flakes, Old Spice and Fruit-of-the-Loom were being recognized!”

I am an avid podcast listener. I listen to podcasts on all subjects ranging from agriculture to true crime to politics to science and everything in between. On one of my agricultural podcasts this week, they started mentioning the farm bill. Two senators were discussing how it is time to start putting our plans together.

Retained placentas can be terribly frustrating. Not only can they open the door to a host of secondary disorders, but you just never know if one is a fluke or if you are heading for a transition cow train wreck.

On the farm, kids have endless opportunities to be hands-on and involved from a very young age. Farm kids grow up to be responsible, capable individuals, and often are mature beyond their years.

Perhaps you recall the editorial from our January issue where I talked about choosing “one word” to live by in 2017, and perhaps you chose your own. My word for this year is “fearless” and, with the help of an 11-year-old, I am finding out just what it means for me.

Recently, I had a conversation with a friend about prayer. She said, “I don’t want to bother God about my problems; I want to do things on my own.” At first glance, that is a noble sentiment, but I realized that she didn’t understand the purpose of prayer, and as I thought about it, I wondered if I did either.

When I was in seventh grade, I picked up a book laying in the corner of a classroom called A River Runs Through It. The first paragraph was short and about a boy growing up with religion and fly fishing, and how in his family there was little distinction between the two.