I recently heard a story (from a pulpit) regarding the deadly nature of the hippopotamus. Due to their territorial nature, hippos are extraordinarily aggressive. Depending on which list you read, hippos rank fourth to sixth among mammals in terms of taking human lives (other humans not included) worldwide.

According to a recent article in Psychology Today, laughter is the best medicine:It reduces pain and allows us to tolerate discomfort.It reduces blood sugar levels, increasing glucose tolerance in diabetics and non-diabetics alike.

Constantly looking over your shoulder, criticizing every little detail, never being happy with your efforts, creating additional un-needed stress – these are just a few things micromanagers do to others. This often results in the person being micromanaged feeling devalued and untrustworthy.

It was the usual rite of a rural upbringing, and the time had come for my father and me to take part in it ourselves. When I was 11, he took me to the end of the cornfield, set up a hubcap and had me shoot at it.

Let’s face it, farmers need money – more money – and more time. Seems like I can never get enough done in the day, and I’m always trying to cut some milk production costs too, so I had the bright idea to start a day care on the farm.

Come on, spring! I type that with a great deal of gusto, but honestly, it seems selfish to say. Michigan has had a great winter. We only had short stretches of really cold weather.

Shortly after getting married, I took over the task of raising calves on our farm. One of the first tasks I was given was to head to the local Goodwill store to buy fleece vests.

February is on the top of my short list of least favorite times of the year. It’s right up there with surly first-calf heifers and middle-of-the-night diaper blowouts. The excitement of Christmas has worn off; the snow isn’t so pretty; and we’ve already proved ourselves several times over against the sub-zero temperatures.

A mantra on the office door of our production manager has stuck with me since he posted it a few years ago. It reads: “You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.” I think those nine words resonate because I’ve felt overwhelmed lately with the number of tasks to be done.

Regardless of which side of the aisle you land on, the peaceful transition of power is likely America’s most prolific showing of democracy and our way of life. We are a country of diversity and always have been.