For many in our world today, morals and family values have become a giant abstract painting where the paint is haphazardly slapped on the canvas without planning or purpose. Sexual intimacy is the guiding star, while children, families and continuance of the human family is only a brief afterthought and at best, an inconvenience.

While I have lived and farmed in New Mexico all my life, my family originally dairy farmed in California. In the 1980s and early 1990s, there was a “great migration” of dairies from California to New Mexico, and we were one of those families.

That special day is coming up soon again. That special day to tell your sweetheart you love them and they are very special. That day, of course, is Valentine’s Day. In our fast-paced world today, it is easy for married couples to start to take each other for granted.

Of all the things a place can be known for – famous bands, art museums, sports teams – the small town of Geel, Belgium, is world-renowned for its mentally impaired residents. In the center of the village stands St. Dymphna’s church, supposedly containing the saint’s remains.

Personally, I think the greatest invention of all time is the outhouse. Before that it was just corncobs and chaos. “Necessity is the mother of invention.” I’m not sure who originally made this statement, but I’m pretty sure the person was not a farmer.

I saw a post on social media the other day that said, “OK, Christmas is over. I’m ready for summer.” That got me wondering if post-holiday depression is a real thing (spoiler: it is), and how many people it affects. According to Psych Central, a leading mental health website, as many as 25 percent of Americans suffer from depression, ranging in severity, after the holidays.

Here I sit in the middle of January, with my goals and ambitions staring me in the face. Change is one of those tricky monsters, wielding a double-edged pen that plainly writes in bold print, “If you don’t choose to make the changes you want, life will change you into what you don’t want.”

He knows your heart, your mind and your struggle. He knows what you need and when you need it. He has walked this earth and dealt with every emotion known to man and, because of that, He knows.

“I would like a wurst,” I said in German. The vendor’s face immediately changed. She now scowled. She pointed at the register and held up two fingers. I gave her a two-euro coin. She didn’t say thank you.

There is a large movement today trying to educate people to be more aware of where their food comes from – as opposed to the movement people have where their food ends up. This has never been a problem for those of us in the farming community.