agproud.com is the digital home of Progressive Dairy, Progressive Cattle, Progressive Forage and Ag Proud Idaho magazines. We offer content for dairy farmers, cattle ranchers and hay and forage growers in the U.S. and Canada. Subscribe to podcasts, newsletters or magazines offered on dairy, beef, and forage at agproud.com https://www.agproud.com/rss/articles The plagues of Egypt. What an awesome, awful story. It has always made me shudder and wonder why a loving God would bring such curses upon the entire country of Egypt when it was Pharaoh who made all the decisions. The plagues of Egypt. What an awesome, awful story. It has always made me shudder and wonder why a loving God would bring such curses upon the entire country of Egypt when it was Pharaoh who made all the decisions.

]]> Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/63313-just-dropping-by-the-plagues-of-egypt http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/63313 There is an old hymn that asks the question, “Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?” The better question would be, “When you left your room this morning, did you think when you prayed?” There is an old hymn that asks the question, “Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?” The better question would be, “When you left your room this morning, did you think when you prayed?”

]]> Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/63199-just-dropping-by-finding-faith http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/63199 In the beginning when God looked upon the vast chaos of eternity and the darkness of the water, He said, “Let there be light,” and saw the light was good. In the beginning when God looked upon the vast chaos of eternity and the darkness of the water, He said, “Let there be light,” and saw the light was good.

]]> Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/63080-just-dropping-by-stop-renew-and-remember http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/63080 The treadmill of life doesn’t afford the time to stop and think, let alone sort out the pieces and put them where they belong. We blindly go from one task to the next seemingly without rhyme or reason. The treadmill of life doesn’t afford the time to stop and think, let alone sort out the pieces and put them where they belong. We blindly go from one task to the next seemingly without rhyme or reason.

]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/62995-just-dropping-by-parables-give-us-eyes-to-see http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/62995 The glass on the table is half full of water, is still half full no matter how you look at it. Looking at the glass half full or half empty is a state of mind. The glass on the table is half full of water, is still half full no matter how you look at it. Looking at the glass half full or half empty is a state of mind.

]]> Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/62883-just-dropping-by-fill-your-half-empty-glass http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/62883 When I was in college, I studied classic English literature: Milton, Shakespeare and Donne. Their writings were beautiful and referred to the Bible without apology. When I was in college, I studied classic English literature: Milton, Shakespeare and Donne. Their writings were beautiful and referred to the Bible without apology.

]]> Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/62824-just-dropping-by-finding-the-lamp-to-your-feet http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/62824 We only need to take a stroll through YouTube or watch the news to realize the following scripture is part of our daily life. The world is not the walk in the park of yesterday; it is a daily battle. We only need to take a stroll through YouTube or watch the news to realize the following scripture is part of our daily life. The world is not the walk in the park of yesterday; it is a daily battle.

]]> Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/62731-just-dropping-by-fight-the-fire-before-it-starts http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/62731 In our breakneck-speed society, we have invented marvelous tools to make sure we are going the right direction. We have evolved eons past the astrolabe and the North Star. Yet, with all this concern about directions in our physical world, we don’t seem so concerned about our spiritual direction. In our breakneck-speed society, we have invented marvelous tools to make sure we are going the right direction. We have evolved eons past the astrolabe and the North Star. Yet, with all this concern about directions in our physical world, we don’t seem so concerned about our spiritual direction.

]]> Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/62636-just-dropping-by-which-direction http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/62636 Happy New Year! Throw the confetti. Blow the whistles. Kiss your sweetheart. The old man of 2025 hobbles out the door and the new infant year leaps in with vigor and hope. Happy New Year! Throw the confetti. Blow the whistles. Kiss your sweetheart. The old man of 2025 hobbles out the door and the new infant year leaps in with vigor and hope.

]]> Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/62426-just-dropping-by-repentance-and-comfort-zones http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/62426 In children’s Christmas movies, Santa streaks through the air in a magical sleigh drawn by reindeer, leaving a spray of twinkling stars in his wake. In children’s Christmas movies, Santa streaks through the air in a magical sleigh drawn by reindeer, leaving a spray of twinkling stars in his wake.

]]> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/62370-just-dropping-by-real-gifts-of-christmas http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/62370 Outside my window, the world is a glorious panorama of color. The leaves flutter red, yellow and orange in the breeze. Outside my window, the world is a glorious panorama of color. The leaves flutter red, yellow and orange in the breeze.

]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/62337-just-dropping-by-the-pilgrims-versus-the-memories http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/62337 It is difficult to remember what it was like to lie in my sleeping bag in my front yard on a warm summer’s night and gaze up into the night sky where billions of twinkling dancing stars suspended in the velvet blackness light up the glory of the heavens. It is difficult to remember what it was like to lie in my sleeping bag in my front yard on a warm summer’s night and gaze up into the night sky where billions of twinkling dancing stars suspended in the velvet blackness light up the glory of the heavens.

]]> Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/62230-just-dropping-by-the-true-polaris-in-our-lives http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/62230 As artificial intelligence (AI) rises in society, we are becoming more dependent on technology not only for mundane tasks but to do our thinking as well. As artificial intelligence (AI) rises in society, we are becoming more dependent on technology not only for mundane tasks but to do our thinking as well.

]]> Sun, 19 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/62136-just-dropping-by-the-new-pacifier http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/62136 In the past few months, I have struggled with two maladies that I thought I had conquered. In the past few months, I have struggled with two maladies that I thought I had conquered.

]]> Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/62060-just-dropping-by-amazing-gratitude-and-grace http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/62060 When I was growing up life was simple. It was easy to navigate the mores of society. In the movies, the bad guys always wore black hats, and the good guys always wore white hats. When I was growing up life was simple. It was easy to navigate the mores of society. In the movies, the bad guys always wore black hats, and the good guys always wore white hats.

]]> Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/61922-just-dropping-by-look-to-the-heart http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/61922 David Starr Jordan said, “Wisdom is knowing what to do next. Virtue is doing it.” He must have recognized King Solomon’s wisdom when he penned verses about a virtuous woman. David Starr Jordan said, “Wisdom is knowing what to do next. Virtue is doing it.” He must have recognized King Solomon’s wisdom when he penned verses about a virtuous woman.

]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/61859-just-dropping-by-virtuous-women http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/61859 The school calendar used to follow the harvest. Children needed to help with harvesting and canning the produce, which they had spent the summer growing as a family. The school calendar used to follow the harvest. Children needed to help with harvesting and canning the produce, which they had spent the summer growing as a family.

]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/61797-just-dropping-by-what-ever-happened-to-education http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/61797 In my perspective from the grandma chair, I can see the world with different eyes. I can see all the mistakes and successes I had as a parent. In my perspective from the grandma chair, I can see the world with different eyes. I can see all the mistakes and successes I had as a parent.

]]> Sat, 19 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/61710-just-dropping-by-good-better-best-parenting http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/61710 We as humans have short memories. We forget our suffering when it is turned to joy. We forget the storm when the clouds are gone. We as humans have short memories. We forget our suffering when it is turned to joy. We forget the storm when the clouds are gone.

]]> Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/61610-just-dropping-by-remember http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/61610 When Jesus was on the Earth, He healed the sick, made the blind to see, the lame to walk and raised the dead. We often look at those miracles as far away and long ago, but they still happen today. When Jesus was on the Earth, He healed the sick, made the blind to see, the lame to walk and raised the dead. We often look at those miracles as far away and long ago, but they still happen today.

]]> Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/61462-just-dropping-by-modern-miracles http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/61462 The dynamic of the family is constantly changing. In my youth, it was common for the mother to stay at home, and the father would have a job to provide for the family. The dynamic of the family is constantly changing. In my youth, it was common for the mother to stay at home, and the father would have a job to provide for the family.

]]> Sun, 25 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/61389-just-dropping-by-turning-hearts http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/61389 I read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen several years ago. It is a story about Brian, a 14-year-old boy whose plane crashes into the wilderness. It took both physical and mental fortitude for Brian to survive. He could be called a mental warrior. I read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen several years ago. It is a story about Brian, a 14-year-old boy whose plane crashes into the wilderness. It took both physical and mental fortitude for Brian to survive. He could be called a mental warrior.

]]> Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/61288-just-dropping-by-mental-warriors http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/61288 Spring is in the air. The daffodils and crocus are blooming. A new emerald green spreads across the lawn covering the crackling brown of winter. The birds twitter in the pink blossoms. It is so beautiful, but I know it will be short-lived. Spring is in the air. The daffodils and crocus are blooming. A new emerald green spreads across the lawn covering the crackling brown of winter. The birds twitter in the pink blossoms. It is so beautiful, but I know it will be short-lived. 

]]> Sat, 19 Apr 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/61187-just-dropping-by-thoughts-in-winter http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/61187 When my children were growing up, I tried to instill in them the idea of making crucial decisions in advance and sticking to them. Big decisions you only have to make once if you are committed to keep them. When my children were growing up, I tried to instill in them the idea of making crucial decisions in advance and sticking to them. Big decisions you only have to make once if you are committed to keep them. 

]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/61092-just-dropping-by-solutions-to-the-seven-deadly-sins http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/61092 God is omnipotent and omnipresent. In other words, God is all-powerful and all-present. He is infinitely aware of everything and has the power to reach out and stop the eruption of a volcano, turn the night into day and to cause mountains to become valleys. God is omnipotent and omnipresent. In other words, God is all-powerful and all-present. He is infinitely aware of everything and has the power to reach out and stop the eruption of a volcano, turn the night into day and to cause mountains to become valleys.

]]> Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/61004-just-dropping-by-thorns-in-the-flesh http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/61004 In the weariness of winter, I start to think about planting my garden. I know it is way too early to put seeds in the ground, but peat cups and potting soil are my friends. I plant my tomatoes, peppers and cabbages in peat cups so they can get an early start on the season. In the weariness of winter, I start to think about planting my garden. I know it is way too early to put seeds in the ground, but peat cups and potting soil are my friends. I plant my tomatoes, peppers and cabbages in peat cups so they can get an early start on the season.

]]> Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/60964-just-dropping-by-the-garden-we-plant-in-our-minds http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/60964 When I was a child, I walked through my mother’s garden with a sense of awe and wonder. The velvet emerald grass spread under the Chinese elm trees and lilac bushes. When I was a child, I walked through my mother’s garden with a sense of awe and wonder. The velvet emerald grass spread under the Chinese elm trees and lilac bushes.

]]> Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/60842-just-dropping-by-love-is-a-watered-garden-behind-a-wall http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/60842 My hobby for the last few years has been quilt-making. My sisters and I have made 200 or 300 hand-quilted quilts. My hobby for the last few years has been quilt-making. My sisters and I have made 200 or 300 hand-quilted quilts.

]]> Sun, 19 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/60749-just-dropping-by-sharpen-the-spiritual-scissors http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/60749 The time thief has struck again! We are knocking on the door of a quarter of a new century. I wish I could find culprit who keeps giving steroids to that chubby little baby New Year and keeps needling the old man New Year to hobble faster and faster. The time thief has struck again! We are knocking on the door of a quarter of a new century. I wish I could find culprit who keeps giving steroids to that chubby little baby New Year and keeps needling the old man New Year to hobble faster and faster.

]]> Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/60690-just-dropping-by-rituals-to-combat-the-time-thief http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/60690 In winter, I have often stood in the icicle air and gazed up at the starlit sky. The pinpricks of light shimmer and flicker in the velvet blackness, while their reflections, like millions of candles, dance across the frozen snow. The whole world sleeps under the warmth of an icy blanket. My soul is filled with indescribable peace as I marvel at the grandeur of it all. In winter, I have often stood in the icicle air and gazed up at the starlit sky. The pinpricks of light shimmer and flicker in the velvet blackness, while their reflections, like millions of candles, dance across the frozen snow. The whole world sleeps under the warmth of an icy blanket. My soul is filled with indescribable peace as I marvel at the grandeur of it all.

]]> Thu, 12 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/6-progressive-dairy-just-dropping-by/post/60576-just-dropping-by-christmas-gifts http://www.agproud.com/blogs/6/post/60576