Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Farming 101
My husband and our daughter live on 40 acres in North Eastern Wyoming. I have lived in Wyoming most of my life (I lived in Alaska for a few months, not my cup of tea). My husband was also born and raised here. We both come from country backgrounds. I grew up on an 1100 acre ranch north of town, and he grew up on a ranch west of town. We met when we were young, I was 12 and fell in love then. We went our seperate ways, and low and behold, we found our way back to each other in 2019. We now share a home and have a beautiful daughter on our 40 acre farm. The farm lifestyle was definitely my doing.
By Nikki Pond5 years ago in Families
Preparing a Comfortable and Stylish Nursery
Preparing your baby’s room is one of the highlights of pregnancy. Every bit of it – from choosing the paint colors to making sure there’s room for those little clothes -- is a chance to think of that little bundle you’ll be bringing home soon. Besides, it’s just fun! Here are a few things to keep in mind as you work:
By Paisley Hansen5 years ago in Families
Finding My Tribe
I have been researching my family tree for a while and have made many discoveries throughout my journey. My family tree comes from a wide range of countries throughout Europe, but a part of my family tree that has always fascinated me are my Jewish roots. The problem with researching this part of my family tree, is that I constantly run into a problem which most people with Jewish ancestors run into, the Holocaust. Many records of Jewish people were destroyed during both the Holocaust and the years after, which makes it harder to find any information about my family.
By Bradley Greenland5 years ago in Families
Emma and Riley
“It’s so goddam hot, Christ, we need an air con.” Riley reached down onto the floor by the accelerator where she’d dropped her shirt. She had taken it off back in Westonia and needed to use it as a makeshift sweat towel on her clammy chest. It was a summer’s evening in late February, and the scorching sun on the Nullarbor hadn’t shown any signs of retreating. They had been driving for almost eight hours straight. Driving no faster than a hundred kilometers an hour, slow enough to be sure the car didn’t over heat, but fast enough to reach the roadhouse before sundown.
By sarah-rashael5 years ago in Families
Leche Con Cafe
Mom picked me up from school late again. This time beat all the other times. A whopping 2 hours and 23 minutes late. I was one of the last kids there waiting outside of my middle school. She gave me the same old story about how work was so hectic and she was drowning in her workload. Of course, as a 12-year old kid, I had no idea what that meant nor did I want to know. I sat quietly with my elbow on the window, chin in hand, lazily staring outside as we drove through the poorly cared for neighborhoods. Two kids were passing around a soccer ball outside on the street. I knew one of them from my art class and somberly made eyecontact with him as he waived at me.
By Jessica Elaine Aparicio 5 years ago in Families
Stella's divine detour
" I can't believe it's already almost three am" Stella said to herself, yawning as the rain started to fall heavier on to the dark road ahead of her. Barely able to see the road she failed to notice the large fallen branch until she heard the large thud upon impact. Immediately her car started smoking,and she started cursing out of frustration. On her long journey home from her mother's funeral, she just wanted to get home and back to the city life she's been embracing for the past few years. Surrounded by dense forest, her cell had no service, making her feel terribly uneasy in the pits of her stomach. She looked ahead down the dark country road, through the rain she faintly saw a dim light way in the distance. She took a deep breath as she hesitatingly put her arms through her coat, unsure if the walk would be worth the anxiety it's already provoking. Stella was the spitting image of her mother,tall with long golden hair and eyes greener than the hills in Ireland. She was used to getting more attention than most and she hated it. Especially in a situation like this, stranded in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night while the storm raged around her. She wondered if some estranged mountain man or homicidal trucker would appear, because she was firm believer in Murphy's law and what can go wrong will go wrong. Pushing those thoughts aside she got out, locking the car behind her and look around at her surroundings."What else can I do?" she said to herself as she sauntered toward the dark abyss ahead of her.
By The objective perspective.5 years ago in Families
Always Open!
CHAPTER ONE “A New Restaurant in Town” “It looks like someone’s opening a new diner and it’s open 24/7. I suppose that’s what we’ve got to look forward to these days. No one wants to cook at home anymore.” Darton wasn’t impressed and he wasn’t willing to accept any new changes to his small town. He liked it the way it was and didn’t appreciate newcomers changing what he was used to. “Papa, I think it’s a good idea for people who work late or the overnight shift and need something good to eat. Not everyone is lazy, it’s just the world is changing and working Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm isn’t the norm anymore. Just wait Papa, you’ll see it’ll be great.” Nancy tried to convince her grandpa to accept change and how it’d be good for them. “Hogwash, things were better before all these changes started coming.” Nancy shook her head as she drove up in the driveway. There’s no way now she was going to tell her papa the new diner was hers; he wouldn’t understand. “Ok, sir let’s get you inside and get you a good meal. You are hungry because you get grumpy when you’re hungry.” Papa obliged. “You think you know somebody and I’m not grumpy. I’m just stating facts. A 24/7 diner, what’s next automatic meal makers like they got on the Jetsons?” Nancy covered up her chuckle so he wouldn’t fuss at her for being disrespectful. “Papa, all change isn’t bad. I promise this’ll be good for all of us. It’ll also provide jobs for those who may not have a high school diploma or college degree. So many people can benefit from this restaurant.” Darton went to get washed up for lunch. He loved his granddaughter’s cooking. It reminded him of his wife’s. She used recipes that was handed down from one generation to the next, what he didn’t know is that Nancy added a little piece of what she learned in culinary school to them. She knew she couldn’t tell him because he wouldn’t eat it on a count that he didn’t handle change very well. “Ok Papa, you’re favorite for lunch today. We have chicken parmesan with a garden salad and of course the ever-flavorful iced tea. For you, half and half because you don’t need a lot of sugar.” Papa couldn’t wait to get at it. “I’m the Papa you know, I know how much sugar I need and don’t need.” He took a sip of the tea and gave a thumbs up. “Papa you forgot to say grace.” In humor, Papa looked up and said “Grace.” Nancy gave a stern look as to say it wasn’t funny. “Alright, alright, I know I always taught you to ask God to bless the food.” He then proceeded to say his grace before he ate. Nancy was growing tired and not sure how much longer she’d be able to take care of her grandfather. She was physically becoming tired and not able to keep up her strength. He kept her so busy, she hadn’t been able to go to the doctor to find out why she was so tired. After lunch she went upstairs to lie down for a while. “Papa, I just need a nap and then I’ll be back. She looked over some paperwork for her restaurant and fell asleep with the papers falling on top of her face. She was beyond exhausted due to running her Papa everywhere he had to go. Darton followed suit and took a nap himself. He hated that she spent so much of her time taking care of him instead of enjoying her life. “God bless my granddaughter with a good life and a husband that will take care of her. I’ve lived a long time and I’m ready to come home. She needs to be free to live her life and she’s not going to leave me alone. I ask you to get us some help or take me home with you. In Jesus’ name I pray amen.” Darton fell asleep in his favorite chair. Nancy had a dream, and, in her dream, she had a family and they were incredibly happy. It wasn’t that she didn’t want a family, she just felt like she didn’t have the time or the money.
By Genisha Morton5 years ago in Families
