Clover C Farm

08/30/2026

Sunday on the farm 30 Aug 2026

October 1968, and I reported for duty assigned to the 728 Tactical Control Squadron, Shaw AfB, SC as a fully trained Cryptographic Systems Technician. A few weeks there and all of us who had arrived together were called in by our NCOIC and informed that we were going TDY to Eglin AFB, FL for advanced combat training. What combat training? I was a geek…electronics was my gig. However, the Vietnam War was still hot and, since we were a mobile tactical aircraft control outfit, we could be deployed anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice with a war zone always a possibility. So, we loaded up on a C-130 and were unloaded at Eglin. We climbed onto 6 x 6 trucks and were dropped out somewhere in the 460,000 acres that Eglin encompassed. I won’t go into all the details, but what came over the next few weeks was intense. We stood for inspection every morning, not expected to have spit-shined boots or fresh-starched uniforms, but our weapon and survival gear better be in order. During one inspection, the Sarge erupted and dressed down this one troop a couple of bunks away from me. I will not repeat his “comments,” but let’s just say there were several choice expletives filling the air. So, what was the transgression?

An ant. An ant was discovered inside his canteen cup. At first, someone might say, “It is only an ant.” But the problem is not simply the size of the ant; the issue is that something small had entered a vessel that was meant to be clean and ready for use. We were supposed to be ready. Suppose this was a piece of trash in his weapon that would cause it to misfire? The result could have been deadly for him or one of his squad.

Sometimes the things that damage us are not always big things. They can be small compromises that we allow to remain in our lives. A small thing, when ignored, can eventually cause great damage. A little dishonesty can become a lifestyle. A little bitterness can become hatred. A little neglect of prayer can become spiritual dryness. A small compromise can eventually become a major fall.

Luke 16:10 says, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.”

We shouldn’t wait for the “big” problems before examining our lives. We should allow God to deal with the little things—the attitudes, habits, thoughts, words, and compromises that may seem insignificant today. The lesson the Sarge taught was simple: Don't ignore the ant. If something small is found in your life that should not be there, deal with it early. Keep your heart clean, because what we tolerate in small things can eventually affect the bigger things God has entrusted to us.

Blessings, CC

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

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08/28/2026

Eand Monie mulching their 'maters. Won't be long now!

08/26/2026

08/23/2026

Sunday on the farm 23 Aug 2026
After a rather rough week here on the farm, the details of which would take pages to enumerate, it’s time to reflect and give thanks for blessings. One such is the many friends that have been a part of my life over the years and one particular day comes to mind. It was a Saturday afternoon several years ago. An old friend had come by, one I had not seen in some over two years or so, due to the pandemic. He pulled in on his Harley, flipped out the kickstand, and dismounted with some effort, remarking that he surely was not as young and agile as he once was. I responded in kind. We shook hands and assumed “the position” in my grandmother Massey’s porch rockers that we keep out here under the shop shelter, chairs that he himself had recaned several years prior. For the next two hours, we got caught up on family and mutual friends. We, of course, as old people do, reminisced about times spent together over the years. We recalled the many times making music; the Friday night jams; the practice, practice, practice; the shows and the stages and the friendly crowds who appreciated his talent as I thumped out the bass for his solo performances. Both of us had faced some major medical hurdles, his much more serious than mine, and we both gave credit to God for his healing mercies. Our conversation drifted back to our much younger days of double-dating and drive-in movies, and the cars we drove and loved. We talked about tragedy and triumph, good days and bad days, blessings and disappointments. It was time well spent.
Did I have something else to do? Certainly, I did. Do we not all have tasks that we’ve set before ourselves? However, I’d made up my mind, given the isolation we’d all suffered through those pandemic years, that time spent in good company was more valuable than most of those things I thought I just had to get done –right now! Young person- I know you must make a living and support your family. I know you feel the need to fill every moment of your day, and it’s hard to stop and “smell the roses.” I’ve been there, done that, and have regrets to prove it. Don’t be that guy. Live so that when you reach your “golden years” there are rocking chair friends galore. You will be glad you did.
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 (ESV)
My prayer of thanks today is for my “rocking chair” friends.
Blessings, CC
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

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08/18/2026

E and Monie have 'maters! Won't be long now until they realize the fruits of their labors!

08/16/2026

Sunday on the farm 16 Aug 2026

I keep in touch with some of the veterans with whom I served back in the Middle Ages, one of them in particular. Bill came to Shaw AFB, a still wet-behind-the-ears kid and bonded with me and Carol. I suppose our home offered a bit of what he was missing. He came in as the rest of us did as a slick-sleeve enlisted man and retired some 30 years later a full bird Colonel- no small feat. Bill and I share some of the same political and religious views, and he keeps me up to date on military happenings. One of our shared readings was a weekly column by Fred Reed, now retired due to vision issues. Fred had an outlook on life that could be amusing at times, and thought stimulating most of the time, to say the least. In a column from several years ago, calling himself a “Gibbon,” Fred began one of his columns:
“I am not sure why people write columns. Partly from boredom, I suppose, or lack of anything better to do. Partly from exasperation. Yet partly from the hope that if enough people collectively become aware of problems, they might, just maybe, do something about them. I can’t believe this any longer. Today’s crimes, lunacies, and decays are too many, profitable, and intractable. We are racing out of control toward some as yet dimly limned catastrophe. Hang on and take the ride.”
He continued to spew forth gloom and doom, deriding the control of America by special interests; taking note of racial relations and the lack of assimilation, with the special interests of ethnic minorities contributing to our loss of a shared identity as American citizens; bemoaning the loss of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people; and giving other obvious signs of decay as he sees it. One statement stood out above all others, “Today Christianity is like marijuana–tolerated, barely legal, but better not to get caught.” How sad- sad because Fred is so close to the truth it is scary.
So, are we racing out of control toward a catastrophe? First and foremost, WE might be out of control, but God is not. Although a realist, I hold firmly to The Rock. Secondly, we have the power to rescue what is good and great among us- the power of prayer by people who humble themselves. As the Chronicler wrote in addressing the errant behavior of a post-exilic Jewish community, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
In conclusion, Fred stated, “We know the foregoing, many of us. The takeaway is that none of it is preventable. We careen toward whatever epochal demise awaits us. Slow motion or all at once, it will be a doozy.”
Yes, Fred, it will be a doozy, the Second Coming, that is. But, until then, it’s time for God’s people to get on with some knee work, rise up, and use the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to return the nation to the God-fearing nation the founding fathers intended!
Blessings, CC
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

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08/11/2026

Monie and E are suckering and tying up their tomatoes. E is learning to tie a square knot- veterinarian style!
Ewes grazing in the background.

08/09/2026

Sunday on the farm 09 Aug 2026

A bit of an update this morning. As some will remember I got a text from our daughter on 02 Sept last year with an attached picture of a smooth coated red Border Collie that had been taken to her veterinary clinic to be put down. Ranger had been originally bought to work cattle but did not meet expectations. I have no direct knowledge of the trainer, but highly suspect that the pup was abused. He was surrendered to a Border Collie Rescue group and placed in a foster home where he attempted to bite and was returned. Placement in another home had the same occurrence, only this time he was successful in biting, and was labeled as aggressive, fit only to be put down. I could not let this animal be euthanized because of the cruelty of a human. Given my experience over the last forty-odd years of raising and training herding dogs, some of which were aggressive, I knew Ranger deserved another chance and that it was likely I could handle him. He was literally afraid of his own shadow. Any sudden noise or movement would cause him to cower and wet himself. He shrank away from any human touch. With a firm, but loving hand, I did everything one could to cause him to attempt to bite with not even a curled lip or a growl. His aggression was only his defense measure to stave off further abuse. These last months have been most rewarding. Once he realized that I was a friend he became my best buddy. He does not stray but follows. He is attentive and responsive to hand signals, body signals, and verbal commands. He is at home, and he knows that I will care for him, meeting his needs for food, shelter, and companionship. He craves petting, not only from me, but from other family members. Recently on two occasions when I went to the barnyard gate to go in and close the hen house for the night during a thunderstorm, Ranger met me at the gate, shivering in fright. Each time, I sat with him for nearly a quarter hour, assuring him that he was safe. Only love can make such a turnabout, and he knows that he is secure here, safe within our “arms of love.”

At the risk of being labeled a blasphemer, I will once again walk out on thin ice. I cannot help but compare the experience that Ranger must feel as he was rescued and saved from sure death to the feeling each of us had when we accepted the mercy and grace of our Lord and were saved from the sure depths of hell. We know that our Savior will protect us, guide us, supply our every need, and be there when we have anxiety or fear. He is our refuge when the storms of life are raging, our protector when Satan threatens, and our counselor when we have doubts. We are His, and He is ours as evidenced in scripture:

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will sn**ch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can sn**ch them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29 (NIV)

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 38-39 (NIV)
If you feel discarded; unworthy; cast aside by humanity, come to the altar. Jesus will meet you there, and a kind shepherd will help you see the way, the truth, and the life.
Blessings, CC

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

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08/02/2026

Sunday on the farm 02 Aug 2026

So, what are your plans for today? For us with critters, Sunday mornings are barely distinguishable from every other day of the week, or the year, for that matter. We hit the floor before daybreak, do whatever our daily ritual is to face the morning, and head out to get’er done. During lambing time, we are greeted by our charges with great anticipation, and that is an understatement! The utter chaos of 200 sheep waiting for their trough to be filled is something to behold, and the calls of “feed me first” can be nearly deafening. They simply do not understand why that pen over there is eating and they are not! So it is with us human “critters.” We want whatever it is the other “pen” has, and we want it NOW! But, I digress. Back to the original question…what are YOU going to do today? My sheep will be fed, but will you be fed? I said my Sunday was barely distinguishable from every day, but as soon as feeding is done, things are different. We stop our daily routine and get into Sunday mode- shave (OK- shave part of my face), shower, and re-rag. Unless there is “an ox in the ditch” we will be at church and in church, meaning our minds and hearts will be there also.

My Aunt Mary and Uncle Frank lived here on the farm in the homeplace and were more like grandparents to me than aunt and uncle. Uncle Frank was the most devout man I knew. He would never do any work on Sunday and would not even buy gas or go out to eat because that would cause someone else to have to work. He and Aunt Mary were in their appointed place every Sunday. He said that we must leave the week at the door and enter our chosen place of worship ready to worship. Life is filled with distractions. Our times of worship should not be.

So, what are you going to do today? If you are reading this and not going to a place of corporate worship today-- why not? Recently, our pastor read statistics giving the number of Christians who leave church/corporate worship monthly, and the staggering number of churches that close their doors every year. Why? In his book “I WILL! (Nine Traits of the Outwardly Focused Christian)” Thom Rainer asks the question, “How can we turn the focus away from ourselves and toward God?” His first “item of action and accountability” is “I WILL ATTEND WORSHIP SERVICES.” He goes on to say, “See what happens when sports, entertainment, and vacations have a lower priority than corporate worship. See what happens when you make a firm commitment to God that you WILL attend weekly worship services.”

Our pastor is delving into a series of sermons asking, “What will you do with…?” Last Sunday it was God’s word. This morning I ask, “What will you do with The Lord’s Day?” I hope you follow God’s Word.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.” Exodus 20:8-10 (NKJV)

Blessings, CC

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

08/01/2026

Go see da man!

Ray knows what you need- and what you want!