My Pap-paw

My Pap-paw, my mom’s dad, was an angry alcoholic who was hard on his family and his wife, my Granny. Although he was originally from Kentucky, his family sent him to Oklahoma to live with his older brother Ed. They were concerned, since he was the youngest son, that he would be killed in all the feuding there in Kentucky. His mom died young, and his sister was the one who had to raise all the children. Pap-Paw was severely depressed and tried to self-medicate with alcohol. At times, my Pap-paw would just disappear from his family. He would hop on a freight train and ride it back to Kentucky. His family there would call my Granny and let her know he was there and that he was ok. When my mom visited their home place in Kentucky, they had to park the car and walk back into the woods. She said there were bullet holes in the house, and she was afraid to stay there as a child.

My mom and her siblings lived in fear of him, and once he even had a gun and told them if they did something, he would kill them. They hid out in the barn for a while. Their mom, my Granny, took the brunt of his anger, and they never knew when they came home from school what they would find.

Three men from the Baptist church in Blackburn, OK kept inviting Pap-Paw to church, and one evening he went as they were having revival services. A miracle took place in his life, and Pap-paw surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and took Jesus as his Savior. He never drank alcohol again. He totally changed in a moment. My Pap-paw was the Treasurer of that church when I came to know him, and he rarely missed a service there. Now in that church, the men had to sit on one side of the church and the women on the other. There were a few times in his later years that my Granny sure wished she could elbow him as he slipped into a deep sleep and began to snore.

My Pap-paw wrote in my little autograph book that he hoped someday I would receive Jesus as my Savior. When I was born, he gave me a little Bible with verses marked in it for me to read when I was old enough. He said to start with the book of John. His message to me in that little autograph book helped me make the decision to follow Jesus and be baptized. We lived in Cuba, NM when I was in the sixth grade, and I was baptized in a little Baptist church there.

Some day when I get to heaven, I am going to look up those three men from that little Baptist church in Blackburn, OK and tell them thank you! Thank you for caring enough to rescue my family from the pit of despair. Thank you for inviting my Pap-paw to church, so I could know to give my life to Jesus, so that I could raise my kids to know to give their lives to Jesus and so that my grandchildren could know how important it is to have a personal relationship with Jesus.

If you desire to know how to have a personal relationship with Jesus, I will tell you. First in Romans 3:23 it says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We need to know that we are all sinners. The Word says all have sinned. We need to ask God for forgiveness for our sins.

Romans 6:23 says that the wage of sin is death; BUT the gift of God is eternal life. (I just love those BUTS in the Bible.) Romans 5:8 says that while we were yet sinners, Jesus Christ died for our sins. Jesus paid the price on the cross for our sins. This is a gift from Jesus. All we must do is receive this gift by repenting of our sins, believing that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died on the cross, and three days later, He arose. Romans 10:13 says for whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Here is a prayer to pray if you would like to receive the free gift of eternal salvation. Dear Jesus, As your word says, I have sinned and I ask for your forgiveness. I confess with my mouth that you are the Son of God and you died on the cross for my sins and that you rose again. My desire is to accept your free gift of salvation and let you be the Lord of my life. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus name. Amen. Pretty simple and amazingly easy to do. If you need any help, contact me and I will show you the way.

“Grandfathers are just antique little boys.” –Unknown

My Granny and Pap-paw were always incredibly special to me. My Granny took me to Vacation Bible School as much as she could and to Sunday School. I loved going to church, and I still do. Both sets of my grandparents were very influential in my life. They both showed me the love of Jesus and how through the most tragic times of life, Jesus will carry you through.

“Grandparents, like heroes, are as necessary to a child’s growth as vitamins.”—Joyce Allston

Soft-ball Stage

The “soft-ball stage” is a critical point in candy making (usually between 234°F and 240°F) where sugar syrup forms a soft, pliable, and flattening ball when dropped into cold water, making it perfect for fudges and caramels.

These words spark sheer terror in my heart: soft-ball stage. This terror arises out of some childhood trauma that I experienced. I remember the day as if it were yesterday. We lived in a mobile home (we called it a trailer house) and I was probably 12 years old and decided that some chocolate fudge sounded dreamy! Food has always been a high priority in my life. I was a little pudgy and some fudgy sounded like a great addition to my day. My mom was outside but I had seen her make fudge before. I did get her permission to make some. I was doing great until I read to cook it to the soft-ball stage?!? What does that mean? I hollered out the window at mom and she said put a drop of the syrup in some cold water and see if it forms a ball. What I heard her way was add some cold water! Now that did not help my fudge one bit. It was kind of a nice chocolate syrup, a little runny but tasty so not a total loss.

Only a few degrees separate hard ball from soft ball.” — Science and Cooking: Physics as a Foundation of Culinary Art

Several years later I married my Farmer and he loves his mother’s “Moist Devil’s Food Cake” and the frosting that she made “Chocolate Fudge Frosting”. I should have known from the title of fudge that there were difficulties ahead. The Farmer and I have been married almost 54 years and every single year on Valentine’s Day and also in March on the Farmer’s birthday I attempt to make this special treat for him. I wake up that morning in dread not knowing how this will turn out. I make a really good chocolate frosting that does not say anything about a soft-ball stage in it but this recipe is the one the Farmer really likes, so here we go. It’s time to face my fears. And as my daughter loves to remind me, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13. Some days the frosting is great and spreads well other days it crystalizes and is in blobs too hard to spread, and sometimes it is runny. It is unpredictable for sure. The Farmer does like it any way that it turns out.

“My cooking is magnificent; even the smoke alarm is cheering me.” – Unknown

I have researched the soft-ball stage in my quest to succeed and have found these guidelines: stir over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Then turn up the heat and boil rapidly. Put thermometer in the saucepan and DO NOT STIR as the sugar could crystalize! REALLY, now they tell me. The only thing you do is turn the heat down. I sure wish I would have known that 60 years ago!

“Many people have eaten in this kitchen & have gone on to lead normal, healthy lives.” – Unknown

“Today’s menu has two choices TAKE IT or LEAVE IT.” – Unknown

It is good to realize that we are never too old to learn. I remember at 20 years of age I thought I knew all there was to know about the Lord. I mean I’d been reading the Bible since I learned to read. Fourteen years should be enough to know-it-all. Now 60 years later I realize that I will not live long enough to fully know my Lord and Savior. I see scriptures every day that I’ve read for 60 years and I see new truths in them. God’s amazing Word is alive and active. I’ve learned to read it out loud so the atmosphere around me can hear it and be impacted by it. I’m so thankful that we have all eternity to learn more about Jesus. It will take at least that long to discover the riches of His love and mercy.

Maybe I need to stop stirring and let His promises just sink in and do their mighty work in my heart. The Lord has been showing me in some many ways these last few weeks that my heart needs a softening. In some areas it has crystalized a little and it is time to soften the soil of my heart and prepare it for the new seeds the Lord wants to sow in my heart. The Lord wants me to live with more compassion, more forgiveness, and a deeper connection to Him and those around me. Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Psalms 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

The soft-ball stage is when the syrup forms into a soft, flexible ball. Now the syrup can be used in your recipe. A soft flexible heart can be used in this world we live in much better than one that has crystalized.

Recipes:

Moist Devil’s Food Cake-Mabel’s recipe

2 C. sugar ½ c. milk

½ c. shortening 2 whole eggs

½ c. cocoa 1 ¼ tsp. soda

1 c. boiling water 1 teas. vanilla

2 c. sifted flour ¼ teas. salt

Stir dry ingredients together. Put shortening, sugar, cocoa in boiling water.

Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

Test with toothpick until it comes out clean.

Chocolate Fudge Frosting

2 cups sugar ½ cup cocoa

½ cup oleo ¼ cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients except the vanilla. Bring to a full boil and boil one minute

Or until the soft-ball forms in cold water. Add vanilla and beat until creamy

Happy New Year! 2026 is Here!

Is There Room in Your Heart?

Conrad and I have had a good year this 2025. We are thankful every day for good health and for each other. Graduations filled up our May. Our sweet Anna graduated from KU and is teaching high school art in Great Bend. Willow graduated from Flower Mound High and is going to Boston University in a few weeks. Asa graduated from Rawlins County High and is now at KSU in computer science. We now have two grandsons at KSU with another planning to join them next fall.

A new knee was in store for grandpa in May. He tried physical therapy and decided to go ahead with a new knee. He has done very well with his new knee and was very faithful to do all of the physical therapy carefully. This did put a crimp in Pam’s plans this summer. Travel was curtailed for a bit and Pam had to mow and trim this whole place. Wouldn’t you know this would be the year it would rain and the grass would keep growing until frost! I love green grass and rain so no real complaints from this girl.

We were unable to go on a SOWER mission this year due to the knee replacement. This mission was missed very much by both of us. We are hopeful to return to this ministry soon. We miss our friends and the couples we have worked with.

I-70 has been a well-traveled road for us this fall. With two grandsons in Manhattan and four grandchildren in Olathe, we have seen a lot of this road. We also made it to St. Paul, Minnesota to watch Josh play football there with UNW. Our grandchildren are growing up quickly now and the realization has hit that they are on their own pursuits all over the USA right now and it will be more so in the future. I wonder if we will make it to Boston University?

Conrad and I are enjoying retirement. We are not retired we are refired! We’ve been really enjoying our church and we have had many opportunities to teach Bible studies in the last few years. We rejoice in our Savior and His goodness to us.

Will we make room for God to write His story in our lives?

God bless you all dear friends! HAPPY 2026 Conrad and Pam Popp

Stairway to Christmas at Granny’s

Granny was a very special person in my life. She lived in Blackburn, Oklahoma. Of course I loved Pap-paw too. He always had a job for us grandkids. They owned a ranch with several ponds and raised cotton, hogs and beef cattle. He fed out hogs and called them to the trough each morning. He would yell, “Soouueee, soouuee, pig, pig, pig!” Those pigs would come running. One time he had us count out the wheat kernels in a sample of feed and the vetch seeds. I think maybe he was trying to keep us busy so we wouldn’t be in his way, but I’m not sure.

Granny would come out the door of the house on a run when we drove in her yard. She always had an apron tied around her middle. She would run out the door like she had been waiting for us to drive in. We couldn’t wait to get out of the car to get one of her hugs.

Granny and Pap-paw’s house was an old two story house with a smoke house nearby. They did their own meat processing and had a large garden and chickens for eggs and meals. They were the real homesteader type of people and self-sufficient. They had to be. The second story of the house was not heated. But there was a transom window you could open. That would give you some hope of some heat. A trip up the stairs in the winter was a quick one. You would fly under the covers and deep breathe so that your breath would warm the bed some.

Christmas was a very special time there. By the time all the grandchildren arrived the tree had been selected from the ranch and was decorated with bubble lights, popcorn and other ornaments. Tinsel covered the tree from top to bottom. There were many presents under the tree. Many were homemade as money was tight.

“Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth, sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.” – Richelle E. Goodrich

Granny out did herself with her delights she made each Christmas. That stairway was filled with candy that she had made and was keeping cold until everyone arrived. There were tins of fudge, peanut brittle, divinity, peanut patties and cookies. I’m afraid that on those quick trips up the stairs to bed, there might have been some stops to open a can and sneak a treat! Granny never seemed to be concerned about the missing candy. I’ve never had any divinity quite like her divinity.

Here is her recipe for Granny’s Peanut Patties:

2 1/2 cups of sugar
2/3 cup of white syrup
½ cup of cream or evaporated milk
3 cups of raw peanuts
Dash of salt

Place all of the ingredients in a deep skillet over low heat, stirring constantly. Cook for one hour or until it reaches 234 to 240 degrees, then add 1 Tablespoon of butter and a Tablespoon of vanilla. Mix, then spoon out onto buttered sheet.

You must place it in a Christmas tin and put it on a cold stairway to really experience this delight. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Wheat Planting on the Prairie

Wheat Planting Time on the Prairie

Mid-September to the first of October is the ideal time to plant wheat here on the prairie. Wheat was always the primary crop that we planted on our farm when we were farming full time. The farmers work all year to raise that crop as that is your main source of income for the year. It is vital to the success of the farm, family and finances. Because of these dynamics it can be a very stressful time of year. Much work must be accomplished on the farm to care for the crops and the animals with the winter months fast approaching. We usually carried over a truck load of wheat from last July’s harvest so that it could be used to plant or drill the new crop of wheat. This seed wheat needs to be cleaned to remove trash and make it as clean as possible to plant.

John 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

One year the land we were planting wheat on had not been prepared as properly as the Farmer liked it to be. Some of the weeds on one piece of ground had grown too big and we couldn’t get the ground worked with the tractor and sweep machine as much as we liked. So we decided to drill the wheat while we still had some moisture and began the process. The Bride is the Farmer’s only hired man as the sons and daughter were in school.

The Farmer’s plan was that the Bride would help to load the drill with seed wheat with 5 gallon buckets as he was down in his back and couldn’t do all that he wanted to do. This process went along pretty well. It was during the next step that the problems began to appear. The Farmer drove the tractor while the Bride rode on the drill to make sure we could get through the weeds and that the seeds were going into the ground as they should. Because we know from the scripture above, unless the wheat falls into the ground and dies it does not produce and we needed much fruit!

This plan, although a good one did not work well as the Bride got over whelmed with her duties and fell quite behind. The Farmer always has a good plan B ready and we changed spots. The Bride drove the tractor while the Farmer rode on the drill. This was better but the Bride was very concerned that she would knock her precious Farmer off of the drill with her antics as the driver. Also the tractor is very noisy and it makes it extremely hard to hear the Farmer and his instructions. The Bride has never understood Farmer sign language. She did however understand that she was to stop the tractor when the Farmer began to hit the drill with a crow bar with great force. He said he was not angry he was just trying to get the Bride’s attention to STOP the tractor.

Life is like a field, where we must gather what we grow, weed or wheat…this is the law, we reap the crop we sow. – Patience Strong.

Needless to say, it was a long day and there were some marriage issues that arose BUT the wheat did finally get drilled and a very tired Farmer and Bride got home to a nice warm shower after a strenuous day in the dirt.

Ola’s Chair

Medicine Creek, NE was a great place to spend Labor Day Weekend, 2025. Finally after two years we pulled our 19 foot camper out of the quonset and took it down the road on a camping trip. The Farmer and I joined our son, daughter in law and her parents for a weekend of camping. No grandchildren were along on this trip as our son and his wife had just sent their boys off to college. We did have a couple of dogs along though to add to the fun. Ola and Bentley were the canine crew on our trip. Ola belongs to our son. Ola has her very own camp chair. It is a rocker and she does enjoy it. She is also willing to take other open camping chairs (muddy paws and all)! She is a Springer Spaniel, I think. She has lots of energy and really enjoyed her walks along the lake.

Sometimes it is so difficult to find a place to camp on a holiday weekend. This was a very nice place not too far from home and there were still camping spots available. We were all ready for a restful weekend of camping, enjoying nature, and some good food. It rained off and on for the weekend but it didn’t dampen our time together. We just put out the awnings and the easy up and visited, played games and enjoyed a nice fire every evening.

The sunsets over the lake were beautiful and very rewarding. It was delightful to see families with children of all ages just enjoying all the time outdoors with no tablets and other devices. Even if they were along there was no internet available or much cell service. Kids went swimming, boating, enjoyed outdoor games and just had fun being together. All in all it was just really nice and enjoyable. Thank you, Jenny for inviting us to go along.

Ski Trip with Surprise Adventure

The Farmer used to ski and we would take youth groups on ski trips. The Farmer’s bride took ski school when their daughter was about 11. Their daughter took off like a flash and the bride of the Farmer flunked ski school. She was always proud of being such a good student. She was Salutatorian of her high school class. But those studies did not include insanity, such as putting two wooden boards on the bottom of your boots and heading down a mountain with only a ski pole to protect you from injury. This Grammy has some common sense and that does not make any sense, when you could be shopping!

“Skiing combines outdoor fun with knocking down trees with your face.” – Dave Berry

That was all a few years ago. This year in March, that same daughter, who now has four children of her own, invited us to meet them in Breckenridge, Colorado to join their families’ ski trip. We didn’t ski as the Farmer has a bum knee he’s going to get replaced and well, you know my thoughts on skiing. We were along in case Addie got tired of skiing and needed to go back to the hotel for some craft time with Grammy. It’s a good thing I always have crafts and will travel.

The last day of the ski trip it started to snow really heavy in the mountains and we planned to travel home that night. The forecast in Kansas was pretty awful, with winds of 80 mph and blowing dust. It was decided that instead of staying in Denver that night we would leave Breckenridge early afternoon and head for the farm.

The wind was ferocious but we made it to farm around 10pm. We caught some water and got everyone to bed as it looked like it might be an interesting night. About 2am we lost power and our windows of the old farmhouse were plastered with snow. In all we received ten inches of blowing snow with very large drifts. There would be no snow plow through our country road and no way to get out of our drive. The interstate was closed anyway. We had enough water to keep us all going and a gas cook stove with plenty of supplies. It was a great adventure and our hearts were so grateful to be home. We were not too warm as we had no heat but we weren’t too cold either. No internet so we played games and had a grand time.

“A perfect example of the power of prayer is when a big blizzard closes the schools on the day of a big exam.” – Doug Larson

Our daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren were able to get out the next morning and head home. It was a great adventure and we were truly blessed to be safe and home.

Growing Lettuce in a Mason Jar

Just starting my lettuce garden.

This last winter as I longed for Spring, a magazine showed up in our mail box with the story of an elderly man who started growing lettuce in mason jars using the Kratky method during Covid. He had videos online and gave out a list of all the items needed to begin growing lettuce in your own home. You need a mason jar, a net pot, growing medium (like rockwool), hydroponic nutrients, seeds, a light source and a timer. Fill the jar with the water and nutrients, plant the seeds in the rockwool and place in net cup in the top of the jar and add light. Cover the jar with a black sock to block light which prevents algae. Or purchase amber mason jars.

That’s about all there is to it and you can grow your own delicious salad every day and in every season.

Jerry(the man whose videos I followed), suggested to start with butter crunch lettuce seeds. I have also grown, per his suggestion, merlot and outredgeous lettuce. Both of these lettuces are not only tasty but they are beautiful. You can find many videos on everything needed and instructions to grow lettuce.

Now sit back and enjoy your delicious salad.

The Summer of Graduations -2025

Three of our grandchildren graduated this summer. Two from high school and one from college. Graduate means to receive an academic degree or diploma.

“The two most important days of your life are when you were born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain

May was certainly filled with Senior Art Shows for our college graduate and her graduation, high school celebrations from the small town, small high school class to the Texas graduation of several thousand. The Farmer didn’t get to attend Willow’s graduation in Texas as he had just had knee replacement surgery. Thankfully, our daughter Esther and granddaughter met me in Wichita and we traveled to the graduation. It was a wonderful trip and it was great to celebrate Willow. Asa’s graduation from high school was especially sweet as his high school was burned in an arson fire a couple of years ago. His small town is full of overcomers. Anna is our college graduate and she is now teaching high school art in her home town and has already been recognized for her achievements. Asa is off to Kansas State University and Willow will soon be going to Boston University.

Western Kansas is green even in September and the crops growing around our yard look exceptional. We have had just enough rains to keep things growing and green. Usually by this time of the year the buffalo grass is brown so we are enjoying this extension of green and praying for an abundant harvest. Picking corn has just begun in this area. Asa and Albert, his dad, came to our farm and used the Farmer’s lift in his shop to work on a pickup. It was fun to have them around for a few days this summer while Jenny our daughter-in-love was on a mission in Guatemala. The lift helps so much to work on things.

The Farmer’s sister, Dorothy passed this summer and went to meet her Savior. She was exactly fourteen years older than the Farmer as he was born on her fourteenth birthday. She said she never forgave him for messing up her birthday J but I think she did and loved having a little baby brother to dress up in tiny dresses. Her services were in St. Louis only two weeks before our family reunion. We were able to spend some much needed time with family and reminiscing. She will certainly be missed and it leaves the Farmer’s family of seven kids to just three left now.

We were not able to go on a SOWER mission this year due to the Farmer’s knee and surgery. Our hope is to be able to go next year. Some of our favorite couples to work with at these projects have experienced great loss. Two couples have suddenly lost their spouses and are trying to navigate how the future looks for their lives. We know that God has a plan and purpose for their future.

“The darker the night, the brighter the stars, the deeper the grief, the closer is God.”- Fyodor Dostoesky

Just like your summer of 2025 ours has been full and rewarding. We’ve experienced grieving, joys and celebrations. Spending time with family and is becoming even more important as we see grandchildren grow and spread their wings. Cherishing friendships is vital to our existence and our true happiness.

“ Cherish your friends and family as if your life depends on it. Because it does.”- Ann Richards

Aunt Maudie’s Buckaroons

Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…

Hebrews 8:1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, …

Jude 1:25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, both now and forever, Amen.

Strongs Concordance says that Majesty is for greatness, divinity, God himself. Majesty describes the splendor, greatness and extreme power of God. The word attempts to describe His divinity. It helps us to have the true awe and reverence we should have for Our Lord and Savior.

Majesty, Worship His Majesty by Jack Hayford

Majesty, worship His Majesty: Unto Jesus be all glory, honor, and praise.
Majesty, kingdom authority, Flow from His throne unto His own, His anthems raise.
So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus.
Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King.
Majesty, worship HIs Majesty, Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all Kings.

Aunt Maudie was Pastor Curly’s wife for many years. The ministry they had to their flock was a sight to behold. They gave all to serve their little country church for many years. I think 40 to be exact until Curly graduated to glory due to a battle with cancer. Aunt Maudie was the perfect wife for the pastor of the church. She was full of hospitality, could teach classes on the spur of the moment, and she could lead a choir and most importantly … she could play the piano. And she could play every hymn in the hymnal at the drop of the hat. Any request for a favorite hymn would not challenge her. She raised three children of her own, raised a garden, ministered to a whole community and as most pastor wives do… she lived in a fishbowl. In the parsonage beside the church where everyone knew everything that went on in their home.

“Life is better with fresh baked cookies!” – Anonymous

Aunt Maudie was Aunt Maudie to us because her sister was the mother of the Farmer. They lived one half mile apart on a country road called the redline. The church was also on that dirt country road and people came from miles around to worship their Majesty. That was Aunt Maudie’s favorite song. I know because I used to help lead worship and she told me several times that she loved that song and her life demonstrated that she surely did love her Majesty.

Aunt Maudie was a good cook and her Buckaroon cookies were always a hit and that sweet recipe made it into my recipe box and I want to share it with you.

1 C. shortening
1 C. granulated sugar
1 C. brown sugar
Cream together, well.

Add 2 eggs
½ teas. Baking powder
1 teas. Soda
½ teas. Salt
1 teas. Vanilla
Add to the mixture:
2 C. sifted flour
2 C. oatmeal (quick oats)
1 pkg. chocolate chips and chopped nuts if desired.

Roll small amount of dough in a ball and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until light brown.

The recipe in Aunt Maudie’s writing says, “Happy Eating”!

Aunt Maudie personified the adage of a servant of God. She served her Majesty in every way possible. Enjoy her cookies and find someone today to serve.