Opinions

After a stop-and-go start to fall harvest because of weather and breakdowns, we’ve finally found our groove in November.The wheat is now in the ground, the cattle have been sent off to winter pasture and the clear and sunny days have allowed us to keep the combines in the fields.

We will wait a few more days before the Nov. 4 ballots are canvassed for Ellsworth County, but with less than two dozen provisional ballots, it’s unlikely any of the races published in today’s paper will change.In three of our communities, they will welcome a new mayor to the position.

We are well past the midpoint of fall and closing in on winter. It is not an official thing, but to me, the defining point on the calendar between fall and winter is Thanksgiving.

Acknowledging junior high FB team The Ellsworth Bearcats Junior High Football team cinched their final win of the season against Lyons two weeks ago. The Bearcats won this League game 44-6. This is extremely impressive, because it means they had a completely undefeated season.

Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. The plans we make can shift without warning, and challenges often arrive uninvited. Still, it’s not the setbacks that define us — it’s our resilience in the face of them. How we respond is what matters more.

It could be easy to dismiss the election this year.There are no national names on our ballot. It’s just local city, school board and extension board members.While it could be tempting to skip out or check out of this election cycle, it’s almost more important to participate.

A week or so ago, I took a three-day bike trip with several friends.The stop for night one is almost always Wichita. This year, we approached my hometown from a different direction. The path took us along the Arkansas River downtown, and then along the “river path” in west Wichita.

Editor’s note: Oct. 5-11 is National Newspaper Week. This year marks the 85th celebration.The Kansas Mirror might sound, dear reader, like a parody publication of our own publication: The Kansas Reflector.

Earlier this month, I traveled to South Africa with the American Farm Bureau’s Partners in Advocacy Leadership program. Our group has been exploring labor challenges in agriculture, and South Africa offered valuable perspective.

Growing up, I loved having company over to our house. It meant we would pull out our favorite recipes, dress ourselves up and be reminded to use our best manners. I also have very fond memories of our family working together to get ready.