Simple Things: Lessons from the Family Farm

by Jerry Apps

In this collection of thoughtful essays, Jerry Apps reflects on the “simple things” that made up everyday life on the farm—an old cedar fencepost, Fanny the farm dog, the trusty tools used for farmwork, the kerosene lantern the family gathered around each morning and evening. As he holds each item up to the light for a closer look, he plumbs his memories for the deeper meanings of these objects, sharing the values instilled in him during his rural boyhood in the 1940s and 1950s. He concludes that people who had the opportunity to grow up on family farms gained useful skills, important knowledge, and lifelong values that serve them well throughout their lives. Apps captures and shares those things for people who remember them and those who never had the benefit of living on a small farm.
 

132 pages, Hardcover

Published September 11, 2018

About the author

Jerold W. Apps, born and raised on a Wisconsin farm, is Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the author of more than 30 books, many of them on rural history and country life. His nonfiction books include: Living a Country Year, Every Farm Tells a Story, When Chores Were Done, Humor from the Country, Country Ways and Country Days, One-Room Schools, Cheese, Breweries of Wisconsin, Ringlingville USA (History of Ringling Brothers circus), Old Farm: A History, Barns of Wisconsin, Horse Drawn Days: A Century of Farming With Horses, and Campfires and Loon Calls. His children's books include: Stormy, Eat Rutabagas, Tents, Tigers and the Ringling Brothers, and Casper Jaggi: Master Swiss Cheese Maker. He has an audio book, The Back Porch and Other Stories. Jerry has published four novels, The Travels of Increase Joseph, In a Pickle: A Family Farm Story, Blue Shadows Farm and Cranberry Red. Jerry is a former publications editor for UW-Extension, an acquisitions editor for the McGraw-Hill Book Company, and editor of a national professional journal.

Jerry has won awards for his writing from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Library Association (the 2007 Notable Authors Award), American Library Association, Foreword Magazine, Midwest Independent Publishers Association, Robert E. Gard Foundation, The Wisconsin Council for Writers (the 2007 Major Achievement Award), Upper Midwest Booksellers, and Barnes and Noble Bookstores, among others. In 2010 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Check www.jerryapps.com for more information.

Reviews

[Abby Stopka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book he definitely gave some good advice with his different S a's. Thank you

[Jim Gallen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Childhood memories, we all have them and, luckily for us, Jerry Apps is willing to share his. “Simple Things” is a collection of 31 short reminiscences of the people and events that made Jerry the farmer, professor, author and man that he is. They provide insights into life in rural Wisconsin when teams still pulled farm equipment and the days before refrigerators, automated milking machines and electric lights. Some are humorous, like when Felix the cat got its tail caught in the milking machine (the advent of which occurred during the years of this book). Others bring to mind memories even to a midwestern city dweller of two decades later, such as long-distance radio on clear nights and seed and Sears’ Catalogs. My uncle was one of those city dwellers who moved to the country to enjoy simple things and who inadvertently provided amusement to the locals. Although I never thought of it before, maybe Uncle Al had a lead cow like the ones on the Apps’ farm.

I really enjoyed the terms and phrases, some novel, but many familiar even to this urban dweller. I learned the difference between chores and work, the terms for different types of livestock and was remined of jack and parring knives. Jerry’s list of unique phrases were mostly ones that I have heard throughout my life. Maybe not so unique, but good to be reminded.

Jerry Apps is a serial writer for Wisconsin Historical Society Press. Followers of the Press find reminders of other titles, “Roshara Journal”, “Never Curse the Rain”, from references to School of the Air, “Wisconsin On The Air” on the pages of this book. You can find my reviews of each.

You can read “Simple Things” straight through in short order. I preferred to take it a story at a time so I can savor each one and make them last longer. Either way, you will find a delightful read.

I did receive a free copy of this book without an obligation to post a review.

[Laura McAninch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was like combining Mildred Armstrong Kalish's "Little Heathens" memoir with Wendell Berry's sense of the land and Joel Salatin's life mission. Comprise all of them into a very readable, quick to the point, and resonating message. Understand and appreciate where farmers have come from in history to understand how to support and appreciate the land today's farmers steward.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short. I enjoyed his EVERY FARM TELLS A STORY: A Tale of Farm Family Values more. All his books I’ve read good.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple read. Sweet little book!

[Mick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of his memories which surprisingly belong to all of us who grew up in the upper Midwest! The blend of humour, childhood wonder and stark realities of life and lessons learned all combine to make the reader feel as if he or she is reliving their own experiences! Masterfully written and thoroughly enjoyable reading!

[Chris S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about farm life during and after World War II.