Bittersweet Farm

Bittersweet Farm

Virtues and Values

I Should Be More Like Hazzy

Filed Under: Virtues and Values

They say a dog is a man’s best friend. Maybe I could learn from old Hazzy. He is never critical. He never complains.

He is always eager to see me. He loves spending time with me. He never monopolizes the conversation. He’s pretty easy to please with basic things like a walk, food, water, a place to perform his necessities. He’s a good listener. He never makes me eat alone. He never makes me walk alone.

When I’m quiet he is quiet, unless he thinks something dangerous is afoot. When I’m happy and excited he dances and jumps around and worms his whole little body with delight.

He is was born in mountains of eastern Kentucky. He’s from Breathitt County. I’ve had good experiences with mountain people from the mountains of eastern Kentucky.

Lois is out of town so I was tending to her flower garden. I looked up and there was Mr. Haz digging away with me, just helping out. Normally he doesn’t dig in the dirt, but he’s always eager to help out.

I imagine someday when he is gone I will realize his quiet presence in my life and his gentle dependence on me was good for my soul. He’s been in our family for over 10 years. If he ever runs off to explore he always finds his way home.

There are ways it would do me good to be more like him.

Bittersweet Farm
July 27, 2019

A Passing Courtesy

Filed Under: Village Parson, Virtues and Values

Yesterday we laid to rest one of Bethel’s beloved, long-time members. He was a retired educator, named Dave Collins. It was a beautiful autumn day the the funeral procession took the back way to Spring Arbor for the burial. The long procession passed beneath arches of trees yielding their leaves to a gentle wind. The procession passed the Western High School, the district in which he had spent his career. Along the way people worked in their yards and burned leaves.

For the last ten years I pastored in the Detroit Downriver. People there would never pull their cars over to show honor for the dead. Sometimes cars would even pass the procession. Out in Jackson County yesterday warm civility prevailed. Dozens of people pulled off to wait for the procession to pass. My heart was greatful.

A few miles west of the church out on County Farm Road an older man was mowing his yard astride an old John Deer riding mower. He stopped his mowing and saluted the procession until it passed.

I never want to be the old man continually whining about the way things used to be, but maybe someday, I’ll drive out County Farm road and look up that gentleman and thank him for is courtesy. I’ll bet he has a story to tell and I’d like to hear it.

Ken Pierpont
Bittersweet Farm
Summit Township, Michigan
October 20, 2018

Here is an interesting read from Country Living.

Banana Bread

Filed Under: Fireside Academy, Village Parson, Virtues and Values

Sometimes I just crave banana nut bread. I imagine a fresh slice with light butter next to steaming cup of coffee. I give little hints to the ladies about that from time to time.

“Sure would love some banana nut bread one of these days.” I frequently say to the girls. Lois always says the same thing. “Pick up the ingredients and I will make you some.” And then I get something else on my mind and forget.

One winter morning on the way out the door I said, “Why don’t you ever make banana nut bread?” Lois said, “Because you never remember to bring me the ingredients.”

My thoughts shifted to my work. I had calls to make. I drove across town to the neat little home of a widow in our church and knocked on the door. She was eager to visit. She let me in and said, “Excuse me pastor, I need to get some baking out of the oven.”

“What are you baking?” I asked, but I knew the answer before I asked the question.

“Banana bread.”

“With nuts?”

“Yes, always with nuts.” I smiled. God is good. My mouth watered.

We visited for about a half hour the smell of the bread lingering in the air. I kept wondering how long it would take the bread to cool. Finally I pretended to leave. “Well, I’d better get going,” I said waiting for her to offer me some of the fresh baked bread. She stood and thanked me for my visit. I prayed with her and said goodbye.

I walked dejectedly to the car, started it up and drove slowly away. I watched the door thinking any moment it would fly open and I would be on my way with a loaf of fresh baked banana bread. It never did. Sometimes it is impossible to know why some things happen. I still think about that every once and a while. I suppose even though God loves me he knows it is important to remind me from time to time that the whole world doesn’t revolve around me. All Banana nut bread does not belong to me.

This story “mysteriously” leaked out and other bakers in the church made me banana nut bread to compensate for the cruel disappointment I had suffered. Oh, it was good, even though I had to use questionable methods to get it. Good coffee and warm banana nut bread are strong consolation when you are recovering from bitter disappointment. If you are capable of making good banana nut bread you might want to remember that if you ever see anyone around who looks disconsolate.

Kenneth L. Pierpont
ken@kenpierpont.com
Riverfront Character Inn International Conference Center
Flint, Michigan
July 14, 2003

Sleeping Under the Stars in a Sailboat

Filed Under: Virtues and Values

I supposed Robert Norvell to be a pretty no-nonsense character who enjoyed enforcing rules and being in charge. That is why when I discovered he would be in charge of the Northwoods property during our visit I reminded they boys that they would likely have few freedoms or privileges.

They were used to fishing all day out on Wolf Lake when I conducted the retreats at the Northwoods Center in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

This trip they were chattering about the sailboat. Our two younger boys, Daniel Pierpont and Wesley Josiah Pierpont had their hearts set on spending the night sleeping below the deck.

“You will need to ask Mr. Norvell for permission and I doubt if you will get it.”

They complained but they were so eager to sleep out so they worked up the courage to go make an appeal to him. Off they went and I prepared to try to console them when they returned disappointed.

A few minutes later they came charging in with Mr. Norvell’s full blessing on the venture. Turns out he was the kind of man who loves young men and boys and adventure and Jesus and he was quick to give them permission.

They slept out all night under the stars on Wolf Lake and tucked away a sweet memory of night under the stars and Christian manhood at it’s best.

We miss you Bob Norvell… You are a blessing to hundreds and hundreds of young men. Two of them were Daniel Pierpont and Wesley Josiah Pierpont.

If you get a change to encourage a young man or young woman the gesture may live in their heart for many years.

Ken Pierpont
Bittersweet Farm
Summit Township, Michigan
April 20, 2018

A Boy Again For a Few Minutes

Filed Under: Bittersweet Farm, Virtues and Values

This afternoon I’m gettng ready for a visit from the grand-buddies and grand-princesses so I dug out Uncle Wesley’s genuine Red Ryder BB Gun.

For a few minutes this afternoon I was a ten-year-old boy again with the on my neck and the wind in my hair out on Bittersweet Farm. We are going to make some very sweet memories here… camping out, roasting weiners, making smores, listening the birdsongs, watching the waterfowl crossing over head, the bats and the martins flitting in the evening sky and and enjoying the smell of a wood fire. For just a few minutes this afternoon I was a boy again.

Ken Pierpont
Bittersweet Farm
Summit Township, Michigan
April 20, 2018

had a wee visitor to Bittersweet Farm this week… Ms. Peppermint

It was a beautiful afternoon. This may have been the first real day of spring-like, we-have-the-snow-behind-us weather. I was musing out on the acres and have some ideas. We will see how they pan-out.

A Warm Memory of a Cold Morning

Filed Under: Virtues and Values

Last night was cold and clear. I was driving alone through the night. Driving down an old familiar stretch of road I remembered a frigid morning along that same stretch of road a few years ago. I was driving a car that was new to me. It was very early in the morning and I was eager for the car to warm up and looking forward to wrapping my hands around the free cup of coffee they would give me when I gassed up out on the Interstate. It was unusually cold the kind of morning you feel like getting to work is a struggle for survival against the elements.

Suddenly the engine sputtered and died. Out of gas. “Deceptive gauge,” I thought. I coasted to the side of the read and braced myself for a very cold walk. I wished I had brought a warmer coat, hat and gloves. Then I smiled. My younger brothers, Kevin and Nathan commuted to work along this same stretch of road. They would have to pass this spot within fifteen minutes riding to work together. The thought warmed and relieved me.

In a few minutes their little car came purring down the road and I stuck out my thumb. They pulled alongside and rolled down the window. “Did you forget to buy gas,” Nate teased, “for twenty bucks we’ll take you to get some.”

In a little while I waved good-bye to my dear little brothers and was warm and secure feeling the heat warm my feet, listening to news on the radio.

It’s nice to know that because of Jesus, no matter how dark and cold the night is, no matter how lonely or frightened or vulnerable we become, no matter what bad things happen to us, if we trust the Lord and wait patiently, help is on the way.

We have brothers out there somewhere in the darkness and we are traveling the same road. We have the same Father. That is a warm thought on a cold winter night.

Ken Pierpont
Granville Cottage
Riverview, Michigan
December 1, 2017

Follow Ken Here