Tennessee Living

About the Author - Pettus L. Read

Pettus L. Read is editor of the Tennessee Farm Bureau News and director of communications for the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation. He may be contacted by e-mail at .

Privacy Please
Published Jan 04, 2010

Over the last few weeks, I must have read the words from the 1974 Privacy Act several hundred times, thanks to a bad back and several trips to doctors’ offices. It seems for every visit I make, there are more forms to fill out and the “opportunity” to keep my privacy to myself. Over my rece...[continue]

Daddy’s Old Tractor
Published Jul 20, 2009

As nighttime falls in rural communities across the state this time of the year, the droning sound of farm tractors running can still be heard. Days on the farm during harvest time can run long, and it is nothing unusual for farm tractors to be working hard all night long in Tennessee fields.

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Too Big for Their Britches
Published May 01, 2009

Down in the Sunshine State a few years ago, a lawmaker tried to get legislation passed to outlaw the sagging britches fashion from public schools. In fact, there was even a statewide campaign underway that said, “Pull up your pants! Need help? Here’s a belt.” The goal was to collect new or ...[continue]

Springtime Show
Published Feb 06, 2009

Ahh! Spring has arrived with the beauty of its flowers and the sounds of garden tillers in the distance. Every backyard, open space and whiskey barrel is being filled, tilled and planted all across the state. Gardeners are releasing all of their built-up stress from a long winter of reading seed ...[continue]

My Old Trusty Steed
Published Oct 28, 2008

While cleaning out an old shed the other day, I ran across a pile of my father’s tobacco sticks that he used several years ago to raise tobacco. Those sticks were pretty important on our farm, and he guarded those pieces of wood like they were gold. They were the source for making a crop that h...[continue]

After 60 Years I’m Still Seeking Middle Age
Published Oct 27, 2008

On this day that I write this column, I’m enjoying my last day as being an individual in my 50s. Tomorrow I cross over into the 60s of my life and finally reach middle age. Yes, I do plan on being around to at least 120. I have too much invested in health insurance to not take advantage of ...[continue]

Walking By A Graveyard On Halloween Night
Published Oct 20, 2008

I love this time of the year when the trees across Tennessee allow their leaves to turn an array of colors that would cause an artist’s paint palette to seem dull in contrast to what we see on our hillsides. To me, a Tennessee fall is about as stress relieving as a vacation to a tropical is...[continue]

How Would You Like To Be A Presidential Candidate
Published Oct 13, 2008

Since many papers carrying my column consider it an opinion piece, then I hope you understand that this column is just that. It is my opinion and not necessarily the opinion of the organization I work for, the church I attend, the stores I shop with, any committee I serve on, my community, my sta...[continue]

Fewer Apple Trees Mean Fewer Apples To Be Had
Published Oct 06, 2008

There is a story told around these parts about a son who went off and made it big in the entertainment business and soon forgot about where he came from. He never visited his family and basically took them for granted. One day he received a call that his father had died and feeling a little asham...[continue]

Abandoned Horses Are Causing Problems
Published Sep 14, 2008

Each morning as I drive to work, I pass a farm along the way where the activities I witness happening there in the early morning light sort of sets the tone for the day ahead. Located on this farm is a spotted horse kept in a pasture near a former dairy barn that now serves as the farmer’s ...[continue]