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 .

Weed-Eater v. Pettus
Published Jun 01, 2006

In the Bible’s book of Job, we are taught the importance of patience. Job was a man who God said was like no other on all the earth. He was tested many times by Satan, trying to prove God wrong, but Job never gave in to a multitude of terrible events that happened to him and his family.

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Toilet Tales
Published Mar 01, 2006

During my years of early childhood development, I was taught many things that have carried over into my adulthood. The habits of manners, respect, work ethics and modesty are all abilities that I have today due to my early upbringing.

With today’s modern fashions, and the continued eff...[continue]

Christmas Decorations: Why Do We Do It?
Published Dec 01, 2005

It was a cold Saturday morning during the Thanksgiving holiday that I proceeded to turn our front yard and home into a display of flashing lights and holiday gaudiness. The weather for the past several days had been above average in temperature, but on the one day I had to create my masterpiece o...[continue]

Dumpling Disappointment Leads to New Recipes
Published Sep 01, 2005

There are a lot of things in life that should never, ever be messed with in any way.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Never spit into the wind. Never pull the mask off the Lone Ranger. Always drink upstream from the cattle herd. Never squat with your spurs on. Don’t ever expect a g...[continue]

A Sticky Situation
Published Jun 01, 2005

It was your typical hot August day as I pulled into the gas station to fill the family car. Being in somewhat of a hurry, I went directly to the pump and began the fueling process. Just as I have done numerous times, as the pump ran on automatic, I walked around the car checking my tires and othe...[continue]

When Does It End?
Published Mar 01, 2005

We are all bombarded every day with information on how to become increasingly healthy. Just the other day, I was eating all the healthy and correct foods for breakfast that should make one live to be 135. As I went to eat my whole-wheat and multigrain toast, my front tooth fell out.

Some...[continue]

The Bell Tolls for Us All
Published Dec 01, 2004

Lately I have been experiencing ups and downs in the realization of my aging process. Comments about my age from people I meet on the street and don’t even know have given my personal self-esteem a real roller-coaster ride over the last few weeks.

A few Sundays ago, I had a pleasant ri...[continue]

Tans Sprayed to Order
Published Sep 01, 2004

As summer quickly turns into fall down on the farm, most folks over my way are beginning to see growing season end and harvesting time shift into high gear. With the days getting shorter and the weather cooler, harvest season is now upon us.

My Uncle Sid, who farms down the road from me,...[continue]

Talkin’ Horse Sense
Published Jun 01, 2004

Tennessee continues to have a growing horse population, and the sight of one or two horses on 5-acre lots around our state is nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, there are more horses in this state today than there were back when horsepower played a major role in Tennessee crop production.

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Going for the Green
Published Mar 01, 2004

As springtime arrives and the flowers begin to peek their heads above the sod, the grass in my yard also follows the same pattern. All of us know that the lawn-mowing season is upon us and another year of fighting the tall grass battle is upon us.

After 10 years of babying my old riding ...[continue]