The change of seasons, especially morphing from summer to fall, rates high on my “things to look forward to” list. The list is similar to a bucket list but these items are more easily attainable, cheaper, and are basic pleasures often overlooked.
Growing, harvesting and consuming homegrown garden goodies also make that list. By this time of year my kitchen counters overspill with produce I’ve failed to keep up with. It’s not a bad problem to have, though, because the solution learned in kindergarten still applies today — share. Later in life I learned large quantities of vinegar, the main ingredient to make edible gifts, also solves the harvest overload.
While produce production in the garden slows, fall foliage comes to life ushering in brilliant red, orange and golden leaves, along with pumpkins and gourds of all shapes, colors and sizes.
In life, as in nature, change brings future growth as well as challenges. Kansas Country Living has grown its circulation and readership in the last few years, increasing its reach and actively encouraging dialogue with readers. My challenge is to respond to the increase in phone calls, emails and letters to the editor. Thanks for your patience — I am working to acknowledge all of your inquiries as quickly as I can. Just like my overabundance of produce, this is a good problem to tackle.
Kansas Country Living will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2022. Our staff is assessing potential changes to the magazine to meet the changing needs of our readers and the electric cooperatives that rely on the magazine to keep you informed of co-op business.
While the cost of a first-class stamp jumped to 58 cents effective Aug. 29, and postage for this magazine increased by 8.8% effective that same date, Kansas Country Living continues to deliver important co-op news, rural Kansas features and entertaining content for a little more than the cost of a first-class stamp. Our goal is to maintain that value and look for ways to mitigate increases caused by pandemic-related supply chain struggles. Thus, you may notice a change in the paper we use or the size of the magazine in future issues.
Change brings challenges and we’ve all experienced a bumper crop of both the last two years. We are committed to viewing these challenges as opportunities to reassess and make positive changes.
