I love the smell of bacon in the morning.” Andrew Jackson appeared in the kitchen doorway and headed straight for the coffee maker. “You love the smell of bacon any time of day,” said Rose, who was standing at the stove with an egg in each hand and a hot frying pan ready in front
A happy announcement set to music
The Jacksons from the November 10, 2016 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
A Jackson family Thanksgiving
The Jacksons from the October 13, 2016 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
Come in, come in! How’s my little sweethearts?” Rose Jackson met her two grandchildren, Allison and Andy, at the front door. A cold wind blew the door inwards, almost knocking little Andy off his feet. “Hi Grandma! Mommy’s bringing the potatoes! Can I have a cookie? Where’s Grandpa?” Allison’s questions came too fast to allow
Fixing the John Deere over coffee
The Jacksons from the September 29, 2016 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
Andrew Jackson steered his pickup onto the driveway of the Jackson farm and drove slowly towards the farmyard. Looking out of the window to the left he saw the white blobs of the sheep in the first pasture, most of them grazing, some lying down. The guard donkeys moved among the sheep like grey shadows,
Good breakfasts and a roommate for life
The Jacksons from the September 15, 2016 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
Jennifer Jackson opened her eyes, then closed them again as the early-morning sun beaming in through the window of her bedroom shone a little too brightly for her sleep-dilated pupils. After a few moments, she slowly opened them again, then took a minute to orient herself to her surroundings. From her bed, looking out of
Cats, rats and a son ‘comes out’
The Jacksons from the August 18, 2016 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
So as I was saying…” Roger Galbraith was in the middle of what appeared to be a long and detailed story as Andrew Jackson set his coffee cup down on the café table and seated himself next to Grant Toews and across from Bernie Brandt, who were well on the way to finishing their own
A peaceful afternoon at the beach
The Jacksons from the August 4, 2016 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
Andrew Jackson set his beach chair down in the sand and adjusted the back to his liking. Kicking off his sandals, he sat down and pulled the brim of his hat down to shield his eyes from the blazing sun. He turned to look at Rose, who was already ensconced on her new, well-padded lounger
The painful exercise of Blue Bomber fandom
The Jacksons from the July 7, 2016 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
So, who’s watching the Bomber game tonight? Anyone?” Andrew Jackson leaned back in his chair as he spoke, and set his coffee cup down on the table. There was a brief silence from the other occupants of the table. “I have better things to do,” said Grant Toews after a moment. “Really?” said Andrew. “Like
City life and planning for the future on horseback
The Jacksons from the June 9, 2016 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
Jennifer Jackson reached up to grab the saddle horn, stuck her left boot into the stirrup and swung herself easily into the saddle. She took a moment to adjust the brim of her hat and tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear before urging her tall chestnut mare into an easy canter up
The surprise babysit visit
The Jacksons from the May 2016 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
Rose Jackson lay back on her lounger and heaved a contented sigh. The sun shone down hot and bright, so bright Rose found herself squinting even through her sunglasses. A few clouds drifted lazily across the sky and a slight haze dimmed what would otherwise have been a brighter blue. She closed her eyes and
Real cowboys, Fort McMurray and the ‘lucky ones’
The Jacksons from the May 12 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
Andrew Jackson ambled slowly down the sidewalk in the direction of the café. He reached up to pull down the brim of his new Outback hat, shielding his eyes from the brightness of the hot morning sun. A pickup truck drove towards him on the main street, bright-blue paint sparkling, sunlight reflecting from an abundance
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
