The Ant and Other Farm Stories: Farmer Jim, illustrated by Jodi Maas

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Farmer Jim’s a good, kind man who rises with the sun.
He works the fields from dawn to dusk, until his work is done.

It’s hard work but he likes it, just like his father had.
You see, he’s known the farming ways since he was just a lad.

He knows his farm is special and so do other folk.
“My magic elves do all the work,” the farmer always jokes.

This magic’s not like others, though, it has no spells or charms.
To Farmer Jim, the magic lives within his two strong arms.

His life is very fortunate, as most around agree.
He thanks his lucky stars and says, “My gosh, I’m glad I’m me.”

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He always greets the morning with “How are you, Today?”
And when the moon returns each night, it hears about his day.

His tractor is his oldest friend that he depends upon.
In turn, the engine never fails to run until they’ve done.

His animals are family – each field a worthy mate.
And when some years don’t fare so well, he smiles, “Next year… just wait.”

It’s in the farmer’s nature to smile and look ahead.
For it’s the best way you can live when all is done and said.

That’s why his wife so loves him and stands right by his side.
There’s naught about this home of theirs in which they don’t take pride.

In turn, the farm yields treasures for the kindness it receives.
For Farmer Jim believes in his land, thus the land, in the farmer, believes.

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Author: Anne Celano Frohna

I have been writing for as long as I could hold a pencil in hand and would not feel complete without it. And I actually made a meager living at it (and as an editor) for 25 years. I worked for newspapers and magazines, in graphic arts and advertising, and wrote several local history books. But I have also taught English in Japan, been a Nanny in Italy, worked in and for museums, was an Airbnb Superhost for four years, as well as an Etsy shop owner where I sold vintage items I found over the years of thrift and yard sales. After moving to Arizona with my family in 2010, I completed a series of different writing projects, including two books of creative non-fiction: Just West of the Midwest: a comedy (Based on journals I kept during my two years as an English teacher in rural Japan.) Within Close Range: short stories of an American Childhood (Short stories and poems about growing up as the middle of five children in suburban Chicago.) I've also written children's stories and continue to write short fiction, but have recently found my voice in poetry. This blog, however, is where my greatest passion comes alive. I am also a mother of two wonderful girls, Eva (23) and Sophia (21) and wife to one wonderful husband, Kurt.

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