By Melissa Hart Contentment can be an elusive concept when we are constantly bombarded with influencers telling us we are missing out if we don’t buy a product or service. The highlight reels of a family on a stunning vacation or the accomplishments of their kids can send us down the path to pity in a big hurry. Or simple fall decorations on a porch can make us feel like we are falling short of the expectations the world has seemingly put on us. We can fall prey to the need to be better, belong, and be happy if we only had a little bit more. Yesterday, I was reminded by my two-year-old granddaughter that I am blessed beyond belief. As I was preparing her toast for breakfast, she was sitting on the counter, watching every slab of butter I slathered on the warm, toasted bread. Suddenly, she said, “Are those your new drawers?” She was referring to the new drawers I had built for my kitchen to replace the 50-year-old drawers that had fallen apart after decades of use. I want a new kitchen....
By Melissa HartIt is not lost on me that I have one of the best jobs in the world. Traveling is fun but traveling to so many state fairs and cattle shows is something I have enjoyed my entire life. I think I inherited the love of a cattle show from my mom, who would have spent her entire summer on the road showing something anywhere she could if she had not been busy with a family and a farm. When I interviewed Alta Mae Core of Salvisa, Kentucky for our DAT Extra podcast, I realized she lived that life with her parents. They went from show to show all summer long and last weekend, as a grandmother, I followed her into Broadbent Arena with a spring calf and followed her out with the Supreme Champion of the Kentucky State Fair. There is just something about the smell of shavings and the sound of clippers with hair flying that reminds us that we are near people we can relate to….we are home. We started our state fair coverage in Columbus at the Ohio State Fair. This f...