Frugal Plus

Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: lulu.com (September 13, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0557096030
ISBN-13: 978-0557096039

Click on the Cover to Purchase!

Country Life, the Upper Midwest contains 145 photographs, 18 ink pen drawings, and 15 poems orchestrated so as to take the reader on a journey into the country, into the rural life and values of which so many of us cherish and many more long for. Turn the pages and let your mind travel to a place where there is a scent of fresh turned soil, fresh cut hay, sounds of mourning doves, geese, ducks, and an un-obscured view of the northern lights, sunrises and sunsets.

Rain

The cold winter now over, offered so little snow
If we plant now oh Lord, will the seed grow?

Dust billows up when the cultivator discs cut neat rows in the dry soil
The sun yet still weak but within a lunar cycle will be at full boil

Chafe of dirt collected and dried on earlier sweaty creases of skin
The grit of soil in the teeth, eyes red, wait not for the rain, this is my sin

Scan the horizon for the promised clouds, the prayer for rain
Hurry; get the seeds in the ground, no rest through this pain

Hours later still in the field, their eyes meet, climb in the truck, close the door
Water streaks the dirty chin and neck, big gulps of which the body was crying for

Several of the poems contained within Country Life, the Upper Midwest include prayers of thanks and praise to our Lord. The poems are arranged among country life photographs and drawings. The poem arrangement is such that the first pomes are simply reflective of rural living but then the following poetry evolves into a deeper more spiritual thought process. Several of the last poems draw the reader into a right verses wrong inner struggle of a story or topic, then leave the reader pondering the similar challenges that we all face every day of our lives. The writer, believes that the majority of those living in the Upper Midwest readily relate to the Christian values that are reflected in his poetry, therefore he believes Christian value poetry has a rightful place in a book that reflects Upper Midwest culture. In November of 2009, South Dakota Governor M. Michael Rounds apparently agreed in a letter of appreciation regarding Country Life, the Upper Midwest when he wrote “The descriptions, photographs, art, and poetry certainly reflect rural life”.

Growing up in the Midwest, these magnificent photographs and ink drawings bring back so many wonderful memories. Luckily, I can go back and visit the rural area I grew up in and still see a lot of what he has featured in the book. This photograph in particular looks just like the country church I still visit occasionally when in the area, gravel road and all…

This is one “coffee table” book that I will hold dear for years to come!

About the Author..

Born in Tennessee and having lived in 9 states, Guam and 16 cities, author and artist Donald Bert Cullum chose to live in and raise his family in Turtle Lake, North Dakota. In November 1988, Mr. Cullum moved back to Turtle Lake fulltime after living part time in Montana and has been living in Turtle Lake ever since, promoting country life in the upper Midwest as an option to those who want a simpler, quieter way of life. During this same time frame Mr. Cullum and his family has nearly accomplished the goal of traveling to all fifty states, thereby compiling additional life experiences to draw inspiration and comparison from. Currently Mr. Cullum is employed at nearby Great River Energy Coal Creek Station as a Control Room Operator, wife Diane is a school teacher.

At age 50 in November of 2009, married for almost 25 years, and with both children (Eddie and Tony) now in college, Mr. Cullum is able to spend more time pursuing his passion for the arts, resulting in this most recent accomplishment.

A Special Thanks goes out to Donald Bert Cullum for the opportunity to once again embrace my upbringing in the Heartland.

Mr. Cullum has generously offered one Lucky Frugal Plus Reader the Chance to Win a Signed copy of Country Life, the Upper Midwest

To Enter:

Valid for Residents of the U.S., age 18 and older. Please no PO Boxes.

Mandatory Entries:

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** Go over to the Ole Country Store and let me know your Favorite Art Print and/or Photograph by Donald.

Extra Entries:

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This Giveaway will end Tuesday, December 15, 2009.

The Winner(s) will be chosen by Random.org. I will post the Winner(s) here on Frugal Plus, as well as, email directly. You will then have 48 hours to claim your Prize.