If I could live in any century, I’d live in the late 1800s. I’d have traveled west to homestead and settle on my 160 acre claim. I might have lived in a dug-out the first season or two until I could raise a crop and afford lumber for a simple two-room cabin.

I’d have horses and a faithful dog. Life would be difficult, physically, but simple and good. Days would be full of hard work, but nights would bring the peaceful rest that comes from honest work.

I know I completely romanticize this kind of life, but I would have thrived in it. I know a strong faith would be required, yet somehow God would be much more present because there’d be fewer distractions between me and God.

Can you even imagine living in a dug-out and being around for these firsts:

the first stationary engine, known as a “barn engine” came out in 1812 and powered a corn threshing machine, among other things, the first steam-powered tractor came out in 1868, and in 1892 in Iowa, the first gas-powered tractors were being used!

So, I could have my horses and my antique tractors…only they’d be new, then. My beautiful Prairie Gold tractors were not to be around until 1929, but that would give me a goal to work for on my little farm. Ha!