Old Tractor in the Fencerow

This week, I bought a one of a kind handmade mug from what may be North Dakota's most incredible ceramicist: Prairie Fire Pottery here in Beach, ND. As a gift to my wife, at fifty dollars, it is an expensive mug, since I can buy a half dozen generic mugs at Walmart for that price. Yet, no two mugs are alike, and they are unique and of high quality. As I get older, I appreciate the one-of-a-kind over the cheap. I could buy six or more mugs at Walmart for the same price, but I can only drink out of one at a time. Why would I ever need six mugs? The future is about us using less in a better way. Being locally sourced instead of from some sketchy, far-off factory, I am assured that it is safely and ethically made. I am assured that its production doesn't pollute the environment with obscure chemicals or abuse low-wage labor. When I buy it, I know it is going to support my local community and not some far-off place. When I buy it, I can be assured that some future tests will not rev...