The Simple Lives We Live

John Ross - Part 2

In part 2 of my interview with John, we talk about enlisting at 18 and serving in Vietnam, where he experienced guard duty, patrols, and the realities of war - including the loss of his best friend, John Quam. He shares what it was like returning home and, years later, facing a diagnosis linked to Agent Orange. John reflects on what it's been like to walk through both - war and illness - and what's carried him through.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2174573/support]

John Ross - Part 1

John, 78, is a North Dakota farm kid and the oldest of four. He shares memories of growing up without running water, using party-line phones, and the rhythm of farm chores that shaped his strong work ethic. From one-room schoolhouses and county fairs to baseball, hunting, and meeting his wife Angie, John shares what life looked like "back then" - and what really mattered. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2174573/support]

Mel Bosserman

Mel Bosserman, 83, shares what it was like growing up on a disciplined farm in Beach, ND - balancing hard work with small-town joys like Saturday nights and one-room school days. He reflects on a life shaped by music, family, and farming, along with the changes he witnessed over the years. From raising seven children to traveling across the country and beyond, Mel offers perspective on hard work, fatherhood, and how quickly life moves.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2174573/support]

Milo Thompson

In this episode, Milo Thompson reflects on his time at the Little Missouri, his work with the Forest Service, traveling through Europe as a young man, continuing to serve and explore through Rotary, and the love he shared with his wife, Pam. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2174573/support]

Magdalene Dolyniuk

At 94, Magdalene looks back on a life shaped by simple beginnings and deep family roots. From being born on a Bowman County farmstead to growing up in Belfield during the Depression, to raising seven children of her own, Maggie shares memories of hard work, simple joys, and a love-filled home. She reflects on marriage, loss, gratitude, and what it means to live well - and be remembered as a "giggling girly." Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2174573/support]