Driving from our cabin on the Jacks Fork a few days ago, March 17, I felt I was back in Rockies. South of US60 the horizon near Blue Buck Mountain seemed engulfed in huge forest fires. We had been west several years ago and saw monster clouds near Los Alamos from blazes that killed a […]
Spring Burning and Thoughts of China Read More »
The last few days I’ve been finishing a book review for the oral history journal, a collection of essays History, Memory and Public Life, Routledge 2018. Potentially tedious because it’s somewhat dry scholarly stuff. Most deal with monuments from the past, which can be fascinating and surprisingly complex. We have a Confederate general heroically memorialized in
Monuments New, Old and Possible Read More »
Let’s start with a first cousin, Joseph Coffino, who came all the way from Los Angles to be in St. Louis for Michael. “We always loved baseball,” Mr. Coffino said. “When we were growing up in New York City I remember once we went to a Dodgers-Giants game and sat behind a guy with a
Hot Poetry and Deep Freeze in Ol’ Mound City Read More »
Rocky bluffs line the Jacks Fork River along most of her 50 miles. It’s one of the two streams creating the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, which twists thru the Ozarks toward Arkansas. We’re lucky to have use of a cabin nearby. Cathy is taking in winter warmth. I’m remembering summer warmth downstream… “Let’s make a
Winter Sunset with Summer Memories Read More »
The new year has swallowed me up with chain sawing, stacking firewood and hauling ashes from our cabin woodstove. There’s nothing like wood heat to warm you. It makes me feel like snuggling up with a great book and getting inspired. This job takes incredible patience, a warm day and a decent beer. For 25
Thankfully Cleaning my Chimney Read More »
My friend Anne Carter Jacobson, now of Columbia MO, sent this story about our days in Phelps County long ago. Cathy and I lived there for almost 30 years and still visit whenever possible. Wonderful town w/ great folks!! One thing about Alex Stub Primm, is that he knows good food. He was a founding
Remembering Vittles Past Read More »
This town has come to symbolize the Ozarks for far too many. A recent visit focused my qualms for our country music mecca. Money dominates this view of the Land of a Thousand Smiles, as the community used to bill itself. Cathy and I landed a deal on an overnight stay at a new Bass
I saw a great documentary recently about a young guy who climbs giant rock formations without ropes. Why would anyone take such risks? Having done a fair amount of rock climbing in Colorado during college, I watched ‘Free Solo’ with sweaty palms while hanging onto my seat and Cathy closely. The film of Alex Honnold’s
Free Solo with Terry du Bose Read More »
Abortion is one of the most contentious issues in contemporary campaigns. Here’s my feelings from August ’18 door knocking, a demanding activity that can dramatically help candidates. Yesterday afternoon I had an unexpected conflicted moment. No one was hurt, not even any feelings. But I can’t sleep this muggy Missouri late summer morning. I try to
Empathetic Incidence On the Campaign Trail Read More »
Our foster grandson Tristen Russ died in an early morning one-car crash outside St. James, Missouri. No one will ever know what caused the accident on August 25, 2018. Soon to turn 17, he reportedly died instantly when a hitting a tree. Tristen several times visited Cathy, neighbors and I at the Greenwood Forest Land
Education via Tristen Read More »
A month ago I was on one of the most spectacular cycling trips in the world, the Finnish Archipelago, some 20,000 islands stretching west toward southern Sweden across the Baltic Ocean. I never expected to be so knocked out by endless pine trees, sand dunes and herring three meals a day. Maybe it was just
Biking from the Ozarks to Finland Read More »
This story involves my growing up on the edge of the Ozarks. This may be the beginning of my roots in oral history projects. I think of ol’ Charlie all the time… Impressions staying the longest often involve rivers and dogs, or at least summer, when Charlie’s wife took off from working in a Kansas
At Trails End Camp Read More »
It’s a perfect summer day in western Connecticut, where Tom Zetterstrom still lives at the edge of an ideal town, Canaan. He’s the lord of nearby Rattlesnake Hill. We’ve been friends for 50+ years. Long ago I nearly landed a job on the Berkshire Eagle, one of the great newspapers still filled with in-depth local
Into Deep Water with Tom Z Read More »
Hard to believe that it’s been six years since I’ve had a chance visit with folks in Ripley County. I’ve decided to post now this because Ray Joe is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. Whenever possible I stop by Doniphan, once known as ‘Railroad Tie Capital of The World’. History lurks everywhere
I’d been warned twice about this place. Subtle warnings, but still I knew enough to avoid this end of the road. It came up quick. No place to turn around behind us, so I turned into the first place I could. Immediately my truck got stuck. Like up to the rear axle in deep river
Stuck near Nowheresville Read More »
For two days I’ve been collecting catalpa worms from our bright green sapling. Her foliage has been shredded apparently by machine guns. Nope, it’s these bright green worms feasting away a lovely summer day! Let this be a warning to all you catalpa worms! Please don’t eat our little tree or you will become the
Early Sunday @ Valley Water Mill Pond Read More »
This morning we completed renovation of Dunstedter Hall, a shed I built with a variety of expert help near our cabin in Greenwood Forest. Jim Ryan, a neighbor and expert carpenter, nailed up the final boards on the south side, which had an insulated window, gifted by David and Deb Dunstedter who also donated a
Several years ago David Dunstedter and I produced an oral history CD using environmental sound and music with Ozark interviews. We still have copies available for those interested. Edna Staples was a native of Shannon County and spoke with great knowledge and memory. Not surprising because she was the president of the local historical society
A sleepy morning after late night bourbon suddenly enlivens with musician friends, the 32 Bartenders band from the northern reaches of the Ozarks. They came to Springfield to play a contra dance which Cath and I unfortunately couldn’t attend due to a dinner date with gardener friends. It’s spring, salad celebration… I was still sleepy
Sunday Sanctification with some Ozark Bartenders Read More »
