Empathetic Incidence On the Campaign Trail

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 …

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Education via Tristen

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 …

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A Most Respectable River Rat from Ripley County: A Visit with Ray Joe Hastings, Doniphan, MO, Summer 2011

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 …

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Tuff Sucker

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 …

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Big Timber

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 …

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The Big Three

When struggling through teenage-hood I helped my family eek out a living in the gnarly wilds near the exclusive St. Louis Country Club. A group of my buddies and I fancied ourselves to be hillbillies. Rather than help our families grow crops or make moonshine, we mainly encouraged the growth of our parents grey hair …

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