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 …
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 …
Biking from the Ozarks to Finland
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 …
At Trails End Camp
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 …
Into Deep Water with Tom Z
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 …
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 …
Stuck near Nowheresville
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 …
Early Sunday @ Valley Water Mill Pond
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 …
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 …
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 …
Sunday Sanctification with some Ozark Bartenders
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 …
Election Judging
Probably it was her daughter helping this elder with a metal walker. Slowly they rounded the barricades toward we 16 election judges squirming on hard seats. She didnt want any …
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 …
New Rain Garden
Our friend Garland Owen became one of the first visitors to our sculptural landscape project. It’s turned into a real work of art in the last few days. Gar was …
Lost Near Springfield
Really looking forward to Loring’s graduation shindig out at a friend’s place. Cath assures me she has the address on her iPad. There’s a little blue dot that should be …
Dog Days Groundhog
Early mornings in late August offer the few moments of coolness we’ll experience for the day. I’m sitting on back deck enjoying the crows’ complaints and watching for our groundhog. …
Edification via Foster Grandson
Tristan’s twelve but acts like a twenty-year old biker. He rarely slows down. Especially at night on an Ozark river. We’re camping on the Jacks Fork just upstream from the …
Ozark 4th of July
We’ve been on an incredible road trip seeing old friends to celebrate Independence Day where possible. Canada has brought us cool air and mucho sun so everyone feels high on …
My Barber in Birch Tree, Missouri
What’s it like to live in frozen mud with only irregular access to food or warmth? Bill Reed remembers. You do not forget things like that. Times are a lot …