How to escape a pandemic, urban stress or summer’s heat? A river offers a safe, forever cool retreat. Ozark streams present recreation constantly renewed by huge springs, some of the largest in the world. Spring water keeps everyone healthy. A big part of this endless cascade depends on surrounding forests. A friend living deep in […]
Alford Forest: New Lease on Life Read More »
While soaring with uplifting music my mind floats back to Maries County, one of the smallest, sweetest bailiwicks in the Ozarks. To the south of the Missouri Rhineland, Cathy’s mother grew up here on a rugged farm along the Little Maries River. Usually on second Sundays in October, a country church dinner at the Holy
Brinktown Picnic and Beyond Read More »
For the first time in some 40+ autumns I don’t have to organize the cleverly designed mini-solar collectors which fall from wooden structures dotting my current domicile. No more stuffing these useless ruins of spring and summer into plastic bags or schlepping heavy rotten canvases with organic materials into piles or compost or some unknown
Enjoying Raking Leaves, Not Really Read More »
Midsummer heat slows me while cruising back home. A man hunched over his backpack along busy U.S. 60 stops me cold. Usually hell-bent for our house after hanging out at the cabin, I have mixed feelings returning to the city. I go slow and mull over the mechanics of selling our house in town and
A Black Man Hitches Through the Ozarks Read More »
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 »
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
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 help voting. It could have been her neighbor. Several neighbors came together on Election Day. She shooed her helper away. Then she bent over the
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
