For the Love of Music - and Life

These folks above make up what is called they Town & Country band. They play at our town's Sr. Activity Center every Friday. Patrons love to tap their toes to the old fashioned blues, hillbilly and gospel music and plenty of folks get up and dance. These musicians are all senior citizens themselves with the guy on the far left (fiddle) topping the charts at 94 and the guy with his leg stretched out is 86. Isn't it great?

Honor is Alive

Friday, September 13th was POW/MIA Day. I've told you before how patriotic smaller communities seem to be. Well, in a neighboring town, the VFW started a project last year. It's called the Veterans' Walk of Flags.

Families or individuals pay $100 for a flag to be included in their display which flies some 287 flags seven times a year. The one time fee pays for the purchase of the flag, along with an engraved label and care for perpetuity.

The display is tastefully executed on the grounds of the local hospital, and black tape is bound around the flag pole to indicate soldiers who are deceased.

The project is requested to march in local parades. Above is a family portrait. These folks gather from surrounding towns every exhibit day to pay honor to the gentleman with the sunglasses who served in the army infantry during WWII and to pay respects to his fellow soldiers who never returned.

Remember and honor your loved ones. Veteran's Day is coming up. Make it a point to support the local veterans. For more information, call #501-354-0869.

It's That Time of Year

It's that time of year here in Arkansas. As soon as the slightest cool air blows from the north, a certain portion of the population heads out to stalk wild things in the woods and lakes.

These friends smoke 150 pounds of deer meat every summer to give as gifts. Oh man, it's good!

They gave me this Deer Chili recipe- Enjoy!

Deer Chili

2lbs deer hamburger

1 onion

1 bell pepper 2 - 3 cloves garlic

1 can light red dikney beans

1 can tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce

1 - 2 jalapenos

1 -2 cans water or beer

3 - 4 tsp chili powder

salt & pepper

1 pkg chili seasoning mix

Brow deer, onion, garlic & pepper together.

Add reamining ingredients and simmer 30 minutes.

Pray Tell

"Pray tell." I love that expression. I heard it a few days ago as in, "Pray tell, another hurricane isn't coming our way."

Well, at the time I couldn't tell the person that because, in fact, we thought Hurricane Ike was sending storms our way, but we were pleasantly surprised.

Although some folks did lose electricity in our parts for the weekend, we didn't have a lot of damage or flooding here though I know in other parts of the state they did. We thought it would be a lot worse.

We just got over snapped electrical poles from Gustav (see photo outside by front door), so everyone was much relieved

So, even though the weather didn't go quite as the weathermen were telling us, it was reason enough for everyone to pray...

Bless their souls

We were hit by Hurricane Gustav's storms where we live in Arkansas ( between Okahoma and Little Rock) with power knocked out for two nights and a deluge of rain for three days. Half of our work crews had gone to Louisiana to help down there, and so we had workers coming in from Kansas and Oklahoma. All through the darkness their big trucks traveled from one transformer to the next. We are grateful to everyone who helped us out.

Boys Just Want to Have Fun

Sometimes there isn't a lot to do for kids living in small towns. We all know kids with nothing to do can get in a lot of trouble. Kudos to our town for having the foresight to build a skateboard park ... it's going to be well worth the investment.

Teach Your Children Well

I never understood why some folks don't value their stories - where they came from - who their ancestors were. I think it's fascinating to know about past generations - not just your own childhood - that is so limiting!

I love it when my mother tells my daughter that she has the same shape head that her great-great grandmother had (as she strokes the back of her head and neck). Then, she tells a story, of course, of how her grandmother used to wear her hair, etc...

We have a lot of Native Americans around here and this girl in the photo was caught off-guard during a pow wow recently. She is learning the ways of her ancestors even if she does live in a brick home and ride the school bus to school. Equal energy is spent learning the old ways.

May you share that connectiveness today with those whom you love... and drink a glass of sweet tea for me!

Favorite Leisure Activities

Around this part of the country, paddling is a sacred tradition. Children are initiated at a very young age, ususally squished between the ice cooler and the tackle box. And nobody is too old to enjoy the soft rhythm of the streams and rivers, and lunch is always some Ritz crackers and a chunk of cheese with some summer sausage or vienna sausages (pronounce VEEena) with Saltines, and don't forget the GORP - or trail mix for you other folks out there!!!



Most people go for the day floats while there are the hard core folks who spend several days or more camping along the shale creeks and limestone bluffs.


Here are a couple of seniors who have won gold in the masters division at the nationals. What makes us so proud is that they mentor kids to follow in their footsteps and have done so for years.


They learned paddling together as youngsters and never gave up on the sport. They have sentimental bits and pieces of broken paddles and ancient boats. Their legacy, though, is living through the generations of kids who call them "Coach".


Here's hoping you have the opportunity to teach some young person a talent or skill which will serve to enhance their life. Be not surprised that you receive the greater blessing. I'm sure you have a touchstone yourself, someone who made a difference in your life. Why don't you take time today to thank them....and drink a glass of sweet tea for me!

Talk to Your Children - Tell Your Stories

One of my main regrets is that I never recorded my grandfather telling his stories. Just to have captured his slow southern drawl, and to be able to replay that would have meant so much to me.

His name was Alvin Fowler and he was one of six boys in his eastern Tennessee family of loggers. One day, he just laid down his ax and hopped on the train as it curled through the mountains. He ended up on a different mountain range altogether in Arkansas, and in like manner, his other siblings dispersed to the cattle lands of western Texas and the urban lands of opportunity in Chicago and New Orleans.

His Scotch practicalities and staunch independence runs through my blood along with my mother's Spanish passions and energetic optimism.

Just one of my many stories, but what I wouldn't give to hear his voice again. Check out this storytelling blog and tell your children, no matter how old they are, one of your stories today...

for the thrill of listening to storytellers http://thestorytellersblog.blogspot.com/
for info re: storytelling http://storyteller.blogpsot.com/

The Fish are Biting

The weather has cooled off a bit what with some rain over the last few days. I was never one for fishing much (unless I could take a good book and a big pillow, but folks around here have been fishing away at the local watering holes. Caught this gentleman fixin' to take his boat out on a small mountain lake. He looked happy to be going.

Here's hoping that, wherever you are, and wherever you plop in your fishing line, you find the fish are biting!

Southern Recycling

In our little town, the realities of recycling are slow in materializing. Although we have a drop off service, the nearest facility is 25 miles away, and curbside service hasn't knocked on our door yet- but, heh, a town only 20 miles from here still doesn't have a sewer system...

Yep, change comes slowly around here, and somtimes that's a good thing.

Ran across this old VW standing in as a planter, and it brought back so many youthful memories.

Good Day, Sunshine!

Dancing Queen

Whoohoo! Look at this marvelous remnant hanging under the clearance tent! Just think of the bridesmaid or prom story that goes with this hot pink confection! Couldn't resist showing a little slice of the goodies I took a gander at during the Bargains Galore on 64. I saw cow skulls and old timey washing ringers (machines)- and even an outhouse! Now, who in the world??? Well, guess that's our version of the British red telephone booth. Shop in Arkansas and get your very own outhouse! We have one of those double decker versions up Highway 7. I posted a picture of it a while back.

Take a look at your own treasures.....and drink a glass of sweet tea for me!

Bargains Galore on U.S. 64

We have an annual event here known as Bargains Galore on 64. It is advertised as 160 miles of yard sales, flea markets and antiques & collectibles spanning much of the state of Arkansas. Even if you're not a second hand kind of gal, there is something for everybody. I bought 8 new Pier One glasses still in the boxes for $12 and four Laura Ashley baby blankets for $5 apiece. Unfortunately, I don't have anybody to give them to... but that's another story.

Found these interesting folks shopping along the highway. Looked to me like he was describing his finds to someone over the phone. Buy! Buy! She flies in all the way from Phoenix, Arizona every year just to shop the sales. Gee, didn't know Arizona was so lacking... :)

Hope you find cheap ways to keep youself entertained during these hot days...
and drink a glass of sweet tea for me!

Freedom (Nip it in the Bud)

Those who remember how it was when their children were home can vividly recall the first day of summer. Yippee!!! We were all thrilled.

I have three teenagers remaining at home and the oldest of those has just begun to drive. He has assumed an attitude that must come from having that independence, for there is no other reason. We are fortunate we live in a small town, so that a trip to the high school is less than three miles, and the grocery store is 1 mile away. Those are pretty much the parameters of his universe, but what joy!

I remember when I was out of town some years back, and a friend called me on my cell phone to ask me who my elder son (he is twenty three now) knew on Jenkins Lane because he was driving that road at that moment. I looked at the clock - it was 11 p.m. on a school night, and I didn't know anybody on Jenkins Road.

I called my son and later my husband. To say my son was shocked is an understatement. He was incredulous! "How did you know?"

To this day, I thank that friend of mine every time I see her. It takes a village to raise these kids, and here, in the Ozarks and River Valley, folks still keep an eye on each other's chittlin's...

Here's hoping you find that same sense of neighborhood.

Nik & Sam

Heat Wave - Time to Jump, Jive and Boogie!

We are sweltering under the hot and humid July sun here in Arkansas. Too hot to swim in the pool unless you drive up Mt. Nebo where the air is cooler and the water is actually cold!!!

It's a great time, however, to catch up on your southern literature. I just finished Erskine Caldwell's classic Tobacco Road which is a fast and easy read. Reminds me of something my elderly father-in-law used to say, "Poor is as poor does." Hmmm... Read the book!

Other totally awesome selections are Sue Monk Kidd's The Mermaid Chair and The Secret Life of Bees and John Grisham's The Painted House.

Grisham's tale is set in the Arkansas delta, that part of the land which hugs the Mississippi River and is only across the bridge from Memphis. The delta is the birthplace of the blues, Elvis and Johnny Cash.

Check on this link for some down home sounds, and drink a glass of sweet tea for me...

http://feeds.revver.com/2.0/mrss/flash/collection/227789?affiliate=hairylarry

Capture Arkansas Photography Contest

http://www.capturearkansas.com/search/photos/jeannie+stone

Our state newspaper is hosting an online photography contest inviting everyone to submit their best photographs depicting life in Arkansas. Anyone can sign up to submit photos or to cast votes. The top runners in each of the designated "chapters" will be featured in a coffetable book, and at least one photo from each participating photographer will be included in a DVD. So, even if you haven't any ties to Arkansas, go and view what we are all about. But, be prepared! You will see a double decker outhouse, plenty of tractors, and lots of shots of our beautiful woods, lakes, deltas and mountains.

May your day be filled with the wonders of nature wherever you are!

The Homecoming

Summertime is the time for the annual homecomings around here. Those of you from the south know what I mean. This isn't even remotely related to cheerleaders and football. This is that sacred time of year when families, young and old, gather in a designated pavilion, park, community center or cemetery to decorate the graves of family members.

It is a time-honored ritual commemorating the lives of those loved ones who went on before us. The main draw, after the massive potluck and the visiting, is decorating the graves.

Our homecoming is always scheduled for the 4th of July, so that we decorate the graves in the Duckett Cemetery with little flags and red, white and blue ribbon-tied floral sprays.

We have a couple of aunts who scrub the headstones to erase the effects of crusty bird poo. Their children accompany them, training for the time when they will bear the sole responsibility of keeping the concrete slabs clean.

As the cleansing and beautifying conclude, a group picture is taken underneath the wrought iron arch bearing the name of the little cemetery.

May you be welcomed home this summer by your loved ones!

My Gift To You

Here is a recipe that sounds an awful lot like my great aunt's (we called her "LaLa"). If anybody makes a request, I will include my World Famous Baked Beans... Enjoy!

Twins are a Little Bit Country

We have a set of teenage twins in the next town over from me. They are the cutest things, and they are on their way to stardom because of their musical talents and charisma. Their stage name is Nik & Sam, so be looking for them. We do love our fiddlers, musicians of all kinds, and our cloggers here.

Sometime, ya'll stop in on your way across the country!

Check out blog dated 7/31/08 to listen to the girls!

Wiggle Your toes

Our Buttons Are Poppin'

Our very own former governor Mike Huckabee is the guest host of the Paul Harvey radio show the week beginning July 15th. I suggest you check him out. He is a natural performer. We always knew that in Arkansas! Course there is that preacher side of him! http://www.paulharvey.com/.

Huckabee is a good ole' boy, so we are proud for him. He did a lot for education in our state and I have a picture of my daughter (who was born deaf) standing next to him as he signed the Universal Hearing Screening bill into law dictating that all hospitals birthing 50 babies or more a year provide a hearing screening.

My daughter was only three years old, and it was a banner day. Today, she is almost fourteen, has a cochlear implant, teaches dance to pre-schoolers and sings in her school choir.

For more reading on her, check out my other blog... http://childrenofalessergod.blogspot.com/.

WWII Vet

Went to a fourth of July event in town and found Benny volunteering at the watermelon stand. I bet you have folks like him where you live. He is a WWII vet, so that must put him at, what, 90 year old?

He is always ready to step up and help in whatever little way anyone needs.When they call it the greatest generation, I agree. Although, it is the way, in these small mountian hamlets and river valley towns to lend a hand, the most generous folks seem to be Benny's generation.

Hope you have a bounty of watermelon wherever you be!

"Just plant a watermelon on my grave, let the juice sip through..."

Sharing the Bounty

If you don't have a neighbor like mine, I'm sorry. Faye is the sweetest lady. By sweet, I mean she always brings me more than she borrows :) She and her husband, Braxton, are retired, and they keep a pretty impressive garden.

She has brought over tomatoes twice, God bless her. Now, she is in zucchini heaven and has brought over enough to fill my car! Those of you who have grown zucchini know what I'm talkin' about.

For those of you who have never been so close to the earth, you are missing out. For those of you who are missplaced, can you smell the zucchini bread baking in my oven? Will be making zucchini and chocolate chip cookies next. Hey, they're good!

We get pretty creative with recipes from our abundance but, for those of you who don't know, shredded zucchini keeps well in the freezer!

Eat up!

Sweet Tea with Splenda

Oh my gosh, I can't believe I am writing this, but I actually drank sweet tea with Splenda and lived to tell about it! I was visiting my lovely friend, and her husband offered me a glass. I asked if it was sweet out of habit, not dreaming it might actually be unsweet tea (I mean, what's the point of that?!).

"Oh no, we put sweetner in it."

Now, I know because of health reasons a lot of people practice this, but it's still a new concept to me as i would just opt for water when I was stuck with making a choice between diet drinks alone.

Ya'll, it wasn't half bad. In fact, I don't know if I would have known it wasn't sugar had they not told me about it.

Think I'll go half sugar and half Splenda for awhile and see if I can thrive before chucking the cannister of sugar altogther.

Come on over for a glass or two! I'll get mint from the garden...

"Excuse Me, Darlin'"

Just overheard, when I was eating at a local restaurant, "Excuse me, darlin'." Naturally, I looked up to see who that nice gentleman could be. Isn't that something when having good manners draws attention like that!

That's certainly something I like living in a small town in the south. We do teach out children to say, "ma'am" and "sir". Now, I know some folks might take offense at the "darling" or "sweetheart" reference, but it always makes me smile when somebody addresses me that way. Maybe, we need to loosen up. It's not like they are addressing you as "babe".

Here's hoping you have a pleasant day, sweetheart!

Thankful for Slower Pace

so many times over the years friends (and far flung family) have teased me for taking life so slow. I was raised only an hour away from here, but it was in the city. I tell them I choose to be here, to walk slow, to talk slow, to live with purpose. I am the same multi-tasker so typical to our times, but my element catches up with me, and I don't stay in hyperdrive for long. It is an effort. I am continually extricating myself from commitments which rob me of my time. Noble causes undo me, but I am my own worthy cause too. Why don't you sit a spell and drink some sweet tea, and tell me about your troubles.... you'll be glad you did!