She had a good run, this old tree, harboring ten thousand birds and squirrels. Now she’s barren, seems to clutch the sky in despair. But stop. And listen. She’s alive with the staccato sounds of woodpeckers who have rented her … Read More
Listen closely
Vintage 1913 round barn just northeast of Kirksville now resonates to the blues. Somewhere Robert Johnson is smiling.
Driving Wild
Cresting a hill we began our descent, curving and swerving downhill, face to face with vistas through the tall pines and hardwoods. Along this highway at the tips of its gravel spines, springs and waterfalls push to form their own … Read More
Cuisine Along the Katy
Fresh cut flowers sprout from vases atop linen tablecloths. Real silver serves up the best fare this side of the Savoy. The attention to detail befits royalty. In movies, mysteries and memories, the railroad dining car is the centerpiece to … Read More
River Art
Sycamores mostly, some a hundred years old, peeled off the banks and sent like torpedoes downriver to collect together as Mother Nature’s art.
Thank you, river stewards
Today a passing kayaker complained about a few downed trees over the upper Current River. He should have seen the river six weeks ago. Thank you, river stewards. Your work is amazing.
Jacks Fork Rescue
The Jacks Fork was high and so was I–paddler’s high–when we heard the screams for help. Three young innertubers were stranded on the bank. They’d lost everything: tubes, cooler, flipflops and cell phones. Yes, cell phones. On a break from … Read More
Interview with a Vulture
“Stay away,” she warned. Surprised she didn’t fly away from me, I asked what was wrong. “Ate too much,” she said. “Too heavy to fly.” I’d never been so close to a vulture. But it’s true: when they gorge themselves, … Read More
Burma Shavings
It was about as far back as my memory goes, back when I was practicing my phonics on Burma Shave signs. My family unit rolled out of Rolla, leaving Route 66 in our rearview mirror, headed for the springs. Our … Read More