The map called out the names; I traced the stories. Every fold in the Ozarks, every bend in the rivers, every drive down the main drag in 700 towns reminded me that even as my map sets the stage, it … Read More
A Chimney Sweep’s View of the Jacks Fork
Rarified air. Pristine water. The Jacks Fork welcomes Spring.
Hollow Victories
Strange occurrence. I picked all 16 first round matchups correctly yesterday. Yep, Yale and Little Rock, too. It won’t last, and it doesn’t matter, since I entered no contests. But it’s my biggest brush with success since a guy named … Read More
Chatol
A.B. Chance guest house in Centralia, built in 1940. Architectural style is Depression Modern.
Book Club Gives Valentine to Governor’s Mansion
On this day, next to the ancient fireplace where generations of Missourians warmed their feet, the Tuesday Club’s gift to the old mansion drew every admiring eye. Over many decades, the needlepoint art that stretched across the old wooden … Read More
Speech at Governor’s Mansion
I never thought I’d utter these words, as I turned to Cheryl: “What do I wear to a tea?” She dressed me, and offered one command: “Don’t slouch.” At the event I stood before five dozen attendees in the Governor’s … Read More
The Genius of Clemson
Samuel Longhorn Clemson said it: “Our long national championship is over.” Well, it was a football fan, mistaking the ghost of Mark Twain, and replacing his real name with a footballized name, lamenting mighty Clemson’s defeat, and misquoting our most … Read More
A Tsunami with Joplin Winds
Scary spectre: “Stronger than Wilma, Katrina, Rita, Andrew. And it could become the strongest hurricane ever on the planet to make landfall when it hits tonight somewhere south of Puerto Vallarta.” Near its path, half a million people live or … Read More