Opie running in the Meadow made me think of the old Dick and Jane books.
Run, run, see Opie run!
Run, run, see Opie run!
Tupelo Black Gum’s are putting on their coat of many colors. The Black Gum is called nymph of the woods as it grows more graceful as it ages. Its fall color comes early and is unmatched. Old women who used snuff broke Black Gum twigs, chewed the end and used these as snuff brushes! Gum sticks were also used as toothbrushes. The gum twigs were dipped in salt or baking soda when used as a toothbrush.
I will go to Lake Dardanelle to walk as Laura does. I’ll go a mile plus as she strides five miles. It’s cooler and it may rain today. Fall is here and winter is on her heels. Helen hated the cold. She left before it could depress her.
Tim Ernest is a photographer who lives in the mountainous area of Newton County, AR. He took this photo of the Boxley Elk herd. In 1981 the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission stocked an elk herd of 112 there. They thrive today. Our elk were last found in this area in 1840. Now, one can sign up and a few people will be allowed to hunt elk each winter/fall. One can drive through the Boxley Valley and usually see them grazing in the Buffalo River Valley. The herd has about 450 elk today.
There are cirrocumulus clouds. They appear in ripples and are called a mackerel sky because they resemble fish scales. When I walk if I get tired of looking at the earth, I can study the sky and be intrigued. It’s Friday, happy day for all those that labor and toil as the weekend has arrived. For me one day runs into the next and I forget where I am.
Came too check on my Sister. We walked down the old red dirt road. Osage Orange trees dotted the fence. I treated her to supper at the Tiger Drive Inn. Last time I ate there was with my mother over 30 years past. After Dad passed, I set a goal to come up once a month to visit Mom. She lasted three years longer than he.
Native Americans used Osage orange primarily for its strong, decay-resistant wood to make bows, war clubs, and tomahawk handles. We also called them hedge apples. The French called them bois d'arc (meaning "bow-wood"). That has been corrupted into bodark and bodock.
The weeds are almost gone. The bottom picture is from my morning walk. I loved how the fog was coming up over the water. I’m glad I sprayed the weeds even though it was what really hurt my knee. Next year I won’t spray 5 loads in one day. I’ll space it out.
Farmers had to mill more cedar. With their new stack of lumber, they built a barn door yesterday. Barn is almost finished.❤️
I am always humbled by the infite ingenuity of the Lord, who can make a red barn cast a blue shadow.
E. B. White
Eric and Laura made it home from Alabama yesterday afternoon. I’m sure they were glad to be home but happy they traveled to Mobile. Justin and Ingrid are coming here November 15 as a friend is getting married. They will not come for Thanksgiving but we’ll celebrate early. Astrid and ingrid are only one year and nine months apart in age. The older picture is one of Ingrid’s early birthdays.
Astrid and Ingrid became playmates early, but were competitive too. Fleta and I were 2 1/2 years separated and we were similar. There’s ups and downs to everything.
No one was happier then Pretty and Peach to be back home.
I’m in a bit of a fog. Hopefully I’ll get better. Sorry….
Sister headed to Coin, AR early this morning. She was here two days. It was very comforting. First night I cooked. It wasn’t great. There’s a silver lining in most failures. Second night she said I’ll treat us to eat out. She picked this chicken place. It wasn’t great but better than my fare. We had an ice cream cone for dessert. I boldly asked the waitress to take our picture.
My next chore in life is to go on living and try to do a little good as I live. My knee is not getting better speedily. I will keep trying to heal.
I followed my friend Margaret’s action and paid for the PBS app. I did it mainly to support them.
October is half over! It’s still hot here in the afternoon, but until about 2 in the afternoon the air feels cool. Hope I can work outside some. Laura and Eric will return from Mobile tomorrow. I can’t wait to hear all about their visit with Ingrid and Justin.
This is from 2002 Larry, me and Ing on our front porch. Ing had this picture out.