Wednesday Mom found “something” called Lowell Davis' Red Oak II Missoura in a brochure. Since we were both interested in learning more about Lowell Davis (Crap Duster artist) we decided to go there instead of the cemetery. When we drove to the road on which it was located there wasn’t a sign advertising it and I was concerned that it was closed. I decided to call and make sure it was open and we were on the right road. I spoke to gentleman for almost 30 – 40 minutes. I didn’t learn exactly what it was we were going to see but it was a great conversation. I found out Red Oak gets a lot of visitors and there was a car show there last weekend but it was rained out. He explained that it was still under construction, there was workman all around, and he would leave the school opened for us. He said “come on down and walk around.” I got directions (three different ways to get there) and off we went. We knew Belle Starr’s house was there, as well as a school, an unopened café, and an unopened gift shop. We also knew it was under construction. The first person we saw when we drove up there was Lowell himself. Then I tried to pull into the driveway and had to slam on the brakes. A little chick was running around chirping and I had to get out of the van to chase it off so I could pull in. The chick was so confused because it went running to a Muscovy duck. It reminded me of the story “Are You My Mother?”

I pulled in and we got out and we were greeted with a Chinese Crested Dog and a pug with an attitude. Also there were Muscovy ducks, a mallard duck with her babies and a goose… It was wonderful. I felt right at home.

Red Oak the original town was about 40 miles east of Carthage it was Mr. Davis’ hometown. During the depression the town almost died out. Then about 45 years later, when Mr. Davis moved back to the Carthage area he found the remains of his childhood home. He bought what buildings he could and transported them to his home east of Carthage. This is what started the town of Red Oak II.

We were the only visitors that day and it was a magical day. Mr. Davis’ sculptures were scattered about and some were a little difficult to find. Someone opened the school, the church, and the general store and we were allowed to walk through the buildings. Mom and I just wandered. It was unbelievable.

Saturday we are leaving and will not have internet for a while.

To View More Pictures, Click Here

Red Oak Missouri II

Avilla, Maple Grove, Carthage

Maple Grove

Maple Grove Missouri located just a few miles from Avilla Missouri on State Road 37.  I was in awe of the Cardinal singing and video taped the church with his song as the background music.

Route 66

Mom and I traveled from Springfield to Carthage on Route 66. Someone said it would be a boring trip but I knew there had to be something exciting. Once I had the internet I starting searching and I found the excitement in the small town of Avilla.  Today we traveled to Avilla.  

In Avilla the abandon buildings and fields are said to be haunted by the “Shadow Folks.” Shadow Folks are dark shadowy ghosts. They are seen walking around in the town, standing under abandoned store awnings, in windows and passing through the lock doors of the US Post Office. They usually disappear when they are being watched by the living. There is one Shadow Folk that is the town drunk. These Shadow Folks are best seen at night or early morning but has been seen during the day.

There is the Avilla Phantom of the Death Tree Legend. He is totally different from the Shadow Folks. He is more of an evil energy while the Shadow Folks are more benign. He haunts the Death Tree (believed to be a very old hedge apple tree at the edge of an apple orchard near the outskirts of Avilla). I know the next question is “why is it called the death tree.” Well during the Civil War, a Confederate Bushwhacker was killed during fighting at the southern edge of Avilla. When he was found months later, his skull had a large bullet hole and his body had deteriorated to a skeleton. Instead of a burial, the town citizen militia hung the head from a tree as a warning to other enemies. The tree became known as the ''Death Tree'' and the skull hung for over a year for all to see.

I do know that shadowy figures do exist. We all have seen them but most people won’t admit it. That is why I would give my right arm just to spend a couple of nights in one of the fields surrounding Avilla. Instead I settled for a walk around town looking at the buildings and a beautiful old church. I also took time to admire someone’s yard. I love anything that has “character” and Avilla has it. It is a neat old town.

Carthage Missouri

After visiting Avilla we went back to Carthage and walked the town square. We stopped in the 1950’s style diner and ordered a couple of salads. I have been doing pretty well about watching what I eat but unfortunately on Tuesday it is free brownies day with every meal ordered. I need to learn to say NO. Later we went to Kellogg Lake and walked the river. It was there that we decided to find the “Crap Duster.” We located him just down the road. It was a great day, tomorrow will be even better.


Life is good.

To view my photographs click on the Names below.

Avilla Missouri

Carthage Missouri

Kellogg Lake

Maple Grove Missouri

My Name Is Sempronius

ITS RAINING
Louisburg Kansas

I love lying in bed early in the morning listening to the birds.  They are so loud and exuberant in their greeting of a new day.  Yet what makes it even more exciting is listening to the rumble of thunder.  At first I thought it was traffic but it kept increasing in loudness, creeping closer that I knew exactly what it was.  The birds and the thunder were my music for a brief period of time that morning.   Of course the birds heard what was coming and they quickly flew away to safer branches.   For a few minutes it was beautiful.

BTW Louisburg has a great place to visit; it is the Louisburg Cider Mill.  Awwww nectar of the gods.


RAIN RAIN GO AWAY
Quapaw OK

I was looking forward to rain and lots of it especially if it came with thunder and lightning.  I have experienced it and now I want it to go away.  I was hoping this week will find me by a lake, in a state park with hiking and biking trails.   Since it started raining we decided to drive to Quapaw and stay in a casino.  The rent is free and if we can stay away from the food and slot machines all is well.  I can hear my children chortling.   We are doing our Kansas trip backwards.  We are going to take Route 66 in parts of Missouri, go into Kansas (again) and drive up exploring.  That is unless it rains….  Then it will be free parking until it stops.


HONEY GET YOUR BAT
Quapaw Oklahoma

Dogs fear me…..  Or I’d like to believe that.  I had a neighbor that didn’t have a problem letting his midsize stocky dog run loose.   Normally if the conditions are right I don’t say a thing.  Dogs need to run and play without being tied to a leash.  It is called freedom.  My neighbor’s dog though ran across three RV lots to get to me and I managed to get inside before I was bit.  What infuriated me was the man watched this and probably with amusement.  So I picked up my bat and laid it by the door.  Someone asked me if I would actually hit a dog with it.  The answer is simple….  If it came down to my leg and trip to the hospital or a dog’s head I would definitely swing that bat.  “Swing batter batter swing batter batter swing batter batter swing”  Sorry to my dog loving friends.


ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Since our discovery of how to operate the DVD player mom and I have gone nuts with DVDs.  The best DVDs to buy are the ones with lots of movies or shows on it.   “More bang for your buck.”  We went through all of Shirley Temple’s movies, and shorts.  Now we are watching Alfred Hitchcock.  I only knew his American films; I never watched his English movies.  They are fantastic.  We have watched his silent films and now are on the talkies.   Also on this DVD is his TV shows and it all adds up to 26 hours of enjoyment.     My favorite movie so far is the “Farmer’s Wife.”   A widower is looking for a new wife; he makes a list of all the available women in his village and starts courting.  It is a typical “don’t look any further than your own home” movie and just as delightful.


BACK IN MISSOURI

Yesterday (April 25) we decided to journey back to Marshfield and stay at a little RV Park that we like, The RV Express.  You can imagine our surprise when we saw a note tacked on the door that the park offers only the basic amenities and payment is the honor system.  A sign of the times.  We did stay but won’t be back. 
Mom and I wanted to travel Route 66 from Springfield to Carthage, which we did today.  There isn’t anything left of the old road but there were a few old buildings and interesting sounding names for towns – Plew, Rescue, Albatross…

NAMES

During this week we visited two cemeteries and that got me to thinking how lucky my children are  I didn’t cemetery hop when I was younger or BK (before kids).  Since I started walking cemeteries I have noticed a lot of unusual names or names so old they are never heard in this day and age.  I love the older names; I don’t like “modern names.  I love names that are handed down with a story.   My daughter was given the name Hannah Jane Elizabeth; she was named after her great great grandmother Hannah Elizabeth Jane.   Hannah Elizabeth married her step brother at the age of 14 and moved from the hills of Tennessee to the hills of Kentucky.  I gave my daughter all of the pictures I had of Hannah Elizabeth.  It is a name to be proud of.  Hannah Elizabeth was a strong minded, strong willed hill woman.  My daughter is proving to be almost like her and I am so proud of her.   My boys…. They are lucky so very lucky.  They could have been called Sempronius or Elzorah, if I had walked cemeteries before they were born.   Scott was named after my father (Edward) and James was named after my first husband.   Hannah came close to being Theodocia Jane…. Another family name.

INTERNET FINALLY

This is the first time I had internet access in a week.  We are planning a couple days in the Joplin area before exploring Baxter Springs.    Tomorrow will be the historic square in Carthage and the cemetery.  Expect pictures.!!!

Click on the names below to view pictures

Marionville - Cemetery

Neosho Missouri

Quapaw OK

Twin Bridges

Old Friends, Men In Strange Suits, Family......

I made it to Crocker and saw my friend, Carol and her wonderful daughter Belle.  We ran into Carol’s daughter-in-law, Chassity, at a little café in Richland and we had a great breakfast, lots of laughter and smiles. We stopped by the nursing home to visit Paul (Carol’s father).  I have a lot of great memories of him and his wife, Betty. Then we visited with Chassity at her home. It was a great visit and it was a little hard. Sometimes I feel a little helpless and I wish I could do more.

Saturday found us in Highland visiting with my sister and her family. They opened their door and driveway to us. It was great fun. My sister makes a mean salad.

The very second I pulled into my sister’s driveway my son, Scott called. He had worked the night before and didn’t get home until late. Sometime during the time his head hit the pillow and the time he got up a swarm of Africanized bees  colonized in his bathroom. He called to let me know the exterminators were on their way and he had locked the dogs up in the car with the air conditioner on. They were swarming both in and out of the house. We had strange men in funny suits in the house but they brought Scott his clothes and lap top. I had to send Scott to a hotel that will take two dogs.

Sunday we arrived at 7:00 p.m. (2 hours late) at my daughter’s home….. We got as far as Kingdom City when I received a phone call from my son, Scott. The bees refused to leave. The exterminator had guaranteed his work and so he had to show back up. Scott did make it to work and I hope he made it to school.

Today Hannah and I decided to walk around the neighborhood and I took the opportunity to take some pictures.  To view the photos click here.

 Do You See The Puppy?

Going Home

I had to go “home” for a couple of days to take of some business.  While there I came to the conclusion I am becoming my Grandma Charlton after all.  I remember having long conversations with her on the telephone about her life and what she did when she was a child, a girl, a teenager, a young lady, a mother……  But if I asked her what she did the day before the conversation she would be clueless.    Unlike her, I had very few memories of my past.  The first 20 years of my life I cannot recall.  Going home this time little bits and pieces of my past came floating back to me. I peppered my mother with questions such as do you remember Jess and the BBQ place?  What was Mr. Grimes’ first name?  Didn’t he look like Burl Ives?  Speaking of Burl – my favorite bus driver had that name.  Be very afraid children – someday you will pick up the phone and it will be me.  The days of 5 minute conversations will be over and you will be subjected to listening to me talk for hours about my childhood.  You have been warned.

The one thing that amazes me about my home town is it is constantly burying its past.  There are no older homes, no plaques, no sense of history.  I also noticed they are selling off Zach Wheat Park in Hurricane Deck.  Lover’s Lane Road is now Pier something and of course there is no mention of Zebra Missouri.  .  Mom and dad owned a resort for 20+ years.  She remembers nights so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.  She remembers lightning bugs and skunks.  She remembers helping the men prepare for a day of fishing.  Packing lunch, dinner, and several containers of gasoline in the fishing boat along with bait and poles…..   Those days are long gone.   

Truthfully I just wanted to get the hell out of there.  So we are now in Lebanon Missouri.  We took a drive to Bennett Spring State Park and later walked Lebanon’s cemetery.    Tomorrow I am going to visit Carol and her daughter, Belle.  Carol and I have been friends for over 25 years.  We were born on the same day, same time but one year apart.  She was one of the main reasons I wanted to come home.  She celebrated her 50th birthday with two heart attacks and a stroke.  I just want to hug her.   Believe it or not she is fine.  She is one tough cookie….   I would have “snickerdoodled” if I went through all of that.

Saturday I will visit my sister and then take off and explore Kansas.

Click here for pictures. 

"Helpless"

There is a town in north Ontario,
With dream comfort memory to spare,
And in my mind
I still need a place to go,
All my changes were there.

Blue, blue windows behind the stars,
Yellow moon on the rise,
Big birds flying across the sky,
Throwing shadows on our eyes.
Leave us

Helpless, helpless, helpless
Baby can you hear me now?
The chains are locked
and tied across the door,
Baby, sing with me somehow.

Blue, blue windows behind the stars,
Yellow moon on the rise,
Big birds flying across the sky,
Throwing shadows on our eyes.
Leave us

Helpless, helpless, helpless.

One Is The Color of Your Hair

We are now in St. Louis!!!!  Tomorrow we will have the van checked and if all goes well, we will set up a time to get everything fixed.  Then it is off to Camdenton to take care of some business.

Before I left Prairie Village Hannah gave me two books (authors Brautigan and Hegi) which I will return because they need to be in our library.    That is a great way to get on my good side.  It will be wonderful to reread Watermelon Sugar and Trout Fishing by Richard Brautigan and I have not read Intrusions by Ursula Hegi .  I am excited to have these in my hands.  When I moved out of my house on a foundation and into a house on wheels I gave my daughter my library.  She shares my love of books and has an extensive library of her own.    Mom and I even have a mini library in our little house.

Hopefully we will have internet tomorrow. 

Karma Repair Kit 1 - 4  by Richard Brautigan
1. Get enough food to eat,
and eat it.
2. Find a place to sleep where it is quiet,
and sleep there.
3.Reduce intellectual and emotional noise
until you arrive at the silence of yourself,
and listen to it.
4.

Nine Things by Richard Brautigan
It's night
and a numbered beauty
lapses at the wind,
chortles with the
branches of a tree,

giggles,

plays shadow dance
with a dead kite,
cajoles affection
from falling leaves,
and knows four
other things.
One is the color
of your hair.

Update

We made it! We are in Prairie Village, the little house is parked in my daughter’s drive way, and I have internet! We plan to spend the night in the van in the driveway. I just hope the yard nazi (hoa lady) doesn’t know we are sleeping in there.

Mom and I decided the only way to beat the wind is to get up before it… which is pretty darn early. Then we started stopping on the way and the wind caught up with us. Our first stop in our journey to Robert and Hannah’s house was at the 19 story cross located on Interstate 40 at Groom Texas. The cross can be seen up to 20 miles away. Surrounding the cross was sculptures of the Stations of the Cross. It was a wonderful stop.

The next pit stop was Erik Oklahoma the home of Roger Miller. On the way there mom and I were discussing him and the songs he wrote and sang. Then we got the words to the song “Dang Me” stuck in our heads. It didn’t help to hear the song being played while in the museum. It didn’t leave my head until the next day. Anyway, back to the museum, it was a worthwhile stop. Everything you didn’t about Roger Miller and did know was there in that tiny little museum. Erik is also home to Sheb Wooley. He is best known for the song “Purple People Eater.” He took Roger Miller under his wing and was instrumental in his development.

We spent the night at Elk City Oklahoma at a little RV park off of the interstate. I asked the lady where the best place to eat and she sent us to Ed's Katy Diner located in the old depot. I fell off the diet because the special was homemade fried chicken (three pieces) mashed potatoes (with just the right amount of lumps) green beans with onion and bacon and then a piece of peach pie. $4.99 and I took half of it home for supper. I didn’t want gravy because I am an odd duck that doesn’t like her food mixing and mingling. Of course we had to go back the next day. I didn’t eat dessert that time. We also found the Route 66 Museum in Elk City and spent half a day there. It was another fun stop. We knew when we got as far as El Reno Oklahoma that night we need to stop stopping. This morning we got up before the wind and took off for Prairie Village. We passed at least 20 cemeteries and more than a dozen neat old towns so we will be back when we are not in a hurry.

To view my Groom Texas Pictures, Click Here

To view my Elk City Pictures, Click Here

And They Call The Wind Mariah

We took off today driving through several small towns.  It is beautiful desolate country where you can see for miles.  West Texas plains also has hellacious winds and I will be happy to be away from it.

In the first week of May my daughter will be taking her last class.  She will graduate from college with a degree in Creative Writing.  Mom and I decided to take her and her beau, Robert on a road trip through the southern part of Illinois and on into Kentucky.  This will give her a break before she starts on her Masters.

I also want to see an old friend who celebrated her 50 birthday this year as well as my sister.   

I made an appointment in St. Louis in April to have some minor repairs done to the van.  So everything will be taken care of that needs to be taken care of.

Tomorrow I hope to be in Oklahoma. 

Monahans Sandhills State Park

Today we went to the Monahans Sandhills State Park.  It was almost 100 degrees according to the thermometer but I did do a little hiking.  We had a picnic lunch and explored the park a little more.  Mom suggested we take a trip to Monahan Texas and explore the downtown area.  It was a little deserted but an interesting place to drive through.  After exploring we traveled to Jal New Mexico. Another small town that was fun exploring and we also went to the cemetery.  Then we jumped in the van and head to Hobbs New Mexico.  It has been a fun day exploring but tomorrow we will be staying put.  According to the weather there will be southwest winds 30 to 35 mph with gusts to around 50 mph.  If I don't have to drive I won't.   

Monahans Sandhills State Park

Jal New Mexico Cemetery

Beautiful Night Skies In Hobbs, Sorry About The Dirty Windshield

The poem on the gravestone -

To Remember Me

Give my sight to the man who has never seen a sunrise, a bay's glee or love in the eyes of a woman.
Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but endless days of pain.
Give my blood to the teenager who was pulled from the wreckage of his car, so that he might live to see his grandchildren play.
Give my kidneys to the one who depends on a machine to exist from week to week.
Take my bones, every nerve and muscle in my body and find a way to make a crippled child walk.
Explore every corner of my brain.
Take my cells so that one day a speechless boy may shout at the crack of a bat and a deaf girl will hear the sound of rain against her window.
Burn what is left of me and scatter the ashes to the winds to help the flowers grow.

We Are In Texas

Our plans is to go to the sand dunes tomorrow and I wanted to make sure my camera is ready to go. I finally took the pictures off of my chip and put them on my computer.   Here are some of the pictures I took this week.  It is funny because the pictures covers 3 states.  Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

Pecos is a very busy little town, I stood in the middle of the street for a few more minutes and didn't see a car.  Finally one appeared and  I snapped the picture as proof there is life in this town.

Las Cruces New Mexico

We are out of Arizona!!!!

My doctor's visit went well.  I opted for yearly exams but if I need to have things rechecked then I have my medical records with me.  Thank you for your comments and concerns.  I have had osteoporosis for over 15 years and I have to take medication.  Drink nasty milk and other milk products.  I finally relented and started taking calcium pills last year and I am now officially off of my beloved diet coke.

Soda and Osteoporosis: The Cola Connection

New research indicates that there may be more to the soda and osteoporosis connection than simply replacing the good stuff with the useless stuff.  Researchers at Tufts University, studying several thousand men and women, found that women who regularly drank cola-based sodas -- three or more a day -- had almost 4% lower bone mineral density in the hip, even though researchers controlled for calcium and vitamin D intake. But women who drank non-cola soft drinks, like Sprite or Mountain Dew, didn't appear to have lower bone density.

Soda and Osteoporosis: Possible Culprits

Phosphoric acid, a major component in most sodas, may be to blame, according to lead study author Katherine Tucker, PhD. Phosphorus itself is an important bone mineral. But if you're getting a disproportionate amount of phosphorus compared to the amount of calcium you're getting, that could lead to bone loss.  Another possible culprit is caffeine, which experts have long known can interfere with calcium absorption. In the Tufts study, both caffeinated and non-caffeinated colas were associated with lower bone density. But the caffeinated drinks appeared to do more damage.

I try to limit my coffee to two cups.   I now have osteopenia which is GREAT.  I am happy with that.

Also I had insurance when I went to the doctor's.  Blue Cross changed its requirements.  They also tried to say I still had osteoporosis when I was just diagnosed with osteopenia.  It is just BS.  Freaking BS to try to drop me over something trivial but the truth is I am over the new requirements.  My insurance increases every year $50 to $100.  I am going to try to increase my deductible to lower it.  AND no I am not a fan of the Obama Health Plan.

Anyway we are heading to Texas and again I don't know if I will be online or not.

Life is good.