Trick or Treat

October 31, 2017October 31, 2017 / doubledacres / 1 Comment

Pic I took at the old St. Joe lead mine. Haunted?

Some believe that Halloween originated from ancient harvest festivals such as the Gaelic festival Samhain and may have had pagan roots. Then there are some that think it began as a Christian holiday. Throughout Ireland and Britain, festivities consisted of rituals and games intended to foretell one’s future.

Special bonfires were lit because their flames, smoke, and ashes were thought to have protective and cleansing powers. In Wales bonfires were lit to prevent the souls of the dead from falling to earth and later they were used to keep the devil away. In Scotland, elders in some parishes banned bonfires.

Halloween is a favorite of mine. Haunted hayride, chili, bonfire and good friends makes for a good time. In the country Halloween was a good time of year to go “outhouse tipping”. Then there is that dreaded fear of waking up and finding your house and trees covered in toilet paper. Sometimes windows got “soaped” if you didn’t hand out candy. I remember getting a lot of home made treats like popcorn balls but some very sick individual came up with the idea of putting razor blades in them.

In the 50s and 60s when I went “trick or treating” things were so much different than it is today. One thing it was much safer. We didn’t worry about razor blades in our candy. I can remember getting apples and those Rice Krispie/marshmallow treats. You always remembered the houses that passed out the good candy like Reeses Peanut Cups. It wasn’t all store bought costumes either. A lot of folks made costumes for their little goblins.

I don’t remember what year the first razor blades showed up but it changed the way one went “trick or treating” and it was necessary to start checking all ones goodies. I may be dreaming it but I thought there was one time that a hospital offered to x-ray candy for folks and it was free! It was a sad day in “goblinville” when some fool had to mess with Halloween. That my friends is the rest of the story.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, it is deeply appreciated. Wishing you a happy Halloween and may your “treat bag” be filled to the brim. Be safe and be sure to spread the love.

Being Responsible

October 28, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

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“You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end, each of us must work for his own improvement and, at the same time, share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be the most useful.” – Marie Curie

I can’t speak for folks outside the US, but inside our borders shirking responsibility seems to be quite fashionable. It is always the fault of someone else.

One of my favorites. Six o’clock news. Interviewing the mother of a fourteen year old boy who stole a car and got injured when he lost control of the car while being chased by the police. Mother: “The police is picking on my son. They didn’t need to chase him. He is only 14 years old and that’s the first car he ever stole.” Oh no, not the boys fault. No siree. If the cops would have waited he would have probably just parked it back where he found it. After all it wasn’t like he was a career criminal. Mom said it was his first!

I hope you realize I am being sarcastic. Mother puts blame on the police not the son. I would say the parenting he is receiving could be some of the problem. What do you think?

“You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.” – Jim Rohn

Personal responsibility! Oh yeah baby! What, you want me to be responsible for my actions? Absolutely! If you are personally responsible for something then admit it and work it out.

I am a farrier and there was the case of a horseshoer who quicked a horse when he was nailing the shoe on. He pulled the nail finished shoeing the horse and left but didn’t tell the owner what he had done. To make a long story short, the hoof got infected, the owner had a large vet bill and it took the guy quite awhile to admit that he had quicked the horse. If he had took responsibility and told the owner they could have doctored it and that would have been the end of it. If the horse had kicked him, I bet he would have let the owners know.

“We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.” – George Bernard Shaw

We need to become more responsible, our future depends on it. Our actions, environment, children’s education, pets; all our responsibility and we need to be doing a better job. Schools send report cards home to show us how our child is doing. If the grades are bad, be a responsible parent and contact the school and teacher and see what needs to be done to improve his grades.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope you enjoyed it. Remember to spread the love.

Attempted Humor

October 26, 2017October 26, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

(Please note that this story is fiction but we still changed the names to protect the innocent.)

Our story begins in the town of Paragould, Arkansas in the early fifties. The Greyhound bus stopped at the Ledbetters Restaurant, “Home of the Baked Possum”, and the passengers would get off and stretch their legs and get a bite to eat. The layover usually lasted about an hour.

Well the Ledbetters had just got finished building a brand new two hole privy and were quite proud of it. It was the talk of the town and the news had traveled to the Arkansas Missouri. This would be the first time passengers tried out the new facility.

Mr Ledbetter decided they needed to go that extra mile and get one of those brand new PA systems his son Goober had shown him in the Sears and Roebuck catalog. He figured they could use it to welcome the passengers and to announce when they would be departing the premises. He figured he could also use it at the annual hog/turkey contest.

Goober had done a great job of installing the PA system. He happened to have an ornery streak in him that folks say he inherited from his Grandpa Gomer. He took it upon himself to add a speaker in one of the holes in that brand new two hole privy. A two hole privy was a big deal back then. It was a sign of prestige. My grandparents had a two hole privy and one thing I couldn’t understand was, WHY? Why would you want a two hole privy in the first place. I am sorry but I am not going to sit next to someone in an outhouse. Nope! Ain’t doing it.

The bus showed up at 5:00 p.m. on the dot. The passengers started unloading and Goober kept an eye out for a victim. Then he sees this lady, who was carrying a few extra pounds, making her way down the path leading to the new privy fit for a queen. She is wearing a flower print dress and one of those straw hats that has fruit on it.

Goober watched her patiently waiting for her to enter the outhouse. To him it seemed like an eternity because he couldn’t wait to spring his practical joke on this poor unsuspecting lady. She opens the door and steps inside. Goober gives her a little time to get settled on the throne and he picks up the mic to the PA system, and says, hey lady could you move over to the other hole? I am trying to paint down here.

Ten, nine, “boom” the door flies open and out comes this portly lady moving as fast as she can. From the banana on the fruit of the world hat she was wearing, hung a roll of toilet paper and it unrolled as she ran down the path headed for the restaurant. Her feet get tangled up and down she goes with her dress hiking up around her neck and her bloomers become visible to the whole world. Now old Blue, the bluetick hound has seen all this commotion unfolding before him and the bloomers are just too much for him. He starts barking treed and the ole rooster upon seeing the bloomers begins attacking her.

By this time ole Goober is rolling on the floor laughing so hard he pees his pants and his dad is running as hard as he can down the path to shoo the rooster off this lady and to comfort her and help her up. He also managed to get ole Blue to shut up and things begin to quiet down.

Mr Leadbetter finally manages to get her to her feet and inside the restaurant. He apologizes profusely to the lady as she sat there with that roll of toilet paper still hanging off that “nanner” on her hat. Ole Blue was never quite the same, the rooster has never crowed again and Goober came up with this idea he called “karaoke”. The poor lady finally made it home at which time she immediately threw her hat to her goat!!!

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. Spread the love.

Finally! Frost On the Pumpkin!

October 24, 2017October 24, 2017 / doubledacres / 2 Comments

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“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.” – John Burroughs

I have waited patiently to wake up and see the pumpkin covered in frost. I adore autumn. Bonfires are a must, with the aroma of cooking chili hurrying along to tease the unsuspecting noses of those gathered around the bonfire. Hoodies can finally come out of the closet. Animals begin growing their winter hair and the geese head south.

Halloween is just a few days off. The streets will be filled with goblins and witches seeking to fill their bags with candy. Then it won’t be long until the turkey will be sacrificed and used as the main course to fill the bellies of Thanksgiving diners.

“Autumn carries more gold in its pockets than all the other seasons.” – Jim Bishop

I had a friend tell me once, note: he hates the fall, that “fall is like the undertaker, preparing the body for burial”. I guess that is one way of looking at it. Myself, I like to take drives and admire the work of Mother Nature. My understanding is that this year the colors aren’t going to be that good due to the lack of moisture. In the fall the leaves have a chance to “wow” you like the flowers did in the spring. The squirrels begin hiding food for the winter. Drum roll followed with a Snoopy dog dance, no more grass cutting and the horseflies have left the building! Yes! Sorry. Got carried away in the moment.

It has been a long, dry, hot summer and I am ready for the snowflakes to throw themselves upon the ground until they have reached a depth of 8 inches. I will have a fire going in the wood stove with a pot of beans cooking. I will sit and watch my feathered friends eat from the bird feeders.

“October is nature’s funeral month. Nature glories in death more than in life. The month of departure is more beautiful than the month of coming – October than May. Every green thing loves to die in bright colors.” – Henry Ward Beecher

I hope you enjoyed my words and I appreciate you taking the time to read them. Wishing everyone a Happy Fall Season! Spread the love.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Time To Rant

October 22, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

My mind is whirling with all the BS going on in the U.S. today. I see friends arguing and calling each other names over politics. Friendships destroyed and families torn apart. For what? When did we let politics become more important than friendships and family? I see people who have no respect for anything and they are quick to criticize. I see a Main Stream News Media creating a massive divide in this country that is surely going to end in disaster. Hate seems to be more popular than love. It seems to me that America is circling the drain and I say to myself, is it too late to put the plug back in the drain. I hope so.

The top 5 pastors in America have a net worth of 960 million dollars. Really? I am a christian but this isn’t religion, this is big business. I am sorry but that is my opinion and I am sure someone will ream me for it. I know some pastors that have a great ministry and they do a fine job of preaching the “Word” and helping needy communities on a lot less.

Parents with children. I am sorry when you go out to a restaurant show the other patrons a little respect. When you let your children chase each other around the tables it isn’t funny, it is annoying. To you parents who take the time to teach your child to behave, thank you. Teach your children the word “no” so that when you tell them they can’t have a candy bar they will refrain from throwing themselves on the floor, screaming and kicking.

Hollywood, get over yourself! I don’t give a rat’s arse about what your political views are just like you don’t care about mine. I even respect you less when you use your “stardom” to influence John Q Public. All the actresses that came out condemning the antics of the POTUS where are you on the subject of Harvey Weinstein? Maybe I just missed your comments and if I did please forgive me but you seem to be pretty mute about his behavior. Football players, kneeling to get attention for police brutality. Where were you when your own was expressing his christian beliefs and got blackballed from football. He was kneeling. How about the football player who killed a mother/wife because he ran a red light because he was intoxicated. He got an eight game suspension. Really? I don’t condone police brutality but you have seemed to help alienate a lot of people from your cause.

In the past there has been some bias in the news world but come on. Can you be any more bias? Now tune in for the 6 o’clock opinions. Nope no news, just a bigger spoon to help stir the pot and create more hate and discontent. I find it kind of odd that you dropped the Vegas story so quickly. Did your story fall apart? Do John Q Public a favor and report the facts and be unbiased in your reporting. If you are going to be bias then at least do a better job of hiding it.

Sorry for all the ranting but I could go on all night. Folks whether you believe it or not the country is falling down around us. Our politicians are failing us. MSNM is failing us. Parents are failing their children. Most of all, we are failing each other.

We need to think about what the consequences our actions will cause. Example, protesters. Protesting is a powerful tool when used correctly. I am sorry but when you invade shopping malls screaming your demands or blocking a freeway you aren’t making friends. You are causing more hate to be cast your way. Those people can’t do anything for you. If you are protesting the government and receiving government benefits, send your checks back or don’t pay your taxes. This will get the attention of the people who can help you. Protest in front of city hall every day. We protest bullying and your protests that you are using is just another form of bullying.

Well I am going to shut up. In a world full of opinions someone is probably going to get their feelings hurt. I hope I didn’t make anyone think less of me. Bottom line is that we need to come together and heal the divide in this nation, not create a bigger abyss. We are not only destroying our planet but also respect, trust, and integrity. I am not a Democrat or Republican. I am an American(gun toting, Bible thumping, redneck I think I was referred to) that wants everyone to come together and heal this great divide within our borders. United we stand, divided we fall.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Spread the love.

PLEASE, Don’t Litter

October 19, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

“Sooner or later, we will have to recognize that the Earth has rights, too, to live without pollution. What mankind must know is that human beings can’t live without Mother Earth, but the planet can live without humans.” – Evo Morales

Today I am going to address something that really gets my Scooby-Dos in a bind. Littering and pollution. Really? This a subject that we shouldn’t even have to discuss. Why do people insist on trashing Mother Earth? Has she offended you? Are you just down right lazy? Do you just not care?

If you have read any of my blogs you are privy to my romance with Missouri rivers and streams. In my journeys I have covered a lot of miles on the rivers. I can’t think of any time on the river that I didn’t find a gravel bar trashed, tires in the river, appliances, etc. and it is heart breaking.

Got this off one gravel bar on the Big River

The problem seems to be getting worse instead of better. I know there are more people that float the rivers than there were 10 years ago. However there seems to be a greater group of people who do their best trying to clean the rivers up.

In Missouri we have Operation Clean Stream. There are various teams located throughout the state that police different areas and streams and have an organized clean up once a year. Usually the fourth weekend in August. It is unbelievable the amount of trash they collect each year.

In August of 2017, Operation Stream Team volunteers removed 539 cubic yards of trash and 2,029 tires from Missouri rivers. There were 1,934 in attendance at the locations of the Arnold Area, Big River (lower and upper), Bourbeuse River, Meramec River (middle, lower and upper), Huzzah and Courtois.

You can find out more at openspacestl.org. and there is a Facebook page called Missouri Stream Teams.

“If you can’t be in awe of Mother Nature, there’s something wrong with you” – Alex Trebek

Sadly a common sight on the river.

“We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment.” – Margaret Mead

We really need to get a handle on this. It isn’t that hard to haul your trash out with you. It isn’t going to take up anymore room than it did when you took it in. Maybe we need to start charging a deposit on cans. I know folks will still leave them however there will be more people collecting those cans to turn them in instead of just leaving them. I know when I was a tad pole I would pick up soda bottles to make extra money. Just a thought. Don’t kill the blogger.

What is it going to take to get people to respect Mother Earth and keep her clean. The rivers are faced with trash and pollution problems that aren’t going to go away unless we the people do something about it. I know, I know. I hear you shaking your head thinking we have a lot of other problems that need to be addressed. Well my friends this is a serious problem and it needs to be addressed. Clean water is needed for survival on this orb and if we run out of it the outcome isn’t very pleasant. It is our life and future. Please stop destroying the waterways with pollution and trash. PLEASE!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Clean water is essential for life and we just can’t keep ignoring the problem. Spread the love!

The River; A Magical Treasure (For Some)

October 18, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

“A river is more than an amenity, it is a treasure.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

“A river seems a magic thing. A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself.” – Laura Gilpin

I was finally afforded an opportunity to spend some time on the Big River. I decided to kayak and fish the St. Francois State Park area of the river. I went on a Thursday so I had the park pretty much to myself. I was even able to accommodate myself with some time to read some of Emerson’s work. The only distraction I had was the chirping of the crickets and the crackling of the fire.

Home for a couple of days.

The river was really low. It was hard to fish and float. I did manage to catch some fish though. Not very big but when you are fishing with an ultralite with 4 pound test they don’t have to be very big to have fun catching them. I did catch enough to consume for supper on the second day.

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My time spent on the river is always magical and mesmerizing. It has been that way since I was a snotty nosed kid. I cherish the world of the river and the way it can recharge my spirit and soul. To see the fall painting that Mother Nature had brushed onto the foliage was a site to behold.

The first day on the river I never crossed paths with another person. I had the river all to myself and it is hard to explain what a great feeling it is. My mind races trying to take in all the wonderful things that I am surrounded by everything grabbing my attention at once. Even though I have been here before I feel like a child in a candy store.

I wish I could explain the “peaceful easy feeling” that I experience upon every visit to the river. It is quite refreshing and it gives one a great opportunity to find themselves.

The downside of the river is that everything cooked on an open fire tastes amazing so therefore one tends to eat too much.

Coffee, bacon, biscuits and eggs

Funny how many times I have read this book and when I get out on the river and clear my mind of all the garbage it has accumulated since the last visit, I find something I have missed. Emerson did not believe that one could simply change society by changing the laws, or by imposing new regulations. For one to effectively change the laws of a state, the minds of the citizens must be changed first through culture or education. Forgive me for getting off subject. This is food for another blog on another day.

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I am a realist and I know the river doesn’t work as well for some as it does me. Not everyone is comfortable on the river and not everyone likes to fish. I urge you though to find your “river” in life, no matter what it is. Then share it with the rest of the world. Spread the love.

I also realize not everyone likes reading Emerson. In closing I want to thank everyone for taking the time to read my blog and I hope you enjoyed it. I wish you luck in finding your “river” and “Emerson”.

Silver Mines Recreation Area

October 8, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

Source: Silver Mines Recreation Area

Silver Mines Recreation Area

October 8, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

Turkey Creek meets St. Francis River/Silver Mines

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.” – John Muir Our National Parks