family

Life’s Road Can Be Bumpy

/ doubledacres / 8 Comments

I had plans to see America from horseback. Then in October 2020, I had to have a complete ankle replacement or be confined to a wheelchair. There were complications and my days of riding were over. After healing, the good news was that for the first time since 1979, I was pain free. Things were looking up and life was good.

In 2022 I started having balance issues. My legs started swelling and my feet and legs started giving me problems. I was also diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic. Then in January 2025 I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy and a clogged lymphatic system. It is very painful and walking becomes difficult. Three months ago, it invaded my arms and hands. I can barely write and what I manage to write I can’t even read.

I made a decision to use a holistic approach to treat my ailments and it is working quite well. I have made good progress. The pain I am controlling with Vicks Vapo Rub and horse liniment and the diabetes I am controlling with apple cider vinegar. I just did a 3 mile hike without any problems.

The mountain is made up of 1.5-billion-year-old Precambrian rhyolite. When it cooled it fractured into polygonal columns that resembled honeycomb. The locals named the formation “Devil’s Honeycomb.”

Now with my balance issues, caused by the neuropathy, I probably couldn’t even sit a horse. I used to be able to ride a bucking horse for 8 seconds but now I couldn’t pass a field sobriety test stone cold sober. It is what it is. At least I am still on the right side of the dirt.

If I had a chance to do it all over again, I would have a plan A, B and C retirement plan. Thanks for taking the time to read my story. Always have a back up plan to get through the rough parts of the road of life.

A Day From the Past Remembered

/ doubledacres / Leave a comment

This day happened when I was the ripe old age of 14. We used to spend a whole week every year at a place called Many Islands in Arkansas, trout fishing on the Spring River. Well, my dad had bought a trolling motor to help in getting around on Spring River. The owner of the campground had poured a concrete pad to aid in loading gear into boats and canoes.

He rented a boat and pulled it up to the pad where our gear was waiting to be loaded into the boat. My dad had one foot in the front of the boat and one foot on the pad. He had me hand him the gear and he loaded it into the boat. He assured me that his knot would hold and keep the boat in place.

Well, everything seemed to be going pretty well and then I noticed the boat was getting farther from the concrete pad, but my dad would pull the boat back to the pad with his leg. As long as the knot held, everything would be fine.

Then it happened. The knot failed and my dad was struggling to pull it back. I stared in horror as I realized he was approaching the point of no return. My gut told me this wasn’t going to end well and it sure wasn’t going to be pretty. Then it happened. The gap between the concrete pad where my dad’s foot was planted and the boat where his other foot was planted became too wide for him to recover and into the water he went. FYI the water temp is cold and colder. His head went under water and then after what seemed like an eternity, he emerged from the water resembling the Phoenix rising from the ashes. I learned a whole bunch of new adjectives that I would never be able to use in school. Needless to say, we didn’t go fishing that morning.

Bollinger Mill State Historic Site

/ doubledacres / 3 Comments

The Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is located in Cape Girardeau County in Missouri. The park was established in 1967 to preserve the mill and the Bufordville Covered Bridge that predates the American Civil War in Bufordville. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park offers tours of the mill and picnicking. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has the responsibility of managing the park.

Around 1800 a gentleman by the name of George Frederick Bollinger began building a wooden dam and the mill on the Whitewater River only to rebuild the mill and dam using limestone. upon his death, his daughter Sarah Daughtery along with her sons kept the mill operating until the Civil War. In an effort to prevent the supply of flour and meal to the Confederate Army, Union soldiers burned the mill.

After the war Solomon R Burford bought the mill site and 1867 completed the current four-story brick mill. It is built on the limestone foundation of the original mill. He kept the mill operating until 1953 at which time the Cape County Milling Company took over the operations and continued operating until 1953 when the Vandivort family bought the site. In 1961 it was donated to the Cape Girardeau County Historical Society and in 1967 it was donated to the State of Missouri. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

The Whitewater River was used to power the mill. When water levels are sufficient, milling demonstrations are performed using the original milling equipment.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read about the Bollinger Mill.

“The power of imagination makes us infinite.” -John Muir

A Day at Neely’s Landing

/ doubledacres / 3 Comments

I was visited by my good friend David. We have known each other since the second grade. He asked me if I would go to Neely’s Landing with him and take some photographs. Well, that was a no brainer. Exploring a town that is pretty much empty and shoot pictures, that’s what I am talking about. David had family that lived in Neely’s Landing and it had been several years since he had been there.

Neely’s Landing is located 17 miles north of Cape Girardeau. It was named after Jacob Neely; owner of the town store and he owned the ferry. Mississippi River steamboats used to stop at the landing. In 1876 there were 20 residents and 50 residents by 1898. In 1904 the Frisco railroad ran through the town. On October 27, 1869, tragedy struck. The steamboat Stonewall caught fire. On board were 300 passengers and 200 head of livestock. Two to three hundred passengers and crew perished in the fire. Local residents knew the exact location of the disaster and called it the Devil’s Tea Table.

Two of the three houses still left behind.

David’s uncle was a riverboat captain. He was fond of adult beverages and everyone called him Jug. He bought the Riverview Inn and turned it into a tavern and the locals called it Capn Jug’s tavern. David wanted to see if we could find where the tavern once stood. We scoured the area looking for it. We were able to find the old foundation and a couple of bricks used in the construction of the tavern. In the picture below David is standing in front of where his uncle’s tavern once stood.

We tried to find the town’s old cemetery but came away empty handed. It is said that 60 to 70 victims of the tragedy, who were never claimed, were buried in a mass grave on the Cotter Farm that was nearby.

It was a good day. Several times I noticed David had a far away look on his face. There was no doubt in my mind that David was back in Neely’s Landy remembering those days spent in Neely’s Landing as a child. He was having a good day going back to those days when life was simpler. I was sure of it when a big smile would replace the far away look in his eyes.

It Really Happened

/ doubledacres / 4 Comments

One rainy afternoon I pulled up in the campground and I noticed a group of women standing outside the bathrooms. Then a little girl comes flying round the corner so fast I thought something was chasing her. She was hollering something, but I couldn’t make out what she was saying. The moment she stopped in front of me I understood what she was saying. Snake!!! You have to get it out!!! Finally, after I got her calmed down, I was able to piece everything together. There was a big snake in the women’s bathroom.

I walked to the bathroom and the group was gathered about 300 feet from the women’s bathroom. They told me the same story the little girl had told me. I grabbed the grabber we use to pick up trash and headed for the door. I slowly opened the door. All I knew about the snake was that it was big and possibly brown, black, blue or tan. I looked in the first stall there was no snake, so I headed to the next stall and “jackpot”!!!!! There it was! A big ole black snake about 5 to 6 foot long. There was about 2 foot of his tail coming out of the toilet down to the floor. About 2 feet of its head was sticking out from under the seat and bowl. It was quite angry also. I don’t think it was treated to well by the group outside.

I took the grippers and got it behind the neck and took my hand and grabbed it behind the head and pulled it out. I am six feet, and it went all the way to my shoulder, and it wrapped around my arm and the tail went back down to my elbow and wrapped a couple more times. I hollered to the ladies that I was coming out. As I walked out the door I had to laugh when I saw the space they gave me. You would have thought I was bringing Godzilla out of the bathroom. One lady asked me not to kill it in front of the kids. I said ma’am, there is no way I’m killing this snake, he is very beneficial.

Well, the chatter got loud, and one lady asked what I was going to do with it. I told her I was going to walk up the hill and turn it lose in the rocks. Then there were a couple that displayed their unpleasure and screamed, it could come back. I am going to take it up far enough that it won’t come back.

As I walked away, I could hear them moaning and groaning and saying I should have killed it. It was at that very minute, that I realized that I probably wouldn’t be receiving Christmas Cards from them this year. I got about a quarter mile and came to a huge rock formation and turned him lose. I never seen a snake move that fast and held its tail in such a way that it was saying I was Number 1!!!!

I hope you enjoyed the story. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read it. You are very much appreciated.

The Mighty Heron

/ doubledacres / 1 Comment

The Ardeidae family known as herons, egrets and bitterns are long -necked and long- legged wading water birds that feed off aquatic animals. I just happened to stumble onto one of their nesting grounds in the Mark Twain National Forest.

During this time, they make the most horrible sound you ever heard. We had people insist that they heard bigfoot. I got several pictures of herons, but they are very difficult to stalk. They have keen eyesight, and their stalker is usually seen long before they get close to them.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures. At this time, I would like to ask everyone to respect Mother Earth. Please don’t litter. If you pack it in pack, it out.

I Know Better

/ doubledacres / 3 Comments

You ever just have one of those days? I am an avid fly fisherman and after a few days of above freezing temperatures I decided to do some fly fishing. I spent the night before cleaning fly line and getting tackle ready to go. The Missouri Conservation Department stocks a local lake with trout in November. It is catch and release until February first, at which time you can start keeping your catch if you have a trout stamp.

I pull in to Engler Park where the lake is located, and I see an empty parking lot. Well, this is my first clue. From where you park you really can’t see the lake that well. At least I showed I had a little sense left about me, because I decided to walk down to the lake and see what’s up, before I pulled my gear out. Then I saw the problem. The lake is still covered in ice. No open water to fish. Really! I have fished this lake enough that deep down I knew it would be but yet, here I am.

Being a photographer I always have a camera with me so the trip wouldn’t be a total loss. There is another smaller lake in the park, with an island. I thought I should be able to get some descent pics, so I decided to drive to the other lake. I had never really checked the island out before so now I figured I would take the time to check it out.

What I found was a surprise. The many times I have been here, and I had no idea what inspired the memorial or even that it existed. Very moving! I am glad the lake was frozen over. Thanks to the Farmington, MO Community for their work on this memorial.

Thanks for stopping and visiting. You are deeply appreciated.

Approaching One Year

/ doubledacres / 13 Comments

Marriage is a journey where two imperfect individuals create a perfect bond. A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”

Mignon McLaughlin

My wife and I were reunited at our fiftieth-class reunion, June 4, 2022. We said our vows January 31, 2023. Yes, I am a little early, but then again, we aren’t guaranteed anything in life so I thought I would begin the celebration early. My darling wife has a big heart, and I always kid her that if she got carjacked, she would run alongside the car asking them if they had enough gas money. She is kind, loving and puts up with me. I still can’t get her to eat possum, but there is still time.

The love of my life. Now after posting these pics, pardon me while I disappear somewhere in Siberia until it is safe to come out.

We lived 8 months in a 31-foot camper working as Campground Hosts in the Silver Mines Recreation Area, and we are still speaking to each other. Now that says something about our relationship. I am a lucky man. Evelyn, I know I am a little early, but Happy Anniversary and we have only begun.

A Big Thank You

/ doubledacres / 20 Comments

The end of 2022 is near and we will start a new year. A big thank you to all of those who follow my blog. You are very much appreciated. I am thankful for all of you. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I hope the New Year is good to you and many blessings come your way. May the new year be prosperous and bring you much happiness. Merry Christmas!

Life Changes

/ doubledacres / 19 Comments
St Francis River

We were created from dust and one day we will return to dust. We are a part of Mother Earth.
I sit here drinking in what God has created and it leaves me speechless. Such beauty.
Temp is hovering around 30 degrees. I can feel the sun’s warmth on my face. Not a cloud in the sky.

I am so blessed to be able to enjoy what God has created. The feeling of peace and healing is within me. The sound of the river mesmerizes me and I get lost in the music the St Francis River is playing.
It’s a sad day though. It is our last day however we will return on March 1st.

St Francis River

News Flash! There has been a big change in my life. I am engaged to Evelyn Zarbo. We met in the 7th grade and were reunited at our 50th year Class Reunion. Her brother and sister-in-law are Camp Hosts at Silver Mines. Next year we will be co-hosts. We will live there for 8 months. we are excited about joining them. Reception is lousy, so it is tough to get internet service.

Evelyn and Me
Woke up to this on November 11, 2022
St Francis River