My Take on Self-reliance

November 21, 2017 / doubledacres / 5 Comments

Just me and my dog Kate

“It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Merriam-Webster defines self-reliance as reliance on one’s own efforts and abilities.

When I hear “self-reliance I think of the early pioneers and the hardships they had to endure. They were pretty much able to take care of themselves. They raised and hunted their own food, played doctor, teacher and were carpenters. They had to be that way in order to survive.

In today’s world self- reliance seems to have left the building. Sad part is that children of today aren’t being given a chance to be self-reliant. The parents just don’t want to take the time out of their busy schedule to teach them. Grandparents have it in their minds that they have to do everything for them, be their best friend and by all means don’t hurt their feelings. Both sides argue that the child isn’t responsible enough but at the same time they aren’t teaching the child responsibility. All of this is done with good intentions however, the child is the one who is losing and will have no ideal how to do things for themselves. They grow up expecting people to do everything for them and . When I look into my crystal ball I don’t see a very good future for them.

Then we have the government using public assistance to enslave John Q Public. Why? They don’t want us to even entertain the idea of self-reliance. Keep us from attaining it and we hand them the control that gives them the upper hand if they need it. Ok, settle down. Quit laughing so hard. Maybe I am getting senile but it is happening more and more as folks lose their jobs. Public Assistance, the New Form of Self-Reliance! by your Congressional Representatives.

We interrupt this program for a message from the turkey above, Please eat more possum. My friends and family will appreciate it.

“Over the years, Americans in particular have been all too willing to squander their hard-earned independence and freedom for the illusion of feeling safe under someone else’s authority. The concept of self-sufficiency has been undermined in value over a scant few generations. The vast majority of the population seems to look down their noses upon self-reliance as some quaint dusty relic, entertained only by the hyperparanoid or those hopelessly incapable of fitting into mainstream society.” – Cody Lundin

I don’t think folks put enough emphasis on self-reliance. Anyone who lived during the “Great Depression” can tell you how important it is. Nobody seems to understand it can happen again and seem to be complacent with the government taking care of them. My way of thinking is I would rather be in control of my outcome in that situation and trust no one else with my surviving. Just look how they take care of our veterans. Still feel warm and fuzzy inside thinking of them taking care of you when the SHTF?

Self-reliance also involves one thinking for themselves and not letting anyone else or the government tell you how to think. It also necessitates for one to be prepared for whatever comes at them.

“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.” – Abraham Lincoln (Parents and grandparents should have this one taped to their mirror so they read it every morning before they start their day. Just saying, if the child is capable of doing it then why are you?)

“If you truly want to be respected by people you love, you must prove to them that you can survive without them.” – Michael Bassey Johnson

Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my blog. It means a lot to me and you and your time are deeply appreciated. I take this time to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and good times with family. As you go through the holidays don’t forget to spread the love.

Fate?

November 19, 2017November 19, 2017 / doubledacres / 2 Comments

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“Tis weak and vicious people who cast the blame on Fate. The right use of Fate is to bring up our conduct to the loftiness of nature.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fate: the will or principle or determining cause by which things in general are believed to come to be as they are or events to happen as they do: destiny (Merriam-Webster)

Life is what one makes it. Do I believe in fate? Good question. Personally I don’t believe fate exists to the extent of being the only determining factor of the outcome of ones life. OMG! That would mean that I am totally responsible for my life. That would be disastrous for a society that doesn’t seem to want to take responsibility for anything. Last I heard they were trying to get the word “responsibility” removed from the English language.

Then what is fate? Well, could it be limitations or situations in our life that we don’t understand but we have to call it something. I feel there are reasons that two peoples paths cross but I don’t necessarily think of it as fate.

“If we must accept fate we are not less compelled to affirm liberty, the significance of the individual, the grandeur of duty, the power of character.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

If fate dictates what our life will be then why do we even try to better ourselves. Why do we dream? I mean if you believe fate/destiny are in control of your life, then your life has pretty much been mapped out. If you were destined to be poor then why try to be anything else? Not everyone can be poor or rich, unless you are a member of the United States congress. There you go in poor and come out rich.

“It is what a man thinks of himself that really determines his fate.” – Henry David Thoreau

I think of fate like sin. Christianity teaches that one must repent from sin to enter heaven. They also teach that God gave everyone “free will”. In other words it is up to the individual to decide where they want to spend eternity or if they want to play the hand that fate dealt them.

To defeat fate one must do it through power. Emerson wrote:

“He who sees through the design, presides over it, and must will which must be. We sit and rule, and, though we sleep, our dream will come to pass. Our thought, though it were only an hour old, affirms an oldest necessity, not to be separated from thought, and not to be separated from will. They must always have coexisted. It apprises us of its sovereignty and godhead, which refuse to be separated from it.”

Now I know there are those of you a lot smarter than this here old horseshoer and feel free to tell me if I am way off base. I think that Emerson is saying that to overcome fate, we need power, a combination of thought and will. I believe here “will” is truth and the desire to exist or overcome (fate) and when combined with thought one creates the power to write their own chapters in their life.

Through this opening is your Book of Life. Who is going to be the author? Fate or you?

I am sure there will be those who will not agree with my interpretation of fate so we will have to just agree to disagree. I like it when I can write something that is thought provoking. I think there is a majority of folks out there that need some stimulation of the thought process. I don’t mean it as an insult. Technology has pretty much created a life where folks don’t have to think as much anymore.

“I suppose that the great questions of “Fate, Freewill, Foreknowledge Absolute,” which used to be discussed at Concord, are still unsettled.” – Henry David Thoreau

I hope you enjoyed reading my blog. Thank you for taking the time to do so. You are deeply appreciated. Remember to spread the love.

A Little Bit About Henry David Thoreau

November 18, 2017November 18, 2017 / doubledacres / 7 Comments

Monsanto Lake

“I find it wholesome to be alone the greater part of the time. To be in company, even with the best, is soon wearisome and dissipating. I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.” – Henry David Thoreau, Walden

I think one reason that I find the work of Thoreau so magical is because of the many things I feel we have in common, I too love to be alone. Is it indicative of a selfish person? I would hope not. I personally don’t consider myself a selfish person. I would like to think of it as a trait of someone that is independent and a survivor. I am not what I would call a very materialistic person. I am just a simple man who isn’t fond of drama and keeps negativity at a great distance.

In 1845 Thoreau built a cabin upon the shores of Walden Pond, a lake in Concord Massachusetts. For the next two years, two months, and two days he would record his experiences as he learned to eliminate the material and spiritual details that trespass upon our happiness. I can’t help but think what conclusion he would have come to today in a world dependent on modern technology? Would he have been able to pull it off? Yes I think he could have.

Walden: Life In the Woods was published in 1854. It was a reflection upon the two years he spent living the simple life as a way of declaring self-reliance and independence. Some folks have even referred to it as a manual for self-reliance. During this time he wrote his first book, “A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers”.

Monsanto Lake

“I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary.” Henry David Thoreau

I can’t emphasis enough, how envious of Thoreau I am. In a situation such as he created, I would think that one would learn to love themselves. I am a firm believer that if one wants to succeed in life they must learn to love themselves. I have spent two weeks by myself in the woods living the “simple life” and learned a lot about myself during that time. I can only imagine what one would learn in two years.

I suppose though that this “alone time” could be detrimental to some folks suffering from depression. It is hard for those folks to be alone and some definitely don’t need all that time to think. If those people could train themselves to live this time alone and at the same time deal with depression I think it would be very beneficial to them. Maybe, just maybe it would be a good avenue to use to defeat their demons and learn how to keep them away.

Thanks for reading my blog and I hope you enjoyed it and the pics I shot. The pictures are of Monsanto Lake located in the St. Joe Park located in St. Francois county near Park Hills, MO. I could just see myself living in a cabin on the shores of the lake for two years. Don’t forget to spread the love.

Monsanto Lake

“I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Life in the Woods

Television or no Television

November 16, 2017November 16, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

“Headlines, in a way, are what mislead you because bad new is a headline, and gradual improvement is not.” – Bill Gates

In all reality the best thing we could do for ourselves is throw our television sets out the window. Problem is, how often do we do what is best for us?

It astounds me the way the news media thinks we need all this news. The local news repeats itself on the half hour for two and a half hours repeating the same news and weather forecasts. Then comes the world news. Does good news make the headlines? Hell no! Bad news is the king of the news world. Good news doesn’t help your ratings or your newspaper circulation.

“The brains of humans contain a mechanism that is designed to give priority to bad news.” – Daniel Kahneman

No wonder there are so many people who suffer from depression in our world today. We are constantly bombarded with bad news. Then our air waves are filled with all these people who know what is best for us, even though most of them aren’t even qualified, and how to make our lives better. Really?

Then for entertainment there is what I call “free for all shows” where people come on the show to air their dirty laundry. Who is cheating on who, who is the father of my baby, that sort of topic. They take lie detector tests and paternity tests. The one I like is the lady who has had 14 different men on the show trying to find the father of her child. Nope! Last I heard they still haven’t found him. If you think you are having a bad day turn on one of these shows and all of a sudden you realize that your day could be a lot worse.

Then as if they weren’t making enough money on advertisement they came up with “infomercials” and they have become quite popular. I can’t tell you anything about them because I haven’t watched one.

Oh my gosh! Maybe I was wrong. Maybe television isn’t so bad after all. I mean, you get bombarded by bad news all morning and they air a program where some one who can’t control their life, tells you how to fix yours. Then to make sure they have helped you they air a show who has guests with problems that just turned your mountain of troubles into a grain of sand. Last but not least they sell air time to someone so they can explain in a half hour why you need something you really don’t need. Silly me, they were looking out for me after all.

I guess by now you have figured out that I am not a big fan of television. I am old enough to remember when two people had to keep one foot on the floor when shooting a scene involving a bed. Now days they don’t leave much for the imagination. Even the children shows have become down right insulting in the name of education and political correctness, that’s my opinion anyway. Hey, what do you expect from a man who cut his eye teeth on, The Roadrunner (beep, beep), The Lone Ranger, and Looney Tunes? The sad thing is we know all this yet we keep turning the ole “boob tube” on letting it poison the minds of our children and ourselves. I will admit it, I am guilty of it too. What secret powers does this box of circuits, electrodes and other technologies have over us? I really have no answer. Next time I get the urge to turn on the “idiot box” I think I will grab a book instead.

Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed it. Remember, spread the love.

Another Time, Another Place

November 12, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

I defy the annals of chivalry to furnish the record of a life more wild and perilous than that of a Rocky Mountain trapper.” – Francis Parkman

Have you ever wished you were born in another time? I have on more than one occasion. If I could have chose when I was going to start my journey on Mother Earth, it would have been during the era of the Mountain Men.

Mountain men were most common in the Rocky Mountains from around 1810 to 1880. They were male trappers and explorers who lived in the wilderness and were instrumental in opening various Emigrant Trails. Most mountain men worked for a major fur company however a large amount of them chose to be free trappers.

Fur trading companies implemented a system for the mountain men to sell their furs. It was called the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, founded by William Henry Ashley, and was around from 1825 to 1840. James Beckwourth once described the Rendezvous as “Mirth, songs, dancing, shouting, trading, trading, running, jumping, singing, racing, target shooting, yarns, frolic, with all sorts of extravagances that white men or Indians could invent.” The Rendezvous is still celebrated yearly throughout the United States in honor of the mountain man. There are black powder rifle shooting contests, knife throwing, tomahawk throwing and primitive archery contests. Folks dress the part of the era and participate in primitive camping and cooking.

“A mountain man tries to live with the country instead of against it.” Louis L’Amour

The life of a mountain man wasn’t easy. It was hard and many didn’t last very long. They had to be knowledgeable about medicinal plants and be able to treat themselves when they got sick or hurt. They had to contend with bear, wolves and mountain lions to name a few. They also had clashes with the Native Americans in the area. They had to know how to trap, hunt, fish, tan hides, make their own clothes, and build sound shelter. They had to be survivors.

A few notable mountain men were:

Jim Beckwourth – (1798-1866) African American who lived with the Crow and attained the position, “war chief”.

Jim Bridger – (1804-1881) Was among the first non-natives to see geysers and the wonders of the Yellowstone Region.

John Colter – (1774-1812) One of the first mountain men and was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

A few others were, George Drouillard, Sylvan “Buckskin Bill” Hart, John “Liver-Eating” Johnson, Joseph Lafyette “Joe” Meek, Jedediah Smith and William Lewis Sublette.

“The mountains have rules, they are harsh rules, but they are there, and if you keep to them you are safe. A mountain is not like men. A mountain is sincere. The weapons to conquer it exist inside you, inside your soul.” – Walter Bonatti

There have been times that I was floating down the river and would imagine myself as a mountain man and try to imagine what it was like to look upon sites that no white man had ever saw. They had to be blown away by some of the breath taking scenes they saw. How they must have felt when they came face to face with a blizzard and endured a Rocky Mountain winter. They had to feel great accomplishment and jump with joy when spring fell upon the mountains and melted the winter snows. Pardon my “French” but they had to have “gonads” the size of Texas. They had no idea what they would face. No doctors to run to when they got hurt or sick and if something happened to your supply of coffee your were out for a long time and it was a long way to a store to get more.

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“The mountains are calling and I must go.” – John Muir

It would have been a tough life and quite a challenge but I would have loved to try it. Failure during that time usually meant a loss of life. Definitely the “ultimate challenge” that would separate men from the boys or should I say real men from the men?

Hope you enjoyed and thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Spread the love.

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.

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!