To the publisher: more

To the editor: more

Dear Readers, more

I recently saw a man loading baskets of clothes in his car outside the Buffalo laundromat , and I thought, “How lucky that’s not me.” more

When you come to see me at one of my storytelling events (and I do hope you will sometime) you will notice that I have with me a very old-looking book. It is an impressive volume. It is about four inches thick and bound in leather. It has a leather strap that wraps around it two times and a key on the end of the strap that goes into a small pocket to keep the whole thing securely closed. It is a real showstopper with pages that looked like they have been yellowed by centuries of wisdom. more

This past weekend, the 3rd Annual Downtown Fall Block Party brought Court Square in downtown West Plains to life with the kind of community spirit that makes you feel lucky to live here. In the days leading up to the event, we were all keeping an eye on the weather, wondering if the rain might spoil the fun. But as if by magic, the clouds parted on Saturday, giving us a perfect day to be outdoors, surrounded by friends, neighbors, and local vendors. more

It was only a matter of time. Not too long ago, my son, Max, and I had an unscheduled meeting to discuss the accuracy of the speedometer in my truck. The meeting began with flashing red and blue lights, followed by a noteworthy self-assessment, which involved me apologizing for my mistake and thanking the Boone County deputy sheriff for his service. After a polite reminder that there have been multiple accidents in the area involving excessive speed, the officer reminded me to please slow down and sent me on my way. more

Dear Readers, more

I had to take a foreign language for my bachelor of arts degree. more

This week, Apple hosted its much-anticipated annual event, unveiling their latest lineup of products, including the new iPhone 16 models. For years, this event has been a must-watch for me—something I’d block off my calendar for, make sure my notifications were off, and settle in for the reveal with excitement. But this year? I missed it. It wasn’t an active decision, and I didn’t consciously decide to skip it. I simply...forgot. more

How can you spot a traditional Ozarks storyteller like myself? I tell stories about the past, but I certainly don’t look the part. I don’t wear old-time clothes with a bonnet. My hair is not long and tied in a bun. I don’t look special in any way. Just a regular lady in 2024. more

Dear Readers, more

To the editor: more

Potpourri- a collection of unrelated dried flower petals used for decoration or scent. Also, a category on the game show, Jeopardy. In addition, fodder for a Saturday late night comedy show. more

Forty years ago I might have been planning another trip to the West about now. more

Labor Day has come and gone, signaling the unofficial end of summer. It’s funny how this holiday, once eagerly anticipated, now seems to slip by with little fanfare. As a kid, Labor Day was a big deal. It was the first day off of the new school year, a three-day weekend that felt like a reward for making it through those first couple of weeks back in the classroom. For me, Labor Day weekend was synonymous with the lake. We’d pack up the truck and head out for a few days of camping, swimming, and boating. The days were filled with sunshine, laughter, and the kind of pure, unfiltered joy that only seems to exist in childhood. more

Every August, thousands of Missourians converge upon Sedalia for 11 days of food, fun and fellowship during the Missouri State Fair. The Missouri Farm Bureau building is always a hotbed of activity, and while there’s not a staff member standing at the door counting the number of attendees who enter in search of ice-cold milk, insurance and membership giveaways, or to sign up for a lawnmower drawing, the consensus was that this year felt “busy.” From the time the doors opened until they shut for the last time each night, fairgoers seemed to be everywhere. more

As a young kid, I always loved helping out on my grandparents’ farm. It was an opportunity to spend quality time with family and it helped me learn the value of hard work. It’s also what inspired me to join FFA, study agriculture in college, and do whatever it would take to one day purchase the farm, which I was able to do using the money I made from harvesting timber on the property while I was in law school. Running my farm, which has been in my family for four generations, isn’t easy. But there is nothing more rewarding. more

Dear Readers, more

A mere 60 years ago I was a 16-year-old boy about to start my senior year of high school. more