Matthew 27: 24-25 “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.” more

Like many critics, I despised the 2019 CGI version of “The Lion King.” The new animation was ugly and the rehashing of the story from the 1994 classic without many changes made the whole thing seem unnecessary. But unlike many critics, I’m not ready to throw prequel “Mufasa: The Lion King” away just because of the sins of its predecessor. I’m not saying that it’s not still inextricably tied to the 2019 film, especially with its still-terrible CGI animation, but the story and characters can do some roaming on their own that makes for a breath of fresh air. more

As in seasons past, our home was a family gathering place for kids and kin this holiday season. Putting on the mantle of grandpa, I again cooked the turkey, dressing and sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner, while our daughters provided desserts, salads and other fare. more

It was Christmas morning. The kids were still in bed. They had all been to their church Christmas Eve service the night before. Mom and Dan were drinking their coffee and admiring the decorated real Christmas tree they and the kids had picked out and cut down at a local tree farm. There were a few lights on it, ornaments, things the kids had made, and family pictures. They both agreed they liked it much better than their old artificial tree. more

I like old things. more

Genesis 2: 2-3 “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” more

Dear Grandkids, more

“For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) more

In the Ozarks, when folks die, friends still bring in food and neighbors do what they can to assist the family. These beautiful acts of compassion have not changed in our communities -however a 150 years ago you may have been a tad more involved. In today’s world, calling on your neighbors to prepare a dead body for burial, may sound as foreign as embalming did to the Ozark mountaineers of long ago. Modern undertaking didn’t really take off as an industry until after the Civil War, when better techniques and chemicals became produced on a large scale making it more affordable. The process gained wider acceptance when President Lincoln was embalmed and viewed by thousands after being transported halfway across the country. In remote areas where transportation was difficult and money scarce, folk customs and techniques carried on well into the twentieth century. Superstitions treated as absolute law told what must take place, the penalty resulting in another death within a year.  more

Being a booster of a hometown requires one sometimes to make do with what we have. Local history is frequently more disappointing and less dramatic than we envision it. In grade school I became obsessed with the Marshfield Fort. Dad had read me the juicier parts of FWG’s blue centennial book, which mentions little beyond its plundering and destruction. Dissatisfied that no photo or drawing existed I set out to correct this insufficiency. Needing little else beyond hubris and art supplies, the stockade timbers of construction paper came to life, -it did look eerily similar to my Fort West playset. In my version of local history, a desperate crayola struggle ensued betwixt a blue command holding out against a gray horde who’d apparently taken up a position between Citizens State Bank and the post office. A determined stick figurish Col. Hampton stood atop the works, sword in hand encouraging his brave men to hold out, as the rebel lines maneuvered around the courthouse. All seemed lost till Captains Butts and Bodenhammer with 200 horsemen, concealed behind Beckerdite Music, attacked the rebel rear joining battle. Blood ran down Marshall Street. My masterpiece was first presented at show and tell, which truthfully should have included a parental warning, as no gore was spared in relating the imaginary Battle of Marshfield. Afterwards I was quietly informed “it probably didn't happen that way and had to write sentences. The following is an attempt at academic honesty on the topic” -CCH more

It is the first day of December as I take pen and paper in hand. more

With Saint Nick’s annual visit approaching and winter’s cold starting to settle in, I can imagine some folks hoping to find warm fur caps, gloves or coats under the Christmas tree. more