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Mismatched Shoes

Mismatched Shoes

This past week, I posted a story on Facebook about a silly mistake I had made – and many of my friends and family quickly began posting their smiles and comments. I had to laugh at myself – it was just so silly!!!

I left home that morning thinking I had done everything correctly. As I headed to my car, I said good morning and visited for a few minutes with my neighbor who was out taking his dog for an early morning walk. Then, I got into my car and headed to work just like every other day. When I got there, I pretty much had to hit the deck running. My morning schedule was crowded, and I stayed very busy. I finally settled into my office about 12:30 and relaxed a bit while I ate lunch peacefully at my desk. It was nice to slow down, quiet my thoughts, and catch my breath. I really enjoyed the break.

After lunch, I headed out to another obligation. As I stood and walked out of my office into the hallway, I suddenly felt like I was limping. I couldn’t imagine what was wrong….until I looked down and saw that I had two completely different shoes on my feet. Well, to be completely honest – they were at least a little bit similar. They were both black! However, one was a heel and one was a flat. I was walking like Chester on Gunsmoke! (For those of you too young to remember Chester – he was a deputy sheriff on the popular television show Gunsmoke – and his character walked with a pronounced limp.)

I had to chuckle at myself. I mean, good grief! How busy was I that I hadn’t even noticed I was wearing two different shoes? It wasn’t only that I had left the house that way – but I had worn them for over half the day without even noticing my mistake??? I shared it with others – hoping to bring smiles and laughter……and I think it did.

It got me to thinking, though, What else did I miss that day? What things do I miss every day? What other mistakes do I make when I think everything is going along okay?

I thought about the many times when I have said things without thinking – things that came out out of my mouth before I thought them through as I should – in other words, when my words were not delivered as I intended. I thought about times when I rushed by friends and colleagues with a quick smile or hello, hurrying past them to get to my next meeting or responsibility instead of taking a quick moment to enjoy their company.

I thought back to something that happened a few years ago. It was my first year in a new career change. The responsibilities of my job were huge – and I was having to learn as I went along. It was an incredibly stressful, hectic year. My Mother stopped by one day to drop off lunch for me at my office. I was glad to see her (I always am!), but I was in a hurry. I had several obligations I had to take care of before my work day ended. Mother could tell I was busy, so she quickly dropped off my lunch, hugged my neck, and left. As I turned to go on with my work, I saw the taillights of Mother’s car as she drove away…….and I thought of how many people I know who do not have the opportunity to see their moms anymore. I thought about how fortunate I am…..and I made up my mind that day to always have time for my Mother any time she is there. If pressing obligations cause me to stay later at the office, so be it. You know what? It’s worked out just fine.

I am going to try to use my silly blunder this past week to (hopefully) make even more positive changes. In the future, I’m going to TRY to move a little slower, to think about what I’m doing a bit more, and most importantly to appreciate each moment of my day as much as possible. By doing so, perhaps I will wear the right shoes next time! More importantly, maybe I will be wiser with my words, my choices, and my priorities. I do so want to enjoy the people and the world around me. Each day is filled with so many amazing blessings – and I want to take the time to appreciate them. I want to remember to focus on and think on GOOD THINGS.

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My Pap-pa

Clifford Quinton “Joe” Clark
My Pap-Pa

When I was a little girl, it seemed like my Pap-pa was almost always working. From the stories I’ve heard all my life, it started when he was just a little boy…

His father, Ike, became sick, and eventually died young. I’ve never been certain what my great-grandfather’s illness was – but I do know that he suffered tremendously for many years. Pap-pa had to drop out of school to work the farm, care for his father, and support the family. He was young – but he was the oldest son. His sister Floy was four years older, but his brothers Woodrow and Dude were younger….so Pap-pa shouldered the responsibility. He grew up early.

He was only able to finish a third grade education at a little one-room school in rural Arkansas – but he had learned how to read and write, and thankfully he had a good mind for arithmetic. Those skills served him very well throughout his life.

I’m sure working the farm was hard enough, but Pap-pa had to carry even more responsibility. I heard stories as a child about how he alone was the one who cared for his father. From stories my grandmother would tell, it was gruesome work. Whatever the malady, Ike had dressings that had to be painfully changed and infections that had to be tended. His son, my Pap-pa, took care of it all. He was responsible for the family. I just can’t imagine.

He married my grandmother when he was only 17 and she was 14. They moved into a little house (more of a shed) behind his parents’ home. His father, almost completely disabled, required constant care – and Pap-pa continued to provide it. Working hard every day to support seven people would be grueling. Even more difficult, I think, was being responsible for so much at such a young age. In my entire life, I never once heard him complain about any of it. In fact, I don’t remember ever hearing him even talk about it. I heard the stories from others.

He got his first calf from a neighbor. He fed it, cared for it, and raised it to sell. That young calf became the first of many. Pap-pa found that he enjoyed tending cattle. He was good at it. For the rest of his life, Pap-pa earned a good living buying, tending, and trading cattle. He built and ran sale barns, he owned packing houses (a southerner’s term for a meat processing plant), and he raised cattle. When I spent time with him as a little girl, it was out in the pastures tagging along when he fed the cows, or hanging out at the sale barn he owned. He was happy to take me and my cousin Amy along when he tended his cattle. We would ride in the back of the truck (usually up on the sideboards) while he drove through the pastures to feed. It was fun – especially when he was out in the bottom land near the river. When he would drive over the levees, we would laugh and giggle – and hang on for dear life! Sometimes, Mother and I would ride with him to a sale. I loved the excitement of that! I would listen and try to understand what the auctioneer was saying……and sometimes Pap-pa might let me bid. It was big fun!

Those are good memories – but the best memories I have of Pap-pa are meals I have eaten at his table. You see, my Pap-pa also loved to cook. He mostly cooked at breakfast time – frying sausage, ham, and bacon. It was wonderful! He was very particular about the meat that he bought. He liked to get sausage from Atkins, Arkansas, because the recipe they used there to mix it is so very good. The ham had to be Petit Jean – because it is simply just the best there is. He bought slab bacon and hand sliced it himself with a sharp butcher knife. Since I grew up watching this, I never thought anything about it……until one day when I was in my 30’s I decided to try it. I bought a slab of bacon and nearly cut my fingers off trying to slice it. I finally admitted defeat – it was just too hard. Who knew???

The only recipe of Pap-pa’s I have today in my recipe box is his “Taco Dinner”. It’s really good! A couple of years ago, I made this recipe for guests at my home. My cousin Betty recognized it – and it thrilled me. She remembered an evening when she and her husband Billy ate supper at Pap-pa’s house many years ago – and he served his Taco Dinner. I love adding that memory to the files in my brain.

Pap-pa would have turned 101 last month. He left us in 1999.

Fairly often, I pull out his recipe and have his simple but delicious Taco Dinner for supper. Every time I prepare it, I think of Pap-pa……and I smile. In case you’re interested, I thought I would share the recipe with you. It’s a good one. I really hope you enjoy.

Click here for recipe
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Nine Cars on a Sandbar

Nine Cars on a Sandbar
Finding Beauty In Every Day

      Driving home from work, I often stop to take pictures when I find something that catches my eye. I love sharing beautiful or fun pictures or places with others. It’s a practice my Mother and my Mam-ma inspired – and I really enjoy it. For me, finding and focusing on the beauty around us is a way to de-stress and separate from the many demands of my workday. So…I’m routinely looking for beautiful spots or scenes to photograph and share. Sunrises and sunsets are some of my absolute favorites!

      One day this past week, the sunset was even more brilliant and spectacular than usual – and even though I was in a hurry to get home, I kept searching for a place to stop and get some good pictures to capture the moment. I pulled off the road at a couple of different locations, but I couldn’t seem to find just the right spot. When I would get parked, the angle would be wrong, or there would be a power line in the way…it just wasn’t right. The sun continued steadily sinking in the west – and I knew my opportunity to get good pictures was fading. I got back in my car and hurried to get to the lake, knowing that it would be a beautiful place to watch the daylight disappear and (hopefully) capture some good shots. There is a tiny peninsula that has a paved road and a small parking area – the perfect place to watch the sun set.

      When I turned off the highway, I was surprised to find the normally empty little area almost crowded. There were nine vehicles parked carefully – not correctly in the designated parking places – but carefully angled to get the best views of the setting sun. A big extended cab truck had pulled over just past the entrance, with an older couple sitting inside enjoying the peaceful scene. I drove on past a little car with a college student sitting alone – not engrossed in her phone – just peacefully relaxing and watching the beautiful skies. A couple who looked to be in their 40’s got out of their car and walked down the steps to the water’s edge for their view. There were license plates from different states – locals and people on vacation who had found the little arm of land extending out onto the lake. Vehicles were all along the west edge with everyone focused on the beautiful scene. After I found a spot, more vehicles arrived, shut off their engines, and settled in to watch the sunset. The weather was warm enough that my window was rolled down for a better view – and I noticed others had done the same. It was quiet, and friendly, and relaxing as we all sat separately but together for about 15 minutes to see the sun slowly drop out of sight.

      I left thinking about the spectacular beauty of that sunset – but also about the pleasant harmony I had enjoyed for those few moments at the end of a long day – with people from many different walks of life – enjoying the amazing beauty of God’s creation. Watching the news or social media, the world today sometimes seems like it’s in a complete uproar – almost as if it is impossible to get along with our neighbors – to appreciate and enjoy things together – to focus on a common goal. But last week, I sat with several strangers at the end of a long day, and together we enjoyed nature’s beautiful show. Going forward, I’m going to try to work harder to find more of these opportunities, to focus on the positives instead of the negatives – to THINK ON GOOD THINGS. It really was wonderful to share that beautiful time with others – and I have thought about it with an inner smile several times since.

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The Historic Ozark, Missouri Mill

For years, I have said (often!) that I wished someone would purchase and restore the old mill at Ozark, Missouri. Sitting in a beautiful location on the banks of the Finley River, just below the little dam and waterfall near the city park, the Ozark mill is a huge structure. It has been vacant and lonely since the early 1990’s, but at one time it was certainly a busy, prosperous business just north of the city square. Whenever I have driven through Ozark over the years, I usually detour by (if time allows) to take the bridge over the Finley and see the park and the old mill. It is a beautiful and peaceful spot.

There are differing opinions about when the mill was actually built. According to noted local historian and radio personality Wayne Glenn’s diligent research (reported on his Facebook page) the original mill on this spot was built in the 1830’s. Fires through the decades have destroyed most of the original structures, but the Ozark Mill operated continuously on this spot in some form from the 1830’s until the early 1990’s. The huge building standing today was largely completed in 1939 and served the city of Ozark and the surrounding communities well for many, many decades.

I really enjoy history,… and nature,… and water,… and sunsets – so it was a lovely time to drive to Ozark late yesterday afternoon… Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro, purchased the Ozark Mill shortly after it ceased operations in 1993. Last year, he announced plans to restore and renovate the structure. Due to flooding issues on the Finley in recent decades, the first priority was to construct a new foundation to raise the building above flood level. A team of dedicated and amazing experts are doing just that. Simply stated, they “picked up” the huge, old building, moved it aside so that new foundations could be built, and are now in the process of “sliding” it back to its original location to sit atop the new base. When you see the building and the work being done, you wonder how this could even be possible. It is a fascinating restoration – carefully planned and carefully controlled.

Walking around yesterday at the Mill was both enjoyable and challenging. Recent rains have left the area very muddy and wet. Finding places to take pictures of the restoration process around the temporary chain link fencing put up for safety was a little difficult – and a little messy – but fun! Several people had parked their cars and were walking around trying to find places to get pictures before the rapidly sinking sun went down. Despite very gusty winds, one man was carefully navigating a drone to get some beautiful photo and video captures from the sky. Strangers became friends as we visited about the marvelous process of moving the old building without damaging (or destroying) it. Quite a feat!

I am so happy that the Ozark mill is finally being restored. Sitting in that lovely location, the beautiful old building will once again draw people to Ozark from many surrounding areas. This time for an entirely different purpose – the new “Finley Farms” will house restaurant space, gardens, retail shops, a chapel, a farm, educational opportunities, and the working historic Ozark Mill. It’s wonderful when pieces of our history can be preserved for future generations. In order for us, as a society, to understand where we are and where we are going – it seems that we should remember and understand where we have been – where we came from – our roots. We really all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Without them, none of us could be where we are today. The incredible, fascinating modern technologies that allow men to “pick up” a 400-ton decades-old structure and move it aside for renovation and improvement are absolutely amazing. These modern technologies would not exist, however, without the intelligence, creativity, and expertise of so many people in years past who have worked to devise better ways of doing things. I am so grateful for the innovators, the thinkers, the risk-takers who have discovered and developed processes and ideas through the years. They laid a solid foundation for us to build on… We truly do stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.

For more information and/or historic pictures of the Ozark Mill:

  1. https://www.ozarkmill.com/
  2. https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/ozarkmill
  3. http://ccheadliner.com/community_links/megan-morris-spearheading-finley-farms-project-in-ozark/article_c63c7b3c-9b33-11e8-8979-931866d76ebe.html
  4. https://www.ky3.com/content/news/The-Ozark-Mill-and-Finley-Farms-project-489804251.html
  5. https://www.facebook.com/148151331884826/photos/a.438514049515218/2364924956874108/?type=3&theater
  6. https://www.facebook.com/148151331884826/photos/a.438514049515218/1079860355380581/?type=3&theater
  7. https://www.facebook.com/148151331884826/photos/a.438514049515218/2375778745788729/?type=3&theater
  8. https://www.facebook.com/148151331884826/photos/a.438514049515218/2364924956874108/?type=3&theater
  9. https://www.facebook.com/148151331884826/photos/pcb.893111100722175/893107610722524/?type=3&theater
  10. https://www.facebook.com/148151331884826/photos/pcb.2098089423557664/2098066910226582/?type=3&theater
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Roy Clark

Most Saturday mornings, I turn on the stereo when I wake up to listen to Wayne Glenn’s “Old Record Collector” program on KTXR 101.3. This morning, Mr. Glenn introduced an old favorite of mine and when the first notes began playing, I stopped my housework to sit down and listen to Roy Clark singing “If I Had to Do it All Over Again.” I have long enjoyed hearing this song. I think it is such a joyous celebration of love and life. Hearing it makes me happy and hopeful for that same type of relationship someday. Sitting this morning and listening, it also made me think back….

One year ago last month, I made the familiar drive southeast to Nashville to attend a memorial celebration for Lonnie Melvin “Mel” Tillis. Two smaller, private funerals had already been held in his honor. This service was to be a day for family, friends, and fans to come together and celebrate his remarkable life and career. The program that morning was lovely, with many of Mel’s contemporaries and colleagues on hand to pay tribute. Some performed and some paid honor simply by their attendance. Held at the “Mother Church of Country Music”, the Ryman Auditorium, on a bright but chilly Wednesday morning in downtown Nashville, the service was well-attended. If you have ever been to the Ryman (built as the Union Gospel Tabernacle in 1892), you know that the original entrances face 5th Avenue. When the rear addition was added to the building during a renovation several years ago, the main entrance was moved to the 4th avenue side – entering toward what used to be the back of the old building. An additional small entrance opens into the tiny parking lot on the north side of the building. Security guards were at each entrance and the area inside the doors was roped off to help direct attendees. Family and friends were given armbands which allowed them to enter from the north side entrance and sit on the main floor. Fans and admirers entered through the 4th street (main) entrance and were directed to the balcony seating in what used to be named the “Confederate Gallery”.

After the service, most everyone lingered to visit and reminisce a bit longer. Knowing I needed to started on my drive back to Branson, I left sooner than I would have preferred. Before leaving the Ryman, I joined many others waiting in line for a necessary stop at the restrooms just off the lobby. As I returned to the crowded lobby and headed back toward the north exit, I smiled to see I was standing behind Roy Clark and members of his family. At the age of 84, he walked with the help of two canes and a person on each side of him holding onto his arms for support – but his eyes and his smile were as bright as ever. He had a little hat on his head, cocked to one side, and he was smiling at the people in the lobby who waved and were taking his picture as he walked back toward the corded off exit. As guests approached the roped area, the guards would ask to see our armbands and then allow us back behind the cords. When Mr. Clark started through, I was surprised to hear a young security guard ask to see his armband before allowing him to reenter. Polite but mildly taken aback, he showed the armband and started on through. The young guard then asked to see the armbands of the two people who were helping to support him as he walked. “They’re with me”, Mr. Clark stated. I thought about how those three words from Mr. Clark would have opened many doors for others back in the day. The young guard, however, said that he would still need to see the armbands. One lady told him she had discarded it while in the restroom – thinking she no longer needed it since they were leaving and not reentering the auditorium. The young guard started to (very politely) tell her that she would not be able to reenter the roped area and go out the entrance near where they were parked. Another guard walked over about that time and told him to let them go through. It was all very polite and was resolved quickly with no problems. The young guard smiled, opened the roped barrier, and let them pass – it was really no big deal….

….but it made me thoughtful for my drive home. I wondered how many times Roy Clark had played the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman during his successful decades-long career. According to his obituary in Variety, a long-popular entertainment trade magazine, Mr. Clark played backup for an impressive list of popular singers when he was first getting started in the entertainment industry – Hank Williams Sr., Red Foley, Grandpa Jones, Ernest Tubb, Jimmy Dean, and even Elvis Presley. When Roy Clark was able to break out on his own – his accomplishments were incredible. A legendary musician, comedian, and actor, he performed on many popular shows of the day including “American Bandstand”, “The Beverly Hillbillies”, “The Flip Wilson Show”, “The Jackie Gleason Show”, and “The Muppet Show”.  He gave an amazing guitar performance of “Malagueña” on an episode of “The Odd Couple” in 1975 that is remembered to this day.

He also served as guest host numerous times for Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show”, starred in a movie called “Uphill All the Way” (with Mel Tillis), and of course – served as co-host on 294 episodes of the highly popular weekly show “Hee Haw”.  He won numerous CMA awards and even a Grammy. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. He came to Branson in the mid-1980’s and opened the Roy Clark Celebrity Theater – which completely changed the course of Branson, MO. In other words, HE WAS A BIG DEAL! However, there he stood in the Ryman Auditorium – a venue where he had undoubtedly appeared so many times with so many of his famous friends through the years – and the young guard working there obviously had absolutely no idea at all who he was. I wondered how that felt.

A little over nine months later, Roy Clark passed away at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 85.

Fame and power are sometimes very fleeting. Sadly, some of the notoriety and influence Mr. Clark once had was perhaps partly gone on that January morning last year.  And, in fact, many people who read this blog may or may not remember Roy Clark and/or all of his accomplishments.

Nevertheless, this morning, Wayne Glenn played one of Roy Clark’s hits over the air….and I feel confident that many others, just like me, smiled and enjoyed hearing Mr. Clark’s song. What an absolutely lovely lasting legacy – to bring a smile, to lift others up, to make them hopeful or happy. Thank you, Mr. Clark.

To hear Roy Clark sing “If I Had To Do It All Over Again”, click here: https://open.spotify.com/track/7FNbGMIzuziW72TtinDdfs

Resources:

https://variety.com/2018/music/news/roy-clark-legendary-country-guitarist-and-hee-haw-star-dies-at-85-1203029645/

https://www.tulsaworld.com/homepagelatest/how-i-got-here-from-the-tonight-show-to-hee/article_14dd3f5a-89ed-5716-98eb-b0ded58c3655.html

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Sharing Can Be Fun!

HB4116

The sunset was absolutely beautiful yesterday.  I went out to take a few pictures just before the skies started to turn dark.  I have enjoyed photography as a hobby for many years. It’s fun to look for interesting or beautiful shots.  It is challenging and enjoyable to set up the angle, the lighting, the space, and the focal point to get a good picture.  The absolute best of all though is showing the pictures to others. When I see something beautiful, or funny, or interesting, I want to share it with my family and friends…because I was taught from an early age to share…and I dearly love doing it.

  • HB4116
  • HB4116
  • HB4116

My grandmother and my mother both set strong examples of sharing for me throughout my childhood.  Whenever either one of them found a new restaurant, a new shop, a new recipe, a new song, a new book….anything that was particularly great – they could not wait to share it with others.  It was a routine, normal occurrence when we were at a new restaurant eating something particularly good, Mother would think of someone she wanted to share it with. Oh, won’t they love this!” she would say, full of excitement.  

My daddy also loved to share – but in a different way.  Daddy loved to quietly help people – by giving money, time, effort – whatever was needed to help someone who was down get back on their feet.  He did it over and over throughout the years. Daddy was also a fun storyteller. I have so many wonderful memories from childhood – sitting quietly while the adults (Daddy, my uncles, cousins, friends, neighbors, etc.) laughed and reminiscenced – sharing stories and memories.  I was a little mouse in the corner – just listening and soaking it all in….

My friend Susan Gilley often says, “It’s not what you know, it’s what you share.”  I think she’s right! Last summer, I took a trip to Mount Rushmore. I had wanted to go for years and years – and was so excited to finally be there.  I was delighted with the trip – I couldn’t wait to share it with others. I wanted to show my friends who had never seen Mount Rushmore and South Dakota some good glimpses of what it was like. I hoped they would enjoy it – and was delighted when they seemed to do just that.  It made me want to share more!!!

Growing up, I read and reread the Laura Ingall Wilder series.  I loved Mrs. Wilder’s writings and thought how wonderful it would be to write as she did.  However, I did not “feel” like a writer. I didn’t think that writing was a skill I possessed.  I wrote anyway sometimes – just for myself – because I liked doing it. Then, a few people starting reading my writing and said they enjoyed it.  (I was thrilled!) My Aunt Sharlet even urged me to write a book. I pondered the thought of that!. Through those nudges, I was encouraged and decided to try my hand at a blog.  Do I know what I’m doing? Probably not! Do I know how to do this? Definitely not! I’m just jumping out in faith to see if anyone is interested in the writings, pictures, and thoughts I have to share.  I have so many stories about my family, my friends, and places I’ve visited. I hope you will enjoy them – and I truly hope they will bring a positive message to your day.

Thank you for being here.  Your support is appreciated.

Lisa