Something comes alive inside when I’m here in the Ozarks. The towering oaks, the cliffs, the hills, the lush grass, the ponds and streams.
What’s continually surprising is how Wal-Mart is changing this part of the world. With prices much higher in NW Arkansas, the dramatic growth is now heading north into McDonald County, Missouri. Tiny little towns where I sold newspaper subscriptions as a boy are now booming with people working in Arkansas and living in Missouri. I’ve heard that Jane, Missouri is projected to be the fifth largest city in Missouri in another decade. (Bet you’ve never heard of Jane, MO.)
It isn’t just Wal-Mart people locating here at the world’s largest retailer’s headquarters. It’s all the other companies that have offices full of people who can work constantly with Wal-Mart. (Someone estimated that Proctor and Gamble alone may have hundreds in their office here just to work closely with Wal-Mart.)
I’m sure lots of people who come must think they’ve fallen off the earth into some redneck decade of the past. When you land at the NW Arkansas airport (xna), if you look out the window you realize there are airstrips with cow pastures all around.
One slightly sad thing is that as you drive through McDonald county you don’t see scores of old pick-ups. You see hundreds (and thousands during rush hour, I’m told) of expensive SUVs. And — I can hardly believe this — I saw a sign advertising single family homes in the 290s. Are you kidding me? In NW Arkansas/ SW Missouri? The governor’s home is supposed to be in the 290s!
Ah, well, a bit of nostagia. Hopefully these people coming in are still floating on Elk River and staring in amazement as they pass the bluffs of Noel. Hopefully they’re still going to Twin Bridges to fish. I hope they can take in the “Shepherd of the Hills” play. (Branson was a tiny town with a small play and a little “Silver Dollar City” when I was growing up. The only country music played on the car radio from a station out of Springfield.) I hope they can go on a hay ride to see the spook light near Seneca and can drive into Neosho to spend an afternoon at Big Spring Park — catching crawdads and climbing the hills.
I went to bed last night with the sounds of the cousins (and Aunt Diane) playing spoons. It’s such a wonderful sound.
The turkey was delicious; everyone in our family made it to grandma’s; we took an afternoon walk with perfect, sunny weather; and the Cowboys won.
That’s a good day. (How was YOUR Thanksgiving?)
A quick trip 3 hours to see the relatives… great food, good fellowship then head back to Cleveland. On the way back - music is cranked and we are singing out loud together.
Car hesitates a bit… what’s the matter? What’s that light next to the empty fuel gauge? How long has that been on?
Whoa… car is really slowing down now…
We sat in the dark with the flashers going and talked about the day and how pretty the stars were in rural Ohio.
Thanks to the sheriff who laid a flare behind us and the guy from AAA who put a couple of gallons in our tank.
I hate these new vehicles that require fuel!
I remember when New York city was like you described but that was many moons ago…… Now, I wait for Dave to guess what pies his mom made for the holiday table!
This is really going to crack you up… Its a Hybrid!
Welcome back to Missouri Mike! Change is the only constant in life; but, the heart of America is still here. And, spring training for the Cardinals is only 3 months away! We are blessed to have all the kids (and granddaughter) home for the holidays. You can check us out at: http://bradfordlstevens.blogspot.com/
My thanksgiving post is at: http://www.morenoble.blogspot.com/
I tried to put “pilgrim” into the historical context of religious freedom. We as a nation owe them a debt of gratitude for their hardships that is way beyond eating turkey. All they wanted was to be able to worship the way they believed God was leading them.
Have a great Holiday!
We were about 35 where I was the invited matriarch. LOL
Before dinner, Jody [our host] asked us to share how many languages we each spoke. English, Spanish [of course], Italian, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Turkish, Russian, Farsi, German, and about 4 African dialects.
Jody then asked that we all offer a short prayer of thanksgiving and where possible, in other than English. There were only two in the group that spoke only English. It was a beautiful preparation for our dinner and a very noisy, joyful dinner and post-dinner fellowship, including a sing-along accompanied by our Iranian brother banging on the bottom of a large cooking pot as a drum. PTL for His family!!!
Nothing out of the ordinary to report about our Thanksgiving. It was, however, a good day of fellowship with special friends from church and that is certainly something to be thankful for.
Here are some of my Turkey Day reflections.
Blessings.
I don’t see why it’s sad to see SUV’S instead of old pick ups. It seems the economy is booming and that’s a good thing. Yea Bush!
I was at Wam-Mart this morning and they were playing religious Christmas songs and the Salvation Army was out front with their kettles. Perhaps they have learned.
Sorry-that would be Wal-Mart.
Thanksgiving Day during the “In-Law Holidays” - daughters off to East Texas and Tennessee, newly divorced son leaves early from Dallas bcs 2 children with their mom & he arrives in time to accompany me to Hospitality Apartments (ecumenical-supported free housing for Houston Medical Center patients & family) Thanksgiving Dinner at Christ the King Lutheran Church across street for Rice’s football stadium. Then later in the evening a Russian father (PhD genetics researcher here at Baylor Med, mother (an MD who teaches pathology, etc. to med students and army (all male) nurses in Siberia and 26 year old son, and my good friend who practices dentistry join us for dessert and wonderful conversation. They were attracted by our ESL and FriendSpeak banners.
Christmas will be our family gathering.
Re NW ARK. My family lived near Branson on Table Rock Lake for two years in early 70’s. We’d travel thru ARK going to and returning from TX. I made my first trip back (friend’s family reunion in Rogers) this summer and it was sad. It didn’t warm my heart toward Sams/Walmart. My friend’s family, 3 generations down from their Ozark mountain/outdoor toilets & no modern plumbing ancestors now live in those posh communities. We got lost going back into Rogers one night from having been in one of those areas & guiding ourselves by the car’s compass when we suddenly rounded a wooded corner to see a huge French villa type house, landscaped w/fountains, lighted and behind a huge fenced/gated acreage. We suddenly “thought” we’d magically crossed the Atlantic and were in France!
Where is the balance with deprivation and conspicuous consumption in todays culture? I struggle with that question because I do have options & much of the world does not.
Prayers for your family’s safe return to their homes.
Thanksgiving Day.
Out on a drilling rig in Roosevelt County, New Mexico; lots of trouble and stress.
Calls from Brad & Ethan, Leah, Monty, Patsy, Frankie, Cathryn, Julie, Gail, Laura, Wes, Bob and others wishing me well and saying that they missed me made me realize how much I am blessed. Julie told me to spend the day thinking of all the things I consider blessings.
All things considered, is anything so nourishing (on this earth) as being loved unconditionally, then told about it?
I am thankful, thankful, thankful.
Nothing like watching the Cowboy game in a semi-circle around a 13-inch with antennae that’s sitting on a card table in a community center in Little Rock, AR….only to go back to your aunt & uncle’s house that night & see your family back home being talked about on ESPN dubbed “the fans” that put Tony Romo’s name in the Ring of Honor. The half-page photo of the family & that sign in the Dallas Morning News today didn’t really help, either. Fame eludes us yet again.
My thanksgiving was better than Colt McCoy’s. A couple of cheap shots! I seriously hope and pray that he’s okay.
Twin Bridges… that name brings back some memories of my family leaving our home in SE Missouri (Sikeston) for a trip to Branson. I had forgotten about it…
Thanksgiving.
Smoked baby back ribs with award winning dry rub and slathered with award winning BBQ sauce! Don’t get much better.
Plus old growing up friends from Austin, Texas to share the New Orleans scene with for the weekend. Perfect weather, perfect holiday. Definitely don’t get ANY better!!
Cheers! Dee
We had great family time as well. Today’s OU game really topped off our celebrations!
There is no place like home. There is no place like home. There is no place like home. I’ve been to everyone of those places including Jane. Thanks for the memories.
I didn’t go home this year. I just went to Memphis to share Thanksgiving with my daughter.
It is hard to believe that McDonald County is changing like that. Wal-Mart is changing the face and fate of small businesses across the country but I hate to see the old farmland get gobbled up like that.
thanksgiving was awesome as usual. friends, family. and golf. then the bucs lost.
Mike, speaking of Wal-mart…how do we handle the new information we have recently received concerning Wal-mart’s decision to align themselves with the NGLCC (National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce) by giving them $25,000? I’ve checked it out…it’s not a hoax. http://www.snopes.com/politics/sexuality/walmart.asp
John, it was true about Wal-Mart but there was such pressure brought on them by their customers they have reversed their position.
An email was circulated from Wal-Mart last week announcing they would no longer donate to “controversial” programs and entities.
I spent Thanksgiving in Sacramento with our son, his wife and two of our four grandchildren. We ate turkey with my daughter-in-law’s family.
Some of the highlights: The annual Christmas parade in downtown Sacramento, picking oranges at a family owned grove, reading books to the grandchildren and watching favorite holiday videos.
We still have a turkey, but we’ve added leg of lamb the last few years too. It’s all in the left overs. I almost like the day after Thanksgiving better. My daughter and I both like to cook and you can do great things with left over turkey and leg of lamb.
My in-laws have a neat tradition of having Thanksgiving in the woods. They go out to the land the family has owned for several generations and put the good on old picnic tables. We sit on benches in the woods and eat together. After that, we hike together the same path each year across the property and back to the house. It is really a neat time together and pretty unique. I love my family.
nice article. Tony Romo needs to settle down and play football, forget the gals until he wins a Super Bowl!