Who Da Thought It?



View along Scenic Seven Highway in Newton County



   When driving Highway 7 in Newton County, you will see some fantastic mountain views, old Ozark homesteads, fine new houses on mountain tops, and some old stores.  You may be like us.  We have driven this road many times, always excited when we cross the county line at Pelsor.  We see some of the old places in disrepair, especially the old-timey stores.  Many date back to when Dogpatch and Lil' Abner were a new tourist destination for the county.  The signs for miles still entice us to stop at Booger Hollow--the ultimate in Hillbilly shopping!  I stopped there  in 2001 just for old times' sake. The one clerk didn't bother to get up.  Just said they were "out of water" and weren't serving coffee or anything else! Don't think it made it through the next year!

   Not so at Nellie's!  She had an idea to take advantage of the tourists going to Dogpatch.  She opened a store that allowed many Ozark women (and men) in the area to sell their handmade crafts--quilts, paintings, wooden toys, jellies and jams, homemade soaps, handwoven white oak baskets,various dolls-- from cornhusk and apple dolls to cute little rag dolls,-- and many other items.  She is still there everyday--providing tourists with  genuine Ozark crafts and providing mountain women with a way to make a little extra spending money.  I stopped in there a while back when my car was complaining of the 500 mile trip it had just driven. She stayed after hours, waiting with me, while Jack drove from our house to her place to check on the car.  Of course, after a rest, the little Escape was ready to get home!  No problem!



Old Barn southern Newton County near Lurton

   Driving north from Nellie's is another reminder of the Hillbilly influence left over from the Dogpatch era.  "Who Da Thought It"  is a store with a little of everything--old!  Or it was until recently when they auctioned off the 'old stuff' and 'upgraded' the merchandise.  It is still worth a stop and the outside hasn't changed other than reworking the "Who Da Thought It" wooden letters across the front of the building.

   I often say "Who Da Thought It!", or as Winnie the Pooh says, "Who'd a thunk it"  when I reflect over the last 10 years (yes, 10 years since we packed up and moved to the mountains!).  I guess it was a backward version of the Beverly Hillbillys without the oil wells!  Wow! What the years have given us!  The Lord has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams!

Old Church/Community Building at Boxley

    



      Yes, the beautiful old white church standing reverently in Boxley Valley is not just the 'most photographed church building in Arkansas', it is 'my' church.  When we started visiting north Arkansas, Newton County, and Boxley Valley, the building was always there--peaceful, beautiful, historic.  Who would have thought some day we would call it our home church.  From the pastor and his wife, who now live in the remodeled parsonage next door, to our good friends who rent the cabins in the valley and unselfishly encouraged us get our own cabin business going, to the most selfless, generous-spirited Christian women who are members of the Women of Purpose organization--some who have lived here all their lives and others, who like us, find this place and are welcomed in with open arms. 

   Of course, with church membership comes those little jobs we do with a cheerful heart!  Bring on the Valentine's Banquet!  Our committee will get it done--hearts, flowers, food, candy, balloons, children's party, adult meal!  Blessings!  Sweethearts! Love!

In memory of my friend, Debbie, who never met a flower she couldn't grow, or a party she couldn't throw! We will miss her wonderful spirit, decorating expertise, and cheerful bossiness!
This is the day that the Lord has made, we will be glad and rejoice in it.





Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.  Ephesians 3:20

Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord  And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth.

Isaiah 58:14



There's A Sweet, Sweet, Spirit in This Place

Old Boxley Church/Schoolhouse


     The congregation of Boxley Baptist Church and, for me, the Ladies Bible Study group, have been such a blessing to us ever since we joined them not long after our move to the mountains.  At this time, the old church building, seen here, circa 1900, is undergoing a  major renovation that should help preserve it for another 100 years or so.  The building served as church and schoolhouse through the first half of the 20th century.  Walnut Grove Cemetery is at the right of the old building.



Beechwood Church near Lost Valley Campground



     Just north of Boxley Church is Beechwood Church, circa 1919, where the Methodists in Boxley Valley once worshipped and were served by circuit-riding preachers in the nineteenth century.  The cemetery in the churchyard has graves dating back to the Civil War.  There is a legend surrounding the grave of Thomas Franklin Johnson, d. 1858.  Supposedly, he was killed in a feud fight and the victor did a dance on the stone slab atop the grave.



Elkhorn Church on Fire Tower Road



          At the time this picture was made this little church was not being used.  Recently it came to life, so to speak, when a new group of believers formed a congregation.  There is now a new, larger church beside this original one.



Friendship Church on Highway 103

     The community where this church is located is called "Friend", and is just a few miles down the road from us.  The church building is the only remainder of the old settlement.  Though they don't meet every Sunday, there is a congregation that keeps up the church.  A new sign was erected in front of the church a few years ago.  Occasionally, it announces news of upcoming revival services.


Hopewell Church in Newberry Valley

     Descendants of church members of Hopewell meet the first Sunday in October for homecoming. We can see the church in the distance from the porch of Eagle's Rest Cabin.  Our neighbors, Delano and Marie Newberry live in the house in the background to the left and are unofficial caretakers of the church since it is surrounded by his pastures.  At the back is a very small cemetery.



The present Boxley Baptist Church

     



     Our present building was built in the 50's with the latest addition in the 90's.  This building represents the 'sweet spirit' of the valley.  Often, during Sunday services, I am sure that God looks down on this little church in the valley, and smiles, knowing the worshippers inside love Him completely.  Baptisms are especially sweet since they take place at the Buffalo River nearby. 
       



There's a sweet, sweet spirit in this place,

And I know that it's the spirit of the Lord...

Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet Heavenly Dove,

stay right here with us

 filling us with your love...

And for these blessings

We lift our heart in praise:

Old Barns, Old Times

Villines Barn on Firetower Road       

    
     Wonder why so many folks love old barns?  It could be childhood memories. I can still remember every "nook and cranny" in my grandparents' barn.  Or maybe it's the nostalgia of a simpler way of life.  I love them and over the nine years we have lived up here, I have "collected"  quite a few.  Some are no longer with us.

Hedges Barn near the Buffalo River

      Jack and I discovered this old barn on a hike several years ago.  It was once part of a homestead that was bought by the Hedges, who built a unique house nearby.  The house mysteriously burned on a New Year's Eve in the early days of the Buffalo National Park land acquistion.  The barnyard drops off in the back to the river. We were startled by several elk (who were startled by us!) when we walked out in the clearing.

Alice's Barn in Boxley Valley

     This is a common sight in this field.  Alice is an artist who lives in an old, remodled house down the lane beside the Boxley Church.

Parker-Hickman Barn in Erbie

     This historic homestead has been preserved by the park service.  The old house is nearby and both are open to those interested in seeing how folks lived in the Ozarks years ago.  It is at the trailhead of Cherry Grove Cemetery Trail and part of the Buffalo River Trail.  Decendants of the Hickmans still live in Compton.

Waymon Villines' Barn on Hwy  21

      We drove by this barn many times before I asked Jack to stop for a photo.  I'm glad we did.  Not long afterward, a storm blew it over.  Many barns suffer the same fate.

Mike Clark's Barn on Bradshaw Mountain Road

     The first time we saw this barn it was unpainted and neglected with a few scraggly goats out front.  Mike (you see him in front of the barn) retored it after recovering from back surgery.   He raises goats, turkeys and a few other barnyard animals on his mountain farm.  The animals look out each morning over a magnificent view of mountains and valleys.

     Oh my!  So many barns and so little space!  We will have to continue at another time.

For everything there is a season...A time to tear down and a time to build up.  Ecc. 3:1

Bird News on the Mountain

Our first meeting with the Blue family 2004

Yesterday, I realized that I was spending a lot of my time observing the bird life from our porch.  After working hard to get things in shape around the yard and flower beds, taking a break is a good thing.  But, sitting on the porch in one of our new rockers can become habit forming and leads to procrastination! 

     I bought two new rocking chairs on impulse when shopping in Harrison last week.  The salesman assured me they would fit in the back of the Traverse (and they did, with some manuvering!) I had no idea how badly we 'needed' porch rocking chairs!  In years past, folding chairs worked fine.  No more!  The chairs are a magnet, and with the little table in between they make a perfect place for coffee in early morning, taking a break from yard work in mid-morning, eating lunch at noon, cooling down with a glass of iced tea mid-afternoon, and watching the sun go down at dusk.  Hey, we even make a late night visit to watch the stars and moon before bedtime!

   

Back to the 'bird world' on the mountain:

On morning in February as we were drinking our first cup of coffee in bed, we had a visit from the Blue Family.  I was glad to see Mrs. Blue clinging to the window screen, looking in--first at one window, then the other.  I thought we were in for another year of  'Life with the Blue Family'.  However, this was the only visit.  Soon after, we had the 'great-first-day-of-spring' snowfall (the most wonderful 'snowday ever'!)  We haven't seen them since!  We have other blues who have moved in, but they aren't the 'porch' variety, and have chosen the house at the end of the fence in the backyard. (see May and June 2009 blogs)  I think the little couple who set up housekeeping there are last year's youngsters.  Maybe it was one of the family members who got his/her photo made as he emerged from the box to try his wings.  They left a legacy, no doubt!

I'm not sure what happened to the little couple, (maybe old age and a nursing home in the sky).  But we will always remember the original 'Blue Family'.  They became a part of our family as we watched her move from window to window during the day, maybe curiously wanting to be a part of the human family who lives here. Then, we watched anxiously and counted the days as she sat on her eggs in the box while he sweetly sang to her from a nearby perch, bringing her nourishment (worms and bugs)  as needed.  They were a constant reminder of God's beautiful world.  

The window screens are cleaner this spring, as she had a bad habit of leaving her 'calling card' in the form of 'poop'!  But mornings are not the same without her early morning visit to the bedroom.

The martins are back in full force.  I really enjoy their chatter, especially when they 'scold' me for working in the garden too close to their house-in-the-air.

The hummers are slow arriving.  Don't know why.  The first ones got here around April 1, and we still have only 3 or 4 during the day.  Wonder if they stopped at the neighbors'.  They put up 4 feeders early.

The cute little finches who 'hang' around the finch sacks year 'round, are now a pretty, bright yellow and flit all over the yard picking up weed seeds.  Maybe it is their way of repaying us for feeding them all winter.

The Trumpeter swans at Boxley (3 of the 4) didn't leave for northern climes this spring.  They can be seen around the mill pond most of the time.  Obviously, they, too, 'Want to stay forever' in the Ozarks!

There are a pair of Canadian geese who fly over our house occassionally.  I believe they have set up residence in the pond across the road.  I'm not sure they are welcome guests!

The sparrows--too many!

And, we have discovered that if we get up early and sit in those rockers on the porch, we will hear the 'gobble-gobble' of turkeys echo across the mountains.

Twittering on the mountain is in force!

For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His Glory.

                                       Romans 11:36

From the Fullness of His Grace...

Ferns and moss along the trail

Yesterday, Sunday, May 17, 2009, was one of those perfect days to store in my "memory bank" to pull up when I need a cheerful thought. The church service at Boxley Baptist was special. We honored a member, and former missionary to the Phillipines, who after retirement, moved back home to his Ozark family farm. He is a distinguished white-haired gentleman who has been blessed with Bible knowledge and the ability to teach. He spent 28 years in the Philippines teaching and organizing churches, and has spent his retirement teaching Sunday School and being a blessing at our church. He has always kept in close contact with his Philipino churches and friends. And now, he has agreed to return to Manila, where he will teach this semester at a school he helped found. He will be training ministers to pastor churches throughout the country. As he said, "God has used this once 'barefoot mountain boy' to spread his word." We wish you God's blessing, Art.

On the way home from church, we turned into the river access road at Ponca. There was a flurry of people coming and going, unloading canoes and kayaks and other gear, for a float down the Buffalo River. We decided to take advantage of this beautiful spring day in the Ozark Mountains by taking a hike. The trail begins at the low water bridge. We would hike this section ending at Steel Creek Campground--two miles. This is only a small part of the Buffalo River Trail. After a quick lunch and little preparation, we were off! The trail was a delight--high above the river, shady with cool breezes blowing, across streams and waterfalls, through rock formations and up rocky slopes. The best part was near the low water bridge where one can stand on the rocky overhang and watch below as floaters make their way upstream. (We never laugh (too much) at the antics of those with "less experience" we've been there!) Along the way we see stretches of cool, green, mossy flats that are fascinating to me. We finished the hike with a light snack at Steel Creek Campground and a few minutes strolling on the river bank studying rocks--fossils and, my favorite, heart-shaped ones.

As we were walking back through the busy parking area, on our way to the car, dodging folks, cars, and canoes, we passed by an old man whose appearance reminded me of someone who may have spent a long winter in a log cabin on a mountain!) He was sitting in his old truck with the window and door open, watching the parade of hikers, floaters, and sightseers. He called out to us as we passed by,"Great day to be alive, isn't it?". We couldn't agree with him more!

From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.

John 1:16

Sharing Boxley Favorites

Sharing Boxley Favorites Cookbook

Speaking of "the heavens", (see previous entry) our Ladies Ministry at Boxley Baptist Church is excited to announce the publication of our newest cookbook, SHARING BOXLEY FAVORITES. It is a collection of recipes by some of the "best cooks along the Upper Buffalo River".

And that's not all! Scattered throughout the book are photos and art work by professional and amateur artists in the area. The cover picture is by Tim Ernst a well-known nature photographer who lives on Cave Mountain. Other contributors (everyone, by the way, gave us permission for publication without charge) include Alice Andrews, Don Kitz,artists, and Ed Porter, Don Nelms, and Michael Dougherty, professional photographers who live and and work in the area. Other pictures are by members of the church.

You will also find a history with photos of the church and Boxley Valley.

It is truly a treasure for all who live or visit the Buffalo National River area.

For information on how to purchase a copy email me , Camille.

Price is $15 plus $5 mailing.
All proceeds go the the Ladies Of Purpose for mission projects throughout the year.

Trumpeter Swans Part 3

We didn't get down to the valley for the Trumpeter Swan release, but I slipped down there yesterday to check on them. The five young swans were happily bobbing around on the mill pond with a few wood ducks floating among them. They seemed very much at home on the icy pond. It was, for lack of a better word, an awesome minute or two as I sat there on the side of the road with the window rolled down feeling the cold wind and listening to the happy chatter of the swans and ducks. The snow clouds hung heavily over the top of the mountains as small snow pellets filled the air. It was one of those times I have always called a "memory moment"--something I can pull up in my head at future times for a little sweet memory.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in conjunction with Iowa Department of Natural Resources, along with all of us hope this is release is successful. They also released 13 in the Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge near Dardanelle. They admit it is a new idea called "reverse imprinting". And, it is hoped that the swans will find their way back north in early spring to spend their summer with other Trumpeters before flying south to winter again in this area.

Some information on Trumpeter Swans: Adults weigh about 35 pounds with wingspans of 8 feet--America's largest waterfowl. They nearly disappeared in the early 1900's due to over hunting and loss of habitat. There are now about 250, including 30 nesting pairs. Arkansas is to be commended for working to restore this elegant bird, I think. I also believe we are obligated to protect and save vanishing habitat for this species along with other wildlife including elk, eagles, and quail, and other creatures that are dependent on us for survival.

"He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains...The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches." Ps. 104:10,12