Do South Magazine: Begin – January 2014 by Do South Magazine

BEGIN

january 2014 DoSouthMagazine.com

CONTENTS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Catherine Frederick MANAGING EDITOR Marla Cantrell CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jeromy Price CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Marla Cantrell Marcus Coker Catherine Frederick Tonya McCoy Hunter Moon Anita Paddock Stoney Stamper Gloria Tran Bill Wilwers CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Catherine Frederick Jeromy Price

PROOFREADER Charity Chambers PUBLISHER Read Chair Publishing, LLC

Features

20 28 32 54

54 OPERATION HEALTHY LUNCH You know the drill. Eat right, exercise, drink plenty of water. It’s not easy if you don’t plan ahead. Try our new take on packing healthy lunches. They’re easy to make and super delicious.

DOC Read Stoney Stamper’s, author of the Daddy Diaries, essay about his once-in-a-lifetime dog named Doc, the trouble this sweet pup got into, and the joy he brought to everyone who knew him.

MOB BOSS OF THE CHICKEN MAFIA Trapping raccoons on Cody Sosebee’s property led him into a life with the mob. Read his story of purebred chickens, clowns, and rowdy auctions in a small town.

MARGHERITA PIZZA, MY WAY Looking for a simple, family-pleasing meal to put on the table? Try our pizza recipe and wait for the compliments. Because they’ll be coming. Oh yes, they will!

ADVERTISING INFORMATION Catherine Frederick 479 / 782 / 1500 Catherine@DoSouthMagazine.com EDITORIAL INFORMATION Marla Cantrell 479 / 831 / 9116 Marla@DoSouthMagazine.com ©2014 Read Chair Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. The opinions contained in Do South are exclusively those of the writers and do not represent those of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. as a whole or its affiliates. Any correspondence to Do South or Read Chair Publishing, LLC., including photography becomes the property of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. Do South reserves the right to edit content and images.

FOLLOW US Subscribe to Do South! 12 issues per year for only $20, within the contiguous United States. Subscribe online at DoSouthMagazine.com, or mail check to 12512 Taylor Avenue, Suite 5, Fort Smith, AR 72916.

letter from Catherine

around here - we’re all still here doing what we love, to give you what you love, each and every month! While we were extremely proud of the magazine, we felt like something wasn’t quite right for the last couple of years. Then we figured it out. We weren’t “urban” at all. Sure, we live in the city, but we’re Southern through and through. So we changed the name (twice I might add, to get it just right). And we think we have it just right. Do South. We do the South each and every month. We fill our pages, not with advertising, but with stories about our Southern culture, the people, the food, the places you need to visit and tons of tips to make your life a little easier. In this issue we’re showing you how to make healthy lunches for everyone in the family. We’re singing the praises of white bread – yes, white bread! And we’re sharing an inspirational story about house cleaning that shows you a system that frees Have you ever had one of those days? Weeks? Months? Where

up your weekends. Every single weekend!

you just want to pull the covers over your head and refuse to come out? It’s been a few of those weeks for me. It’s stress.

We’re also taking you inside a new, organic juice shop to see what

Mongo stress. And not just from the holidays. It’s a combination

all the buzz is about. We’re introducing you to an artist who finds

of things. First, I changed the name of my baby from @Urban

joy in painting portraits of some of the sweetest pets around, and

Magazine to Do South Magazine. Then, the date we had for

we’re hearing from the author of the Daddy Diaries, who spins a

moving our offices to Chaffee Crossing got pushed back due to

tale about love, loss, and his once-in-a-lifetime dog.

the snow and ice. Add to that my son’s school Christmas party. It was the day after our print deadline, and this homeroom

Finally, we’re revealing the winners of our Southern Verse

mom tends to go overboard on parties. All in the middle of our

contest. Our judges struggled with their final decision, spending

deadline for this issue and the Christmas holiday! But, guess

hours debating the merits of the stories and poems our readers

what? By the time you’re reading this, those chaotic, frantic

submitted. We’d like to thank everyone who entered, and tell

filled, worrisome weeks will be behind me, and I’ll be gearing

you how honored we are that you shared your work with us. We

up for our next fantastic issue!

are overwhelmed by the talent you have.

For those who missed the announcement in December, we’ve

So, start reading, get inspired about 2014, and stick with Do South.

changed our name to Do South Magazine! Nothing else changes

The best really is yet to come.

To reserve this free space for your charitable non-profit organization, email: Editors@DoSouthMagazine.com

lifestyle

1ST PLACE POETRY WINNER

Parent Weekend lines Gloria Tran, 1st Place Winner

“Been to Nashville, going back” is what I told the man in the antique mall where we stopped to stretch our legs and slim our wallets. Such simple words for so many emotions— been to see our son, senior at the university, who is still growing, still learning who he is, what he wants in the world— still needing us but not wanting to admit it, in his own world, so far from ours. The ache in my heart is matched by the yearning in his for a life of his own.

DelannaTaylor Owner

Inscriptions

4803 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, AR 72903 479.484.5559 inscriptionsfs.com

UPCLOSE&PERSONAL

Favorite food as a child? Chocolate gravy (still is!).

People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.

Where’s your favorite place on earth? Anywhere with my honey and family. I definitely prefer home though. Name a New Year’s resolution you stuck with throughout the entire year. I learned a long time ago that I am not good at keeping New Year’s resolutions, so I quit making them! That way I don’t feel bad when I don’t follow through. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Decorate cakes, cupcakes and cake balls. What’s the first thing you bought with your first paycheck? It was probably shoes! It has been so long I don’t really remember. My first job was giving piano lessons. My sister had been giving them for several years; she got married and moved away, so I took over a few of her students. Last book you read? Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall, Denver Moore and collaborator Lynn Vincent. Last road trip? Florida, this past summer when my nephew graduated from the A Beka Academy. Farthest you’ve been away from home? Hawaii. My aunt took me for my high school graduation present.

About Inscriptions Inscriptions is a gift shop to fit everyone’s needs. We carry everything from baby, local school, and collegiate gift items, to home decor, kitchen items, and Vera Bradley, and everything in between. We have stationery for every purpose, including cards and invitations. Wedding and gift registries are also available, so you know you’ll get that perfect gift. We are a small business with a personal touch for each customer. Plus, we offer an added bonus of free gift wrap.

3 things I can’t do without

Most sentimental thing you own? Handmade quilts from my grandmothers, and a hand-pieced quilt that was my great-grandmother’s. What did you want to grow up to be when you were a kid? I was creative as a child, so it changed daily. Even in college I couldn’t decide on a major. It changed several times. What’s something that’s gone out of style that you wish would make a comeback? Old fashioned cartoons. What cheers you up? Good music, family, and wrapping gifts. What’s the first thing you’d do if you won the lottery? Donate to my church and a few other not-for-profit organizations. What’s on your perfect pizza? Cheese and veggies. What’s on your playlist right now? Southern gospel. Best advice you’ve ever been given? Pray about it. What smell reminds you of home? Food cooking.

Vera Bradley little hipster

Curly Hair products

My eyeglasses!

Favorite National Park? Yellowstone. It’s so gorgeous. Favorite comfort food? Tie between mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese.

lifestyle

Confessions of a FlyBaby story Marla Cantrell

lifestyle

ust after Thanksgiving, 2012, Annie, my miniature schnauzer,

Not too long after, she divorced, and in the years that followed

feisty critter, and longtime companion, began to fail. By the

she developed her plan to keep her house (and her mind) in

middle of December we had to make the decision to let

order. When you read the book with this knowledge, it all starts

her go. And so my husband and I did, on a day that seemed

to make perfect sense. A messy house is an outward sign of

unremarkable in every other way. We came home from the vet

trouble inside. Standing amidst a pile of laundry, alongside

shattered. We buried her just outside the fencerow, in a spot

floors that need to be cleaned, you wonder how your house got

she often ran to when she found a way out of the yard. It was a

so dirty. It creates anxiety, lowers self esteem, and keeps you

dark, dark time.

isolated. You really can’t have anybody over.

What it has to do with housekeeping is this: I gave up in those

And so I jumped in, signing up for her daily emails – be warned,

weeks that followed Annie. When company came calling I was

there are a lot of emails, many of which are testimonials from

embarrassed. Vacuum in the middle of the living room, books

other “FlyBabies” who are sharing their successes. Every day

everywhere, dishes on the counter. And then my stepdaughter

you’ll get your assignment for the following day, all small steps

came to visit. She told me about a book, Sink Reflections, by

that keep you from having to do bouts of marathon cleaning.

Marla Cilley, a.k.a. The FlyLady (she is also a fly fisher), who

Better still, she encourages you to take care of yourself, do

gently eased people like me back to the throngs of the neat and

something just for you every day, carve out a little time to

tidy. A few weeks later I bought the book, read the first chapter,

meditate, exercise, spend some time in a bubble bath.

and thought, You’ve got to be kidding. The program is broken down like this: Each night you’ll set aside All the FlyLady wanted me to do in the beginning was shine

everything you need for the next day – clothes, lunch ready in

my kitchen sink. Seriously, that was it. What the heck, I thought,

the fridge, keys in the same place, and decide what you’ll be

looking around my forlorn house, and so I picked up a sponge

having for dinner the following evening. And every morning

and had at it. In her book there are twelve steps to cleaning a

you’ll get ready, make your bed, quickly clean your bathroom

sink. I didn’t follow them. I just cleaned it, shined the faucets,

counters and toilet, empty the dishwasher, and throw in a load

and put out a clean dishtowel next to it. The next morning, the

of laundry.

sink was still pristine, and I liked the way it looked, so I picked up the book and read some more.

Now, here’s the part I love the most. While you’re in the shower, you turn off the water for a few minutes, scrub the shower

Sink Reflections is filled with acronyms: CHAOS – Can’t Have

walls and doors, and then rinse the whole thing off. Don’t have

Anybody Over Syndrome. FLY – Finally Loving Yourself. BO –

cleanser in there with you? No worries. Use your washcloth.

the Born Organized, (which you probably aren’t if you need the

Use the shower gel you got for Christmas but don’t love. Use

book) and DH, DD, DS – for Dear Husband, Dear Daughter and

a dollop of shampoo. The FlyLady says soap is soap. And you

Dear Son. Even tears get their own name. They’re called Purple

know, she’s right. I started doing this right after the clean sink

Puddles, because the FlyLady loves purple.

exercise, and now I NEVER have to spend part of my weekend scrubbing a dirty shower.

It was all so cutsie it made me doubt the system. Until I read the FlyLady’s story. Now happily married, she was once in a

The magic of this system is that it’s broken down into doable

troubled marriage and had recently lost a family member. She

parts that will keep your house clean ALL THE TIME. You’ll

was exceedingly depressed, and living in a cluttered house.

spend fifteen minutes at a time clearing off “hot spots,” places

Her situation was so dire she ended up in the hospital, where

like the table where your mail collects for weeks on end. And

some of the other patients, further along in their treatment for

each week you’ll work in one of your “zones” – there are five

depression, helped her get dressed, put on makeup, fix her hair,

in all – doing things like washing all your kitchen counters,

and put on shoes with laces.

scrubbing your trashcan, dusting the crown molding in one room, cleaning off picture frames. Each day has a single task.

lifestyle

If you do it, your weekends are freed up. And she’ll also lead you through getting rid of the extra clothing, dishes, and knick knacks that have taken over your home. She even offers emails for kids, who are given challenges that lead them on the path

You can follow the FlyLady at flylady.net

to an organized life.

You Might Need the FlyLady If:

All that’s left if you follow this system is what the FlyLady calls

55 You’re constantly losing things like your keys or

the “Weekly Home Blessing.” It should take about an hour and includes things like mopping and changing sheets. The FlyLady is big on words like “blessing”. She attributes her success to God, Who helped her through her most trying time, and allows her to help so many others. Right now there are 750,000 members in her email group, on Facebook, and Twitter. All her support is offered without cost. She pays for her staff by offering cleaning tools she sells through her website. I ordered

your purse or wallet. 55 You’ve always struggled with a system to keep your house clean. 55 You clean obsessively and your house becomes cluttered within a few days. 55 You jump from one cleaning project to another. 55 You don’t do any cleaning project because you’re afraid it won’t be good enough.

a few of them. She sells a cleaning cloth, purple of course, that seems superior to anything else I’ve tried. It cleans well, rinses easily so that dirt does not cling, and when used dry, shines just about anything. The only problem I had with it was that it took several washings to get rid of the excess purple dye. You don’t want to leave one of these cloths on, say, a stone countertop, or fiberglass shower, if the dye is seeping out. I also bought the feather duster, and a few of the scrubbing tools. I even bought her water bottle – she’s really big on getting enough water. It’s fantastic, never sweats, and keeps water cold all day long, even in the height of August. Since I picked up the FlyLady’s book in January of 2013, I’ve sold or given away more than 300 books. Yeah, I have a little book problem. For a while, my car looked as if I lived in it because it was filled with clothes and books I was taking somewhere to donate. Every night I set out what I need for the next day. Every morning I wash and dry a load of clothes before I leave for work. Sometimes I fail at the weekly zone mission, but the FlyLady’s right there, telling me it’s okay, letting me know that I can jump in tomorrow. It’s her encouragement that drives what she does, as much as her foolproof exercises. She really is a remarkable woman. I imagine her in her North Carolina home, reading the emails that come her way, hearing how getting a house in order changed another life. She reads the message, the Purple Puddles fall, and she thanks the Good Lord that her life turned out the way it did.

See some of our favorite cleaning and organizational products on pages 40 – 42.

The competition is on for

Do South Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

First Annual Beard Contest Electronic entries accepted through midnight Central time, March 7, 2014. To enter, simply snap a photo of your beard and send it to us at: beards@dosouthmagazine.com. We must be able to see the beard in its entirety. 25 entries will be selected to show up for judging at our Beards and Brews event on March 28th, 2013. Overall winner takes home $500 and the coveted King Beard trophy. The official entry fee for finalists is $20.00. All 25 entrants will receive a Beards and Brews t-shirt. Awards will be given in the following categories:

Most Historic Beard Longest Beard WOOLIEST Beard Most Creative Beard Nice Try Beard No beard? Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d better start growing one. Remember, if selected as a finalist, you must attend the judging during Beards and Brews with your beard intact! No shaving prior to the event. Details on the event will be published in our February issue. Rules for Beards and Brews at DoSouthMagazine.com/BeardsAndBrews.

lifestyle

story Marla Cantrell

Do Go Green in 2014 I dream of flowers and sweet corn and fresh oregano in the dead of winter. Outside my kitchen door the snow lingers, icicles hang from the eaves, and my thermometer shows the temperature: 31 degrees. The weather doesn’t deter me. This is the perfect time to plan a spring garden.

Map It Out Figure out what you want to grow, how much you want to grow, and where you want to grow it. Seed catalogs, that flood the mail this time of year, help with planning. If you don’t get catalogs, you can always search for seed companies online or visit your local Farmers Coop. Start asking questions. Does your family love English peas? How much does one plant typically produce? Are you into canning? If so, you may want to plant even more. Once you have a list of all the vegetables you want to grow, it’s time to buy seeds.

lifestyle

Start Seeding Indoors What You Need Seeds, Containers, Growing Medium, Sunny Location Seeds Use fresh seeds. If you come across a pack of seeds several years old, you can try them, but your best bet is to buy now.

When to Start Seeds Check for the last frost date. For most of Arkansas, it’s typically the middle of April to the beginning of May. Then check the back of your seed pack to see how long it takes for seeds to sprout. Count backwards from frost date and start seeds accordingly.

Containers Seed starting kits are great, but there’s no real need to buy one. You can easily use an old casserole dish or serving tray to hold peat pots or other containers, such as those made from folded newspapers. You can also use small food containers, like small milk cartons. Poke holes in the bottom of cartons to promote drainage.

Select Growing Medium You can buy great pre-mixed growing mediums at your local Coop. But if you want to make your own, all you need to do is combine 4 quarts shredded peat moss or sphagnum, 2 teaspoons ground limestone, and 4 Tablespoons 5-10-10 fertilizer, which indicates the amount of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. The numbers 5-10-10 will be shown on the front of the package.

Planting Fill containers to the top with moist medium, then tamp down the soil to eliminate air pockets. Add more medium if necessary. Plant seeds at the depth indicated on the packet, then water. Small seeds – no more than 3 per container. Big seeds – 1 per container. Cover trays loosely with plastic wrap. Remove plastic wrap when seedlings emerge but do keep them under lights 12 to 14 hours per day, keeping the lights close to the seedlings.

Sunny Location If you don’t have a southern exposure windowsill, you can place seed trays under a cool-white fluorescent bulb. Your goal is to keep the temperature above 75 degrees for several hours a day to trigger germination. It’s also important to vary temperature by about 10 degrees during the day, which is easy to do if you have a light you turn off and on, or if you use a heating pad under your tray and turn it off periodically.

Watering Keep growing medium moist but not soaking wet. Use a fine sprayer to water seedlings. Hardening Off 1 week before planting, move new plants to a shady outdoor spot and bring them indoors at night if it’s still cold out. Each following day, move them into the sun for a few hours, increasing the time each day. Keep watered and watch for pests, like slugs.

Transplanting Water the planting area thoroughly. Try to plant on a cloudy day. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and make sure it is covered by ¼ inch of soil. Tamp down the soil around the plant. Water deeply to prevent shallow roots.

lifestyle

Grow an Herb Garden So what do you do if you want to go green but you don’t have the means or the inclination for an outdoor garden? Grow herbs inside! They take up a small amount of space, are easy to grow, and add great interest to meals.

What You Need A spot that receives at least 5 hours of sun per day, 6” diameter clay or terra cotta pots are preferred, but any container with drainage will do, a tray to hold pots, seeds of your choice, potting soil, water mister. Tip: When selecting herbs, pick seed designated as “compact.”

Decide what to grow What kinds of dried herbs do you use most often? What kinds of fresh herbs do you buy at the market? Which herbs have you been wanting to try? Tip: Consider planting more than 1 pot of herbs that are your favorites. Once you’ve decided, you can:

Fill pots with potting soil, plant seeds at the depth suggested

Check soil every day. It should feel damp to the touch. Mist

Once seedlings emerge, do not overwater, since this can

Avoid extreme temperatures, like spots next to your stove.

If you don’t have one spot that receives 5 hours of sunlight

on the seed packet, then mist with water until soil is moist.

when it begins to dry out.

cause root rot. Let soil dry out between watering at this point.

per day, feel free to move herbs every few days, from one sunny spot to another.

Go light on the fertilizer. Herbs typically like moderate to

Don’t harvest until plants are 6 to 8 inches high. Don’t

poor soil.

harvest more than a quarter of the plant at one cutting. Let plant recover before cutting again.

That’s it, 2 ways to enjoy gardening inside your house and outdoors. It’s a great way to bring fresh food into your life, and a wonderful way to discover the joy of watching plants grow.

lifestyle

Every day of the school week I pack my son a lunchbox. I strive for healthy contents. I always include a fruit and a bottle of water – but most days, that’s where the healthy part stops. Until now. While scouring Pinterest®, I discovered a new way to pack lunches. All you need is a divided food storage container and healthy ingredients – think fresh veggies, fruits and low-fat options. The results are healthy, delicious combinations that are colorful and creative – sure to please kiddos and adults alike.

Kid’s lunchbox Pretzels

Organic, seedless cucumbers

Strawberries

Organic petite carrots

Cubed cheddar and Colby Jack cheese

Turkey, cheddar, lettuce, tortilla wraps

lifestyle

Grown-upâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lunchbox Tossed salad with Romaine and spinach

Red seedless grapes Turkey

Red bell pepper and avocado slices Special K low-fat cracker chips ÂŽ

Caprese sticks (Mozzarella cheese, basil, cherry tomato, skewered on toothpick, drizzled with balsamic)

lifestyle

D E L I C I O U S , H E A LT H Y F O O D S that are perfect for packing. On their own they are great for snacking, but packed together they make a healthy, filling lunch!

Fruit Options

* Broccoli

* Blueberries

* Cauliflower

* Strawberries

* Sugar snap peas

* Raspberries

Other

* Blackberries * Red or green seedless grapes

* Basil

* Orange slices (Cuties )

* Nuts

* Pineapple chunks

* Pretzels

* Apple slices (tossed in lemon juice to eliminate browning)

* Low-fat chips or crackers

* Graham crackers

Dairy

* Teddy Grahams™

* String cheese

* Goldfish™ crackers

* Cheddar cheese (cubed)

* Animal crackers

* Colby Jack cheese (cubed)

* Low-fat puddings

* Mozzarella cheese (cubed)

* Sugar-free Jello

* Pepper jack cheese (cubed) * Boiled eggs * Low-fat yogurt

Bonus!

3 lunch ideas for the kiddos to get you started.

Breads * Whole-wheat wraps

Club on a Stick

* Wheat bread

* Ham, turkey, and cheese rolled up, sliced, and skewered

* Whole-wheat mini pita pockets * Fruit muffins or breads

with pretzel sticks. * Shelled edamame or sugar snap peas. * Fat-free chocolate pudding and orange slices.

Protein • Tuna

Reel ‘em in

• Turkey (rolled)

* Tuna sandwich with lettuce on whole wheat bread, cut into

• Chicken (grilled and sliced or shredded)

fish shape with a cookie cutter. * Baby carrots, celery and low-fat ranch dip.

Vegetables

* Whole-grain Goldfish™ crackers.

* Lettuce

* Grapes.

* Spinach * Avocados

Pita Power

* Cucumbers

* Grilled chicken strips and veggies in mini whole wheat pita

* Edamame

pocket.

* Cherry tomatoes

* Low-fat vanilla yogurt and sliced strawberries.

* Celery

* Sugar snap peas.

* Carrots

* Animal crackers.

* Green or red bell pepper slices

entertainment

Shatner’s World January 11 // See website for details Fayetteville, AR // 479.443.5600 // waltonartscenter.org It’s warp speed ahead with William Shatner in this one-man showcase of lively storytelling and boisterous humor. Take a 90-minute voyage through his lucrative life and career as he takes you through his journey from classical Shakespearean training to the most important role he has ever played. Don’t miss this rare opportunity at the Walton Arts Center.

Heifer Hour January 11 // FREE // Starts at 11AM Little Rock, AR // 501.907.2697 // heifer.org Bring the family for a fun and informative day with Heifer International. Activities focus on caring for the Earth and other people. All activities are geared for children Kindergarten through 5th grade. The fun starts at 11am in Heifer Village in Little Rock.

Western Hills Winter Bluegrass Festival January 16 – 18 // $15 per day, $40 for 3-day pass, 12 and under free Wagoner, OK // 405.273.8578 // travelok.com Come out for three days of good ol’ fashioned bluegrass music. This festival is a fast moving display of musical talent. You can even bring your favorite instrument and join in jam sessions held throughout the festival. The Western Hills Winter Bluegrass Festival features top bands from five states, and will be held at The Lodge at Sequoyah State Park in Wagoner, Oklahoma.

Broadway on Ice January 17 – 19 // See website for details Fayetteville, AR // 479.443.5600 // waltonartscenter.org Come see the Walton Arts Center’s main stage transformed into an ice-skating rink for the first time ever! This one-of-a-kind theatrical experience will feature classical Broadway musicals like A Chorus Line, Cabaret, Rent and The Phantom of the Opera. Bring the family for a celebration of figure skating at the Walton Arts Center.

entertainment

Wonders of Winter Wildlife January 18 // Free // 10AM – 4PM Rogers, AR // 479.789.5000 // Hobbs State Park Shake off that cabin fever and experience the wonders of winter wildlife in northwest Arkansas. Bring the family for a day of wildlife education and activities. Participants will meet at the Hobbs State Park Visitor Center at 10AM. Contact the park for a detailed schedule.

Antique Alley Arkansas Antique Show January 18 – 19 // $5 for adults, $1 for 12 and under Conway, AR // 501.230.5728 // antiquealleyarkansas.com All you antique collectors get ready! The Antique Alley Arkansas Antique Show is coming to the Conway Expo Center. The 2014 Show will be bursting at its vintage seams with over 200 exhibitors from several states. With items from the 1950s and before, there’s sure to be something for every collector.

5th Annual Empty Bowls Dinner January 23 // $15 // 5:30 – 7:30 Van Buren, AR // kara.holland@vbsd.us // facebook.com/VBHSart Van Buren High School art students have made 400 pottery bowls for the Empty Bowls dinner on the 23rd, which benefits the Community Services Clearinghouse’s Meals for Kids program. Diners will get to pick out the bowl they want, and then sit down for a meal of soup and bread. Last year the group raised $1,600 for charity. This year they’re hoping to raise even more.

Trail Dance Film Festival January 24 – 25 // See website for details Duncan, OK // 580.467.8519 // traildancefilmfestival.com The Trail Dance Film Festival introduces ambitious filmmakers from across the globe to Oklahoma’s emergent film industry, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their work to a live audience. The festival features films of all types and genres, including animated, action, comedy, and horror. Don’t miss this unique opportunity at the Simmons Center in Duncan, Oklahoma.

entertainment

In The Death of Santini, Pat Conroy examines his life with his father. He was the oldest of seven children born to an Irish Catholic Marine fighter pilot from Chicago and his beautiful Southern wife. His father was brutal, often beating his wife and children. They lived a nomad life, frequently moving from one base to another, always with a new baby in tow. Pat was the oldest, and thus suffered the longest, but his siblings lived through the same hell, with the youngest jumping off a fourteen-story building. In his earlier novel, The Great Santini, (which was the moniker given to the fighter pilot because of his prowess in the air), Conroy modeled the main character after his troubled father. It also became a movie with Robert DuVall and Blythe Danner and was filmed in Conroy’s hometown of Beaufort. Even though the book aired the family’s dirty laundry, his father took great pride in being heralded as the Great Santini; in fact, he insisted on signing books at many of his son’s autograph parties. Conroy’s parents divorced when his two younger brothers were still in high school. His mother, who, unlike her husband, encouraged her son’s passion for literature, remarried. But the Conroy children could not escape their father, who insisted on being a presence in their life. He also writes about his father’s relatives, who were hard

The Death of Santini

The story of a father and his son By Pat Conroy Nan A. Talese / Doubleday: $2895 review Anita Paddock

drinking and rough talking. It isn’t hard to see how his father, The Great Santini, came to be. Conroy’s grandparents made fun of his father, of his Southern wife and their brood of kids, and Conroy witnessed it all. But as the author’s fame grew, they were eager to capitalize on their kinship. I loved this book and cringed while reading about the horrors

the Conroy children endured. They all had contentious

on Daufuskie Island off the coast of South Carolina. His sixteen

Other Conroy novels such as The Lords of Discipline and The

students were black and had never been off the island. His

Prince of Tides are also based on his family, but in The Death of

unorthodox way of teaching (a Halloween trick-or-treat trip to

Santini Pat Conroy says he’s expunged all the demons from his

Beaufort, the nearest town) got him fired from the job, and with

life with his father and will not write about him or his family

no money coming in to support his wife and two children, he sat

again. But I’m not betting that he can keep that promise.

became a fan of Pat Conroy when I saw the movie, Conrack,

relationships with their father, but they never abandoned him,

starring Jon Voight, back in the 1970s. The movie was

looking after him through various illnesses and never leaving

based on Conroy’s book, The River is Wide, which was the

him alone as he lay dying.

true story of the young idealistic Pat Conroy who taught school

down in a frenzy and wrote the book that became the movie.

entertainment

adjustment for the group, but in the end, after they took off their headphones so they could actually hear and react to each other and turned down the volume, they realized they’d never sounded better. The songs on In Our Nature are stunning. One recent morning as I was driving to work, past fields of snow and trees encased in ice, I cranked up “Mattawa,” a song about the Ontario town the group loves. In the song they sing, “Can’t see this winter road for the fog and snow. Slipping through Wahnapitae. Heading east on 17. The chimney stacks a few miles back, all lit up like rocket ships.” Snow shows up again in “Made Your Mind Up,” a hauntingly beautiful song about a man willing to try anything for the one he loves. “Tell me the way that you want this to go. I can be hard or I’ll melt like the snow coming down. Everything changes each word that we say. One little step and you can’t find your way back around.” The lyrics, the acoustics, their voices – there are three vocalists – blend seamlessly. Blue Rodeo fits so easily together, plays so

In Our Nature Blue Rodeo: $9

review Marla Cantrell

intrinsically well together, and the music seems to fill the space around you. One of the highlights is “Tell Me Again,” which is pure country. But my favorite is “Paradise.” “So throw another log on the fire. Your sympathy, my desire. We’ll watch the sparks fly high into the sky. We’ll see the lights of paradise.”

lue Rodeo’s thirteenth album, In Our Nature, was

Blue Rodeo has earned eleven Juno awards (think of the Juno

recorded in the fall of 2012 on the Canadian farm

as the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy), and in 2012 they

owned by vocalist and guitarist Greg Keelor. The band

were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. This album

brought someone in to cook, so they didn’t need to venture out

is already garnering buzz for even more awards. They love it all,

for food, and all across the house, in the kitchen, in the living

even touring in the dead of winter throughout their homeland.

room, in bedrooms and hallways, the seven musicians crowded

They may even return to Keelor’s farm, a place he named Lost

in and started to play. The formula was perfect. The mandolin,

Cause, for another recording session. One thing’s for certain, this

the steel guitar, the Dobro and banjo swelled from the adjoining

group is anything but a lost cause. They’re absolutely golden.

rooms. The result is a country/rock album stripped down, full of life, and without the shiny production that often accompanies releases today. In Our Nature is intentionally more mellow than some of Blue Rodeo’s other work, due in large part to a condition Keelor is battling. For thirty years he’s been suffering from a hearing condition that causes ringing in his ears and an aversion to certain pitches and volumes. It created more than a little

I Rate It

people

Doc

STORY Stoney Stamper images courtesy April and Stoney Stamper

people

Stoney Stamper

is the author of the popular

parenting blog, The Daddy Diaries. He and his wife April have three daughters: Abby, Emma and Gracee. Originally from northeast Oklahoma, the Stampers now live in Tyler, Texas. Stoney is excited about sharing his insights, humor, and vivid stories with Do South Magazine each month. For your daily dose of the Daddy Diaries, visit Stoney on Facebook at The Daddy Diaries, photo by April Stout

or his website, thedaddydiaries.net.

oc is my Australian Shepherd. He was coming up on his fourteenth birthday in March, 2014. He has been with me on nearly every step of my adult life.

For real. I got him when I was twenty years old, and in the last (almost) fourteen years, I rarely went anywhere without him. He loved nothing more than hopping up in the back of the truck and riding down the road with the wind blowing through his long pretty hair, and his eyes, one blue, one brown, filled with delight. He went with me to the store, to visit friends, to visit family. He went with me to the East Coast, to the West Coast, and to Canada. To most people, seeing me was synonymous with seeing him. Especially before I had all these crazy girls in my life. If you saw one of us, you probably saw both of us. Most people had kids - I had Doc. He was my best friend. Cliché? Yeah, probably so. But it’s the truth. Well, today, I loaded Doc in the back of that truck for the very last time. Today, I found what I have been dreading to find, for the better part of a year - I found my best old buddy lying stretched out in the yard, soaking up the sun, like he so often liked to do. He had gotten pretty deaf in his old age, so when I called his name from the porch and he didn’t move, I just thought he was enjoying his nap in the sunshine. That was not too uncommon. He had become quite the hard sleeper in the last few years. However, when I got down to him, I realized that my sweet friend was gone. He had crossed the Rainbow Bridge. He had bumped my hand with his head, asking me to pet him, for the very last time. I’d never look in the rearview mirror to see his pretty face, literally smiling, as we drove down the road, again. He’d never lay at my feet as I smoked a cigar and played my guitars, as my biggest fan. The most constant presence in my adult life went off to pee on the big water hydrant in the sky. And for that, I am terribly sad.

people

I got him in May of 2000, when he was nine weeks old. He was

And she was right. He ate it like he was starving. And then he put

an adorable little fuzzy ball of fur. I’m not usually what you

on the most epic pooping display that has ever been witnessed

would consider a “dog person.” I grew up on a horse ranch. I’ve

on this earth. It was breathtaking. Basically, two weeks’ worth

seen a lot of animals come and go. I’ve seen them be bought,

of poop started spewing from his body like Mount Vesuvius.

sold and traded. And I’ve seen them die. I think that probably

I could hardly believe what I was seeing. And the funny thing

caused me to be a little calloused towards animals, at times. I

was, the pumpkin looked nearly exactly the same coming out,

never got too close. Except for Doc.

as it did going in. And this dog could NOT quit smiling. He was the happiest animal on the planet. Of course, if I had gone ten-

He and I had an instant connection. I saw him for the first time

plus days without pooping, I am betting I would’ve been pretty

before his eyes were even opened, and I knew that I wanted

damn happy, too.

him. When I got him, he was like a little teddy bear. He was so cute and fun to play with. The first night at my house, he was

For thirteen and a half years, he has been my partner. He lived

scared. So, I picked him up, sat him on my belly, and he went

with me in Oklahoma, Florida, Virginia, Oklahoma again, and

to sleep. It was like a bond was formed from that very second.

Texas. Through hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, droughts,

We made an agreement. I’d take care of him, and he’d take care

and floods. He’s seen me skinny, fat, mad, happy, and sad. He

of me. He never needed a leash. Wherever I was, he was there,

knew me with hair, and now without. And none of that mattered

right beside me.

to him in the slightest. He liked me when I was pretty damn hard to like. He even liked me when I didn’t like myself, and he

Doc loved the Frisbee, or a ball, or a stick. Or, really anything

was happy to see me every single time he laid eyes on me. If we

else that I could throw for him to go fetch. He was so proud,

could all have the same kind of attitude he had, and the short

each and every time he brought it back to me. Thousands of

memory to be able to forget the bad that happened yesterday

times, no doubt. And occasionally, he’d hump the crap out of

and think only of today, what a wonderful world this would be.

a pillow from the patio furniture, or a stuffed animal. Or my brother. And it was funny. EVERY. TIME.

I think John Grogan said it best, in his book, and later the movie, Marley and Me. “A dog has no use for fancy cars, big

Once, he got in a fight with another dog, while we were at my mom

homes, or designer clothes. A water-logged stick will do just

and dad’s house, and the other dog nearly ripped his B-hole out.

fine. A dog doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, clever or dull,

I’m not exaggerating, either. He had twenty-seven stitches right

smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he’ll give you his.”

around his pucker string, with a drain hanging out of it. And he

How many people can you say that about? How many people

had to wear one of those great big cones for weeks, because he

can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many

couldn’t make himself not try not to chew the stitches out. Well,

people can make you feel extraordinary?”

because of this ailment, he found it difficult, or at least painful, to poop. When a week had gone by, and he still hadn’t pooped,

I feel very blessed to have had so many years with an animal with

I called the vet. They told me to try Metamucil. So I did, but

such a pure heart, and such loyalty. I definitely gave him my heart,

to no avail. I called back on day ten, when he was swelled up

and there was no question that I had his. Although I already miss

like he’d been bitten by a rattlesnake, because he still hadn’t

him terribly, I know that right now he’s probably humping pillows

pooped, and she said, “Ok, do you have somewhere you can put

in his new heavenly home. His old hips don’t hurt, his ears work

him outside?” I said, “Yes, I have a fenced-in back yard.” She

again, and maybe he isn’t farting quite as much as he has the last

said, “OK, well go buy some canned pumpkin. Like you make a

few years. Cause those farts were ROUGH.

pie with. Feed it to him, and LEAVE HIM OUTSIDE.” I said, “But he won’t eat anything! He can’t poop, so he’s stopped eating.”

Today, I am SO thankful for the years that I had with the best dog

She said, “Oh, he’ll eat this.”

in the world. I miss ya, buddy.

people

Mob Boss of The Chicken Mafia Story Tonya McCoy Images Courtesy of Cody Sosebee

As Cody Sosebee flies over Las Vegas, he thinks about home.

to explain himself. His life is going so many directions at once,

Earlier today he woke at dawn, pulled on his overalls and muck

but it all started for him at the rodeo. “I was raised at arenas,

boots and headed outside to milk the goats, gather eggs, and

my playpen was next to the arena with the other rodeo kids,”

check on some baby calves. He’s also been busy, working as

he says.

the Mob Boss for the Chicken Mafia, a job that fell in his lap not so long ago. But now as his plane descends, it’s time to get

In the years that followed, Cody watched his roper, bareback-

ready for the other part of his life. He’s been nominated by the

riding father and barrel-racing mother, and made his own way

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association for two awards: Clown

in the rodeo circuit. But as time went by, he switched from

of the Year and Comedy Act of the Year.

competing to clowning. He liked the roar of the crowd, the ability to make folks laugh, the energy of the crowds keeping

Cody’s filled with so much energy and excitement, he often starts his sentences midway through and has to double back

him going.

people

His life is a full one: rodeo, family, gardening. And then there’s

enrolled in classes at UALR to get his private chicken tester

this little thing called the Chicken Mafia. It started two years ago

license. These classes teach individuals how to test for serious

when Cody was trying to grow corn on his place near Charleston,

poultry-bred diseases such as salmonella, typhoid and even

Arkansas. Raccoons chewed up his crop, so he started trapping

Avian flu. This means potential buyers can rest assured that

them. He was going to give them to a friend, but his friend

they’re buying a healthy bird.

insisted that he take some chickens in trade. A few weeks later someone saw the chickens on Cody’s farm and offered him

Now, people come from all over the state for the mafia’s main

thirty dollars for just two of them. Cody looked them up on

chicken sales at the South Franklin County Fairgrounds in

Craigslist and was surprised at their worth.

Charleston, each spring and fall. The sales are run auction style. It’s a noisy and colorful lot with red, green, and even polka-

That was when he hatched an idea with close friend, Devin

dotted birds. There are Ameracauna, or Easter Eggers, known

Robberson. “We said, ‘We’re going to take over this chicken

for their brightly colored eggs in colors from turquoise to pink;

market,’” Cody says. “We’re going to be in a mafia, we’re going to start a mafia.’ People would start buying chickens from us, and they’d ask, ‘You have any Rhode Island Reds?’ and I’d say, ‘Yeah,

Warhorse roosters, game birds known for their black lean appearance, and a mixture of bantams. Each sale brings everything from simple poultry birds to prize-winning show stock.

we got Rhode Island Reds.’” Trouble was they didn’t. The two would go out then,

Buyers walk the grassy space near

track down the Rhode Island Reds

the arena, perusing the flock. The

and present them to the buyer, as if

weathered cages make a maze of

it was the easiest thing in the world.

chirping, squawking birds waiting for their turn on the auctioneer’s

Soon, there was a buzz surrounding

block. It’s great fun for Cody, who

the Chicken Mafia and their amazing

loves meeting the buyers, selling

powers to bring birds and buyers

the birds, getting to know more and

together.

One

farmer

would

tell

more people each time.

another, and that farmer would sing their praises to someone else. They were selling more and more chickens, and they decided it couldn’t hurt to have a Facebook page. In the profile picture Cody’s decked out mob boss style

He looks back over his life so far. At forty, he’s done a great deal. He started competing in rodeos at age eight and rode all the way through high school. He won three state championships

in a suit, dark glasses and is cozied up to a beautiful chick – a

for bareback riding and was offered a college scholarship to

real chicken, that is. So far, more than a thousand people have

Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. He attended only a

“liked” their Facebook page.

semester before beginning to ride professionally.

The pair acted as if nothing was out of their reach. If you wanted

For over ten years he competed on the national circuit. Then one

it, they would get it for you. “We started saying, ‘We’re the mafia,

night he was offered a job that would change his direction. “A

what do you need? What do you want done and we’ll do it.’

clown didn’t show up and they wanted me to go out and fill-in.

We started buying, selling and trading chickens and going to

I did and it’s a long story, but it was fun and they paid me for it. I

chicken sales everywhere in the tri-state area. It just turned

couldn’t believe they paid me for going out and acting like an idiot.

into an overnight, chaotic, fun thing. We’ve had bumper stickers made, and we have T-shirts that say Chicken Mafia.”

“A young rodeo cowboy is pretty arrogant, a stuntman, a risktaker. To have to do a goofy job, be a clown, wear make-up and

Cody took the venture seriously. The first chance he got, he

be made fun of was pretty degrading, so I was reluctant for a

people

long time. But finally I thought, I could ride and compete and get

come see me and it just tears my soul. I mean I would take them

my arm hyper-extended, pull my groin, take a chance on dying

and do anything I could for them and then just bawl my eyes out

and get whiplash every night. Or I could dress up like a clown,

when they’re driving out that night.”

act goofy, have fun and they pay me every time.” Cody wants to give them a rodeo experience for more than one He’s been making what he calls “funny money” as a clown for

night, so he has plans for building a rodeo camp. Cody is grateful

about ten years at big rodeos all over the U.S. and Canada,

for his rodeo career, but one day wants to hang up his hat, and

including Vegas and Cheyenne.

come home for good. As for the Chicken Mafia, he thinks the possibilities are endless. All you have to do is find a guy who

When he was in his twenties he couldn’t wait to hop in his

needs a chick, go out and find it, and bring the two together. At

friend’s pickup and hit the road, kicking up his heels as much

least, that’s what the Mob Boss says.

as he could between arenas. Now he schedules flights back to Arkansas just to spend more time at home. The chickens play a big part in why he’s so happy; being a mob boss suits him just fine. But he’s not stopping there. He hopes

To check out the next Chicken Mafia sale, visit their

to add philanthropist to the list with a grander scheme for his

Facebook page listed under Chicken Mafia.

farm in 2014. He plans to work more with the Western Wishes Foundation. The charitable organization grants wishes for kids in difficult circumstances, many of whom have life-threatening illnesses. Western Wishes has taken kids to rodeos where Cody performed. “In rodeos, I never think of myself as being ‘a somebody,’ but to those kids who watch rodeos or keep up with the rodeos through magazines or the internet, I am. Some have wanted to

people

The Little Juice Shop That Could story Marcus Coker images Marcus Coker and Courtesy Native Nectar

people

Wilson Wood, who’s thirty-one, recently opened Native Nectar – a

Being green and organic is part of a philosophy that Wilson

juice shop – in the same shopping center as Ozark Natural Foods

developed a few years ago while living in Santa Cruz, California.

in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Well, sort of. It’s actually behind the other

Having grown up in Little Rock, Wilson went to college in

stores, through the parking lot and around the corner, a bit hidden

Fayetteville and started working in real estate and insurance,

away. “It’s not the ideal location,” says Wilson with a smile. Any

but quickly realized the corporate world wasn’t for him. “I

extra effort it takes to find Wilson’s juice shop is well worth it.

moved away to clear my mind and refocus. Well, in Santa Cruz, there’s such an emphasis on health – their food is the most

Native Nectar opened in mid-October with a simple goal:

important thing to them. It’s all organic, and there’s no fast

provide the highest grade fruit and vegetable juices possible.

food. That was eye-opening to see a city that focuses so much

Wilson says, “People of Arkansas deserve to have the best

on health and fitness.” As part of Wilson’s transformation, he

quality and healthiest product, and we want to do our part in

started frequenting juice shops and got “hard core” into juicing.

Fayetteville. We’re focusing on health and quality of life, and that has everything to do with everything.”

He started doing research and discovered that juicing has a lot of benefits. “Juice is instantly absorbable, and the best way for

Hopefully, the location won’t be permanent. “This is just our

the body to get nutrients. They go right to your blood stream

temporary space to see how things are going to go,” says Wilson.

because your body doesn’t have to break anything down.” By

If social media is any indication, Native Nectar has nothing to

the time he returned to Arkansas a couple years ago, Wilson had

worry about. In their first five weeks, they went from 200 to

discovered one other cool fact: “The main juicer that everyone in

1,200 followers on Instagram, which, along with Facebook, is

the juicing world that does what I do uses is called the Norwalk.

the only advertising Wilson does. “The amount of people that

It was invented by a man named Norman Walker and is actually

have posted about our product without even being asked is

made in Arkansas. It’s like no other juicer there is.”

stunning. We already have so many loyal customers.” What makes the Norwalk unique is that it’s a cold-press juicer. Megan James is one of them. She made a special trip to Native

“If you go into most chain juice stores, and they throw a piece

Nectar on her twenty-eighth birthday. She says, “I taste other

of produce in a machine, it immediately liquefies. The process

juices, and Wilson’s are better. They’re fresh and not like

that allows that to happen produces tons of heat, and the heat

something that’s been done before. I’m partial to Phunky Beets

kills important nutrients and enzymes. So you’re getting a good

(apples, beets, carrot, lemon, and ginger) and Buddha (green

juice, but not the best you can get. The Norwalk uses 2,000

apple, kale, celery, spinach, parsley, and lemon).”

pounds of hydraulic pressure to squeeze every bit of juice out, which keeps all those nutrients and enzymes intact.”

Each 160-ounce drink packs in three pounds of produce and only 80-160 calories. Megan says, “I use this juice to fight off illness.

All Native Nectar juices have a short shelf life (three days), which

As a teacher, I’m around kindergarten kids, so I’m exposed to

is why most of their business is pre-order. The short shelf life is

a lot of germs. Anytime I feel a cold coming on, I drink a lot of

due to the fact that the juices have no preservatives and are

this juice, and I swear I don’t get sick.” Perhaps the juices help

unpasteurized. It’s one of the reasons it took Wilson the better

Megan’s immune system because they are pure, without any

part of last year to open his store. “There are a lot of hoops you

added sugar or water. Plus, Wilson only buys organic produce,

have to jump through to open a business like mine. My product

most of which comes from local farmers’ markets.

is raw, so the health regulations are strict. In my mind, I’m giving someone a really healthy product. If it were a candy bar, it

For Wilson, it’s important to keep things local, so all his juices

wouldn’t be this regulated. It just seems backwards.”

are packaged in glass bottles made in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Wilson says, “There is less oxidation with glass bottles. For

In addition to fruit, vegetable, and root juices, Native Nectar also

health concerns, we don’t reuse them, so we encourage people

offers detox waters, which are water-based drinks that include

to recycle. We like to be as green as possible.”

ingredients like ginger and cayenne. “Ginger is a great anti-

people

inflammatory for fighting off colds and boosting the immune

Before long, Native Nectar plans to expand to other locations

system, and cayenne breaks up congestion.”

in the area. “We’d like to start a slow food revolution and get people to focus on health rather than fast food or cars.” It may

Wilson believes that both the detox waters and the juices are

sound like a big task, but it’s certainly worth undertaking. And if

a great way to cleanse the body, and Native Nectar works with

any juice shop can do it, it’s the little juice shop that’s through

a naturopathic doctor to help promote juice fasting. “Cleanses

the parking lot and around the corner.

are something everyone should do. When you fast, it gives your digestive system a break so it can focus on healing. Digestion takes up to forty percent of your body’s energy, and your body redirects that energy to healing when you’re just drinking juice.” Native Nectar is located at 1442 North College Avenue For those new to juicing, Wilson recommends fruit juices

in Fayetteville and is open Monday through Saturday

like Pinky Up (watermelon, apple, and lemon) because they

from 7 AM to 6 PM.

are sweeter. Then as people get used to drinking juice, he recommends their vegetable or root juices like Old School

For more information, including detailed directions,

(carrot, spinach, celery, and parsley). “Before long, you’ll realize

visit nativenectarjuice.com or call 501-681-0740.

how good you feel.” Native Nectar juices are seven dollars for eight ounces, ten dollars for sixteen ounces, and thirty-five dollars for a half gallon. “Some people are like, ‘Ten dollars for a juice?’ but I usually don’t have to explain it – all organic produce, glass bottles. Some people will spend five grand on a TV but not five grand on their health in a year. What’s more important? Hopefully we can help shift the paradigm on that.”

TIDY UP

Handmade Items We Love

Jewelry Display / Organizer

1995

Super Size Coupon Organizer

Sweet Sadie K Etsy.com/shop/SweetSadieK

Grandma’s Little Lilly Etsy.com/shop/GrandmasLittleLilly

Wool Dryer Balls Eco Friendly – Set of 3 Littlest Gift Shop etsy.com/shop/littlestgiftshop

Dishcloths, Hand Knit 100% Cotton – Set of 2 Sydney Kathryns etsy.com/shop/sydneykathryns

TIDY UP

Handmade Items We Love

1350

$ 75

Fleece Hand Duster Refills, Washable, Reusable – Set of 2 The Green Shop etsy.com/shop/thegreenshop

Baby Closet Organizer, Clothing Dividers – Set of 5 Potato Patch etsy.com/shop/Potatopatch

7999

Laundry Collection- Set of 4 ( Bottles & Chemical Free Recipes ) John’s Daughter etsy.com/shop/johnsdaughter

Handmade Bamboo Beauty Station iSkelter iskelter.com

TIDY UP

Handmade Items We Love

Car Organizer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Custom design AshleyNEF etsy.com/shop/ashleynef

$ 49

Crocheted Pot Scrubber, 100% Nylon Hooked on MoeZ etsy.com/shop/hookedonmoez

106

3595

Custom Magnetic Spice Rack with Rustic Wall Plate Other sizes available (empty & filled) Gneiss Spice etsy.com/shop/gneissspice

Haven Trial Kit

(Soap, Air & Linen Spray, All Purpose Cleaner, Lemon Scrub) Haven Clean havenclean.com

story Marla Cantrell image Jeromy Price

White bread could use a good PR firm. For years, this staple of our childhood has suffered accusations that it’s not good enough, it’s not nutritious enough, it’s not hip enough. But let’s rethink our attitude toward white bread. Let’s consider all the things it can do, like soften rock-hard brown sugar, or clean the dust off paintings, or clean up shards of glass off a hard-surfaced floor. Yes, my friends, white bread can do all this and so much more. Check out the tips below, try a few, and see if you don’t agree. You might even end up saving a little dough!

Keeps Walls Pristine

Fingerprints and smudges on your painted walls? Clean non-

Cleans Paintings

Need to clean your artwork? Both oil and acrylic paintings benefit

Picks Up Broken Glass

Drop a drinking glass on your tile floor? Pick up tiny shards by

Softens Up Marshmallows

glossy surfaces with a fresh slice of white bread with the crust removed. Rub gently until smudges disappear.

from a good dusting with white bread. Swipe gently across the painting, and always test in a small spot like a corner first.

placing a piece of white bread over the area and pressing lightly. Dispose of the bread carefully.

Hard marshmallows? Drop a slice of white bread into the bag, tie it up or transfer to a Ziplock-type bag. Check in a few days.

Deodorizes Smelly Veggies

Broccoli, brussel sprouts or cabbage on the menu? Place a slice

Softens Brown Sugar

Brown sugar hard as a clump of coal? Place brown sugar in an

Soaks Up Grease

Broiling steaks? Place a couple of slices of white bread in your

Saves Burned Rice

Overcooked your rice? Eliminate the scorched taste by placing a slice

Keeps Soft Cookies Soft

Keep cookies fresh by adding a couple of slices of white bread

Butters Your Corn

Generously butter a slice of white bread, cup the bread in your

of white bread on top of veggies in saucepan. Absorbs most of the odor.

airtight container, with a slice of white bread on top. Check in a day or two.

drip pan to absorb grease. Also cuts down on the amount of smoke commonly produced when broiling.

of white bread atop the rice while itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still hot, and then cover the pot. Let sit for several minutes.

on top of the cookies, after theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been placed in a cookie jar or container.

hand, butter side up, and drop the corn inside. Turn the corn in the bread to butter evenly.

people

All Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Creatures

story Marla Cantrell images courtesy Bill Rebsamen

people

eaves are whipping across the street just outside Bill

Bill describes the search, the terror of losing your dog, your

Rebsamen’s Fort Smith, Arkansas home. In the days to

constant companion for well over a decade. “Can you imagine?”

come a foot of snow will fall, it will stall the city, but

he asks, and shakes his head. The birthday gift was a big hit,

today there is only this persistent wind. Inside, Bill works in his

and his friend called to tell him so. “He said he was Husband of

studio, a painting of turkeys coming to life. Bill leans over his

the Year now,” Bill says, and smiles. “That’s like getting another

drawing board, pointing to the line of trees that seems to go

payment. It’s one of the best parts of painting, knowing that

on forever. There is a process to making the trees diminish into

your work is appreciated.” He estimates he’s done more than

the background, a process to the depth and light and life in this

100 pet portraits during his career. He typically shoots video of

painting. He uses gouache (opaque water color) to get the tight

the pet to work from, so he can see them in action, get a feel for

detail he wants, sometimes even using it to airbrush certain

their personality, get to know them a little better. Often, though,

parts of a painting to get the soft focus he needs.

he’s commissioned to paint portraits of pets that have passed away. When that happens he

Bill takes a break, reaches

works from photos and asks a

down,

lot of questions of the owners.

pats

his

long-haired

dachshund, Teensie. She wags her tail, she pushes closer

In Bill’s studio, his work is

against Bill, her body all but

everywhere. He’s studied wildlife

shaking from happiness. “She’s

for years, and has an affinity for

a good girl,” Bill says, “an ornery

big cats. He points to the painting

girl,” he adds, and Teensie’s tail

of a tiger, this one with blue fur

wags a little faster. “My wife and

on its face, and it is so lifelike it

I have two other dachshunds,

appears to watch from its spot

Dapper Dan, and D.J. (Dapper

on the wall. “That tiger was seen

Dan Junior). Then we have

by a Methodist missionary in the

three cats: Benny, Teddy, and

Fijian province of China. Henry

an American Bobtail named

Caldwell, who’d been over there

Minnie. We love them all,” Bill

a long time, was out gathering

says, and then laughs. “How could you not?”

firewood. He had a rifle with him. He saw what he thought was a villager in a blue jacket and then he realized, once it moved, that it was a blue tiger stalking others

He thumbs through his portfolio, which shows an extensive

who were farther down the hill, also gathering firewood. He

collection of pet portraits. He points to one of a Yorkie. “I just

didn’t have a clean shot, because of the people. He found a fur

finished this one,” he says, “for one of my friends who wanted

sample, though, and wrote a book about it. It’s a genetic anomaly,

to give it to his wife for her birthday.” And then he tells the story

something that interests me a great deal.”

of the dog that is thirteen, and defied fate this past summer when she fell from a boat, slipped into the lake without a sound,

In another piece a spotted tiger takes center stage. A tiger that

and was rescued by another boater who just happened to spot

has spots where its stripes should be is another rarity, and Bill

her, the little dog’s nose just above the waterline. Her owners

loves the extraordinary. His wildlife art has been published in

were frantic when they realized she was missing, zipping back

several books written by British Zoologist Karl P.N. Shuker. Bill’s

across the water, calling out her name, and finally pulling into

also had his art published by the Fortean Picture Library (an

the nearby marina where they found their dog, wet but happy,

image broker) and several of those images were subsequently

in the gift shop. The Yorkie now wears a life vest anytime she’s

used by various Discovery channels like Animal Planet, Sy Fy

near the water.

and TLC.

people

But long before that, back when he was still a boy growing up

printmaking professor William McKim, who had studied under

in Fort Smith, he spent much of his time drawing and painting.

famed Missouri artist Thomas Hart Benton. McKim taught me

He and his sister drew together, and his cousins and aunt are

to take artistic license and push tonality to the limits to make

artists. His mother encouraged him. There were art teachers,

objects turn in space on a two dimensional surface. I learned

both in school and in private lessons. And when he was a teen

to manipulate the image and place the darkest darks against

he studied with Susan Morrison, the renowned wildlife artist

the lightest lights between my subject and the background, a

from Eureka Springs. “She was a stickler about animal anatomy

theme that’s seen in my work to this day.”

and taught me so much,” Bill says. But it was Bill’s brother who garners much of the credit for his life in art. “He was in pre-med

Once Bill was back in Fort Smith, he worked a few jobs, finally

and had a zoology book and I basically re-illustrated it. If there

becoming a graphic artist for Weldon, Williams & Lick, a printing

was a dinosaur on the page, I re-drew it, right on the page. I’ve

company that’s been around since 1898. In the late 1980s, he

been a dinosaur nerd forever, and I love the animals we don’t

started doing paintings of hunting dogs to auction at the Ducks

see very often, and the sea creatures. I’ve read about them all.”

Unlimited banquets. “I had the grandiose idea of doing all these portraits of regal water dogs pictured in classic hunting scenes,”

When Bill graduated from Southside, he’d already earned

Bill says and then laughs. “But after the banquets I would get calls,

thirty credit hours from Westark Community College. “My

not from the sportsmen, but from the hunters’ wives wanting me

mom was a staff nurse there,” he says, “and I took classes all

to do portraits of their Pomeranians, poodles and pussycats.”

through high school. I headed to Kansas City Art Institute and earned my degree in three years. I studied under lithography

And so he did, painting portraits that hang in homes across the

people

region. The challenge is the same. You want the pets to come

It is as if Teensie has sensed a somber shift in Bill, sitting beside

alive, and Bill does that, using techniques he learned over the

him on the couch. She raises her head, reaches out with her paw

years. He understands how important these pieces are, how

and places it on his leg. He reaches out and strokes her dark

much they mean to those who love their pets. “Animals have

head, and she closes her eyes. The question of whether dogs go

a quality, a personality and a soul. They’re an extension of

to heaven arises, and Bill says, “I don’t know if I’d go that far,”

your life,” he says. And then he tells his story, one of sorrow

and then he pauses, and finally he backtracks, and says, “Well,

and redemption and the importance pets play in our lives. “We

my little dog will. I do believe she will.”

had a tragedy in our own family,” he says. “Our son Aaron was fourteen when he passed away. That was in 2002. At the time we didn’t have a single dog. I got my daughter a dog. She was twelve. We got her a Blue Merle Sheltie named Rufus, and it helped her tremendously. Of course, we were all dealing with grief differently. By the end of the next year, my wife and I had our own dachshunds. Dogs are God’s clowns that he put here on earth for us to enjoy. After the death of our son, Aaron, the first time I heard my wife laugh out loud, with a big smile on her face, was while she was playing with the dogs.”

To see more of Bill’s work, visit rebsamenstudios.com.

Make It a Happier New Year. Adopt a New Friend. Visit us on Facebook at The Charleston Dog Shelter for more pictures and complete descriptions of all our lovable dogs. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready to meet your new best friend, call for an appointment today.

Blaze F

Gracie M

Lucy

Cisco F

Sammy

Stella

Charleston Dog Shelter Donations are always needed and greatly appreciated. Charleston Dog Shelter | Charleston, AR 72933 | 479.965.3591 | Find us on Petfinderâ&#x201E;˘ |

taste

Ingredients

images Catherine Frederick

Frico, known in America as a cheese crisp, hails from

1 ½ cups grated hard cheese (cheddar, parmesan, Asiago)

Italy and can be made from a variety of hard cheeses.

Parchment paper or (we prefer a nonstick bakeware Silpat liner)

They are commonly used as a garnish for soups or

Sprinkle of garlic salt, Italian herbs or spices (optional)

stews but pair wonderfully with a delicious glass of red wine.

NOTE – Cheddar cheese crisps will be crispy on the edges and slightly chewy in the center, while parmesan or Asiago crisps will be crispy throughout.

Instructions Adjust oven rack to lowest level and preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spoon a tablespoon of cheese onto a silicone or parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread the cheese into a circle and lightly pat down so the cheese is level. Repeat with remaining cheese, spacing the circles about an inch apart. Bake

Before

After

until the crisps begin to bubble and turn a light golden brown – four to six minutes. Remove, cool, enjoy.

taste

image Jeromy Price

2 parts Yellow Rose™ Straight Rye Whiskey 1 part Viral™ Mint Vodka 1 part Sweet Vermouth Ice Cubes Maraschino cherry — no stem Add ice cubes to a shaker. Pour ingredients into the shaker. Shake. Strain into a martini or low ball glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, stem removed.

Sponsored by Burford Distributing, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Please drink responsibly.

taste

Margherita Pizza My Way recipe and images Catherine Frederick

taste

Loved round the world for its simplicity, the Margherita pizza has long been a go-to meal for my family. In part because it’s easy to throw together, but more so for its rich flavors without the caloric wallop to our waistlines. We started making our own pizzas several years ago. Everyone loves to grab their favorite ingredients and divide the pizza by personal taste. You can make your own pizza crust, but when you’re short on time, grab a prepared crust from your local grocery. They come in personal pan and full sizes, as well as original, deep, and thin crust varieties. While everyone in my family may not agree on ingredients such as Canadian bacon, mushrooms, or black olives – we all agree on the classic Italian Margherita pizza, with a twist. I don’t use pizza sauce and I add avocadoes. The result is a deliciously light pizza, packed full of flavor. Push it over the top by adding shredded

Parmesan

cheese

before

serving. It’s perfect as an appetizer or as a meal. Bon appetit!

taste

Ingredients

Method

1 Boboli Italian pizza crust, thin

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place pizza crust on pizza

12-16 oz. mozzarella cheese 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon Extra Virgin olive oil 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced 1/8â&#x20AC;? thick

stone or onto a foil lined baking sheet, sprayed with nonstick spray. 2. Brush entire top of crust with olive oil. Brush minced garlic onto crust, spread evenly. 3. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the crust. Place

1 ripe avocado, sliced 1/8â&#x20AC;? thick

sliced tomatoes and torn basil leaves on top of cheese.

6-8 basil leaves, torn into pieces

Sprinkle sea salt and cracked black pepper over top.

Sea salt and cracked black pepper Shredded Parmesan cheese (option for garnish)

4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Remove from oven and top with avocado slices. Cut into pieces and serve immediately.

southern lit

1ST PLACE TEEN WINNER

Love Hurts fiction Hunter Moon

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m fifteen years old and attend Greenwood High School in Arkansas, as a sophomore. I started writing when I was ten, and my passion for writing has grown so much over these past five years. My inspiration for writing this short story was that I love writing about supernatural things (vampires, werewolves, witches, etc.). I also love reading about supernatural characters and human characters falling in love with each other. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hunter Moon

southern lit

fell for Lily three months ago when I saw her at American Eagle,

“Hello? Chance?” she called as she walked in. She was dressed

working the checkout counter. Her gorgeous green eyes pulled

in short polka-dot denim shorts and a loosely fitted purple tank

me into a trance that I didn’t want out of. But there was one

top with a pair of purple Toms. Her long red hair was pulled

thing that she couldn’t know about me: I’m a werewolf.

back in a fishtail.

My name is Chance Sadler. I’m twenty-one years of age and I

“Hello, beautiful, how are you?” I asked as I gave her cheek a kiss.

live in a small house near my pack members, in case anything bad happens and we need one another. I have short red hair

She swatted at my chest, “I’ve been tons better, um, we need

(yes, I’m a ginger) with blue eyes that look like the ocean, a

to talk.”

medium sized nose, a pinch of freckles on my face, and I have perfect teeth. Being a werewolf has its advantages, like being

I walked into the kitchen as she said that and got the Chinese

muscled and never gaining weight unless it’s muscle weight. I

food out of the oven and took it into the living room. “About

go to college with my pack members, except for Ethan – he’s a

what, my dear?” I asked as I put in My Sister’s Keeper (her favorite

senior in high school. I know I keep referring to it as my pack

movie) and sat beside her on the couch.

and I really shouldn’t. I’m not the Alpha nor am I the Beta. I’m just a pack member, so I’ll start calling it The Pack.

She took my hands in hers, “You know how I’ve been getting sick a lot lately?”

We’re basically, I guess you could say, The Hot Boys on Campus. I’m the captain of our baseball team, Tustin is the captain of

“Yes.”

our lacrosse team, Ronny and Tim (our Beta) are captains of our football team, Toni is one of the captains of our basketball team,

“And you know how my hair has been slowly falling out?”

and our Alpha, Rich, is captain of our hockey team. “Yes.” I closed my eyes as my annoying college algebra professor went on and on about the basics. I looked down at my phone as Rich

“I found out today that I have cancer. Stage four cancer. I only

sent all of us a message about our hunting trip tomorrow. “Yo,

have a week or so to live without radiation.”

Alpha,” Ethan texted back, “I have tons of homework in calculus that’s due Monday.” I laughed at Ethan’s text and, hiding my

“Why aren’t you doing radiation? You need to do that to be with

phone from my professor, texted back, “E-man, we’ll help you

me!”

with it.” “I want to be with God instead of being here and being sick all After the bell rang I went straight to my car and drove to my

the time.”

redbrick – four window – small walkway – no garage – house and pulled into my driveway and got out. Lily was coming over

That’s when I started crying. We hugged tight and cried together.

that night and I was so excited. We weren’t together yet but I

I couldn’t lose her. I whispered into her ear, “Be mine?” She

would be asking her to be my girlfriend during dinner. I walked

sniffled and slightly laughed then kissed me softly, letting our

inside and threw my backpack near the door and went into my

pain come through our kiss, “Yes,” she said.

kitchen to clean and start dinner (A.K.A. order Chinese food). I held her close as we ate Chinese and watched chick flicks. After I cleaned and dinner had been delivered and was in the

I could always change her into a werewolf, if she would only

oven staying warm, I went into my room and threw a pair of

agree. I kissed her head and smiled as she kissed my arm. I

white skinny jeans on and a button up, short sleeve red-and-

loved her so much that even if she died my heart would always

white plaid shirt and red Vans. I brushed my hair and waited for

belong to her.

Lily. I got some chick flicks out and put them on the coffee table.

southern lit

Losing her will kill me, I thought.

shape of the gravestone was an angel, just like her. “Lily Brandy Gorges, 12-8-1994 to 9-1-2013,” it read. “Beloved friend,

About a week later, Lily and I spent the whole day with The Pack.

daughter, and girlfriend.” I put a fake red rose in the cement

She was getting worse and she barely ate because everything

vase that was connected to her grave and smiled, “When that

made her sick. Her hair was completely gone, and she had lost

rose dies, my love will be gone. Until then I will always love you.

so much weight you could tell she was dying. I’d broken down

You are my mate forever and always. I never looked at a girl like

and told her what I am, and I even showed myself in wolf form.

I looked at you. I’m sorry I haven’t visited sooner. I haven’t had

She’d met The Pack and The Pack had fallen in love with her.

the guts. I love you,” I said, and started to cry.

Rich, our Alpha, even gave me permission to change her into a werewolf, if she would only agree.

Just then the wind picked up and blew across my face, and just as suddenly stopped. I laughed because I knew that was

“She refuses to be changed. She said God needs her for

probably Lily tugging at me, “Happy birthday, Lily. I love you.”

something,” I told Rich, after pleading with Lily. I put my head in my hands.

With that I walked away, as the past flew into my head, filled with thoughts of me and Lily and her kisses. I’ll love that crazy,

“Tonight she will pass on, do you smell it?” Rich asked. I nodded as my eyes got watery, “Yes.” Rich squeezed my shoulder and nodded at Lily. “Take her to the meadow and let her pass in your arms.” I held her close as we watched the stars, her oxygen tank close by her side. I made sure we were both covered up as she took the oxygen nose piece out. “Babe, please put that back in,” I begged. “I want to smell the flowers before I go.” “I love you, Lily, I love you so much.” “I love you so much too, Chance. I will always love you. No matter where I go. You will always have my heart.” “And you will always have my heart.” She put her hand on my cheek as the tears poured down it. “Let me change you, Lily. You can be like me and The Pack. You will be able to stay here with me.” Her breathing had become slower. She was leaving the planet, “Just kiss me and let me move on,” she said. I held her and kissed her. After a few minutes, she stopped breathing and passed on. I held her body close and screamed into her chest. After months of Lily being gone I finally visited her grave. The

gorgeous girl always and forever.

southern lit

1ST PLACE FICTION WINNER

Decisions fiction Bill Wilwers

After forty-three years of teaching high school (forty-one at Lavaca High School in Arkansas), I decided to plague my long suffering students no longer and retired. Looking for something to keep me off the streets, I discovered Anita Paddock’s writing class at the Miller Branch Library in Fort Smith. Anything I have accomplished in writing, I attribute to that experience. This story sprang from a misspent youth spent at various fishing holes. – Bill Wilwers

big, burly man, Jim Archer looked out of place in the placid Arkansas meadow. He tromped forward, picking his path to avoid the cow patties, and arrived at a small pond in the heart of the meadow. He looked it over. Its steep, muddy banks were dotted with reeds and some scraggly willows.

Jim’s head jerked toward the voice. It belonged to a redheaded boy of twelve or so. He was sunburned, barefoot, and clad in worn overalls and a threadbare flannel shirt. A long, cane pole rested on one shoulder, and he carried a Folgers coffee can full of bait.

Nothing much has changed, he thought. Not yet, anyway.

“Yeah, well, it’s been a long time. I see you’re going to do some fishing.”

He bent to pick up a rock and chucked it into the water. Redeared sliders, sunning on a log, slid into the water. A large bullfrog croaked and leaped from the bank. Jim watched the ripples radiate outward from the frog’s point of entry. A memory tugged. Concentric circles. That’s what his old geometry teacher had called them. He had once skipped rocks on this pond. He found a flat rock and pegged it at the surface. Two hops. He scratched his ear and then remembered he had to keep his elbow tucked and throw sidearm. He tried again. Six hops.

“Sure am. I’m after Old Jake.” “Old Jake? Is he still --” If the boy noticed Jim’s abrupt halt, he gave no sign. “He’s a catfish, mister. Biggest old cat in these parts, I’ll bet. He’s been in that pond forever.” Forever is a bit of a stretch, Jim thought, but it’s certainly been at least a dozen years.

“Not bad, mister.” “Yeah? Well, I hope you get him.”

southern lit

The boy grinned.

Relief spread over the boy’s face, and Jim shook his head.

“Me too, but it ain’t likely. The only time I ever hooked him, he snapped the line. Won’t happen again, though. I’m using 50-pound test now. You like to fish, mister?”

People are the same at any age, he thought. When something surprises them, they think first about how it will affect them. Yeah, look out for number one. Words to live by.

Man, Jim thought, this one’s a talker.

The boy plopped down on the muddy bank, baited his hook with an uncooperative night crawler, and tossed his line in the water.

“I used to when I was your age. When you grow up, there’s not much time for such things. There’s always work to be done … money to be made.”

The plastic bobber rocked for a moment, then stilled. He pushed the base of the pole into the soft earth and propped it up with a rock. Satisfied with his efforts, he looked at Jim.

The boy’s grin faltered. “Mister?” “Say, you mind if I ask you something, mister?” “Yeah?” “Shoot.” “Well, if you ain’t here to fish, why are you here?”

“You said you’re trying to figure what to do with the meadow. Does that mean you ain’t going to use it to keep cows or grow hay?”

Jim’s mouth tightened in a hard line. I don’t have to account for myself, he thought. Especially not to some kid I just met. He almost said as much, but looking at the boy’s freckled, friendly face, he opted for the truth.

“I run a construction company, kid. There’s not much call for cows and hay in my line of work.” “Construction,” the boy repeated. He frowned. “That’s building things, right?” “Right.”

“I’m trying to decide about something.” The boy’s frown deepened. The boy didn’t say anything, but his eyes held open curiosity. “I’m trying to decide what to do with this meadow.”

“And building things means tearing up the land with them dozers and stuff?”

The boy looked puzzled.

Jim raised his eyebrows.

“What do you mean, mister? This land belongs to Old Bob Johnson.”

Where’s he going with this, he wondered.

“Not anymore. I bought it from him last week.” The boy’s blue eyes widened.

“Well, yes. When we’ve got to get a building site ready, clearing the land is necessary.” The boy didn’t reply right away. He stared at the bobber and scratched a chigger bite on his ankle. Then he looked up at Jim.

“Really? Gee … is it still okay for me to fish?” “Are you planning to build in the meadow?” “Sure, kid.” “Maybe. The city’s talking about putting up a shopping

southern lit

center, and this meadow’s in a good location.”

“We did it, mister. We landed Old Jake.”

“Do they have to put it here?”

The boy’s voice was hushed and reverent.

“No, but I’ll make a profit if they buy the land from me, and my company’s got a good shot at the building contracts.”

“We sure did, kid.” Jim wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.

The boy worked a stone loose from the bank. He sat still, turning it over, then stood and pitched it far into the meadow. With tears in his eyes and fists clenched at his sides, he faced Jim.

“What are you going to do with him?” The boy stood quietly, brows knitted in thought.

“It ain’t right, mister!” “I reckon I’ll … let him go.” Jim blinked. Jim’s mouth fell open. “Hey, kid, why are you getting so upset?” “After all this time trying to catch him? Why?” “Is making money all you care about?” the boy shouted. Don’t it bother you that this meadow will get all tore up just so folks can have some fancy place to shop?”

“Well, I figure if you’re gonna build in the meadow, he ain’t long for this world. He might as well spend his last days where he’s happy.”

Jim’s ears reddened. “Now just a minute, kid. I didn’t say I was building here – just that I was thinking about it. This is my land now, and I can do whatever I want with it.” The boy was not cowed by Jim’s anger. He looked ready to continue the attack, but suddenly he turned and stared at the pond. Jim followed his gaze and sucked in his breath. The bobber wasn’t visible, the cane pole was bent almost double, and the line raced back and forth like a fly in a bottle.

The boy grinned at Jim as he pulled a jackknife from his hip pocket and walked toward the fish. “I’m gonna cut the line, but I’ll leave the hook in his boney old jaw. It won’t hurt him none, but it will give him something to help him remember this tussle.” “Wait a minute.” The boy turned around.

“It’s Old Jake, mister! It’s gotta be.”

“What’s your name, kid?”

The boy ran to the pole and pulled it from the ground. It almost pulled free from his grasp, but he held tight. He tried to back up, but the slippery bank gave him no traction. Each backward step resulted in a slide forward.

“Tommy Jenkins.”

“Mister, I need help.” Jim shook himself and ran over to the boy. He gripped the pole, placing his hands above and below the boy’s, and pulled. The strain was incredible. Slowly, slipping and sliding, they backed up until forty pounds of furious catfish lay flopping on the bank and jabbering expletives.

“Well, Tommy, you can let Old Jake go if you want to, but I’m thinking maybe this meadow wouldn’t make such a great place for a shopping center after all. Maybe cows and hay would be the way to go. What do you think?” Tommy’s smile could not be measured in dollars and cents.

Read Chair Publishing, LLC 12512 Taylor Avenue, Suite 5 Fort Smith, AR 72916