Jamey Herd has not been having a good couple of weeks and running to the doctor every week is no fun. She says no one in the area calls her with news or updates. Same here! Surely some of you have news of your gardens, etc. and goings on at…
It has been a busy time on Dogwood Hill. Randy got his cattle “worked” and the horses brought to the barn, so the new grass won’t create founder problems. He worked on two trucks, a tractor, and other things. However, he managed to come for supper three times. Randy got…
My goodness, another week gone by! Have you had enough rain yet? Those planning on putting out gardens are probably frustrated. Grandson Nick suggested I should plant something such as tomatoes but as I’ve said before, the Rock of Gibraltar doesn’t have anything over this rocky ridge of Dogwood Hill. …
We have had a couple of glorious days. Sunday on my way home on Hwy 14 there were no vehicles behind me so I lollygagged and took in the scenery. The Redbuds are so pretty, a true harbinger of spring. So many of the various Oak trees are now showing…
I don’t know about the rest of you but here at Dogwood, we received quite the hail storm and are thankful that the hail was only pea size, followed by quite a bit of rain. My rain gauge isn’t out yet due to occasional freezing but, it seems it was…
In the twilight hours just before sleep when my prayers drift in and out, I come with such good ideas for this column and such good plans for spring cleaning the next day, etc. Then, next day when I wake up all these brilliant ideas have disappeared like a puff…
What a busy, blessed, holy week, as well as a sad one for me. A truly good friend passed away, a trip to the doctor was encouraging, a trip to the dentist found a couple of tiny cavities to be addressed (do they ever stop showing up?), baking, various Holy…
Word came to me a few days ago that the College of the Ozarks at Branson will no longer take students with loans. This is a “working”, private Christian campus for which applicants must show a financial need. Some students may have federal or state aid or a scholarship. Apparently…
It has been a busy week. As mentioned last time, I met up with grandson Nick and his wife Sheila in Springfield after my medical appointment. Such a nice visit! We went to Hibachi Buffet for lunch and as usual, I ate too much. Good thing I had other places…
We have some sad news to report from our Dogwood Community. On March 5th, Amy Garrison Nelson, age 39, the daughter of J.R. and Pam Garrison, passed away at her home in Springfield. None that I know of on the hill were aware of this or I’m sure many would…
Recently I was reminded of the Seven Deadly Sins. Proverbs says these are: wrath; greed; sloth; pride; lust; envy; and gluttony. Interesting is that some think pride is the sin of women and lust is the sin of men. Galatians 5:19-21 lists the following as sins: adultery; fornication; uncleanness; lasciviousness;…
Hey everybody, whatchathink about this weather we’ve been having? I know of more than one person who slipped and fell on their “canister”. I took just one step onto my deck, holding onto the door frame, so I could turn on the water for my dogs. Thank heavens for the…
Another week gone by! Not much improvement in the news here and around the world. Well, I guess catching up with that former policeman in California is good news. One of my sister’s neighbors was one of the targets out there so policemen were near her house in force to…
Duward “Duke” Genet, my second husband, was the 5th great grandson of Gen. (and Governor of New York) George Clinton, who led our army under George Washington and was vice president under both Pres. Jefferson and Pres. Madison. His ancestral line goes back to many lords, dukes, earls, etc. from…
Latest news on Frances Aid and her son Sherwood is that they are still in rehabilitation. Please do keep them in your prayers. Hopefully the Nelson family is now moved in to a place to live. I haven’t heard much of anything since they lost their home to fire. I…
Take your mind back a few years to how things were in Douglas County. Remember when all the businesses “rolled up their sidewalks” on Saturday night. On Sunday one couldn’t get any groceries, gas, repairs or parts, and couldn’t enjoy a meal out after church services. We moved here in…
A little bit of excitement here last week with an ambulance ride to Mercy Hospital, far too many tests, enough blood drawn to revive a small pet, no food or water, especially water, for 24 hours. But, they say my heart is OK and the left arm travelling pains probably…
Perhaps I am just slow on the uptake but, it sure was a surprise when I pulled into the KFC/Long John’s place last week and found everything shut down, many jobs lost. Douglas Co. Animal Hospital is shut down. The gas station across from the Pizza Hut is shut down. …
Ryan, our third son, lives in California. Perhaps some of you know Ron, Rory and Randy as they live in Douglas Co. One of Ryan’s daughters gave birth this week to her third child, a little girl. So, that makes five grandchildren for Ryan, eleven great grandchildren for me. So,…
Those of you who read this column perhaps recall that I was quite ill over Thanksgiving, three weeks of upper respiratory problems. So, I truly looked forward to Christmas with family surrounding me, lots of good food and conversation and memories. Well! Christmas Eve day the flu struck, big time. …
Busy, busy days here, and I am sure you can say the same. Hopefully you enjoyed a blessed Christmas surrounded by family and love. Now, those who feel “down” after such a celebration may look forward to celebrating the New Year. There was a time when Willie and I looked…
It is just a few days now until we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. It is my fervent prayer that He will be included in your celebration and that you remember He was the greatest gift of all. Be sure the children know the true reason for Christmas,…
Sadness here this past week as Jack the Border Collie Dog went to doggie heaven. Apparently he went to visit a neighbor across Hwy 14 and encountered a vehicle. Jack was only here with me for 5 months but he had won my heart and was such a good companion. …
We certainly have had variety in the weather. A few farmers have cut and baled hay recently – sure hope this makes up for some of the loss of hay/forage this year. This year big round bales went from a mere $25 each to $125 each from what I have…
Our annual day of Thanksgiving is now behind us. Believe me when I say that I was thankful just to get through the day. It seems many in this area have had sinus/upper respiratory problems and now I can be counted among that number. On the bright side of things…
Schism! This word has been popping up in my head, day and night. The dictionary says this word means division, separation, discord, or disharmony; also a formal division in or separation from a church or religious body. I hear of this happening near and far. I have heard of hunters…
Look out your window and imagine you can see a wagon going down the road. This wagon is loaded with people and is being pulled by a very few people. It seems more people want a free ride on the wagon to anywhere than to help pull the wagon. The…
This edition of the Douglas County Herald won’t go to print until after the election. So, it wouldn’t do me any good to praise or to rant and rave about what is going on in our nation. I can only hope that those with Christian ethics made it to the…
Quite a change in our weather! Yes? Surely do hope you have harvested your garden, drained your water hoses, have those windows washed (mine are not washed!), have closed your vents, and found someone to rake your leaves and clean out your eaves. I barely remembered to bring some potted…
Here is an excerpt from an e-mail received, written by a Democrat who had previously voted for Obama. This man, Bob Correal went to see the movie “2016”, which revealed to him the true Obama, upholding the serious concerns he has had regarding the person in the White House. Correal…
A trip to Springfield last week let me see so many fields of downed and baled hay. Quite a surprise after the summer we have had. The ponds we had cleaned out now have some water in them. Some calves are arriving, perhaps a bit smaller this year and that…
Remember back when we were told to put money into savings accounts of some sort and the interest rates at that time were pretty good? We were told we were spending too much money and frivolously. Well, now checking account interest is something like .56%, savings accounts around .75% and…
If you aren’t totally put off by last week’s column allow me to share another memory tidbit from my prison work in California in the 1970’s. Part of the time at this prison I worked in the psychiatric unit which housed 65 women in individual cells and had a fully…
Have you ever heard the old song I’m My Own Grandpa? It was quite the hit many, many years ago. Cute as it is, the tale it tells is a bane to genealogists. Today, with multiple marriages that result in multiple siblings with different fathers and mothers, numbers of half-siblings…
Last week while I was in town a friend found Jack (the latest stray) down the road a bit and brought him back here. Jack had escaped from the back yard. However, the friend put him in my garage, not the empty kennel. Well…Jack proceeded to get up on the…
This Weeks News – James Madison, the primary author of the Constitution of the United States, said this: ‘We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves…
Here we go again. The administration in D.C. has now mandated that in a few years all new vehicles must give us 55 miles to the gallon. According to the New York Times (a fish wrap paper), this will add a minimum of $8,000 to each vehicle and this administration…
Lately I’ve been inundated with e-mails containing essays and “reports” about the upcoming Republican and Democratic conventions, as well as the general election in November. Unfortunately, the majority of these indicate these events being targeted for violence, violence perpetrated by those who are of a liberal/socialist or racist bent (are…
Another lady on our mail route called me last Tuesday. Some of her mail has not been delivered to her and she had to call a business to find out the amount of her monthly bill. While this lady was visiting another neighbor, the mail came and the neighbor wrote…
I am borrowing here some comments of Walter Williams in his August 8th essay in JWR, received via the Internet. “Nazism is a form of socialism. In fact, the term Nazi stands for the National Socialist German Workers’ Party. Nazis pale in comparison with the horrors committed by the communists…
“I’ve come to believe there is little, if any, honesty in the media, and ethic is a word they are totally unfamiliar with.” –Ronald Reagan The real reason that we can’t have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this: You cannot post “Thou Shalt Not Steal,” “Thou Shalt…
So many of our citizens do not have access to the comments I often share, and I share them in the hope you see the wisdom they offer. At a gathering last week two different women commented on this column – and they don’t live in the Dogwood area. Their…
“I am concerned for the security of our great nation, not so much because of any threat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within.” –General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) We had a small “rodeo” here again when the cattle, looking for anything green, pushed open a gate…
I am SO sick and tired of all the junk mail purporting to be surveys, etc. and each one asking for donations for this and that, mostly political entities….to investigate this or that, to support this group or that group as they aspire to correct some problem…again, mostly political. And,…
Have you noticed the musk thistles? I see them as I drive to town, some in fields and some on the roadside. With this drought much of the ground is bare and an excellent way for the thistle seeds to get started for a new crop. We had thousands upon…
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” -Leo F. Buscaglia The hummingbirds seemed to arrive later this year, and fewer…
“A fondness for power is implanted, in most men, and it is natural to abuse it, when acquired.” –Alexander Hamilton – The Patriot Post – 6-21-2012 I am so very blessed with all the phone calls from family (including all four sons – always makes my day!) and friends, as…
The yards, pastures, etc. tried to turn green but then the excessive heat turned even that brown. Most ponds are in bad shape. Not to be greedy but we sure could use some more rain, even if it comes with less than pleasant storm effects. Prayers for rain are requested.…
“Everyone who works for the government swears to uphold the Constitution. It was written to define and restrain the government. According to the Declaration of Independence, the government’s powers come from the consent of the governed. The government in America was not created by a powerful king reluctantly granting liberty…
“He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.” –Benjamin Franklin, 1758 By golly, we received 1/10th of an inch of rain, then 1 ½ inches and then 2/3 of an inch, with more said to be coming. There is a slight greening up in process. Continue to…
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.…
“…all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people. To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of congress is to take possession of a boundless…
Here is some news to make you barf. According to Channel 13 News in/from Indiana, undocumented workers using special cards provided by our government (as they don’t have legal Social Security numbers) are filing for Additional Child Tax Credits. For instance, four families used the same Indiana address although only…
“A nation can survive its fools, even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves against those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the…
Do you remember not so very many years ago when the media was encouraging everyone to use savings accounts, etc? That is a great idea however, have you paid much attention to the interest being paid on checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, etc.? At the rates being offered…
I had a nice visit with Lee Weller at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center last Tuesday and heard the good news she will possibly return home this week. While there I dropped in momentarily to introduce myself to Stella Stavely as I have been mailing her the church bulletins…
Ramble (per Websters Dictionary): To move aimlessly from place to place; to explore idly; to write or talk in desultory or long-winded and wandering seems to be my thing. Much as I would love to bring to readers local comments and updated Dogwood events, it seems that few are willing…
Fathom hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured…but not everyone must prove they are a citizen, this was supposedly said by Ben Stein. Let us hope and pray that the Supreme Court sees deep into the Obama Care fiasco and has the good sense…
FOUND Another dog! This time it is a black and white male bulldog looking, terrier built type, no collar, first seen at Paul and Wanda Dugans place on their porch and then later as it was running up and down Hwy 14 it headed for my kennel building. I…
FOUND- a very friendly Huskie female puppy, about three months of age with a colored collar, but no identification. She went first to Bob and Dana Wagner’s on Saturday the 17th and they brought her over to my kennel. Wonder of wonders, Sunday afternoon J.J. Roscoe from over on Rd.…
“We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.” –British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) We returned from California on March 5th, a whirlwind trip. It was so…
From the desk of Jamey Herd: Higher Vision did the morning worship service in song on Sunday for Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. There was good attendance for the event and the music was wonderful. The group consists of couples from Hartville and Seymour. A love offering was taken up to…
Do you sleep well? Or, like me do you sleep like a baby, awake every couple of hours? Sometimes this is so frustrating. I do give thanks to God for indoor plumbing! This wasn’t always so. Although raised mostly in Los Angeles there were summertime trips to the home farm…
Three excellent “R’s” by which to live are: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions. I read a book recently that reminded me there is only one person who can control your actions, your temper. That person is you. One can blame, blame, blame parents, society,…
I am starting this week’s column early, on Wednesday, Feb. 8th. Why? – To express my disappointment regarding the lack of voter participation in the Presidential Primary election. First, I still do not understand the need for this expensive process that was mandated for us and seen by many as…
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” — Winston Churchill “The siren song of Socialism contains the seeds of destruction that now threaten the very foundations of civilization. Socialism as a disease progresses slowly, but…
“And now that the legislators and do-gooders have so futilely inflicted so many systems upon society, may they finally end where they should have begun: May they reject all systems, and try liberty; for liberty is an acknowledgment of faith in God and His works.” - Federic Bastiat, conclusion from a…
“We make men without chests and we expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and we are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful…We strip men and women of the certainty that they are created in the image of…
Another week gone by but my, such changes in the weather. We had a good dose of single digit temperatures, a good dusting of snow, and that miserable, bone-chilling wind. Ron took off to go bow hunting with a friend. Randy took off for a few days down south with…
I appreciate the Douglas County Herald for the nice gift given to column contributors. This column is #104, which means I’ve been doing Dogwood Ramblings for two years now. Sometimes I don’t know what to write but then, those who know me say they doubt I’ll ever run out of…
What is a real friend? This was sent to me so I am sharing. “Seems to me all of this hangs upon one’s definitions of ‘real’ and ‘friend.’ It’s not that difficult to remain socially indifferent (non-judgmental) toward the political, metaphysical, epistemological, ethical, spiritual, persuasions of acquaintances and superficial friends.…
This is from another e-mail: Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc�-ra-cy) – a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated…
“Never look down on anybody, unless you’re helping them up”. I recently received this on the Internet and wanted to share it with you. Such good advice! Do you remember reading of the elves that spruced up my place the day after Thanksgiving? Well, last Tuesday two of those elves…
Last week was such a very sad one. The horrible loss of Gary and Chad Lee on top of all the misery the family has had the last couple of years. Then there was the loss of Patrick Bohn, husband of my very good friend Trish. Notifications to be made,…
I went to the Collector’s Office to have a repartee with the gals there before handing over money for property taxes. I called them vampires (with a smile) and they were just as sweet and nice as always. Of course, I complain about having to pay taxes on the house,…
One thing about the weather here in the Ozarks, you can be sure it will change quickly, no matter the season of the year. Of course, this isn’t what happened this last summer with three weeks of very high temps….and soon we shall be wishing it to be summer again.…
Ron Boeddeker and daughter, Reanna, arrived safe and sound last Tuesday from Alaska after a four and a half day and night drive. Ron pulled a small trailer loaded with some of his tools, 200 pounds of caribou meat, and horns from 4 caribou strapped on top. He sure gets…
Not much news to share this time. Eva White called on Saturday as she wasn’t aware of the horse incident just down the road and wanted more details. Eva is doing fine. Ron Boeddeker called that he was heading to Missouri on Nov. 4th – his birthday, bringing quite a…
My telephone, mailbox and computer were busy last week with so many wonderful birthday wishes. This is in addition to a birthday party at the Chriss’ home a week ago and then Rex and Arlene taking me to Nakato’s Steakhouse for supper. I still can’t wear shoes. Good thing I…
Usually I start pecking at the keyboard for this column mid week or so. However, this past week has been different and I have been sort of laid up. There is an old saying that the young can’t seem to remember; that of “when you find a gate open leave…
Saturday a group of friends enjoyed a gathering at the Chriss home to celebrate three birthdays. We range in age from 27 to 77 but do so enjoy each other’s company. Everyone brings something for the table. Sometimes we have a special menu around which to bring other goodies and…
We most certainly cannot complain about the weather these last few weeks. Perhaps our reward for what we tolerated earlier. The fescue makes the yard look ragged but it sure is great for our pastures. Again, we could use some rain and there is some in the forecast. Ron Boeddeker…
Some more experienced (older) ladies may be able to relate to this. Back in the ‘40s,‘50s and ‘60s (this is my memory) most women did their laundry on Mondays and weather permitting, scrambling to have the whitest linens, diapers and underwear on the line should the neighbors care to look…
This past week certainly has been pleasant. The hummingbirds disappeared almost two weeks ago. There has been heavy frost in some northern states already…and this is just September. I lived in North Dakota many years and September frost usually indicates a difficult winter. The farmers up north are struggling to…
Arlene Boeddeker came one day and helped me put together a big mailing for my job. Then Rex dropped by and a bit later Kim Fincher dropped by. Tuesday Jeff Reeves came and did quite a bit of weed eating for me and helped me fix the umbrella on my…
Saturday morning I called a friend in Amite, LA. She was in her storm cubby hole due to a tornado warning for her area. Rosalie lives 20 miles west of Tony Williams, who used to own what is now Randy Boeddeker’s farm. Rosalie said she has concerns for Tony as…
Tuesday of last week Doris Haynes came for a lovely visit. Years ago Fred and Doris Haynes were members of the National Farmer’s Organization (NFO) as well as Willie and me, and we were all dairy farmers. We had some busy and great times for a few years trying to…
Saturday evening I called Alaska to check on Ron Boeddeker. Ron got his trophy ram Thursday evening and was toting it out, expecting to meet up with a friend Saturday and getting back to Glennallen and Reanna on Sunday. He had called about his great hunting expedition to Arlene and…
Jamey and Billy Joe Herd sent me the news that the Dogwood Nazarene Church gathering last Friday night was very well attended and a nice collection was taken up for Crystal Lee. Erma Cudney’ passed away Sunday night at around 4:30 p.m. We ask that you keep her family in…
Thursday morning brought a wonderful inch of rain and lovely 74 degrees just after 7 a.m. I filled the Hummingbird feeder (a daily thing) and sat out on the porch just to enjoy the birds and the pleasant time, knowing it would soon blow away and return to humid heat. …
I always enjoy the “Looking Backward” section of the Herald. Last week in the 25 Years Ago column was a tale of farmers from this area inspiring “Operation Haylift”. It was Willie and Carol Boeddeker who started that movement by donating hay and calling in the idea to KKOZ. Then…
We had a wonderful deluge of rain on Sunday. We had 1 ½ inches and I have heard reports of up to 3 inches in the area. We thank you dear Lord for your blessings. Pastor Carl brought his message on the Trinity. After church several of us drove to…
Eva White invited me over last week to get some cucumbers from her garden. We had such a nice visit. She was pleased to show me the new porcelain flooring in the back of her house – it is very nice. Eva says she is keeping busy with gardening and,…
Has it been hot enough for everyone? Surely has been for me. We do need rain and that is part of my daily prayers. Not much going on around here. I haven’t heard from any neighbors and imagine they are staying inside as much as possible. It has even been…
“The good life starts when you stop looking for a better one.” This pearl of wisdom is on the back cover of the July issue of Country Extra. There is so much truth in this. As I reflect upon my past I can see where this saying has affected me,…
My goodness, the weeks sure do go by quickly. Last week saw 6 more genealogy packages go in the mail. Now I’m working on updating my father’s maternal ancestry from Vik-i-Sogn in Norway, which goes back to 1600. Three to four hours a day is normal as much information needs…
The past couple of weeks have been busy for me. As a family genealogist since 1959 some of our family histories were printed into books and shared in 1980, updated versions shared in about 1998, and last week I sent out updated books on my mother’s father’s Weller family. This…
Rory Boeddeker’s son, Nicholas (my grandson) was given an award and a nice gift card for his involvement in helping with the flooding in North Dakota. Nick now works for Halliburton (harvesting natural gas from shale) and is working up north, my home state. Nick and some of his fellow…
