The horticultural industry has a saying: “Right plant, right location.”  How does one know what the right location is? Start by looking at the plant tag.  Besides the plant name in both English and Latin, the tag should include some growing information. Zones: The USDA came up with a way to determine a plant’s hardiness based on the coldest winter temps. Most of Bluff Country … [Read more...]

He wouldn’t set his long underwear on fire to keep others warm. But he’s a good guy. He’d risen early because he’s an early riser. The morning’s brain fog and darkness had caused him to look for his cell phone by using the flashlight on his cell phone. That sounds goofy, but who among us hasn’t done something similar? He told me the tale of his tomfoolery outside the post … [Read more...]

Today we have before us a postcard sized “WANTED” bulletin for the arrest of a Mr. Helmer Leander Johnson! While there is little information at all to indicate the exact offenses of which Mr. Johnson could be guilty, of one thing is certain, Sheriff E. K. Blexrud provided the public with an in-depth physical description of Mr. Johnson plus an intriguingly, delightful image of … [Read more...]

My father was the last owner of every car titled in his name. Each automobile went directly from our shed with the big sliding doors to the junkyard. The auto salvage place paid $1 per year for a used-too-much car with more rust than miles if it could roll down the drive in a faked appearance of being operational. A car towed to the junkyard’s driveway could be given a push … [Read more...]

Part two of a series A jail sentence was threatened for members of the Houston County Military Committee after they ignored the first three draft calls. As the Civil War dragged on longer than anticipated, the United States was finally forced to initiate its first military draft in March of 1863, almost a year after the Confederacy’s first conscription. The county quota had … [Read more...]

A preconceived idea that some people have is that gluten free food is bland, gritty, and/or just plain unappetizing. Tina Darr can definitely prove that conception wrong! Tina shared gingersnaps, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, banana bread, lemon bars, rolled out sugar cookies, cheese cake, and coconut custard pie with me and all of them were absolutely fabulous! Tina … [Read more...]

Aaron L. Sleyster’s photo studio stocked within its walls a myriad of items for sale. We can only imagine what it was like to have had the privilege of purchasing merchandise from him. The list would have been truly extraordinary and included: books of poetry, paintings, cabinet photographs of adults, children, babies, landscapes, cityscapes, buildings, bridges; and … [Read more...]