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...]

Part one Even before the Civil War began, some in Houston County were organizing for combat. In February of 1861, while many were still pursuing a peaceful solution, Caledonia’s Col. Sam McPhail, a Mexican War veteran, sought to form a regiment. Having lived in the South, he “appreciated the temper of the fire-eaters and knew that if resisted, they would fight.” Fifteen … [Read more...]

In movies, books and even in real life, opposites attract.  You understand the science behind magnets, right?  Enough said.  My question is does this attraction of opposites last when the novelty wears off?  This is the true story of two ordinary high school students growing up in tiny towns in the Midwest.  Let’s call them J. and K.  They are both juniors in high school and … [Read more...]

I’ll admit it, I’ve never milked almonds. I’ve never milked soybeans, rice, oats, hemp, flax, coconuts or cashews either. Apparently, milk comes from everything but milkweed. “Were you born in a barn?” I’m often asked when failing to close a door. I hadn’t been, but I took field trips to the dairy barn each day. It was a nice place to visit but I didn’t want to live there. … [Read more...]