The Rivalry

It was another great Tiger win today in the Border Showdown between the universities of Missouri and Kansas.  It's the second oldest college football rivalry in the nation.  Today's 24-10 Mizzou victory was the 120th playing of the game, the first of which was played in 1891.  The oldest rivalry is between Minnesota and Wisconsin who have played 121 times. 

The game was played in Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium.  The first 16 MU-KU football games were played in Kansas City.  Later the schools changed to home-and-away locations.  The KC site was renewed in 2007. 

Missouri has won 3 straight over Kansas and 5 out of the last 6.  When Missouri moves to the Southeastern Conference next year, they would like to continue to play Kansas as a non-conference game, but Kansas appears to be reluctant to play us. 

Some say the bitterness between Missouri and Kansas goes back to the Civil War.  While the two schools maintain diplomatic relationships, they don't even agree on the series results, as MU claims it had the lead at 56-54-9 before today's game, while KU claimed that it was tied at 55-55-9. The dispute goes back to the 1960 season, when unranked KU came to Columbia and upset undefeated and #1-ranked Mizzou, 23-7. The win was later forfeited by KU after the Big 8 Conference ruled that ineligible players took the field for the Jayhawks. Kansas counts the result on the field in their record books, while MU counts the forfeit in its win column. The loss remains as likely the most bitter in Tiger history, as it cost MU a chance at its only national championship, as the Tigers went on to finish 10-1 on the field (11-0 in the record books with the forfeit), and ranked 5th after defeating Navy in the 1961 Orange Bowl.

My favorite MU-KU game was in 2007 when Mizzou won for the second straight year against Jayhawks, claiming a thrilling 36-28 win over KU at Arrowhead Stadium. Nicknamed "Armageddon at Arrowhead," the game featured 11-0 and 2nd-ranked Kansas against 10-1 and 3rd-ranked Mizzou, with #1 LSU having been upset the night before - meaning the winner would likely ascend to #1 in the polls.  The post-game photo below of KU QB Todd Reesing is a favorite of all Tiger fans.  Unfortunately Missouri's No. 1 ranking only last one week. 

M - I - Z  .............................Z - O - U  !!!!!!!!!

Black Friday

We had a great Black Friday.  We drove within 50 yards of a small Wal-Mart, but did not stop.  (There was probably no place to park anyway.)

The photos below show where we went on Friday, November 25, the day after Thanksgiving.

We hiked the trail in the Barn Hollow State Natural Area. 

My hiking partners were Linda, my dad, my sister Janet, and her husband Dwight.

We needed the exercise and fresh air after our big Thanksgiving dinner the day before. 

Barn Hollow is the local name for the intermittent stream that drains directly into the Jacks Fork River. The 252-acre state area is deeply dissected by the 1.2-mile long canyon. 

The Conservation Department purchased the area in 1979. To protect the unique rugged topography and native flora, 115 acres of the tract were designated as a natural area.

We viewed the narrow, steep-walled hollow from a viewing platform located at the end of a one-half mile foot trail.

I counted seven 20-ft contour intervals on my topo map from the ridge top to the bottom of Barn Hollow.  That means it is at least 140 feet deep.

We had a great Black Friday!  

Eat your hearts out, you Shoppers.

Say it aint so!!

It's a very sad thing when our beautiful Ozark streams show serious signs of deterioration of aquatic habitat and water quality.  The recent decision to extend Endangered Species protection to the Ozark Hellbender is an indication of just that. 

Although we may think that hellbenders are ugly, they are part of God's good creation.  Who am I to argue with God's point of view. 

The ducks have a support group called Ducks Unlimited.  The pheasants have Pheasants Forever.  And the hellbenders have a website dedicated to the conservation of hellbenders. www.hellbenders.org 
According to Missouri Dept. of Conservation data, Ozark hellbenders have declined 77% in 20 years.  A lack of young animals in the population indicates either poor reproduction or poor survival of young or both.  Possible threats to hellbenders include poor water quality, in-stream gravel mining, removal of large flat rocks from stream beds, and free access by cattle to rivers which increases siltation and nitrification. 

This is the news from November 7: 

Ozark Hellbenders Listed as Endangered (from the website of The Wildlife Society)  joomla.wildlife.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=931#hellbenders

On 7 November 2011 the Ozark Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) will be officially designated as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under the Endangered Species Act. A subspecies of the hellbender, this aquatic salamander is found in the Ozark streams of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri and grows to about two feet in length. Known as one of the largest salamanders in the world, it is characterized by a flattened body, a greenish-brown color, and fleshy folds on the sides of its body. The hellbender is in decline largely due to the spread of Chytridiomycosis (chytrid fungus), a fungal disease that is decimating amphibian populations globally. Other threats to this salamander include habitat loss, poor water quality, sedimentation, and the introduction of pharmaceuticals into the water supply that disrupt hormone levels and decrease reproduction rates. The Ozark hellbender was federally listed as a candidate species in 2001 and gained endangered status under Missouri state law in 2003. Despite newly gained federal protections the FWS will not designate critical habitat for the hellbender due to concerns that collectors from the international pet trade would abuse this information. The Ozark Hellbender, as well as another subspecies, the eastern hellbender, will also gain international protection as a decision was finalized to list the two subspecies under Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Sources: Federal Register, FWS, Scientific American, E&E Publishing LLC (E&E News PM).

A Championship Season

On Saturday, My Corner of the Ozarks, was buzzing with football excitement.  The Mountain View-Birch Tree Liberty Eagles played their quarterfinal state playoff game against Lamar at home.  Downtown Mountain View was packed.  Not only was there a lot of local interest, but Lamar brought many fans. 

This was the second year in a row for the Eagles to advance to the quarterfinals and to face Larmar.  Last year Liberty lost in the final 8 seconds.  This year Lamar out-played us 33-18. 

However, the Liberty Eagles certainly had a championship season.  It was their first loss of the year.  So they finished 12-1.  It was the first 12-win season in school history.  They were conference champions.  Last year they only had 2 losses.  So for two years their record was 22-3.  Congratulations Eagles!!

We sat in the stands in the presence of four older gentlemen who played on the 1960 Mountain View Pirate championship team.  Those past champions came out to support today's champions. 

A Beautiful Fall Day

Saturday was beautiful.  High temp in the upper 60s.  A great day for a hike. 

This is the view from the bluff above Alley Spring.  The red mill is almost obscured.  We took the 1.5 mile hike up and around the bluff.  My dad, the hooey stick master, age 84, went with us (see Sept. 29 post). 

The beauty of the day was enhanced by the inner glow all Cardinal fans are still experiencing.

Fall Wild Turkey Season

 In My Corner of the Ozarks, the Fall Wild Turkey Season encompasses the entire month of October.  Dad and I were able to go this morning for the first time.  Hunting turkeys in the fall is not easy.  They don't gobble.  They are difficult to locate.  It can sometimes be just plain boring. 

This me in the photo.  I may have been awake or maybe not.  I'll never, never tell. 

No turkeys found.  But it was a beautiful morning.

Pioneer Day, Sept. 24

In My Corner of the Ozarks, every September we celebrate Pioneer Day.  It's the annual fall street festival at Mountain View, Missouri.  This year, the 21st, Dad decided (He said it was my idea.) to sell hooey sticks and give the proceeds to the American Cancer Society.

 We rented a booth space for the day.  Dad had made 103 hooey sticks out of dry oak lumber. 

He charged $2 per hooey stick.  We put one of Mom's empty pickle jars on the table to collect the donations.  Mom's photo also decorated the middle of the table.  

And Dad dressed like a "very old" pioneer. 

 Our booth space was right in front of the building that formerly housed the E. R. David Used Furniture Store.  Grandpa David was a real Mtn. View pioneer.  He came here in 1915. 

 The "Master of Hooey" gave free lessons on the operation of the hooey stick from his old rocking chair. 

 The hooey sticks attracted a crowd all day long. 

 Some in the crowd should have known how to operate a hooey stick.  This is Wayne, Dad's younger brother. 

A few people remembered playing with hooey sticks as children, usually made by their fathers. 

 The most common question asked was "What is a hooey stick?"  It's an old-time hand-made toy.  By rubbing a second stick over the notches, the vibration causes a tiny propeller to spin.  Pressure by the fingers on either side of the stick will reverse the direction of the spin.  Of course, to enhance the mystery, the operator says "Hooey" each time he changes direction. See demonstration below from the Master of Hooey. 

Dad sold 97 hooey sticks.  He raised $261.25 for the American Cancer Society.

43 Years

On August 31st we celebrated 43 years of marriage.  Our married life started in this Corner of the Ozarks at Mountain View.  We spent 30 wonderful years on the east side of the Mississippi River, but we are thrilled to be back in the Ozarks. 

Although Linda was born in Wyoming and lived her early years in Kansas, she came to My Corner of the Ozarks when she was in the 3rd grade.  We met in the 5th grade. 

I am truly blessed with a wonderful life partner.  I was proud to celebrate our 43 years.

 For our surprise get-away, I took Linda to a different Corner of the Ozarks, Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

 We were able to see the Passion Play, a wonderful outdoor drama about the last days in Christ's earthly life.

 We enjoyed a lunch in the 4th floor bistro of the 1886 Crescent Hotel. 

 Linda is at the front door of our B&B, Arsenic & Old Lace.  While staying there we watched the 1944 movie, starring Cary Grant. 

 Our inkeepers were very gracious and the breakfasts were fabulous.

 We were able to watch birds and deer from our balcony at our B&B.

We had a few moments for meditation and reflection at the Thorncrown Chapel. 






Now I've got to get to work on next year's surprise trip on our 44th wedding anniversary. 

Visitors to the Ozarks

Karis and Olivia David of Annapolis, Maryland, visited My Corner of the Ozarks, on August 8-17.  It was a thrill for Mimi and Papa to host our two oldest grandchildren. 

On Monday morning, all the bags were packed, and Karis and Olivia told Mother, Daddy, and Emily, "Goodbye". 

Olivia said her Daddy told her, "Not to have any fun." 

We called our adventure, Camp David.  Each girl kept a photo album with notes during the time. 

It was a two-day drive in Mimi's Mini-van.  I'm sure those two long days were the hardest part of the trip. 

Watching movies on the portable DVC player helped to pass the time in the van. 

This is Olivia, age 6, (soon to be 7 on Sept. 4).  She started the first grade today and experienced her first earthquake. 

Snacks refreshed all of us. 

 Karis, age 9, is now in 4th grade.  School started today, Tuesday, August 23.  It was also her first earthquake. 

 Some stops were interesting.  Some were necessary. 

We spent the night half way to Mountain View.  The motel pool was a hit, of course.  Both girls are good swimmers and love the water. 

On Wednesday, Aug. 10, Papa had to mow the grass and catch up on some things.  So Mimi took the girls to the Mtn. View pool.  (The Willow Springs "water park" was closed and thus named a "bummer".) 

In the late afternoon we swam in the Jack's Fork at Buck Hollow. 

This is the same spot where all of us played in June 2010.  Karis and Olivia remembered it, but they thought it was more fun when the whole family was there. 

They remembered floating in tubes in the current.  It was fun, but everyone missed the rest of the family (Lance, Grace, Emily, Brad, Faty, Matt, Liz, and Jackson).  Maybe next summer.

 As you might guess, everyone was worn out at the end of each day.  Mimi was Chief Story Reader and Bedtime Singer. 

There were a few "homesickness tears" the first night, less the second night and none thereafter.  (As far as I know.)

 On Thursday Aug. 11, we picked up "New Grandpa", my Dad, and drove to Branson.  Janet and Dwight hosted us in grand style, as they always do.  

 We headed out to Silver Dollar City where Karis and Olivia tried several of the rides, including all the ones that get you wet.  In this photo they are involved in my favorite activity, eating ice cream. 

 I guess the girls made a new friend at Silver Dollar City. 

In the evening Uncle Dwight put Karis and Olivia in Go-Karts at The Track.  That was after he grilled our supper. 

 On Friday morning we visited the Butterfly Palace.  It was a very interesting and educational place.  It was fun for young and old. 

At the Butterfly Palace, visitors can climb a palm tree.  Karis and Olivia were experts at climbing.  They were also much quicker than Janet and Linda (photo not included). 

 Saturday, Aug. 13, was a very busy day.  It started with horseback riding at our friend, Cyndi Summers'.  Our granddaughters were joined by their second cousins, Hattie Mae, Gage, and Brodie.  They are Kent and Donna's grand children (Linda's great niece and nephews). 

 Karis on Bambi. 

Olivia on Bambi.  

All the kids got acquainted with Smokey. 

 Then we visited Twin Pines Nature Center at Winona where they took part in nature crafts and archery. 

 Next we swam in the pool below Rocky Falls in the Mark Twain National Forest, east of Winona. 

Three girls in the far back seat of the van did much giggling and singing.  

 All dressed up for Sunday School the next day. 

Monday was a mostly quiet day, but we did swim in Jack's Fork one more time. 

Then on Tuesday, Aug. 16, we drove to the St. Louis Zoo.  

 We didn't get this close to a real gorilla. 

 Our short visit to the zoo was hot and tiring.  But we made the best of it. 

 On Wednesday, Aug. 17, we had an early breakfast at the airport. 

 Then Papa escorted the girls back to Maryland on Flight #2267. 

After two hours in the air, Camp David was over.  Grace and Emily met us at BWI.  What a busy, fun-filled 10 days.  Karis and Olivia were very glad to see Mom and Emily.  After our plane landed, Olivia told me that she missed Mimi already. 

Additions to Hall of Fame

 In November 2010 I put together the Hall of Fame of those from Illinois who had visited us in Mountain View.  I promised to add more, if they qualified.  In July two more additions were made to the Hall of Fame.  Bill and Judy Kruse visited July 10-14. 

Eric and Amy Johnson and Jake, Zack, Alec, and Isaiah visited July 17-19.  To see the entire Hall of Fame, please look below at "older posts". Scroll down to November 30, 2010.