DOGWOOD ACRES, 07/13/09

SWAN CREEK

DOGWOOD ACRES, 07/13/09, ELANE CRUM
Hello friends. A family outing at Swan Creek Friday night was a refreshing end to a hot summer day. I sat my chair in the water to cool my toes. Erin and Madison played in the water well into the twilight. Their playtime ended when Erin thought she spotted a snake and they came running out as fast as little legs could move them.

Rick and Neal built a fire to roast hot dogs and Neal roasted fresh vegetables from his garden. Ears of sweet corn chopped into small pieces, zucchini squash and chunks of new potatoes, wrapped in tin foil, cooked up tender and tasty.

Ashton and Erin came home with us and stayed until Sunday morning. Saturday was a sleep-in time for them, but I got up early and went to John and Marguerite Sloan’s barn sale. Rick always tells me not to bring home any more “stuff”, but I bought a picnic table that he needs to go get for me.

It is a nice big round table with benches attached and an umbrella stand in the center. They had brought it with them when they moved from their flatland Kansas farm. Unfortunately, their Taney County yard is not flat enough for the table to sit level. I sure will be happy to get it.

Saturday afternoon we went to Bill and Christie’s for Madison Tilley’s birthday party. Madison turned five years old and had a good time with several small friends and cousins to play with.
After leaving Christie’s house we took the girls to see Brule’ at the RFD Theatre. Brule’ and his band, American Indian Rock Opera, performed an amazing show of Native American Music, unlike any we had ever heard. There were also a number of dancers dressed in beautiful Native American costumes. They will be in Branson through July 19, so if you get a chance to see them, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

This week we will say good-bye and pay final respects to a Bull Creek original old-timer. Charley Glover, age 93, passed away on Saturday. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Whelchel’s in Forsyth. Funeral service time and location has not yet been finalized.

Rick and I drove down to the cemetery Sunday afternoon and on across the creek. Crossing the Goodnight Hollow Slab on a hot weekend day can be an interesting social experience as there are always a lot of young people keeping cool. We enjoyed seeing Jonathon and Levi Bilyeu this time. Jonathon was carrying a long handled shovel with the intent of killing a snake and Levi was getting ready to boil a pot full of crawdads. I have never eaten boiled crawdads but Rick says they are quite tasty.

I received a phone call from my friend, Judi, who found six young dogs on Glade Top Trail. It was apparent that they had been left to fend for themselves, but in this horrific heat, the Glade Top is not a great place to find food or water. After carrying feed and water to them for several days, they were finally able to capture all six. Four will be going to the County Animal Shelter in Hollister, she has found a home for one and will be putting the other one on Craig’s List. Not likely that the person who dumped the dogs will ever read this, but Judi just wants them to know she does not think much of them for their thoughtless actions.

Rick stopped to visit Danny Frazier and came home with some of Danny’s newest artworks, necklaces made from deer antler. They have a cross cut into them and strung on a piece of leather make a real pretty necklace. I chose one that came from the button of the antler.
Danny’s mom, Ruby Brafford, is recovering very nicely from a broken ankle. She is happy to be home again and the Dr. has lifted most of her restrictions.

The FREE annual fish fry, sponsored by Taneyville Union Chapel, is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, at Sullenger Park in Taneyville. Bring a covered dish and lawn chair as dinner begins at 5:30 and the singing starts at 7pm. Guest entertainers will be Southern Raised, Bob Hammons and Wildwood. That sounds like a good way to end the week. Bye for now.