Beauties and the Beast.

The river creeping through the park and making way toward my house. Thank goodness the sand bag levy is there to hold the Mississippi back.

This is my side yard looking toward the river. As you can see the sand bag levy is in my front yard and the beautiful blooming Magnolia trees are just a few feet behind.

    Well guess what? The old Mississippi is at it again. We just can't seem to catch a break. Lots and lots of rain up north, snow melt and more rain coming. I guess it has to go some where. We are lucky here in my little town. We built a sand bag levy a few weeks ago when the river came up with only a couple days notice. It went down just about as fast. Well, we thought we might just need to wait before  we took all those sand bags away. Well, here it comes again. According to the weather forecast, Core and every one else with an opinion, we are not through yet. This  rise is not two high. Only about 5 foot over flood stage. I am really calm with it, as the last one was a foot more and we made it OK. They are saying we are going to have storms the next two days, starting tonight. The towns up north of us had huge rain falls over last weekend. 10 to 12 inches in spots. That makes the Salt River and Mark Twain Lake over flow and guess where they dump? Right into the Mississippi above us. We have a wonderful Mayor, who is sharp and on top of it all. We also have a couple of city employees that work endless and seem to be able to do most anything. Last time we had the National Guard and Americorp. I have not heard if they are coming back yet. They are a blessing as well.
   In between all the down pouring rain, wind and river rising, my yard has become a paradise. One of my favorite things in the world are my two magnolia trees. They were planted in 06 when I first bought, My Old Historic House. They were babies. Only about 6 foot tall and I could reach around them. They have grown to almost 20 feet now. This is the second flood they have been through. When I first planted them in the summer, we had a huge ice storm that winter. They were bent double. I thought sure they were gone. They came out of it and bloomed for the first time the next spring. This past April we had a 10 inch snow and it was very heavy and wet. It came in a total of about 9 hours. Again my Magnolias were bend double. I went out with a broom and shock it off. An hour latter it was back. I have a few small limbs that broke, but otherwise, they are doing great and starting to bloom. In the 08 flood, there was water all around them. I spend endless hours with pumps and there blooms brought me much happiness. They are so beautiful and the smell is a gift from Heaven.

This is the view from my front porch. Sand and sand and more sand and then the river

You can see the levy is only a few feet from my front porch

   Roses are loving this cool damp weather and they have been blooming there heads off. What more is there to ask for. Look out the window, walk out the door and see so much beauty. Then turn your head and you see the,"Beast." sand bag walls, loads of gravel, black plastic and right behind it all is the creeping river. Slowly it has covered the park and is edging it's way toward the wall. Some will creep under and pumps are required to get it back out. I make numerous trips out in the night to check them. They especially get a work out wen we get these  2 and 3 inch rains in less than an hour. It doesn't seem like we can get a nice , soft and gentle rain any more, we have to have a storm and a flood. This old world is a strange one. One never knows what might hit you next. I guess the best advice comes from the English. "Keep calm and carry on".That has been my new theory through this, my 2 major flood in less than 5 years.
    I hope you enjoy my flowers as much I am. I wish you could come some time for a tour. It looks a little sad to see the sand bag wall in the front yard, but then, It really is a good BEAST, as it so far, as kept the river at bay. Please come anytime. I will leave a light on and Sissy will always meet you with a jump and a big kiss. Richard

Red roses on the arbor

What are these?

A dark peach colored rose.

" The Beast."

Happy Memorial Day!

Hope every one was a wonderful and safe holiday weekend and a great Memorial Day! Remember ours and others that have passed and especially those that have fought for our Freedom.God Bless America
                                          Richard and Sissy the Beagle

Full size, hand made, vintage, flag quilt. FOR SALE, only $65.00. Will ship anywhere for $10.00.  Phone Richard 573 242 9688

Yes, we are open!

   It has been about  10 days since  all the  excitement of a flood in my little town, Clarksville,Mo. We had three days warning that the Mississippi River was going to rise about 15 feet in 3 days. I had never heard of a flash flood on this river, but we got one. At 25 foot the river begins to flood. At 32 feet it is in the street out front of my shop. At 34 feet it is at the edge of my yard. We built a  flood wall out of sand, gravel, plastic sheets and sand bag. It had never been done before. Who knew if it would work. It was done and it did work.. All was safe and dry.I  had a lot of faith, I moved nothing in the shop nor my house. Now we go into that wait stage to see if the river is going to act up again. When it is below flood stage at 25 feet, I am told they will start taking all this away. In the mean time, I need to be open and doing some business. There was about 10 days there when all the work was going on,  there was no way to be open. I did sell a bistro table and chairs to one of the National Guardsmen that was sent here to help. He bought it for his wife for mothers day. Helped him and sure helped me.
   There is a 5 foot tall sand bag wall about 2 feet from my shop. It is a good 30 foot long. People have to park and brave coming down here. There is no danger, but looks  a little like a war zone. I fixed up this old wicker chair as an open sign. I put it on and off the wall daily. It can be seen from the road and I hope it gets a little attention. It will be awhile before all is back to normal. Not as long a it might be, if that Old Man River behaves himself and keeps rolling on.
  I wish you all could come shop. It really is an adventure. I'd sure appreciate the business and would be so much fun to have you. I can promise you that Sissy Dog will meet you at the door with a jump and a kiss. You're always welcome.
   PS. I was just thinking. What would have happened a hundred years ago when no one had computers, telephones, radios, TV and anything else, that would have given the people here in this town ,on that river, any warning. It would have been sad. I guess they might have had some time to move things as the water continued to rise. I am glad this is the 21st century and we continue to get better and better electronic devices to help warn us of weather and floods.

Happy Mothers Day!

   I miss my dear mother daily. I tell so many stories about her. She worked hard. There was 7 of us kids and we lived on a farm. Lots of cooking, cleaning and washing, I am sure none of us told her enough that we were grateful and loved her, I do remember getting and giving hugs, especially when I was a youngin. My mother taught me a lot of things. One thing I have always remembered  was, to be a gracious host. We often had company, most often ate in the kitchen. But, we always had a fine table and treated our guest with respect and much love. Sent them home with left overs, home made treats and flowers from the garden. My mother always had a centerpiece. She was very creative and that has since worn off on me. I remember some of the things she would do, like dig up wild violets from the yard and put them in pretty china cups. After the dinner they would go back to the yard to grow and bloom again .
   My mother was very much religious. I no so much. Not that I am proud of it, but it is how I have grown o live. No excuse, just reality. I grew up in the Southern Baptist Church. We had Sunday school and sermon on Sunday morning. Training Union and sermon on Sunday nights. There was pray meetings on Wednesdays night. I often would go to bible drills where we learned to find bible verses and complete with others.It not only made you know the bible, but also be social with other Christians. My mother learned she had cancer. It was bad. She took the news hard. She just could not understand why God had done this to her. It was one of the hardest and saddest moments of my life. I had to pull out all the faith I had ever known. I told my dear, sweet, dying Mom, it was not the Lord doing this. It was the old devil trying to test her. She smiled and said I was right. A few minutes latter she had gone to the Lord she loved so much. And I just set there crying. I hope I said the right thing and some how made her passing a little easier.
    I know none of us are perfect. Some of my siblings would say my mother was not. I guess I could say that for some things as well. But, she was my mother, the one and only and I loved her and miss her very much. I think Mothers day is a good thing. With out the love and devotion we get from our Mothers, life could be a tough place.
   If you have your  Mother, be sure and make an effort to tell her you love her, appreciate her and how special and beautiful she is.  It doesn't have to be in the form of an expensive present, maybe just a hug. If your Mother is gone, like mine, take a few minutes, close your eyes and look for that beautiful face. I just know my Mother is in Heaven by the God she loved so much. I just hope I might get to see her again someday and tell her once more that I love her,
   Happy Mothers day out there, Come by anytime for a tour. I will always leave the lights on and Sissy will meet you with a jump and a kiss.

Antique Ramble is Still On.

       

A while back I  did a post about an event we are having here in my little home town of Clarksville,Mo. It is an Antique Ramble. The antique shops are open and having specials. The Mayors Stone Cottage and My Old Historic House are both open for tours. We have been going through a flood, but the river has settled down and we are going ahead as planned with the Ramble, this Saturday May 4th. 10:00 to 5:00 Some of the roads are still flooded but there is clearly marked detours. The country side is beautiful as it come alive with spring. Red buds are blooming. The house tours are $5.00 each and you can pay at either house. Go to one or both.No appointments needed. Just show up.The Mayors Stone Cottage is a little gem, done to the early American period with fine antiques, paintings and accessories. My Old House is 1845 Ante Bellum and also done to the period. It sets right on the river banks and I am sure there will be a sand bag or two setting around.  There will be a visitors tent at the 4 way stop. There will be maps of the shops and tour houses there. Park on the highway and walk. Every thing is in a few blocks. The Station  will be open with Farm to Table Food. It is a world class place to eat, beautiful and what wonderful food. Come make a day trip and enjoy our little town and see what it is like to live on the Mighty Mississippi. We are a little messed up with a lot of sand bags, but the beauty of Clarksville and what it has to offer is still out front.I'll be at My Old Historic House, giving tours. My little Antique Mall, downtown, 2 blocks away, will be open and we are well stocked with lots of garden and spring items. Please try and come. Say hello and meet Ms. Sissy Dog. she'll be glad you came.

Another Flood Update.

This is a view out our window today as we camp in the shop window.

Looks a little like a war zone.

This is how it looked the first day, nice and neat, then all hell broke loose.

   Thanks to all the wonderful bloggers that have commented and sent there ,love because of the flood that I am going through right now. It was almost a flash flood. They told us last Wednesday morning the river was going to be  10 feet over flood stage in 3 days. The entire main street, including my Historic Home and Antique Mall are right on the river. It was a scramble. We had to put up flood walls, move out, and up, and sand bag an entire town. It is amazing how people come from everywhere to help. It was  like a fast moving motion picture to watch the sand bags fill and the walls appeared from out of no where. It makes you believe in man kind. It is kind of hard to do that these days with all the bad that goes on in the world. School shootings, stabbings, attacks and on and on. We still live in one of the greatest countries in the world. It sure was proved to me the past few days.
   Our Governor sent the national guard and they have worked endless, They were the best and just took control. There was also an amazing group of young people. Women and men. They looked like teenagers. They were sent by Americore. They were the brains behind the whole thing. They have worked day and night, going with out sleep or showers. In water, on machinery and what ever else was needed. It was a blessing we had them. I just can not believe such young people could do so much. They get very little pay. Sleep on the floor and works hours with no rest.
   The locals here in my town came together and opened a soup kitchen. It was in a church basement right here in down town Clarksville. People have carried in the most amazing food from fired fish, chicken, home made pies, cakes and cookies. The workers have been so spoiled they will never want to leave.When I am not working on sand bags I like to go to the soup kitchen and help out. It is a lot more fun. I made chicken pot pie, pea salad, breakfast eggs  and fried apples. Tomorrow I am making bread pudding.
    We also had two other groups. The men and women from our local prisons. They were amazing. The hardest working people I have ever seen., I worked beside them making sand bags, I learned there names and history. They know they did wrong, but when it was time to help us, there could be no better. One man said he had been in prison for 10 years for killing some one. Another man was in for 2 because he had bought a lot of stolen stuff from a robbery. One lady was called Mary Ann and she was so beautiful and you could tell she had a very good up bringing. I did not ask her story. All the ladies cracked up when I called the sweet pea, sugar plum and honey bun. We laughed as we worked like we had never worked before.I was bad and gave them candy behind the guards back. I tried to give them hugs but that was a no no. I for one am so grateful for them and must find a way to tell them so.,
 Today some of the workers were leaving us and they all gave us hugs and some of us actually cried.
  The flood is far from over. There could be a surge any day. There is usually at least 3 crest. We have only had the first.There is lost of snow up north that still has to melt. We are in this for awhile yet. In the mean time, I have lost a hot water heater. My basement will have to be professionally cleaned so it will not mold. I have lost a large section of side walk. Some of my iron fence was destroyed. They yard is trashes as well as my gravel parking lot. The shop will be closed for at least a month and perhaps more. It is hard to think about as it and my Social Security are my only income.I know some how the Lord will provide and for now I am not going to worry about it.I know the money will come from somewhere just like all these workers came.
   I am glad I had this time to unwind and tell some of my story. This is the second flood I've gone through. The first was in 08, just 2 years after I bought the house. I have to say this one was a lot less stressful., being 5 years older did not actually help. It might be time to think about moving on.
   If you have read my blog ,you know I have this old beautiful home. I love it very much. But, when it starts to take your life, it might be time to think of other options.
   I know I have made some typos, and I am sorry, but with what I have been through. You figure it out. Sissy and I love you all and love hearing from you. When this is all over and the sand bags come down, we would love to have you come for a visit. God bless you all.

This is the riverfront only a few feet outside my shop. The river had not even reached the park at this point. 

 Sissy has gone to bed. She is wore out and mixed up. Our lives have been turned inside out  for the past few days.

FLOOD UPDATE.

As of a few minutes ago the Mississippi River at Clarksville,Mo. and in front of My Old Historic House, has crested. That means for now it has topped out and will stay steady for a while then go down. That does not mean we are totally in the clear. The ways could give way, break, leak or the river can rise back up. That is probably the case as there is still lots of snow and cold weather up north of us. WE are also expecting rain starting in a day or so. For now the house and my shop is safe as a bug in a rug and Sissy is a happy camper. Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes. I will keep you informed. It is a beautiful day here today!!! Richard