Cat Hollow

A man called Ike and Butcher Redoak near sundown

in Cat hollow. My last painting for 2011.

The old carving brought to light

Cat Hollow lies along the Niangua and drains into the the meandering river. The hollow is very deep and the sun rises and sets over the hollow a couple of hours earlier than it does anywhere else. Cat hollow is bounded on both sides by very steep and rocky ridges. It has been used for many things in the past, including moonshine making, (white lightening whiskey). The Ozark Ridge Runners, a renacting group for mountian men and buckskinners used the site for rendezvous for a time. I was a part of the band and enjoyed the events very much. My last painting for 2011 is a winter scene in the beautiful old hollow. The found the carving pictured above after it stood for several years in a corner of my studio. It stands about five feet tall, carved from a slab of cedar. Adios.

The Invasion

My old neighbor is a fugitive for the next several days.

I hope he makes it

Not a safe place to be on McKee Ridge for deer gun season

A couple of mornings ago I was rudely reminded that gun seasons for deer was in progess. Five rapid gunshots rang out shattering the peaceful morning. I have nothing against the hunting of deer, for with out it the deer would become much too abundant. I was once a deer hunter, keeping in mind the safety aspect of it. Do not hunt in someones back yard or trespass. Shoot only when a deer is well within range and the list of do's and don't go on. Those five shots came from the same gun, and I qoute, "bang, bang, bang, bang, bang." unquote. The deer must have running through the brush. Where were the bullets going? In this country, with few exceptions, fifty yards is about max and in my opinion never shoot at a running deer. If you are a hunter, then stalk the deer, make one shot suffice. During my hunting years I hunted game for the table and did not care a hoot and hollor about the the antlers. You can't eat them. Bragging rights is all you get out of them and that ain't much if you have to shoot five times. It is not a war out there. I stopped hunting years ago because of too many people stomping through the woods carrying weapons that were powerful enough to bring down a bull elephant. I was brought up to make the first shot count and bring down the deer, dead when it hit the ground. I only used singe shot weapons. Adios

The last rose of summer and autumn roads

A new coat for winter

Beautiful Heidi

Defying frosty mornings

East Road out of Windyville

The last Rose of Summer and Autumn Roads

My summer has been a busy one and I have neglected my blog, “South Through Bare Foot Pass.” This morning was very cool at 32 degrees, but very refreshing and colorful. Despite the cold and frosty morning one of my wife’s rose bushes has survived and the blooms are beautiful. I have been to book signings sponsored by Home Grown Books. One was in Mt Vernon and the other in Springfield.. Book signings are not one of my favorite events, but I enjoyed them. I suppose it is the setting up and taking down that I care not for. I have completed three paintings this summer and one that I have near completion. They are a part of a series I call, “For The Ages.” They have a western theme with horses and people from the past. It is remarkable at least to me how the past can be brought to life in words, painting and woodcarving. And of course without the past as a reference human would be nothing more than herd creatures wandering through life with little purpose. The east road out of Windyville was especially beautiful this morning with autumn colors and restless leaves hurry along the old trace. Heidi, my beautiful dog is doing well and has come a long since I adopted her. She has less fear now and enjoys her home. I am looking forward to winter, writing, painting, carving and keeping my blog updated. Who knows what stories there are to tell? Adios.

The Imitators

The Imitators

By Ronnie Powell
We are at last enjoying a much cooler time here in the Ozarks, with rain. It may not last, but with September looming ahead, summer will soon fade into autumn. I have been editing a book that will soon be ready for publication. The title is "The Imitators" and is a story of invaders from outerspace. The saga takes place here in the Missouri Ozarks with world wide occupation of the dreadful creatures which have brought humankind to its knees. I must say I get goose bumps each time I read it. With luck I hope to see it published sometime in the near future. Adios

Mister Lafferty And A Man Called Ike

Last Known Sighting of Two Lanterns Lafferty

A Man Called Ike

A few days ago after we set a live mouse trap in the house, one tiny little mouse was detained. I took the mouse across the road and set it down next a piece of cheese. As I turned to leave it looked up at me as if to say, "I won't make it out here, I'm too young." Later I decided I shoud not have left it there. Another mouse, also a young one was caught in the trap and as I walked out the door with it, I decided I had two options. One, to kill the little fellow or take care of it until it was grown and then turn it loose. I chose the latter and it is growing fat and healthy and soon I will turn it loose in an old abandoned building not far from here. I still think about the first one I sat down in the woods and left behind. I have painted two more Of The Ages Paintings. The first one was started several months ago and the second one I have recently completed. I hope they are enjoyed. Adios.

Today is not forever, tomorrow is but a dream.

Somewhere in between there is life, a fragile event more precious than gold.

Goodbye my friend you will now stand among the angels. Adios

Legendary Bare Foot Pass, for the ages

Bucher Redoak and Twinkle John at Bare Foot Pass, heading South of Course

The Queen of Thistles satands outside my door

A beautiful moth resting and then she was off to somewhere.

It is possible I will remain at Bare Foot Pass for a time. The old shack where I do most of my work is a bit dusty but I don't mind. The spiders and a mouse or two welcomed me back not to mention a lizared that always watches the door. There was a newcomer standing outside by the road, some would call an intuder, but no. She is a musk thistle about seven foot tall and will soon bloom. I will remove the bloom for I don't need anymore musk thistle. I have just completed another painting. It features Butcher Redoak and Twinkles John on horse back at the legendary crossing called Bare Foot Pass. It is my feeble rediition for the ages of one of the most beautiful places on the Niangua River. Sadly I have recieved word that two very good people, friends, have been told they have cancer. Life is often not user friendly. Hot weather and I mean hot has settled over the Ozarks with prospects of many days ahead. I will welcome the autumn and cooler days. I have a story or two that I intend to work on, another old sailing ship and a couple of painting tickling my imagination. Adios.