I have spent the last several days trying to find jars, lids and rings just to be able to can a few jars of bread and butter pickles. There is such a shortage and none to be found. It seems everyone is canning this year. When people go in they are buying everything on the shelves. ...

Deepest and sincere love to the all of the family of Betty Fay Murdock. She has been a great strength in the Gatewood and Ponder Community for many years. She was a member of the Ponder Booster Club, retired teacher, and stayed very active in her community. ...

It is hard to believe that we are already at the end of July and August is on the horizon. I’m not sure if it is just me but it sure has felt like this month has flown by. Hopefully August will not be as hot as July. Old wives tail for August, if you count the fogs in August that is how many times it will snow this winter. I don’t think it worked out that way last year. Still it is interesting to keep track and see how close it comes to it. ...

Hard to believe that July is already half over and working on the downside to greet August. Although the temps are staying high it has been nice. On Saturday, a friend from Lafe, Ark. came for a visit. We went down to the float camp and it was really nice to be able to walk out into the beautiful Current River. ...

On Friday, July 3, I had an awesome and wonderful birthday. My son Matt and Ashley Hudson, grandchildren Hunter, Adysyn, Aden and Harley came out and mowed the yard. It looks so good, thank you so much Matt for mowing it. Also my son Mark and Heather Hudson and grandson Cooper, Janet Portwood and Denny all came out to celebrate my birthday with a barbecue and a beautiful birthday cake...

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July. I hope that everyone tried to keep the distance between you others. I know it is summer time and everyone wants to do this or that but still continue to stay safe. On the 3rd I entered into my last year of saying I am in my 60’s. Next year I will enter a time of saying I am in my 70’s. What is the old saying if you don’t mind it shouldn’t matter. Age is really just a number, your body may show you are older than what your mind says it is...

It is hard to believe that the year is already half over. This has been a year for the history books. Do they still even teach history? The way the people are acting I would have to say NO. Either way it will be a year to remember, now the generation who remembers our history is slowly disappearing. Makes a person think about what they will have in the history books about 2020...

If you look for good in things you will find they are there and they will be greater than the bad. On July 1 it will be eight months since I had to have emergency surgery. I have been under a doctor’s care since my surgery. I had a doctor’s appointment in Cape with my surgeon, so for the next two to three weeks they will be monitoring me, because at this time I am not to put anymore packing into the hole in my stomach that has not healed all the way. ...

It was so nice to be able to go back to church. Faith Life Christian Church had its first service in several months. It was good to be back with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Services are starting at 10:45 a.m. For the moment we are not having Sunday School just the morning services. ...

Everything is so beautiful out and inspiring to help us feel better when we are able to go out and enjoy. All the trees seem to have bright green and flowers are so bright and colorful. We are so blessed that we live on a beautiful river like Current River. ...

I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. It was one of the best I have had in a long time. My son Matt and Ashley Hudson, Mark and Heather Hudson, my grandbabies, Hunter, Adysyn, Aden and Cooper came over Sunday. Got my yard mowed and it sure does look beautiful. ...

I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day weekend. As this is the official first holiday of the summer. Kicking off barbecue times, family get-togethers, and more outside activities. I am ready to go fishing and ready for a good barbecue. I bought a new grill two summers ago and still have not used it yet. Maybe it is because I am not wild about barbecue just for one person on the grill. You can barbecue in your oven, it just doesn’t taste as good as what you make on the grill...

I hope that all the mothers out there had a wonderful Mother’s Day. Soon the official declaration of summer will be Memorial Day. Families are slowly getting together again. It is barbecue time and time for fishing. Businesses are slowly opening back up. ...

I think most of you would agree we are in blackberry winter. I seen just around the front of my trailer for some reason the blooms on the ones there are full and should now soon fall off. Hopefully this year there will be more than I got last year. ...

As we are getting closer to the stay at home order being lifted I pray that we continue to use common sense. It may be lifted but it doesn’t mean we are out of the woods. We need to continue to follow the rules of distance, washing our hands and take care of our health. ...

Everything is getting so beautiful with all the spring colors. I have seen where several are finding a lot of mushrooms. Now let me just say if you find more Morels than you can handle, you are free to bring me some and it will not make me mad. Also have you noticed how many young squirrels there are? I guess since the winter really didn’t kill off a lot we have a lot. ...

When we are able to get out and spend time with our friends and our loved ones please think about having a small get together and let people know just how much you have missed them. Do the birthday party that was not able to be held. Bake a cake or a pie and share it with someone. ...

My heart is sad for the family of Bud Sisco. I know that families have it hard with not being able to visit and share memories of someone who passes. My prayers and love to all. May  the Lord give you strength and courage for the days ahead along with so many other families who are going through these same times. Know that better days ahead are coming and before you know it we will be back to all our old ways and ways of living...

As we live through another week of those panicking over the virus, at least gas prices are low enough to go out for a long drive. As long as you don’t interact with anyone you should be fine. Plus everything is starting to bloom. It would be nice to go for a long drive and just enjoy some sunshine in your face. ...

I know that right now everyone is worried about the virus that is attacking so many around the world. The worse thing to do is panic. When you panic over something it is also not heathy for your body. You stress and your fear causes more problem than the virus. ...

Rain, rain, go away come again some summer day when the need will be for rain. I am going to have to get a load of gravel to put in my yard and drive. All I have is a mud puddle. Now I know people pay good money for mud treatments, but don’t think I would want to roll in this mud. ...

It seems just like a about two weeks ago it was getting dark around 5 p.m. Now it is almost 7:30 p.m. before it starts getting  dark. I know the time change was for farmers. Now if they would just meet in the middle and change the time by 30 minutes and leave it at that and stop changing it in the fall and spring. It would work it’s own self and we wouldn’t have to worry about changing clocks at all...

Last week I was able to go visit my son Mark and Heather Hudson and my grandson Cooper. This has been the first chance I had really had to go see Mark since he got hurt on the job. He and another guy were working together on building some traps, when the guy’s chainsaw came back and got my son in the leg. ...

The big question for March is will it come in like a lion and go out like a lamb? Then again it could come in like a lamb and go out like a lion. In fact we live in Missouri and we could have it both ways in the same day. Regardless we still say goodbye to February and hello March. Also means we are a few days away from spring. Maybe a couple good months that we don’t need extra heat or air conditioners. Maybe lower electric bills before summer arrives...

In 1987, my parents, Corinne and Prientus Hastings, purchased what then was called Frye’s Grocery. The owners then were Betty and Paul Frye. It was a sad note to hear of the passing of Betty Frye. To Paul and their children I send my love and my prayers. ...

Monday when I was returning from town, on Hwy. 160 west, there was a funeral going through town, it was so nice to see everyone pulling over and flashing their light out of respect for the family and friends as they drove through. There are so many who for whatever reason would not have done this. ...

Woke up this morning to a slight dusting of snow. As most of you know, if you read Out West, I don’t like snow. Maybe because when I grew up in St. Louis and lived there for 33 years, it snows a lot less here than what we got up there. Back then they did not call off school just because it was 3 to 4 foot deep. Big difference living in the big city of St. Louis to living in the country near Doniphan...

Hard to believe that it is February, wonder if the ground hog saw its shadow. Regardless we know we still have six to 10 more weeks of winter. I am just glad so far not a lot of snow. When I was in high school 50 years ago, my science teacher told the class because of the rotation of the earth, weather will change. ...

As of Wednesday, the prediction for the weather for a few days, light rain turning into snow. Would someone please have a long, long talk with Mother Nature to please fix the heaters and let it warm up. I don’t like cold winter weather, plus along with all else, I have been fighting a head/sinus cold for way over a week. ...

How many are ready for cold weather to start coming in? I have to say I am not, and I am ready for spring. I am one of those who only want snow for Christmas and then it disappear until next year. I went to my new doctor in Cape on the 15th, I really like him for my doctor. ...

On Jan. 4, my family finally had Christmas. Sons Doug and Michelle Mandry, grandchildren Faith and Skylar of Mayfield, Ky. Mark and Heather Hudson and grandson Cooper. Cooper also celebrated his second birthday in December. Mark and his family live in Advance, Mo. ...

On Jan. 4, my family finally had Christmas. Sons Doug and Michelle Mandry, grandchildren Faith and Skylar of Mayfield, Ky. Mark and Heather Hudson and grandson Cooper. Cooper also celebrated his second birthday in December. Mark and his family live in Advance, Mo. ...

There is an old saying that whatever you do on the first day of the new year, is what you do all year. Well, I really hope this is not true. Health wise I am ready for better days and that the healing that my body needs is faster. I spent Friday afternoon and evening at a hospital in Cape. ...

Goodbye 2019 and hello to 2020. It is time to put 2019 in the past, in the history books. The year 2020 is going to be a mystery. We do not always know what will take place tomorrow, as tomorrow will always be something we do not know. The most important day is today. ...

This Christmas season has been one of the hardest for me. The first time in a long time I was not able to decorate anything in my house for Christmas. So it really doesn’t seem like Christmas to me. I have a village that I always put up of little buildings and decoration that I have collected over the past 40 plus years. ...

I would like to wish everyone a very, very Merry Christmas and prayers for a Happy New Year. Everyone has that one Christmas memory that sticks in their mind. That when the Christmas season comes around we always think about. I would like to share mine. ...

I would like to say thank you to my cousin, Pam Bridges, who has been so great to take me to the stores, and helping me since I am not able to drive yet. Thank you to Lindell Freeman for bush hogging down around my place. So that if I look out I can see better what is going on. ...

There are so many things to be thankful for. Small things to large things and all in between. I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. More importantly I hope that you gave thanks for all the things in your life that take place everyday. Don’t look at the things that you don’t have but be thankful for the things you do have...

It is hard to believe just how fast November has come in and how fast that it is going out. Also to think about in just a few weeks Christmas will really be full force. Although I am afraid all that I try to do for the holidays will not be what it normally would be. I am so grateful and blessed that the Lord has work for me to do. I think about how close and how things could have been so different than what they are. I know that my road to total recovery is still a long road...

November has brought colder weather and many are fighting the flu and sinus infections. Deer season is upon us. Also Thanksgiving at the end of the month. I have read several posts from other places about how nice it must be to close the school for two weeks. ...

Well the news on Facebook is that we will have snow on Halloween. That is not a good trick to play on us. I know the younger people love the snow. It is hard on us older people. Our joints do not do good in this colder weather. For me I can’t afford to move to a place that is warmer all year long. I have never understood how some people are able to travel to warmer places in the winter...

On Oct. 12 we had a reception/shower for Heather and Mark Hudson. Thank you to those who came. A big thank you to Briar Missionary Church for the use of the building to hold it. Needless to say I think I fixed way too much food. Thankful to all who took food home with them especially the cake. I sure didn’t need it around. Again Thank You, God bless all who attended...

I know we all need a little excitement in our lives but I draw a line when it comes to the excitement I got today. My cousin Linda and her husband Bill of St. Louis, Mo. and my cousin Pam Bridges of Doniphan came over. Bill is a super sweet guy, he and Linda fixed my front steps for me. ...

October has a lot of events going on. It is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month and National Pastor Appreciation Month, to name a couple of them for October. During the month they celebrate;  National Boyfriend Day, National Caramel Apple Day, National Pumpkin day and many more that are just too silly to think about but I guess there can always be a reason to celebrate a day. ...

On Friday, Sept. 20, Janet Portwood and I went to Cape Girardeau. Janet had a doctor’s appointment with her cancer doctor. Everything came out great for her. The Lord is so wonderful for all the miracles that He provides for all of us everyday. Thank you Lord, for the good news that Janet received from the different doctors and tests that she had to do on Friday...

I guess I have a new pet at my house. I don’t think he is friendly enough to bring into the house, nor would I want to. In the evenings when my dogs were outside, they would have barking fits, never could see what they were barking at so I got up early on Wednesday morning went to let the dogs out and to my surprise sleeping on my porch was an opossum. ...

Sunday was a day of blessings in so many ways. My Explorer went out on the way through town at Chicken on the Run, thank you Tommy Gimlin and Rick Plunk from the police department, because of them I was able to start it again. Tommy followed me to church to make sure I got there without it going out again. ...

Have you ever thought about all the pictures you might have? I have around 12 super large containers of pictures. They are mostly all family pictures in one way or another. So I have been going through some of them. Why do we not ever put names and dates on our pictures? So many of them I have not a clue who they are. ...

I really wish we could get a new phone service in our area besides Windstream. I have had my limits of them, yes rant time. It will not let me into my e-mail service to view any e-mail that I might have. Tried calling twice to talk to a tech and they tell me there is nothing wrong on their end, then tell me to redo my password. I tried to even open a new e-mail with Windstream and was not able to do that. Needless to say I am not happy with Windstream, but they are all we have in our area...

Those of you who read Out West last week, I told you how surprised I was to win the beautiful roses. Plus I am still enjoying them. I decided to go over to the Ozark Border event they have every August. I try to go every year. I also would like to say how nice everyone treated each other over there, there were a lot of people. ...

Tuesday was a special day for me in so many ways. Although waking up at four in the morning was not really on the agenda of things I wanted. Finally, gave up laying there and got up. So made my coffee and began reading and tried to get in the groove of the day. I had some bread and butter pickles for Pat and Bob Griffin, so I thought I would get everything loaded in the car and then take the trash out to be picked up. Sometimes you just have to turn things over to the Lord, I do this a lot...

So how many of you take the time to read the Rural Missouri that we receive every month from Ozark Border Electric? This month, the August edition featured Doniphan. It was really great to see some positive things about Doniphan. So it seems there is a new game to play in Doniphan called Pickleball. ...

Well, just like that July is coming to an end. It seems like it was just a day or two ago that I was celebrating my birthday on the 3rd. The month has really gone by fast. I am not a fan of winter weather, but I will have to say cooler weather would be nice. ...

I have been canning again, another 26 pints of peach jam all ready to give out at Christmas time. I still wish I had some wild blackberries. The only problem I have is that I can all this sweet stuff, but can’t have any of it because I am a diabetic. ...

Today was a very sad day. I was so shocked to hear the passing of Denise Tipton Luye. She has had so many things in the past year come against her. Still in all that had come she still believed. To her mother Brenda Tipton, her boys and their families, her grandchildren and other family and friends I pray that God will be with you in the days ahead, give you strength and understanding. I send you also my love and prayers from my family, my boys who went to school with her. Love to you all...

I hope that everyone had a wonderful and a safe 4th of July. It is hard to believe that 2019 is officially half over with. So much has happened, it seems like and we still have a half year to go.  It’s also kind of weird to think in a little over 5 ½ months we will be celebrating Christmas again.  Also, thinking I am now another year older. ...

It is time for July birthdays and anniversaries. (1st) Brenda Dickson, (3rd) Rick Broyles, Eric McDonald, Billie Smith, Sharon Hastings, (4th) Les Brown (6th) Hunter Leroux, Steve Nunez-Rios, Sarah Stallsworth, (7th) Kim Wilder, (9th) Tyrion Hall, Danielle Turner, (10th) April Shedd, (12th) Liz Fish, (13th) Estrella Zayas Jordon, (14th) Gracina Nunez-Rios, Cassie Dusza, (17th) Veronica Taylor, Hali Adams, Cody Lowery, (18th) Charlie Adams, (20th) Bob Dudley, (24th) Jeannie Louvier, (25th) Cooper Jackson, (26th) Joshua Barnett, (27th) Johnathan Murdock, (28th) Rose Pinney, (29th) Terry LaBryer, Alan Pinney, (31st) Melissa Eddens and Lindell Freeman. ...

This past Saturday, I enjoyed a day going to Batesville, Ark. Mary Van Dyke (mom) and Kim Kizer came in for a few days visit with Pam and Dale Bridges. We had a great trip. Kim was able to look in a lot of shops, while Mary, Pam and I went to the fabric store there in Batesville. ...

I have been so blessed by wonderful people in my lifetime. I know I have talked about my grandmother, Virgie Farmer Nickell. Children can learn so much from their grandparents on both sides of their family. Hopefully parents, you allow your children to grow up being able to learn from all sides, not just from one side. I was blessed that my grandmother took the time and was patient enough to teach me to cook, sew, can and study the Bible...

We had an awesome three days of Vacation Bible School at Faith Life Christian Church. We had over 50 children, plus workers helping to make it a success. Thank you to Daisey and JoJo who were totally awesome and filled with the spirit of the Lord in them. ...

I saw some of the flags being hung. Always glad to see the U.S. flags flying. Appreciate those who are serving in the military, those who did serve and those who died serving. On my DC trip we went to Arlington Cemetery. Saw the changing of the guard and saw veterans and their guardian who were on another bus. ...

It is hard to believe that May is in the last days. June is just around the corner. I love summer, except that I am allergic to about everything outside that grows. It is hard to really get out and work in my yard because I am allergic to bugs, honeysuckles, just about everything that does grow. I have been this way since I was about five years. This year it has seemed like it has been my worst year. I do take allergy medicine everyday from my doctor, but it just doesn’t seem to be helping...

Pine Bradley Volunteer Fire Department,  will be having their spring yard sale May 30 through June 1 at Emmanuel Baptist again. Come out and support them and buy all they have. If you haven’t paid your dues yet, this will be a good time to go by and pay them. These guys make sure to take care of you, let us support them. Thank you to all those who volunteer for the fire department and make sure they are there for you when they are needed...

I hope that all moms had a wonderful Mother’s Day. Filled with all your children and grandchildren surrounding you with lots of love. There is no greater thing, than to be called mom or dad. That is why the Lord made it a commandment to honor thy mother and thy father. Doesn’t mean you will always agree with them, but you still have to honor them. No greater honor than to show your love for all they have done for you. Many ways you may never understand or know why things were the way they were...

What is the old saying, April showers brings May flowers? As much rain as we have been receiving, hopefully the rain doesn’t drown the May flowers. As everything is so beautiful now with everything bloomed out. My Snowball bushes in my front yard always are beautiful with the white ball when they finally bloom all the way. ...

What is the old saying rain, rain go away. Come back some summer day. I know every year around this time we have so much rain. It just seems like this year it is raining every day. I know we need the rain. My pond is fuller this year than it has been in a really long time. ...

Pine-Bardley Volunteer Fire Department sews: If you are going to be doing any control burns on your property, please call the chief, Malissa Pipkin at (573)255-3773 or assistant chief Bill Kohlschmidt (573)255-3692. They will then try to coordinate personnel and equipment to help make sure everything is under control. ...

Isn’t it beautiful all the colors of spring and how beautiful everything is getting green. Trees’s are full of beautiful green leaves. Morel mushrooms are popping up everywhere, also May Apples. Not sure the dates but Sucker season should be in. The Lord blesses us every day with such glory and grace. All are free to enjoy and take in. We are so blessed...

It is so nice to see things blooming and turning green. Birds are singing. It never fails to blow me away at God’s handy work. He seems to know when we need things to come to life and it may not be when we want it. But, it is in the time of the Lord and all His love and glory. Just praise him for the little things for they will take care of the big things in our life...

Well March came in like a Lion and is going out like a Lamb. April showers bring May flowers. I love the old myths and expressions that they have. It a nice feeling to see that spring is starting to bloom. I am so ready for some warm weather. So as not to have to  keep using heater to warm the house up. Also it is nice to see the electric bill go down some. Every penny helps, in more ways than one...

Praise for Mary Allison Hilton Meeks, Mary Hilton was first on the list to receive a new kidney. She was called and told that there was one that came available. The surgery went great and is working great. Mary is on her way home from St. Louis. Mary Allison is the niece of George Byrd. Speedy recovery and praise the Lord for His mighty hand in her receiving the new kidney...

I know we have had a lot of rain, ponds sure needed it. So did many of the creeks. My grandparents use to own land on Wells Creek. I loved going over and wading the creek fishing. There are a lot of out of the way creeks that are so much fun to fish in. I don’t get to do that much anymore. I love to fish, maybe I just enjoy being out and enjoying what God gives us to enjoy. ...

I guess by now we know that March really has come in roaring her crazy self. Hopefully, soon she will be acting like a lamb. For some reason, it seems like it has taken longer for warmer weather to come our way. I know as I get older I really don’t handle the colder weather like I did when I was younger. ...