Copperheads & Cottonmouths

Plate 1. Abandoned Ozark barnyard, Taney County, Missouri. Nightfall by Joshua Heston Night falls. The air is warm in the darkness. Overgrown meadows and abandoned farmyards come alive, first with insects, then vermin. Mice. Voles. Shrews. Rats. All hurrying to eat, to store, to prepare for the onrushing winter that — deep within their genetic…

Cottonmouth Water Moccasin

Cottonmouth

Editor’s note: the articles below have been challenged by several readers, calling Dale Grubaugh’s comments “misleading,” and “false.” While StateoftheOzarks respects many differing viewpoints, Grubaugh’s recorded experiences are just that: recorded. An actual experience cannot be labeled “false” if it has occurred — and Grubaugh’s experiences occurred. His writings are presented here objectively. For a…

Old Rugged Cross

Old Rugged Cross

The Old Rugged Cross Sung by Dale Grubaugh. WORDS AND TUNE OLD RUGGED CROSS, GEORGE BERNARD, 1913. FIRST VERSE: On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suff’ring and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain. SECOND…

AmazingGrace

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace Sung by Dale Grubaugh. JOHN NEWTON, 1725 TO 1807. EARLY AMERICAN MELODY. AMAZING GRACE. C.M. FIRST VERSE: Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind but now I see. SECOND VERSE: ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,…

An Ozark Workout

Back about 1981 when I loved cheeseburgers and didn’t wear pants. Come to think of it, little has changed since those days. An Ozark Workout by Joshua Heston “I’m sitting across from Joshua Heston, editor of the impressive StateoftheOzarks.net. We are in the cozy Vintage Paris coffee shop in downtown Hollister, Missouri. The winter air…

Judlin Collage

Judlin Collage

Judlin Collage Born in the San Francisco Bay Area, Jennifer Judlin is inspired by folk art, interpretive dance, and East-Asian influences. She uses hand-cut fabrics to create collages emphasizing movement, beauty and harmony. Jennifer has a background in drawing and painting. She studied at The Art Institute of Chicago and The Kalamazoo Institute of Art.…