As the Battle Found Them (Remembering the Battle of Carthage, July 5, 1861) by Lisa Livingston-Martin & Joshua Heston The low May clouds are heavy with rain. A biting blackberry winter wind whips at the tall Missouri grass and the Civil War Ranch’s parking is in danger of turning to mud. The temperature falls. A…
A Love Note by Betsey Mae Graves (with art by Julie Zetina) Writers Artists Night 2021 A love note written to my husband for our wedding Just a little note my love Just a little note I wrote To remind you where I am Wound up in between your thoughts Projects pieces strewn about Is…
A Conversation with Dementia by Beth Schulz (with art by Freeman Payne) Writers Artists Night 2021 February: Would you like to go to the store with me, Dad? I have a few groceries I need. Sure! I like going grocery shopping with you. I like going grocery shopping with you too, Dad. I love you,…
The Old Man by Josh Huxtable (with art by Jessica Farmer) Writers Artists Night 2021 This is a story about a man I met when I was just a small boy in the summer of 1942. My name is Danny. And this old man I’m going to tell you about, he had me call him…
My Mother’s Hands by Estella Padgett (with art by Jenny Judlin) Writers Artists Night 2021 My mother’s hands have always amazed me. I noticed then as a child, but appreciated them more as an adult. They made me pause to reflect and were the source of much revelation and affectionate memories. I noticed the arthritis…
Native American Wild Onions by Greg Hisaw As spring begins across through the Ozarks, it is a special time for Native American Trible communities. It is a time of celebration of the wild onions that grow throughout Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri. Family and friends gather and hike through the woods, hills and valleys in…
The Missing Link by Michael Lloyd Gregory Loyd’s mom was an alcoholic. He didn’t know it until his parents divorced when he was thirteen. His dad apparently knew the secret because he put the kibosh on all drinking early in their marriage. Loyd never saw his dad drink a drop of alcohol in his life.…
A Thoughtful Drive by Cindy Thomas with artwork by Brent Holland Writers Artists Night 2021 Leaving U.S. Highway 65 at Leslie, Arkansas, Highway 66 meanders through the Ozark hills toward Mountain View. It winds past communities whose dominant—or only—feature is a gas station or tiny post office, alongside the occasional country church. Gently sloping from…
Who’s Got Beef with Being a Sheep? by Matt Farmer (with art by Lacey Finchum) Writers Artists Night 2021 I’m going deep on being a sheep. You know what I speak. You’ve read the tweets. “Be unique people! Don’t be sheeple. Think for yourselves. All thoughts are not equal.” We speak bleak and make mean…
Whiskey Men and Wildcat by Travis Holt Moonshine, so often associated with Appalachia, is an integral part of Ozarks culture. Growing up in the hills of Newton County, Arkansas, I lived a privileged life. I got to know a good amount about my ancestors and hear of their stories and experiences. Though most of my…