Do not adjust your monitor...

Sunday 56 campers, six counselors and I joined the rest of the campers, counselors, and ministers at Camp Impact at OC. It is a great camp for 3rd through 6th graders. This year there are right at 300 campers which is a big camp for us in this environment.

I used to eat every meal in the campus dining hall and over the years became accustomed to it's...unique flavor. There were some really great things, it's a short list, like the peanut butter bars which I could have eaten 100 of. When the peanut butter bar lady died so did the peanut butter bar mojo--they were never the same. My breakfast of choice for the first 5 years of camp was a bowl of frosted flakes, which I love. I ate that until I got into a bad batch of milk and it turn me off the cereal at camp thing. It always tasted sour to me for some reason. You don't have to keep licking a skunk to know it's going to give you stinky breath! On to my next phase of breakfast; biscuits and gravy. I had those for nine years. Every morning two biscuits and gravy, coffee, and then water for the road. Two years ago I gave up on them because it was just not good for me to eat that kind of stuff...I did kind of like them. As much as you can like peppered gravy (re hydrated) and frozen biscuits.

Lunch and dinner were usually disappointing meals as the meat was some kind of processed pressed and coated substance. Nuggets, patties, strips, fingers...they were all the same just in a different shape or form. Not so good. There was one day when the served Turkey with yellow gravy. I knew the next day would always be tetrazzini day because they could use the left over turkey from the day before. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the worst) I'd say their food is about a 4.8 at best. Just not something that you love and crave for your next birthday dinner.

Last year I couldn't even bring myself to eat one thing at any time. It was just too gross. I opted instead for a Jimmy John's sub sandwich every day. The bread is baked fresh everyday and the meat is really good. Not that I loved eating a sandwich everyday for lunch and dinner, but hey, it was better than the school food. I probably should feel bad about it, but I don't not even a little bit bad about it.

The place was just across the street and allowed me to get there quick and fast. I tried to vary the things I ordered, but in the end i was just happy to eat these sandwiches instead of chocking down the camp food.

I don't think the food would be all that bad, if it were freshly prepared as it was, "back in the day." Everything today was a shade of white or yellow: Golden Chicken Nuggets, mashed potatoes with white gravy, corn, taco stack stuff. As I was walking by the dessert table I was stopped by what i could not believe. It really did gobsmack me to see this...this...thing on a tray over which the sign, "you asked for it." hung. Tell me, was this a threat? Here you are gentle reader: A marshmallow coated, fruit loop and marshmallow cube. I just couldn't believe it. The cube would move with the tongs as if the cube were alive, but man oh man was it not a sight. I didn't care if people laughed at me i was going to take a picture of this baby. It just stunned me to say the least.

I'll keep you posted on the interesting food creations over the next few days. I'm off to see if anyone has passed out from a sugar induced coma.. Did I mention they have an Icee machine?

This hit the spot

[ This beautiful picture is from Tastespotting, posted by, "gottalittlespacetofill.blogspot.com". I didn't have my camera...I mean phone...handy.]

Summer is a crazy busy time for me and my family. Wednesday night's are especially hectic as we have 7 PM Bible Class at church. I usually work all through the day, pulling 12-14 hours, and don't stop just to attempt staying ahead of the game.

We usually have a Wednesday night meal at church and my family eats there because it's the easiest thing to do, not necessarily the most delicious mind you. Kendra called and asked if I wanted to join her at Taco Bueno for dinner with the kids, "...I had a big lunch today and I'm not really that hungry, just run through the drive through and get me a coke and I'll be fine." Translation: I hate Taco Bueno and can't really stand the thought of eating there--too gross for me. "Are you sure?" "Yes, thank you I'm sure." About twenty minutes later she pulls up with Wendy's--now I would have gone for Wendy's! Thunk.

Needless to say by the time we got home I was really hungry! Titus wanted to ride his bike and I didn't deny him this one love of his life. We were only outside maybe 20 minutes and it was time to go in and get ready for bed. Chubbers went down, Emma went down, and Titus was hungry. "Dad, what'ca makin?" "A cheese quesadilla." "Can I have one for after my shower?" "Sure." I had scoured the fridge and pantry for something to eat and came up with nothing that wasn't involved and I was ready to eat NOW! That's when cheese quesadilla came to my mind because it's fast...filling...and really good. Sold.

Titus likes his Quesadilla straight forward with just cheese and nothing else. I usually like to add shaved ham or something to the mix to give some more flavor. But what to do? Spice cabinet. I had recently bought some Fajita seasoning to make beef fajitas for a church pot luck, the recipe I was using called for fajita seasoning and I found this bottle at the store and had some left over. Not a bad plan I must say.

I decided to sprinkle some of this seasoning on my quesadilla and see what happened. The most prominent flavor coming through for me in this seasoning is cumin, which I love, so if you aren't a huge cumin fan I don't think this is for you. I can see me putting this on corn for a mexi-style side dish one night, or in refried beans to kick up the flavor--ok just give it flavor period. I'll be keeping this seasoning blend in my pantry for a while especially after the terrific results I had with the quesadilla.

Cheese Fajita Quesadilla

2 8" flour tortillas

1/2 cup shredded cheese

McCormick Fajita seasoning

Butter

Place a small skillet over medium heat. While the skillet is heating, butter one side of each tortilla. Place the tortilla, buttered side down, in the hot skillet and immediately add the shredded cheese. Shake fajita seasoning over the cheese. Place the remaining tortilla on top of the cheese, buttered side up. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until golden and crispy. Flip over and cook 1-2 minutes more until golden and crispy.

I cut these into fourths and had some sour cream and salsa to dip. They were delicious! I could have eaten more than one, but resisted. Of course, you can use any size tortilla you want, and you could add an endless list of ingredients to this.

I also wanted to make you aware that Kraft is marketing hormone free cheese. I jumped on this bandwagon when I saw it. It's really good, not loss of flavor or texture, just a loss of all the weird stuff mass dairy farmers have been feeding cows for years. Why do they do that? This is what the package looks like. I think that Kraft is ONLY making hormone free 2% cheese now, but I could be wrong. Kendra has also found and loved Weight Watchers cheese, it's pretty good but not Kraft. I would still rather grate my own cheese like I did when I was a kid, but I just don't want to hassle with the mess. True it's much better, but not that much better I must say.

Here's an idea for you. Have a Quesadilla party! I jsut thought of this a few paragraphs up. You would need to borrow two or three griddles (you could use electric skillets) so everyone could whip up their quesadillas quickly. All you would need to have on hand are tortillas, and butter, plus cheese, and then have folks bring their own topping to add to the quesadilla bar. Chorizo, grilled sliced fajita beef or chicken, onions, mushrooms, peppers, ham, spinach, artichokes (I just thought about an artichoke spinach quesadilla: spinach, nutmeg, swiss cheese, and chopped artichokes--yum) just leave it up to the imagination of your guests. Then have salsa, guacamole and sour cream for the condiments and you have a party! Sounds fun.

One more recipe for you:

Fajita Marinade

1 bottle Kraft Italian dressing (15 oz I think, it was the "regular" sized one)

1 T Fajita seasoning (or one packet if you can't find the shaker bottle)

1 T cracked black pepper

In a zip top bag, add all of the ingredients, whisk with a fork. Add chicken breasts or beef and marinate for two hours up to overnight. Grill and slice for great fajita flavored meat.

This marinade is awesome! You aren't saying, "man this Italian dressing is really great!" You can't tell it was Italian dressing--promise. I like to use flank or skirt steak for my fajita beef and always use chicken tenderloins for my chicken. They cook super fast and I don't have to worry about under cooking them. You could use thinly sliced ribeye or sirloin steak if you wanted to.

Give this quesadilla a try...you wont be sorry. Man...I'm hungry!

Why

Have you ever been completely stopped in your tracks with the burning question, "Why?" I really can't count how many times a day I have to this go through my head. You see, I have a problem. I watch people--a lot! I find myself at times lost in a trance as I'm gawking at folks. I really need to stop, I'm sure I'll be punched in the face someday.

My time is really, really limited as I'm in the throngs of one of the most stressful and busy summer's I've ever had in my career and I just don't have the time it takes to dedicate a long post...say about a super vacation. My camera...I mean my phone...takes forever to send photos to my computer so I can load them. Be patient, gentle reader, all is not lost as there is plenty of "stuff" rolling around in my head to keep us busy.

Why...

• do hot dog buns come 8 to package and the hot dogs 10 to a package?
• do people waiting for the same elevator HAVE to push the button already illuminated? Do they think it will come faster if more than one person pushes it?
• did the 5th dentist cave on Trident? What gum does HE like?
• do people always think it's their turn to go no matter what?
• do banks charge you money for funds they know isn't there?
• do we wait for the right step as the escalator rolls? Have you ever seen someone step on the first step rolling by...no.
• Do CD's come enclosed in plastic as well as sticker closed on two sides? Do they HAVE to be that secure?
• are all toys permanently secured to their packaging to point that you need power tools to free them so your anxious child can play.
• do we believe people who say there are 10 billions stars in the universe, but touch a wall we are told has wet paint?
• would someone taste something that you were just told, "this is disgusting, taste it."
• do we look into other people's baskets at the supermarket and feel panicked when we see large quantities of one thing, wondering if it's going to be rationed.
• can produce growers not keep our veggies from being poisonous? Spinach last summer...tomatoes this summer...what's next?
• do drive up ATM's have braille?
• do students who have open seating sit in the same chair on the first day as the last?
• do we feel compelled to whisper in airports but flat out scream in a restaurant?
• do waiters, assigned to your table, ask if they can help? Who else will if they don't?
• do we talk louder to people who don't speak our language?
• does an American speaking in another language sound like a total doofus, but english sound cool when spoken by folks whose first language is something else? French accents, German accents, etc.
• aren't their B batteries? Couldn't the 9 volt just come along and be the B?
• do we trust manufacturers who screwed up the first time think we will trust them with "New and Improved". They didn't do it right the first time!
• does Hawaii have Interstate highways?
• will we stop for trains? Shouldn't they stop for us?
• do dogs look like their masters?
• does the postal service have machinery that processes thousands of letters a second and send them out for delivery by people who saunter?
• do women who run in a sport's bra not feel like they are running in their underwear? men don't just run around in a jock strap, thankfully!
• are chips packaged by weight...just fill up the bag!
• do we shop in the cold and frozen foods sections first?
• don't we believe expiration dates?
• what was the best thing before sliced bread?
• do black olives come in a can and green olives in a jar?
• does the cashier ask if we found everything we needed and not take action when we don't?
• does the oil company set it's own price? electricity is subsidised and regulated by the government...can't car fuel become a utility too?
• do we have general elections if it doesn't matter who wins the popular vote?
• does day break and night fall?

Hurry out the door rice

Do you find yourself busy as a beaver...a cranberry merchant at Christmas...a long tail cat in a room full of rockers? Are you sick of feeding your family through a drive through and find yourself just wishing that you could eat something that wasn't wrapped in paper? Well if you are in this boat then this recipe might just help you out. It's super simple, limited ingredients, and varied as your imagination can make it. This dish can have dinner on the table in lest than 30 minutes! How's that for getting your family out the door on on your way with a home cooked meal?

First the cast of characters:

1 lb. of ground beef (we had ground turkey on hand)

1 can of beef broth

1 box of Rice A Roni

1 stick of butter (you won't use all of the stick)

2 tsp. Garlic Powder (or 2 cloves crushed fresh)

2 tsp. Onion Powder (or 1 cup of chopped fresh)

Salt and Pepper

That's it, nothing more that you need to get dinner on the table lickity split!

Place your ground meat in a large skillet, into which you have poured 1 T. of olive oil and fry over medium heat until it is browned. Once you see the meat starting to brown, add your seasonings (and if using fresh veggies, those too) and continue to cook until the meat is brown. Remove from your skillet and place on a plate to rest while you get the rice a going.

Let's talk for just a minute about frying meat. There's not much in the world I hate more than wormy meat. When meat is fried un attended and cooks without beign broken up, looking wormy. It's just not fun for me. One of my good friends, Ana Marquez, who lives in Fort Worth, TX share a secret that her family uses in their restaurant business, a potato masher! That's right friends, a potato masher.

Using a potato mashwer allows the meat to be broken up, giving you an even texture and making your meat consistently smooth and no clumpy and wormy. I, for one, like smoothly textures ground meat and not all huge clumps. Maybe you are different, but I can tell you this--use a potato masher up until the "clumpiness" you prefer and you'll want to buy me a Starbucks gift card (worth $100 please email me for the address).

Look at this picture to the left, remember we're cooking turkey so that's why it's not more brown. But you can see the there is even texture, and that there are no clumps or worms. At this point you can add your sauce, taco seasoning, or whatever. Hey freeze the stuff and have it on hand for an even quicker week night meal! I think I'm done...are you convinced that you need to mash your ground beef? I sure hope so.

Ok, back to the show. When we last left our pan, it was lonely having just said goodbye to some perfectly fried ground turkey. Place two tablespoons (use the package directions on the Rice A Roni and go by what they say) of butter in your skillet and melt it. Pour in the rice and vermicelli and brown. You'll want to let this set for 1-2 minutes before stirring because you want to get the vermicelli browned and toasty. It's very important for you to not leave your post because you can burn this quick and then you would have to unwrap your food from paper through a drive-through AND clean up the kitchen to boot. Just stand there for 3-4 minutes and stir the stuff, ok?

My personal preference for "perfect" Rice A Roni" is to have some of the vermicelli browned but not completely browned all the way through. It is probably more of a fear that I will burn it, because I have burned my fair share of Rice A Roni over the years. This picture is of what I would call perfect rice. Now, you are ready to pour in the Beef Broth (instead of the water called for on the box directions.) which I love because it increases the beefiness of this dish 100% especially if you are using ground turkey! After you pour in the beef broth, you'll add the seasoning packet and give it a quick stir, so all the powder is completely mixed in. Add the ground beef, stir, cover, and cook it according to package directions. I think it's like 25 minutes or something, covered on low. How about this shot I took of motion? On a camera phone none the less. I love to read Pioneer Woman's blog and she takes motion pictures all the time and wondered if my phone...i mean camera...would do it--viola! It does.

While this is cooking, you have time to cut up fruit and throw in a bag of Steamfresh veggies to finish off the dinner. I usually put some crescent rolls in the oven because by the time the oven heats up and the bread bakes the rice is ready and the hot fresh bread is ready. You can do salad or whatever you like with this dish.

Here it is all done. If my kids didn't do convulsions at the sight of green stuff, I'd add some fresh parsley, or some mushrooms. It's really versatile and super easy to do. Plus the bonus is one dish, one skillet, that will fit in the dishwasher.

You could use Pork Rice A Roni with Sausage, and chicken broth to mix it up. You could do ground chicken, with Chicken Rice A Roni and chicken stock. It's really up to you to decide how far to take this. This dish is one of all my kiddos favorite things to eat because they all love ground beef, rice, and having them together with nothing else to corrupt is just bonus all the way around.

I do want to let you know how awesome these steam fresh bags are. I just love them because the veggies are perfect every time with out any failures at all. We usually dump the veggies into a bowl and season with 1T of butter and Mrs. Dash or whatever we have on hand, but you could just serve these from the bag on to the plates to save time and another dirty dish.

I love this medley because it has crunchy, sweet white corn, yellow corn, carrots, and asparagus. It is really good. There are a ton of varieties and they really, really do work. You can trust me on this. Do make sure you read which side needs to be up--it matters. Also holding it where it says matters, unless you like steam burns.

I'll be off for a few days, going to Silver Dollar City with the family for Titus' birthday celebration. You'll hear all about it when I get back.

Alley Cats

Teensy & the boys, Kendra and I all went to the Mall on Monday. Teensy needed some summer shorts and stuff, she's growing like a weed and it's hard to keep her in clothes. I am looking for some flip flops to replace the worn out pair I've had for years. As I was rummaging through the Dillard's Men's Shoe department I saw these things. $199...are the not BOWLING SHOES?

Animal Crackers

Ever since we've been in Tulsa I've been trying to go to the zoo. It's not that I HAVE to go to the zoo or die, it's just that I know kids love the zoo and being a Children's Minister...well you can do the math. The first time I attempted a trip to the zoo, I chose one of only two day that the zoo closes a year. Can't win the lottery, but I can choose one of only TWO days that the zoo is closed. My second attempt was rained out--that's when I gave up. I resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't ever going to see the zoo.

I can remember going to the Springfield, MO zoo as a child. One particular trip is most memorable. My parent's good friends and eventual neighbors, the Schmidt's, went to the Springfield zoo with us one time. Roger was a particularly cocky fella always cutting up and trying to make folks laugh. I always thought he was a little on the odd side, but never said anything. This zoo trip, Roger was taunting the baboons rather relentlessly. Most people would make monkey sounds at them and stuff like that to which the stoic baboons would just sit resolute picking the gnats out of their friend. This particular taunting from Roger caught them on a bad day because one baboon defecated or excreted something and flung it on Roger with amazing aim and precision. Roger slowly turned hands extended as if he were about to take flight sputtering the substance from his eyes. I was gobsmacked! I can't say we ever went to the zoo with them, and I'm certain he never taunted a primate again.

As zoos go, the Tulsa zoo is fairly nice. I wouldn't say it's huge by the standards of the Fort Worth Zoo or other larger zoos in the country, but it's nice. The admission was very reasonable and the grounds well kept. As we rode the train around the zoo I did notice some exhibits that were no longer being used which has become overgrown and other clutter, but nothing to throw the towel in over.

At the chimp exhibit, we were bushwhacked by a zoo friend who shared some interesting facts about chimps. Unfortunately he did not do it in an interesting way or a very engaging way I must say. It was rather like listen to roll call at Ferris Beuller's school! Titus just stood there with this awkward, gotta get out of here, stance that only a 5 year old could pull off. He couldn't wait for this guy to stop talking so he could move on. If you are ever at the zoo and there is a zoo friend sitting down smiling, return the smile but do not under any circumstances stop and engage him--unless you are really interested in being bored out of your mind. The picture above is of Titus posing inside the frame of an actual sized Chimp, full grown. We tried to get him to make a monkey face but he was out it was all we could do to get him to do this.

One thing we enjoyed watching was the newest addition to the family, Chip, frolicking around with his Momma. Too cure to see that little guy clambering around and playing...then all of a sudden--hop on Mom's back for a ride to the shade. Titus and Levi were very interested in this exhibit, Levi kept making the monkey sounds and did a good job of it. This picture is of Titus, Kendra, and Emma looking at the Chimp habitat. Kendra is reading the Zoo Keeper's notes about these particular chimp's behavior and such. That was a very interesting part of this Zoo, the Keeper's Notes, because it helped you feel a better connection to the animals.

Next we went to the Polar Bear exhibit and I have to say, "Polar Bears are cool." This huge animal was swimming around in this Arctic exhibit, and was bigger than I had thought. I told Titus he was carrying a Coca-Cola and Titus got all excited, but I burst the bubble as soon as it as blown.

This guy kept swimming back and forth, back and forth over and over the whole time, I was beginning to think it might have been crazy, but there really isn't anything else to do but laps. Inside the exhibit you could go down to an observation pit and see the bear swim under water which was really, really cool. I would have to give, "Cola"[my name not the name bequeathed to him by the zoo] the prize for most interesting. It was very neat to watch him swimming and interacting in the water.

Our zoo has a bald eagle, I think Oklahoma City has one too. These things are quite impressive. I have been told that the only way to get a bald eagle in a zoo is if the eagle is handicapped. I don't think this eagle could fly at all because it kept trying to flap, flap, flap away, but just couldn't get anywhere--poor thing. Their talons are immense and really shocked me as to how big these fellas really are. This eagle didn't look particularly big, maybe it was a baby or something.

The Children's' zoo was closed, but the goat and sheep pen was open. I've never smelled a stronger concentration of crap than at this place---well maybe the fair, but geez this stunk! Titus was determined to pet a goat and sheep. Mind you that Kendra's Grandmother raises goats and Titus could have petted all the goats he wanted to at Granny's, but this was a zoo goat and that gave him 10 million extra cool points. He was a very proud boy petting that goat. The goat he chose to pet was licking salt. It was pretty warm, which made me wonder, "if I were a goat, would I want to lick a block of salt?" Maybe, but I don't want to be a goat--nope! I was nervous as a cat and ready to fumigate he and I by the time we left that pin. WHEW! They stink.

Emma was along for the ride the whole time and just looked around at where she was. She was ultimately relaxed and happy as long as we had drinks and snacks handy--she was good to go. She's easy going and always takes things as they come. We kept trying to get her to wear sunglasses, but she just wouldn't. I was teasing with her to keep them on and she was fully playing the game right along with me having the best time. She loves to play, I'm not doing what you say. We always get stares when with our kids because they are off the charts with cuteness. How, tell me, how can you not look at this face and say it isn't' cute? We love our Radio flyer wagon incidentally. It has flip up seats to hold to riders, or you can fold them down and have a flatbed. I would ask the Radio Flyer people to please allow the pull handle to turn the wagon, please? The front wheels on ours pivot, which I don't really like. How can you ride down a hill in this thing!

Kendra and I commented on the shock of so many teenager's being inappropriate with their girl/boyfriend. It was beyond just holding hands which is fine to what I would say is just groping. Where are these parents? Why did they not teach their daughters that they should not compromise their dignity or chastity...where are the Dad's to taught their son's to not "go out with" girls who think so little of their own bodies that they offer it up to just anyone? Where are they? There is beauty and wonder and honor and dignity in chastity. Please tell your sons that they need to respect girls and honor them and be turned off by girls who do, because they think so little of themselves. Please tell your daughters that no matter what they are wonderful, and beautiful, and that their chastity and dignity and honor is something that can only be given once, to chose wisely whom you honor with that gift and make it count. Sigh.

All in all the Tulsa Zoo was fun and I would go back. On the way out I pointed to Kendra and said, "look my favorite sign in the whole place." "What?" "Right there...EXIT." I got a whack, but it was a whack of, "I totally agree...but this was a great day and our kids had a great time and we are both really, really tired but our kids will never forget this" kind of whack.

Memory Lane: Big Spring Park

My hometown is Neosho, Missouri. I was born at Sale Memorial Hospital just off the square in Neosho. As a little boy I can remember loving Saturday's because it meant, "going to town" which meant going to the square. Our square had a JC Penny, McGinty's, William's, Buster Brown, Ben Franklin, and other great shops that you could while the day away shopping from store to store. We always had Granny with us which was just a hoot, she loved to shop at Penny's and thought William's and McGinty's too expensive. Even though each of these stores had sales which made clothes cheaper and Penny's the fact that it came from "there" made it too rich for her blood. "They can keep those fancy clothes. I don't need no fancy duds--whom I gonna impress." Needless to say when I had opportunity to purchase clothes from McGinty's I thought I was really stepping out in style!

If you had to go to the bathroom while shopping you had to take yourself to the courthouse. You didn't ask a clerk where the bathroom was, you didn't look around and try to find it yourself, you just went to the courthouse, everyone knew it. Sis and I always went to the courthouse using the excuse that we had to "go" just to get free and explore. Our Courthouse is also the county seat for Newton County. Neosho has a rich history which dates back to the Civil War. It was actually the Confederate Capital for during the war. Being a person who loves nostalgia--I love thinking about my city being in the midst of the Civil War and the town square being burned down as the soldiers retreated (which it was). This Courthouse was built in the 30's ( think 1938). It's all limestone and marble. As you walk in the whole place just echos and resonates. The Jail is on the very top of the building. Sis and I always went to the very top to try and see a prisoner--no such luck. I always imagined what I would do if a prisoner came into the bathroom while I was there. I could get myself really worked up. It would be the ultimate rush and flush--let me tell you. I was kind of a fraidy cat. As I remember it, the courthouse looks exactly the same on the sides, so I don't know which side of the building this was. I'm guessing west side, because all of the sheriff's cars parked on the west side.

As will most town squares in our great nations it is struggling to survive. William's, McGinty's, JC Penny, Buster Brown, all have gone by the wayside closing. It is so tragic that William's and McGinty's closed because they were locally owned. So sad, but an unavoidable sign of the times in which we live. I think that the day is coming, and may already be here, when our town squares will once again the bustling and thriving hubs as we try to get back a piece of history to comfort us in "this age."

Big Spring Park was a wonderland for me. I love Big Spring Park. I have played for hours and hours in this great park. A little over three years ago we took Titus there and let him play in the wading pool that I played in at his age. I found myself very emotional, filled with nostalgia in seeing him love a place so dear to my heart. The picture above is a great shot of Big Spring Park, as you can see it really goes back quite a ways. There are hills surrounding the park with walking trails all throughout the woods. Legend has it that this spring, and the bridge, (smooth as glass rock bridge over 150 years old!) was THE location for slaves and wives to gather and to their wash. There is also a legend of a cave which has long been closed off and cannot be found. There are two legends. The first is of confederate gold and confederate soldiers buried in this cave, and the other legend is that there were several children who lost their lives in exploring this cave when it collapsed. I like to believe the the first legend as it's very adventuresome and exciting much more so than the dreary and depressing deaths of children.

I came across this flick'r post of Big Spring Park in Neosho! I have no idea who these people are, but boy am I glad they brought their camera to Big Spring Park. The white columns in the background are of the wading pool, which is in the very back of the park. This park was in it's prime in the 20's and 30's.

As a kid I can remember going to the park and playing on the swing set and slide, and teeter totter, then going to the wading pool. It was always packed and full of kids, but there never seemed to be too many, always room for more. Parks today are so "safe." Nothing like when I was a kid. The slide in our neighborhood is plastic...my slide was metal. Sliding down a stainless steel metal slide in August is sheer torture on your bare legs! It was more of a EEEEEOOOWWWW than a "WEEEEE!" There was a really cool rock "water house" where the boys and girls could go to the bathroom. When we went there with Titus it had been closed, but was still standing. I hope they never tear it down.

On one of the hills there is a white limestone cross (probably 20 feet tall) laid in the side of the hill which used to have tulips and daffodils that would grow just in time for Easter Sunrise service. There were also a lot of May Day and May Pole parties. Here is another flick'r shot of that area. Not sure who these people are either, but don't they look uncomfortable? The steps behind the columns go up to the cross. The columns are a sort of amphitheater type set up, very cool. This is area is in the middle of the park. As you look into the park (from the top photo) it would be on the right hand side right in the middle. The originators of the park obviously placed great importance on it's location and wanted it to be the center of attention, but it's place was lost years ago. Towns just don't celebrate like they used to, do they?

Here is another photo from the same flick'r group of Abbot Cave at Big Spring Park. This cave is in the very back of the park in the corner (behind the wading pool). This cave has a spring running through and is damp and noisy and so cool. As you go down these steps you feel like you are stepping into history to a time that has been long done. I can remember sitting on these steps, which go down to the underground stream, and wondering about the people who forged these steps. What were they thinking as they stood on this "new" entrance to the cave. Did they imagine generations of people walking up to this very entrance and going down to catch crawfish so girls could be scared out of their minds (girls can run FAST when boys come at them with crawfish!). What mementos were put into those steps by the craftsmen that only they knew were there but were placed there to leave a piece of themselves. I dont' know if you can tell or not, but between the boy and girl are some concrete walkways--what were they for? I have no idea.

My family enjoyed Memorial Day and 4th of July pic nic's under the shade of trees provided by the Big Spring Park. Those times with my Poppa, Granny, and Robba all were assembled for a massive family get together (rare for both sides of the family to come together) and enjoy the day laughing and having a great time. Robba brought German Potato salad and this fabulous layered salad which was so good. I usually tried to get mostly mayonnaise and bacon with my little bits of lettuce. Mom made this great salad with cauliflower (raw), green onion, bacon, cheddar cheese, peas, all tossed in this bacon ranch dressing (loved it!). Auntie Ilene's sweet tea brought in the Tupper ware gallon jug (remember those?) ice cold Nehi grape and other colas in the cooler. Grilled burgers and hot dogs. The best time.

Making memories is so fun. Being able to look at pictures, even if they are from people you don't even know, that take you back to a time when you had no worries or cares and were surrounded by the people whom you adored and adored you. Times when you could run free and have the cool grass keep your feet from being burned. Love the memories of my childhood and I love Big Spring Park!