An Article by my then 13 year old Grand daughter Chelsey Small while living in Madisonville Kentucky

Where I’m From

By Chelsey Small

May 27, 2011

I am from film cameras, from Kodak and VHS Movies.

I am from a house for six with a yard to match.

I am from the dandelions that never stop growing, from the wise trees that act as if they’re young.

I am from laughter and love, from Stan and Susanne Small.

I am from the “Nobody’s Perfect”, and “It has to work”.

From “Stop the attitude” and “Be Careful”.

I am from church. From Christians, crosses, and the Holy Bible.

I am from Kirksville, Missouri, fudge brownies, and biscuits with gravy.

From the Great Grandmother who had a stroke and was only able to speak clearly when she saw me for the first time after I was born,

The grandpas who fought in war,

And the Grandma who had both knees replaced.

I am from family videos with me as a baby, along with my siblings.

From the big family get-togethers under the Christmas tree, and all the pictures with family members.

I am from country and town.

From a car driving back and forth to the same place and people.

I am from caution and care.

From friends for hanging on to and from friends for letting go.

I am from God.

From saying goodbye, but then saying hello.

The Story of Old Drum

Ever wonder where the old saying, "A man's best friend is his dog," came from? Well, if you guessed Warrensburg, Missouri, you were right!

Senator George Graham Vest won a court battle and the hearts of dog lovers everywhere when he paid his famous tribute to the dog during the 1870 Burden vs. Hornsby court case in Warrensburg. The speech included the line, "The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog."

The "eulogy to the dog" won the case for Charles Burden whose favorite hound, Old Drum, was shot by a neighbor & brother-in-law, Leonidas Hornsby, who had sworn to shoot the first sheep-killing dog that came onto his land. Although Hornsby had hunted with Drum and acknowledged him to be one of the best hunting dogs he had ever seen, he also suspected that Drum was the dog that had been killing his sheep. Hornsby, carried out his threat when one night a dog was found prowling in his yard. That dog was Old Drum.

Burden immediately sued Hornsby for damages, and the trial quickly became one of the strangest in the history of this area of the country. Each man was determined to win the case. After several trials at magistrate court and district court, punctuated by appeals by the loser in each trial, the case finally reached the Supreme Court of Missouri. The award of $50 in damages to Burden for the loss of his favorite hunting dog was upheld.

The many trials involved prominent attorneys on both sides. David Nation, whose wife Carrie made a name for herself in the Temperance Movement, appeared for Burden in one of the early encounters. The last jury trial, held September 23, 1870, in what is now the Johnson County Historical Society museum, featured the most prominent lawyers.

Hornsby, the defendant, was represented by the firm of Crittenden & Cockrell. Tom Crittenden had been Lt. Col. of the 7th Cavalry, Missouri State Militia (Federal), in the 'late unpleasantness'. He was to go on to the Governership of Missouri in 1880; Tom Crittenden issued the reward that motivated the Ford brothers to kill Jesse James. His partner was Francis Marion Cockrell, recently a Brigadier General commanding the 1st Missouri Brigade (CSA), one of the hardest-fighting units in the Confederate Army of Tennessee (see Cedarcroft B&B's Civil War bibliography for more on his history). Cockrell later spent 5 terms in the U.S. Senate.

Appearing for Burden was the Sedalia-based firm of Phillips & Vest. John Phillips had been a Union Colonel & Tom Crittenden's immediate superior; he was later a congressman and a federal judge. George Graham Vest had been a strong secessionist, having written Missouri's Articles of Secession while in the state legislature in 1861. His war service was in Richmond representing Missouri in the Confederate House of Representatives and Senate. He later served in the U.S. Senate for 4 terms.

Perhaps because he spent the war talking rather than fighting, George Vest was known as one of the finest extemporaneous speakers in an age when the spoken word was the most important means of communication for most people. Vest's closing argument in the Old Drum case, known as his "eulogy to the dog," won the case and became a classic speech, recognized by William Safire as one of the best of the millenium.

Through the direction of the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce and coordinated efforts by many dog lovers across the country, Old Drum was immortalized in a statue on the Johnson County Courthouse lawn in Warrensburg on September 23, 1958. Previously, in 1947, Fred Ford of Blue Springs placed a monument to Old Drum at a crossing of Big Creek where Old Drum's body was found.

While no record was kept of the last half of Vest's tribute to a dog, the first portion has fortunately been preserved. It was this speech that originated the saying, "A man's best friend is his dog."

WARNING - GET A TISSUE BEFORE YOU CONTINUE!

George Graham Vest speaking:

"Gentlemen of the jury, the best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter whom he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us -- those whom we trust with our happiness and good name -- may become traitors in their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world -- the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous -- is his dog.

"Gentlemen of the jury, a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow, and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

"If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death."

The Story of Old Drum

Aunt Lora Dean Fisher

 A True Inspiration

Sit back and let me tell you a little story about growing up in the hills of Missouri. It is a special story about a special lady that was important for helping build my character and my positive outlook on life.

You see in my early years I didn’t only get orders from my Mom but had to answer to all my Aunts to. These were strong willed god-fearing women that never took no for an answer, and if you said no you had better have a good reason. If your daily antics required discipline, the rod was never spared because they had a lot of experience at that too. This was true of all the kids in our family. It was just a way of life.  You had to answer to all the adults. Knowing all the tricks that had been pulled on them years before made the Youngblood women very wise and smart.

One of my favorite people was my Aunt Lora Dean. Now she lived just down the road from where I lived so she knew me and my childish ways quite well. I loved to visit her and my uncle Clarence. It was so much fun to spend time with them. He was always telling me a funny story in a very low voice hoping she would not hear. It was usually about something that he had pulled on her the day before.  She was busy preparing a dish on the stove waiting for company that hadn’t arrived yet pretending not to pay attention and trying her best to ignore what he had to say. Every once in a while too much loud laughter would get us into trouble.

In those days if you visited anyone, the first thing on the agenda was you had to eat. If you didn’t, you would hurt someone’s feelings. I remember one time when she invited me and my wife Judy to dinner. Now I had made the mistake of stopping at another friends house first and of course they had to feed me. When I got to her house, I pretended to be hungry and tried to eat. I was so full from the previous stop. It was hard for me to eat what she had cooked. Of course I tried to fool her and should have known better, It had never worked in the past but I thought that it might just work this time. She knew what I had done right a way and looked me right in the eye and said, young man you ate before you got here. I got a good scolding for trying that. I still laugh about that today.

She was kind of a pioneer in the Neighborhood where I lived. Having been a teacher in the early years of her life at the little Ridgedale School. She taught many of the local people that were our family and friends.  That is where I first started to school. Although life was hard at Ridgedale we were a close family. Every weekend we would all get together and have a big reunion at my Grandpa and Grandma’s house. It was always fun to listen to the tall tales everyone would tell. There were lots of laughter and many good things to eat. She was an excellent cook. The highlight of the party was making homemade ice cream.

One of the things I remember was whenever I had a problem I could always go to her for advice. As a matter of fact I got her advice if I wanted it or not. When she looked at me, I knew I had better tell the truth because she would know if I was telling her a lie. I still cherish the time I got to spend with her and my uncle Clarence. She always made time for me which made me feel important.

When I come home, I still like to drive up the old highway, to the house that sits across the road from the little church that is nestled in the trees. I still see the old wooden barrels at the end of the driveway half buried in the ground filled with cold water where uncle Clarence would put his cans in after milking his cows to keep the fresh milk cool, waiting for the truck to pick up and take to the plant in town. I look at the big picture window and sure enough there Aunt Lora Dean stands with her apron on, busy cooking something good and waiting for family or friends to drop in. I want to pull up in the driveway, walk in and give her a big hug. I don’t even have to knock because the door is always open to me. The old cellar that I love to go in that was used to store vegetables and fresh meat is still there. I have to keep reminding myself. 

She doesn’t live here anymore.  She had to move to town a long time ago for health reasons, but I still like to dream and pretend. She is such an inspiration to me and the highlight of my day is to hear her voice on the phone. I try and go home as often as I can. 

Some kind of a strange force always seems to guide me up the hill to that little house where she now lives. There she sits in that old rocking chair with that same smile she has had for years that I have come to cherish. What a life she has experienced.  It’s such a privilege for me to have lived in an era with her and my Uncle Clarence. Isn’t it great to be able to reminisce about the good times with special people that you love? 

Aunt Lora Dean through your wisdom and understanding you has affected not only me but many people. You are my inspiration. My family all loves you very much and want you to know just how special you are. May your days be long, may your years be many, and may your body be free of pain and suffering. I will continue to honor and love you for the rest of my life.

God Bless You.

Your Nephew

Max

Bananas - amazing fruit

Allow me to start with another use: If you are having problems with roaches, etc. on your patio, place a banana skin inside a jar. The insects are attracted to the scent, crawl inside the jar, and can't get out! One skin can be used for about a week.




A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas. He said the expression "going bananas" is from the effects of bananas on the brain. Read on:



Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!! This is interesting. After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.



Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.



Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.



But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.



Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.



PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.



Anemia : High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.



Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.



Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power.

Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.



Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.



Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system. Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.



Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness



Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.



Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.



Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips.. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady..



Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.



Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.



Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.



Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal..



Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance.. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.



Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!



Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!



So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

LEGEND OF AN OLD TATER FORK

His birth name was Paul but people who knew him, called him Pete. He grew up with the Youngblood family at Ridgedale Mo, a small community about a mile from the Arkansas border in southern Missouri. Born out of wedlock, with a speech impairment, his mother and family did not want anything to do with him. At that time he was thought to be mentally retarded. So at a young age Pete was turned into an outcast and homeless person. He was ridiculed and mocked by his peers at a time in his young life that should have been the Golden Years. When my grandfather first met him and saw the living conditions he was trying to survive in, decided right then and there that Pete was going to be a permanent part of the Youngblood family. He was a colorful character. His love was working the outdoors. Vegetable gardens were his favorites. In the spring when everything ripened he enjoyed showing everyone things that he had picked. His favorite past time was digging new potatoes. His most prized possession was a (tater fork) as he called it, which was used to dig new potatoes. He never worried about money, bills, taxes or current events, he enjoyed living in his own private world of simple and beautiful things. So you see I would never call Pete mentally retarded because in his small world of limited knowledge the things he loved to do were done well. I grew up with Pete, and when Granddad left he came to live with our family. Dad and Mom built him his own private house where he lived until his health got so bad that he had to move to a home where he could get professional care. Pete and I spent a lot of time in the woods. I think he could talk to the wild animals because they were never afraid of him. He would spot a deer or squirrel before I ever knew that they were there. His constant companion was an old homeless dog that dad had picked up somewhere wandering down the road. In his later years he would often go down into a hollow and couldn’t climb back up. So I would have to help him. He loved to cut down small trees with an ax. After the branches were all cleaned up, he would stack them in big piles ready to be cut up for firewood. They were a prized possession he would show everybody. He never forgot a name. When introduced to him for the first time you would never forget his name either. He was always doing things to make you laugh. Mom was working outside in the yard one day, she heard a racket coming from his house and decided to investigate and see what he was up to. There he was, singing a song and dancing. He sure was happy. He loved to chew tobacco. He would tell everyone, I was born in a (baccer) patch. Pete never asked for much out of life, just a kind word, something to eat and a place to lay his head. I am thankful I had the privilege of knowing him. He was one of the last true Legends of the Ozark mountains that will always be remembered with a smile when folk lore is discussed. Nature has now reclaimed the wood pile he created, old animal friends weep at his passing, his (tater fork) stands in the corner of the shed gathering rust from lack of use and the old lawnmower he used to cut the lawn with is silent, never to run again. Pete’s in heaven now, free of pain and reunited with the family that loved him so much. A true Legend is a special person like Pete that only come around once in a lifetime. It’s always hard to give them up. But I know God puts these special people on earth for a purpose and will never tolerate abuse or let them suffer too much. He will always find them a safe haven with families that treat their disabilities with love, not scorn. Pete, you were my friend. May the sun always shine bright on your new home and your vegetable garden be blessed with an abundance of fruit, May your (tater fork) stay bright and shiny. You were such an important part of my life and to all others that knew you. I will never forget. God Bless You, Rest in peace my friend.

Your Pal Max

JUST DAD, AN OLD HUNTING DOG AND ME

I awoke this morning to the sound of birds singing, and off in the distant I can hear the caw of a crow that is upset with some creature that has disturbed him. This is not just an ordinary morning. Something is calling me. I’m lying here not fully awake yet trying to figure out this unusual feeling I am experiencing. A gentle breeze is blowing through the open window of my bedroom. I recognize the familiar smell of the dogwood trees in bloom. They are releasing their fragrance and telling me that spring has come to the Ozark mountains of Missouri. I need to get up and enjoy this beautiful day God has provided for me. I was born and raised in this hilly country. My life was never boring, because there was always something exciting for a young boy like myself to do. We had numerous cattle ponds on the property that was stocked with catfish. I spent countless hours sitting on the bank fishing for them. I would lay my head back and close my eyes, fall asleep and dream about some simple problem that was so important to me at the time. My small world was full of positive things. This morning I want to go squirrel hunting and have to get out of bed because it’s a special day and I have a lot of walking and exploring to do. I know the old dog is ready to go. I can hear him moving around. The squirrels will be busy eating acorns to store up fat reserves for the coming winter. It will be a great time for a hunt. I slip out of bed very quietly, put my clothes on, get my gun and shells and slowly open the door. Low and behold there sits dad with a big grin. He has gotten up early. The call of the wild has given him the same idea as me. I love to hunt with him and listen to the tall tales he tells about experiences and events that happened during his lifetime. He is such an inspiration to people who know him. I feel like I’m ten feet tall when we are together. He is not only my dad but also my friend. This morning we head for the old Dutchman place. It’s about a mile from our house and a good place to hunt or just be by yourself. Dad and I are walking down the old road going real slow when we hear the dog bark. That sound I know very well. It is one of the greatest experiences you will ever have if you love to hunt the outdoors. It means that your dog has found a squirrel and has run it up a tree. You have to go slow now because when you get to where the dog is and make too much noise the squirrel will get scared and start jumping from tree to tree. When that happens, he will get away. We get to the spot and start looking, sure enough the squirrel is hiding on the opposite side of the tree. Dad looks over to me and says: Max! Go down the hill and shake a bush. So I wade through all the black berry vines, getting my face scratched, all the time looking out for poison ivy plants, because I’m very allergic to the oil they secrete, all the while trying to find a bush small enough to shake so the squirrel will move to dad’s side in order for him to get a shot. True to form as soon as the little animal sees me, he moves to the opposite side of the tree and dad takes a shot and gets him. Down he comes and lands right in the middle of that black berry patch. I feel like Briar Rabbit trying to retrieve him. To this very day when I sleep at night I can see my dad and still hear him saying: Max! Walk down the hill and shake a bush. He loved old dogs and always had one around him that someone had discarded. All of them lived their lives on our farm and never had to worry about being abandoned somewhere else. The Dutchman place was very unique because of all the different varieties of trees it had. There were black walnut, wild persimmon, sassafras and a abundance of oak trees. The wild animals loved it. There are deer, turkey, squirrel, fox and many other species too numerous to name. It was a hunters paradise. A lot of family history is associated with that piece of land and Dad loved to talk about it. It was originally owned by a German family and got its name The Dutchman Place. I know my brother was born when Dad and Mom lived there. I can remember my uncle living there and walking down over the hill to get water for him from the natural cave that is on the property. When I was growing up, I spent many days exploring the old cave, looking for an imaginary treasure I thought existed in its dark caverns, just to have something to do. The old pond by the road was a place to swim, kill water snakes, raise minnows and Gold Fish. There was also an abundance of Deer. In the fall of the year Dad would put me on a Big Rock that lies at the back of the property with a shotgun and told me to sit still so he could chase a Deer to me off the next hill to kill for our winters meat supply. I remember sitting on that rock when it was so cold I could hardly stand it. We usually got our Deer. Golly! I have got to get up. Dad is waiting. All at once I open my eyes and realize that I have been dreaming. I’m a long way from our farm and Dad had to leave years ago. Oh what a great experience I have just had. Too bad it’s not real. Our old hunting area probably is overgrown with vegetation now. Nature has taken it back. All those pleasant memories will forever exist deep in my heart of Just Dad an old Hunting Dog and me.

Max Youngblood

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn' t feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I looked at you and wanted to say,’ Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'

LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT . Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, & friend) influences the life of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today?

Live simply.

Love generously...

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Leave the rest to God...