AFTER THE GREAT FLOODING OF SPRING 2008

Well there is more than enough to speak of in the aftermath of these mid-west rains and flooding. The deluge and the road 'wash-outs', the low-water bridges covered in muddy water, the incredible currents of the spring waters and creeks and rivers, the places along the network of gravel and black top roads impassible! All of the mid-west and other states adjoining, but I write specifically of south-central Missouri and the Ozarks. The North fork of the White River, the flooding of campgrounds and boat launches, the rolling churning streaming waters night and day of Bryant Creek and this nearby North Bridges Creek, to name only a select few. The barn filled with three feet of water, the grounds saturated so much with water it becomes nearly quick-sand and mucky mire, boots are sucked in, the livestock cannot find a place to find a dry bed and it goes on! But, now these last few days, ah, the sun and blue sky has returned and the land begins to return to a more normal condition. The pools and puddles are nearly gone, the grasses are green and the sun is glistening off all of the colors of these surroundings. The Ozarks smile again and the breezes return with a southerly warming. Late March lives and breathes like a lamb once again and all is well. The rains have been welcome but not at such a rate. Some areas have received nearly 10 inches of rain in a 36 hour period! Here in Ozark County we received about 8 inches of it in that same duration of time. Now, the goats and llamas settle in the grasses of sun and hay and dried ground. The creek has become its regular self again and Aprils awaits its turn to arrive. The daffodils are blooming and wild flowers are preparing their colorful presence. It is Springtime in the rolling Ozarks! The earth turns. The season arrives. Of birth and sun and flowers and warm southern air. Major league baseball begins soon. Canoe outings, float trips, fishing season, eagles in the blue sky above, deer at creek side stare, the moon is full on the 20th of March gleaming across the surface of Norfolk lake streams and creeks, laughter can be heard, pine trees shade one at the river's hillside, chipmunks scurry and the bobcat screams in the distance of a dark black forest. All is well again. The spinning gem of this life! And for now the great flooding of this spring of 2008 is passed. All is well. -RSC, Elijah, Missouri. /Saturday 1pm