A Day with Fred

Some days are just what days are supposed to be here in the Ozarks. Today was one of them. Fred offers me a refreshing perspective on the lives we live, the areas around us, the wonders of nature, and appreciating the little quirks that make things unique to me. Fred is one of those rare friends whom I can trust to tell him what I really feel and know he understands me. I'm lucky to be able to enjoy his company and our occasional outings.
Today we went to the Ozark Folk Center and then to Mountain View. This was their big festival of the season and it was amazing. The Folk Center, no matter how busy or slow, is about the friendliest place to visit and learn about all the old ways of life in the Ozarks. The first place inside of the center was the wood turner's shop and the gentleman was showing the kids how to throw and spin the wooden tops. He then demonstrated the lathe which was powered by the bending of a long branch by a rope looped around the turning piece and then to the foot pedal. Every shop had something for us to learn and every store keeper had tales to tell and were happy to demonstrate how they accomplished their trade. The lady in the print shop demonstrated a print press that was powered by "legtricity" and some very fast hand work. We also found the grounds to be interesting as we tried to identify the plants, many of which were wild flowers native to the area. We watched the kids trying their skill on the stilts at the old school and rolling hoops. The blacksmith was making leaves on the ends of iron rods that would make wonderful curtain rods. A lady was "caining" a chair in the furniture shop. The couple in the soap shop could have kept my attention a whole day if I would have had the time.
Then we left and headed for Mountain View. We ventured through quite a few shops, ate a late lunch on the patio of a Mexican restaurant where the service and the food was scrumptious, and listened to the old-time music around the square, visited a good number of craft booths, and finally ended up in a candy shop where one of the owners was kind enough to give us a tour. I got some caramel pecan divinity and Fred got some peanut butter fudge. I believe we walked off most of the calories.
Coming home Fred pointed out some Mayapples that were growing along the road and we stopped so I could see them. It's an interesting herb and something else to learn about.
Thanks, Fred. As usual, you gave me lots of memories and a great time.