March 17 2020

And we roll. Not lol. RAin again lol. Occasional Thunder and lightning.

Im learning about pink board. It has R value. Then u got Lewwan and dry wall. If pink board is attractive I want it. This isnt women.

I saw where PINK does pasta2 reduce stress. It's quite the workout I guess making pasta and beating, kneading, rolling it with that rolling pin. I can c where that could b healthful in just the making of. Then u could make a making of documentary. The Making of The Making Of Pasta.

March 16. 2020

March on. Life isandthenu.

Rain out the whole week looks like. "IT's death on a stick mate."

I stand like Swayze in the fifty year storm. But there is always a Keannu.

Remodeling. My house burned. So I'm putting an apartment on my shop. It's being professionally done, I will show u soon.

Rivers r up. soon it will b time4 Warm Fork and South Fork, Jack's Fork, ARchies spork.

Corona Virus and complete crash of the Stock Market. so much since I last blogged. ONly a few cases in Arkansas right now, the general consensus is intermingle very little and maybe the virus will die out in a couple months.

All sports canceled. Schools closed. Attendance down in churches and bars, restaurants  

I was putting 2gether a new Blue Collar Jam and started booking talent and then it just hit me, no next month is not wise. Give this thing some time.

I'm maintaining trucks, I'm keeping a fire going, equipment red e2 get back2 work when this rain stops next week prolly.

So maybe with this virus it would b wise2 b out in National Forest. I could get on Buffalo4 2weeks. Eleven Point4 one week. Current4 three weeks. LEts c thats six weeks, so I would still need2 b out many more weeks. The river is all I need. As long as I have my wet suit. And a match.

I need a dog. Or a woman with a dog. One pretty lady has a cocker spaniel named banjo and they go on adventures but a rebel river adventure is a little extreme. Many women have accompanied me.

Flowers floating among moonlight lately. Pear, quince, peach, plum, forsythia, northern magnolia...

T Rump 2day. There is no such thing As Corinavirus. Invest in the stock market. Vulture capitalism is the way. Jesus would b a vulture capitalist.

Obama caused this repos will say. When he set up that CDC or pandemic response team he was really getting red e2 release it with Bidens permission but Hillary busy abducting grade schoolers4 sex slavery and routinely performing up2 a dozen abortions every night4 extra cash.

This is exactly what repos did in Benghazi. They cut funding4 embassy security2 put the screws2 Obama. Blame it on HIllary, frame her with Russia and Fox in tow or leading the pack. Now its cut the pandemic response team then blame Obama. Cheeto Mussolini and his obsession with a better man and better president.

Right wingers continue2 flout the virus, because that was T Rumps vibe until the declaration of emergency. What a sick joke he is.

Uncle Tom Cotton threatens war with China over the virus. He also threatens war with Iran over the virus. HE also implies Dums did all this2 damage T Rump. Cotton is said2 b a likely choice of Running Mate when T rump throws Pence under the bus after putting him in charge of the virus response, and proceedings bungling along as expected when life long scientists are replaced with cronies.

Seems T Rump offered A german vaccine company a cool Billion? or was it a trillion? 4 us2 have the vaccine. ONly us.

More lightning and thunder moving in this dark night. More rain. I don't mind. The creeks will b murmuring approval, babbling happily. Water tables rising like the proverbial MOJO. Juju petals awaits, we will roar approval, willows will tremble...

i have worked lately, a broken red oak comes2 mind, two loblolly pines, part of a split ash,.. I figure when it dries out I will have plenty2 do...

I hit the mountain bike and Ebike a few times lately. Tryna get back n2 it.

STay tuned vets.

                                    The view from my camper.

March 4 2020.

March on. And we roll. Nice Rebel Tree Care jobs 2day in Cherokee Village. First up was Lake Thunderbird, a gangly shagbark hickory needed big reduction. It was a smallish tree, but tricky enough. Up next was a large ash all over the house. Meticulously we removed branches small and large over the house, several had been cut back2 the roof line by a chump. Classic non standard scam. In the mix was a quick trim from the ground of a large red oak, then lake side it was quick trims from the ground of a large ash, statuesque persimmon, bushy maple, and apple. Nice morning.

After lunch @ Chow we moved over2 the North Golf Course, up a large red oak, fairly large climb and reduction over parking. In the mix was quick trim of another large red oak and dropping a long dead red oak by the fence out back. We crawled home with plenty of firewood and chips.

US forces attack Taliban hours after T Rump announces truce/problem solved easily.

Another Medicaid work requirement nixed by federal judge. Seems making disabled applicants "jump through a set of three concentric flaming hoops in a funny mascot costume like Will Ferrel in Old School," was deemed inappropriate and contrary2 the stated mission of the deparment.

White House documents said by Huckster Sanders2 b declassified. But. We. Can't c. Them. They are not classified. We Just can't view them. End of story. Awkward.

Senate repos relaunch Biden probe. Minutes after his Super Tuesday wins were confirmed. Nothing political here. Just crime fighters, corruption police.

T Rump 2day: Problems with Coronavirus response are Obama's fault. Eleven people dead in mainland US, killed by this dum hoax just2 "get" T Rump. Its a cover up, a distraction, from the fact that T Rump fired the pandemic response team. Just. Because. Obama. Initiated. It.

Texas show cases classic voter suppression. Long lines and closed voting areas in Latino and Black districts. Rich repo districts featured zero wait times and valet parking, refreshments and massages. Black colleges had2 w8 even longer, averaging six hours.

In the midst of renewed war and coronavirus threats, T Rump released another childish twitter barrage, mocking Elizabeth Warren and everyone else as losers.

T Rump2 offer "medicare for all," during the coronavirus crisis, but only temporary. "Even if we pass Medicare4 none, university health care, whatever, he tweeted, repos will make damn sure. That. Preexisting. Conditions. R. Not. Covered."

Nashville ripped up by tornados. Many dead and missing.

Im pumped about maybe getting on a river in a couple weeks. Warm Fork Crossing. Better get my Missouri Fishing license soon. Guess I just get a year long or whatever those weekend passes eat up cash. Plus I gotta get real up2 date on bass season.

Here is the story journal veterans may or may not recall and maybe it's unwise2 brag about a federal crime but I put in @ Thomasville a few years ago, in April or May, catching larger small mouths and putting them on the stringer2 tow along on Eleven Point River. I read the Missouri fishing book carefully, but not carefully enough. @ a public campground I showed my sweet stringer of Two and Three pound Small mouths, I planned2 eat a couple, store a couple, and maybe release some. A local couple said I should probably hide the stringer because if a Game Warden saw them I was in big trouble. I said why I read the book they are all legal size yada yada. I even showed them the book2 confirm I was legal. But they pointed out an asterisk. That asterisk meant that the fish were legal during bass season. Which. Started three weeks later around Memorial Day.

So I let them go, although I did build a fire downstream of the camp and cooked a couple up. I think I will do enclosed minnow buckets, fill them with a few shiners and put tiny bluegill in it4 a meal or limb line bait. I can't b pulling a stringer around, the drag kills u in a canoe, so I'm getting pretty quick @ cleaning fish and getting them n2 a Cooler. I can do it floating but I usually pull over on a sand bar. I need better skills @ filleting. Fillet show is important.

I also need better throw net skills. Every year It takes me a while2 really get a spiral and connect with the net. Sure I catch a few odd creatures but I need2 b deadly accurate and quick with it, cos an instant bucket of shiners or other finds needs2 b routine. Maybe I need2 get out on the river with Scott Griffin.

I'm thinking seriously of starting up east of Koshkonong Missouri on the Warm Fork. Warm Fork conservation area. No one does that. It's usually bone dry. But everything is a little up right now if she will just b patient I will paddle her.

One of the biggest hazards in this game of wilderness rivers r thorny strainers. Vicious banks of thorns blocking an entire river. sometimes u have2 abandon ship, capsized the ship on purpose, and use he bottom, or top as a fender2 protect urself and gear from puncture from honey locust or ripped and torn by osage orange.

I'm usually ready2 abandon ship. Even in winter I can handle it. I mean I can get over beaver dams without getting my feet wet and such but sometimes u have2 just jam up dig ur heels in. That Thomasville run usually has portages around downed trees blocking the river.

I can rescue lost paddles and other flotsam in winter that other floaters if there are any wont bother with. I can help Darryl when his little kayak trailer gets wrapped around something and I can retrieve favorite fishing lures. If its very cold I wear a wet suit and a rain suit. With this combination u will b comfortable and warm even when wet on a thirty degree day or night. And when out of the water u will not feel the chillest winds. Wool socks help2.

February 18 2020

And we roll. Rain falling steadily. Earlier it was sleeting profusely. Early we were rigging a tall red oak over a fine home on Spring River. Curtain of white water stretching, framing our work site. As we waited4 the power and cable2 show, I got n2 a sturdy tall white oak, raising it up, removing lower branches. Then another more massive white oak over the river, taking large dead and a large low hanging branch4 a better view.

Then the main event, the tall red oak slammed down right on target. I even managed2 miss a dogwood that seemed surely doomed.

So we r plugging along, knocking jobs out every morning it's not raining.

Now it is 2000 members of past justice departments clamoring4 Barr's resignation.

Plus an emergency meeting of federal judges. This as T Rump contines2 claim Mexico is paying4 the wall. Continues2 tweet and intimidate witnesses, obstruct justice, etc.

T Rump pardons former illinois Governor Rod Blogobitch. That figures. Quid Pro Quo2 all the bitches out there.

T Rump pardons Michael Milken. Another high profile distraction. More proof or his war on corruption.

T Rumps threatens2 sue everyone involved with the Mueller probe. He and Devin Nunes are promising2 sue "all dumocrats", sometime next week.

Rain slows and ends.

Kodi wearing my old letter jacket.

January 11 2020

And the river rolls. Fine rolling class three or four rapids. Viscous whips of quick wandering rip currents. Islands and trees straining, slowly showing more as floodlines recede.

So I've had my awesome power fix. Meditating. Standing long moments.

Now it is Ecovery. Recovery continues. I'm moving better, ready2 tackle trees. Plenty on tap.

I piddle, quick and efficient with cordless drill and drivers. Life is... Wet... Get er done.

Here is a random blog I found. I don't know if it's published or not.

It doesn't have a date but seems2 b recent.

.

 So I'm slowly developing another chapter of Water Spider. About Cherokee in Arkansas seventeen forty nine.

Writing is tough. Even with computers. U have2 really organize and pay attention, sometimes u lose inspiration4 a project, and if u don't follow the project strictly u risk repetiveness or nonsensical time lines and loss of context. 4 instance sometimes as illustrated below I will b writing a chapter in novel flow, then suddenly rapping like in this journal. Like I will b describing the Arkansas Cherokee World of 1772 and mention Hiway 58. Water Spider occupies me, next step4 Rebel Word. Hand drawn maps of Old Cherokee country in Arkansas. Someday I would like2 revisit some older projects also.

EROSION. Thinking seriously of having a Blue Collar Jam in April. It's four twenty the whole month. Griffin Park was bandied about as a host site. Free camping.

Panadox will b prominent and I may offer2 do Panadox @ a coffee shop grand opening in Mammoth Spring this month. I... Dont' know if a new business would... Appreciate EROSION.

1749.

Georgia, formerly slave free, adopted a capitalist pro slavery market boom. U can bet Cherokees in the extreme north Georgia were watching.

Often escaped slaves would cause a ruckus appearing @ a Cherokee gathering, throwing themselves on the mercy of the tribe. Black African Cherokee became common.

That was the southern end of Cherokee territory, on the Northern End, the Ohio River, The Ohio company now owned the Konawha River in Virginia, now it would b West Virginia.

Cherokee had used Ohio River2 come here2 ARkansas for over fifty years @ that point. But with the onset of the French Indian War about seventeen forty nine, that river likely became2 dangerous, even with the fastest boats as the Cherokee still had, and traveling @ night across large bays as the Cherokee still did, and possessing guns as the Cherokee did.

The Tennessee River was also likely 2 dangerous, as Cherokee/Creek wars and Cherokee/Chickasaw wars flared. Deep on the Cumberland and Kentucky Rivers Cherokee lived in caves and used rules of war fare they would bring2 Arkansas: travel by canoe @ night, no burning of day light fires, night fires hidden, no axes, beating of metal, shouting, or gun shots. Actually the shouting thing was also in the code of ethic, which bound Cherokee2 abide by council decisions and not argue on forever. Banishment meant low chance of survival. Although some of Cherokee here in Arkansas were banished from back east. The original core of banished Shaman  lived on Saint Francis River in seventeen twenty one.

They joined cherokee already there, and here. This must have been the Keetoowahs, They and frenchmen got along and merged.

Dangerous Man had already established towns near Williford Arkansas and Paragould Arkansas by seventeen hundred. Powhatans and Delaware people Pocahontas ARkansas. Irish Cherokees and Powhatans populated Powhatan Arkansas in sixteen ninety six.

Pocahontas and Powhatan are located on the extreme edge of the Ozark escarpment, eastern portions of those towns are mississippi embayment or lowland swamp, open water or standing water in cypress forest.

These towns were "coastal" as This coalition considered the big swamps "the ocean." They knew that down south this big swamp, which featured a tide of a foot or more, gradually blended naturally n2 the Gulf of Mexico and thus the big blue ocean some Cherokees might have seen in Carolina.

The industry standard canoe Cherokees and Powhatan brought over the mountains2 the Ohio was born from intense competition on the outer banks of Carolina. this industry spurt was caused by the introduction of the metal adze by English in 1592. Within a few decades, canoe making accelerated, with shore line camps guarding secrets of the trade, and open competition proving or not. A Canoe had2 b able2 circumvent the Outer banks or Roanoke Island, including the rough Ocean on the East side. It must post an honest record setting time around a major island 2 b considered4 other positive traits such as shallow draft2 move over shallows, the weight must be practical4 portage and dragging or carrying, and stability, though proven in open ocean, must also b proven on rapids. All of this research and industry sharing among native tribes settled upon an unbeatable boat. This boat conquered the Atlantic Seaboard, and as Cherokee and Powhatan explored west they took this boat 2 the Ohio river via the konowha, and soon everyone, English and French, acknowledged this boat as the fastest in the interior of the continent also. So with fastest most adaptable boats, traveling @ night, and by sixteen ninety six, guns, Cherokee established towns that, while no longer Cherokee after 1812, still survive or thrive 2day: Pocahontas Arkansas a "seaboard town on the edge of vast open water know on some maps as Cherokee Bay. Since it is south of the Thirty Six Thirty line it was considered Cherokee by the English, French and Spanish, but likely numerous Shawnees and Delaware joined Cherokee and Powhatan there, with percentages of black and European, particularly English, who came west with Delaware, Irish, long infused in Cherokee and Shawnee culture, And French, who "owned" Arkansas. Powhatan, south of Spring River, then called southfork, were likely more full blooded Cherokee with numerous Powhatan and Irish. Strawberry River is just south of Powhatan, Irish Cherokee were moving up that river2 claim valleys4 peaceful farms and strengthen the web.

Scots would b more and more crucial. A fraternal scot named John Stuart would become superintendent of indian affairs4 England, he was inspired and innovative, crafting treaties with Little Carpenter, both were Beloved by Cherokee.

Many among the tribes were also Masons or Royal Scots, members of secret societies, so they knew the value and thrift of keeping a vast secret. This web, Water Spiders web, was a grand secret, the power that Shawnees and Delaware, Cherokees and Osages held grew quietly. America never knew what awaited them as they exterminated or chased Shawnees and Cherokee east of the Mississippi. The secret coalition of tribes west of the Mississippi quietly awaited, unified and strong, and would have been unbeatable were it not4 the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811 and 1812.

This destroyed everything between the Ozarks Kentucky and Illinois. All was lost. In common intratribe council, Shawnees, Delaware, and Cherokee elected2 move west on foot in tandem, breeching Devils Backbone, the western limit4 over one hundred years.

Im tryna draw some interpretive maps, slowly, I'm not an artist or graphing and mapping guy, but I figure I can do this.

Crow Lee had a fast horse. And a mud horse. Little Crow Lee drove a mule daily and a team sometimes. From Forest Town2 they moved along the north south trail traversing the ridge. Open water showed often left and right. Paths off held Cherokee farm or port of commerce.

@ Carry Place Crow Lees Ridge narrowed then widened, dimpled with valleys, any portage across the ridge a slow myriad journey. The mule trail jogged a few times, skirting higher ground and soggy terrace.

On2 Pine Knot Crow Lee would move, checking sentries and posts with military rhythm.

Saint Francis waterway2 the east showed vast ocean, vast Mississippi waterway. Likewise west from high trails gigantic Cherokee Bay showed setting sun.

@ chalk Bluff Crow Lee camped. Ocean all around unless drought brought sandy beaches green prairie and white water.

Crow Lee drew a map on moonlit sand4 Little Crow Lee2 c. With an X he showed the Cherokee Post @ Black Rock. He drew a simple setting sun, water was easily depicted From there @ north End of Crow Lees Ridge, a boatman need merely make 2ward the setting sun during spring high water2 find the Southfork.

Cache Lifter held court @ favorite launch point. His fire constant, Birch boats made. Birch fine4 plying inlets and corners, hauling a few people or goods. standard ocean poplar canoe kept above. Hidden on high water lines and guarded with armed sentry. mat makers disguised things as did birch boats.

Crow Lee might make2 Saint Genevieve in some lame craft, smelly and unkempt he might take a slug of whiskey and act drunk, learning of trends and treasons from common word or typed circulars posted4 public reading.

Irish among Cherokee smuggled eastern papers, written circulars and books. Big Benny Franklin hosted writers and printers @ his creek on Strawberry River.

Often when camped @ Saint Francis, written words on sheets of paper, talking leaves2 Cherokee, were read aloud, stories shared, listeners silent.

Crow Lee made south now, varying his trail from the day b4, regular sentries expected him. Pigeons sent east and west with routine updates meant4 Old Mule in Willow Ford, or Cherokee sentries on Kentucky River.

Near Bono the ridge funneled2 near nothing, then stayed small and narrow many miles south. There was only one trail now, camps were central on highest ground, finally moving south the ridge fattened again, deep folds of Village Creek abuzz with Cherokee doings. Active village hummed with craft and preparation. Crow Lee released a pigeon North east2 Charlotte Cloud @ the corner post inside the backbone many miles across flat swamp. The pigeon held a scroll around its leg that signaled a journey from Forrest City2 Arkansas Post in the morning. Crow Lee would move out in deep night, making way southeast2 vile Arkansas Post, and Charlotte would send some warriors in fast canoes2 also come n2 Arkansas Post area @ dawn. Dawn was best, many thieves and banditts would b sleeping drunks.

He rigged fishing lines4 sturgeon. ARkansas post might cough up good barter terms4 fresh caviar. He went2 Village Lifter Maguire, a few nice furs, just a few, and bear or mink oil in sealed gourds would bring gypsy wages over @ the post, but scouts, converging @ dawn, should stay safe and c what could b had.

He had a Spanish coin and some willow headache powder. He could broker horse sales. Powder and lead might b got but @ a mark up, same with salt or grain. Either likely 2 b foul. The one purple girdle was getting moldy, and the price of a broad hoe or double bitted ax simply crazy. Saws were never available here @ the post, those were private endeavors and suppliers.

he might meet a ship at a prearranged location and time. sometimes larger ships could swoon all the way n2 Forest Town, sometimes several.

So Crow Lee and Little Crow Lee did well4 Cherokee. He commanded Gadugi workers when needed, His wife held a nice farm near Pine KNot. Her clan family worked the farm and ran errands on foot. A pack mule could supply the area once a day or less.

Day time fires were fine here unless on alert. No disputes here. Chickasaw did not want2 expand. Quapaw held no real claim2 Crow Lee's Ridge, presence @ Forest Town mostly ceremonial. Osage had never claimed the area, but it was between the Missouri and Arkansas Rivers during drought, Osage no doubt harvest the area seasonally prior2 the sixteen nineties, but after that those seasonal harvest runs were on Ozark shelf west of Black Rock. West of Pocahontas. West of Poplar bluff Missouri...

Osages were moving away from water travel and moving2 horses. They adopted more warrior horse culture and harvested Buffalo.

Cherokee doubled down on water travel with giant open water here, the entire Mississippi embayment, the Ohio embayment , The mouths of the Tennessee, Kentucky, and Cumberland Rivers all part of giant bay stretching from The gulf of Mexico2 the Konawha River in WEstern Virginia. Dark Path2 the Delaware.

Falls around Louisville Kentucky doesn't mean the flood was torrential. It was often just backing slowly from main channels, making smooth movement and big shortcuts. few meanderings existed most of the year or year round during periods of flooding lasting decades.

Straight across giant bays in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois... Cherokee moved @ night with Atlantic Champion canoes. At the big juncture of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers they would day camp until near dark. Then they would move n2 setting sun2 Crow Lee's Ridge...

Water Spider contacted Little Crow Lee often. Pigeons flew from Otter Town2 Bono many times a day. Caves held camp. The fire taboo had chilled morale among gadugi workers and community projects. So hot bright fires deep underground helped morale. Around fires Cherokee warmed. Cherokee cabins were not2 burn fires in day light or even on clear nights. so the fires below lit craft and cheered repose from bitter chill wind or withering heat.

Water Spider enjoyed Cave time. The raw dry heat or intense cool. She stitched with sisters, fresh water sister network.

She punched and pinched with pliers. She stitched with heavy duty needles. Beadwork and paints needed shared vision, shared skills...

No matter how big and bright the fire it could not b detected from the surface. No matter the smoke they would not rise above the surface. One cave did allow smoke2 escape, but it was only used on misty days.

While one part of the cave may b steam and intense heat, cooling chambers never far.

Water Spider met some Little People. Trusted Cherokees only could see or talk2 little people. She suspected they were Irish, ancient Welch tongue and red hair, pale skin. They knew secrets about the caves, slowly revealing chambers and passageways in trade4 certain items.

Some Little People had come here2 Otter Town with Cherokees. Little was known of Little People, It seemed little would ever b known of Little People.

They might present a gold coin occasionally, offering it2 Crow Lee or Old Cloud with indifference. These coins assured no harm would come2 them by Cherokee.

Indeed Little People were Cherokee. Many had come from Kentucky only recently. they had lived in Kentucky caves for centuries.

Some little people seemed more Scot than Irish. One tiny stout little people name Tiny Scot rode tiny pony and out worked a team of men. He became crucial to Gadugi projects.

All warriors must work Gadugi detail when not @ war. For some it was helping their clan or wife by shouldering a burden and carrying weight. But most clustered quietly @ a dam in progress or construction site. Ram Rod captains inspired and delegated, higher council considered and allocated... Many took turns pedaling grinding wheel.

Slavery taboo, sometimes Water Spider suspected a black was subjugated, investigation and diplomacy critical, luckily most knew not2 tempt council on such matters. Especially on the alcohol ban, violations taken serious.

She stood with Crow Lee on the shores of Forest Town. Away off on this clear day they could see Chickasaw territory. When Chickasaw moved with paddle flashes in false feints Cherokee sentries had no choice but2 send up a smoke signal. When tensions high Chickasaw forced smoke signals every hour, stressed information systems, Disciplined sentries and lifters managed security well. Although scouts administered death penalty4 unaffiliated whites, other whites hunted bears with immunity. They had best b sober all.

Slavers operated increasing. Natives were floated from Caddo Wars2 Natchez. Large ships made Mississippi from Haiti or Africa, natives shipped back2 dreaded Haiti as slaves.

From south end of Crow Lees Ridge Water Spider watched with telescope. Black Pirate ships cruised, grain barges, cog boats, skuds, flat boats and log rafts, relentless Chickasaw...

Whites did not come2 Crow Lees Ridge without some prearranged sanction. They were better off in Quapaw country. Cherokee burned them @ the stake to hang from crosses @ river forks. Some burned2 skeleton looked quite dashing when dressed in silk shirts or blue jackets, top hats, or dungarees.

English among Chickasaw warred with Frenchmen but usually during drought, big bays becoming prairies. Englishmen on upper South Fork were suspect. On the thirty six thirty line, shrewd English diplomatically filled in cracks between Osage, Cherokee and Delaware territory. It was when Englishmen interacted with Osage without involvement of Cherokee Council that thoughts of an alliance with Chickasaw became factors. If Chickasaw in Memphis Tennessee were able2 move with a secret squad past Forrest City Arkansas either without being detected, or some Chickasaw engaging in skirmish so other Chickasaw could move in boats2 Strawberry River near Strawberry ARkansas, and miles upstream2 the Cliffs on HIway 58 near Poughkeepsi Arkansas.

Here and just downstream Chickasaw would block the river, they knew an invasion of Osage was occurring, and that Cherokee often fled down Big Creek From around Dollar General across from highland High School by draining lakes and canoeing down2 Strawberry River.

So, if Cherokee get down 2ward Strawberry River and discover the blockade, they must turn and return upstream on Draft Creek n2 Liberty HIll Arkansas. There @ Mike McCormicks house, they would beach up and take2 foot trail and mules would help. Elders and wounded from skirmish would assemble there, and either hunker down and stay put or move over2 rock Creek, then again over2 Strawberry River via Hurricane Creek. If u stormed Hurricane Creek, u might beat the Chickasaw2 the punch, shoot n2 bigger water well downstream from the Big Creek Blockade. It would not b far2 dense cane break and heavy willow that all but guaranteed a Cherokee could b safe a moment, then collecting their wits, move on2 Bono, or quietly filter back on2 main land and skipping the run2 Bono. And if waters were down a Cherokee might head down south and quietly find Forest City, working way north from there2 come back 2 otter town again.

Etowah bustled, in flood there were platforms above water, tree structures held a village aloft. And in drought the prairie spouted green and vast.

Pine Knot held eternal fire. Deep in strong brush arbor, tucked away on ground just above worst floods. Elder Cherokee, Keetoowah priests crafted Ocean Champion canoes from poplar logs. There was no fire taboo here, Crow Lee's Ridge was undisputed Cherokee. No other Nation claimed Crow Lees Ridge, Frenchmen worked closely with Cherokee, Nobles granted written charters of province, deeds and abstracts. English had long since deeded North ARkansas2 Cherokee, and held even less power here than French Governors. 4Cherokee the main worry was double agents, an unholy alliance between Osage and Chickasaw brokered by English among Delaware. (There was later an attempt @ such when Scots on the lower white had Structured a deal between Osage and Chickasaw that fell apart due2 alcohol. As long as Cherokee stayed east of Devils Backbone any problems seemed2 work out.

The incident that lead up2 the treachery by Scots started in 1780 and culminated in 1805. The Spanish financed a north south road dissecting the Backbone area. Permission2 allow the construction was debated heatedly in council and narrowly allowed2 proceed. The "road," and it was barely a mule trail then started on high ground East of Mammoth Spring and moved slowly south. Scotsmen, with the help of BushyHead Stuart, beloved Indian commissioner, rough and rowdy scots landed the contract2 cut and widen the road marked by Cherokee and Spanish captain. Early on there was suspicion of slavery, a violation of taboo, but blacks among Scotsmen doing much of the labor swore they were paid workers. As the road came down n2 the ancient village of Forty Islands and crossed Southfork River Scots agreed2 stay near the path and not range past a few hundred feet off in either direction. The rowdy labor camp was found2 have beer kegs hidden, then bagpipes began2 play late nights. Elders held special counsel and added bag pipes2 the taboo list.

Confronted with the violation of the alcohol taboo, and having the bag pipe taboo slapped on them tested the Scotsmen dearly. Then, around the area where the ARkansas Traveler Road and Hiway 412 meet near Pontiac Drive, Scotsmen violated the wandering ban, stumbled upon some tribal secret they should never have seen. Whether that blundering Scotsman was punished I've never known. I assume if he was drunk he was killed. Maybe they allowed bag pipes4 funerals.

Anyway over the seventeen nineties the trail crawled south, A fraternity hall was named after Royal Scotsman/Cherokee BushyHead Stuart, there were clashes with Irish Cherokee as the Scotsmen hammered on through Strawberry River and Cave City. Just past Cave City they passed out of Devils Backbone, so Cave City and Pfeiffer are Scot2 this day.

but by the 1800s Cherokee were pouring over the Devils backbone. They were moving up Arkansas River2 the Russelville area, They were populating the lower ozarks, filtering on2 Buffalo River in Northwest ARkansas. But these focuses were scattered, only in the backbone could a Cherokee know some security. For one hundred and sixteen years.

Even when Cherokee evacuated the backbone in 1812, Many cherokee, especially those of close ties2 Scots, Occupied white River @ Modern Day Batesville4 about three more years. The core group that was here @ Otter Town, Modern Day Cherokee Village, walked with pack mules2 Buffalo River, they crossed where the future reservation touched white river west of Batesville.

March 1 2020

March on. Starting off this month with deep rest. Quite a run2 end the last one. The TESLA show was epic. Cathartic. My favorite all time band. I rocked it, enjoying the concert immensely. Cant really describe it. U just had2 b there, last week and in the day.

But I got home and back2 work. Friday was a morning of tough red oak reductions on Lake Thunderbird in Cherokee Village. Large branches over the house. Also a post oak got plenty removed over the house. They keep the chips, use them4 planned Erosion control. They also keep the wood, which is usually a plus4 us. Common sense job.

Then yesterday was a full Saturday. Early we were above a sweet waterfall on Spring River. A very tall large red oak removal. I had paced under it several times over the months, planning and deliberating, but sometimes u just have2 get n2 the tree and just do it. So there was huge rigging, some large crashing, and a long afternoon of cleanup but that one finally was done and I got paid.

Last night was Spring River Draft House. Good dinner with Family. LIfe is good and soon I will b rested. Choices. Options.

T Rump: Coronavirus is another Hoax by dums. Not a joke.

Stock Market posts all record losses under T Rump. HIs old tweets now seem almost prophetic. Something about the stock market losses under Obama and the reflection on our president yada yada. Plus his tweets on Ebola show huge hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is no way2 govern a nation. And that's all T Rump knows. Partisan Double standard. If a dum does it it's wrong, if a repo does it it's right. Purge the government of truth. Isolate and insulate fact. Destroy science. Don't even allow investigation. Intimidate witness. Obstruct Justice. Thwart fairness. Any virtue must b cancelled. All deadly sins must b elevated and exploited. We saw it4 eight years as repos sabotaged our country, and with Mother Russia's help we will completely and thoroughly sabotage our country.

If Berny wins and begins implementing Universal Health Care repos will fight tooth and nail2 sabotage it. Just like they did with expansion of Medicaid and Medicare. Repos with Russian hackers and Fox news spin will infiltrate and entangle, they will continue2 lie and distort, in God's Name, 2 kill the poor.

Fox will gloat, snarky and supreme, when the Universal Health Care web site crashes with the help of Russian Hackers. Repos will bring back Eric "we" Cantor2 toss a few monkey wrenches in2 the process. Each new delay celebrated on Fox, proof that evil socialism is evil.

Religious Freedom will b grounds4 refusal, until that freedom is exercised by Athiests. Armed Muslims will protect us from far right whackos. Fewer blacks can carry cos they all have prior convictions4 carrying.

Or weed. it is kind of filtering down2 where we will have legal weed. And open carry. But not both. Soon Budweiser will have a Super Bowl Ad featuring open carry. A loving father @ a little league game and a Glock. with a Budweiser. Legally. But he is wearing his cousins jacket and the cousin 4got a joint in the pocket he is in trouble. Then there is the bloody teenager angrily demanding an assault rifle. With a bump stock. Fingers can cramp.

So Im trying2 breath life n2 my novel Water Spider (Rebel Word). Im thinking about putting a chapter in circa 1749.

Georgia, formerly slave free, adopted a capitalist pro slavery market boom. U can bet Cherokees in the extreme north Georgia were watching.

Often escaped slaves would cause a ruckus appearing @ a Cherokee gathering, throwing themselves on the mercy of the tribe. Black African Cherokee became common.

That was the southern end of Cherokee territory, on the Northern End, the Ohio River, The Ohio company now owned the Konawha River in western Vlrginia.

Cherokee had used Ohio River2 come here2 ARkansas for over fifty years @ that point. But with the onset of the French Indian War about seventeen forty nine, that river likely became2 dangerous, even with the fastest boats as the Cherokee still had, and traveling @ night across large bays as the Cherokee still did, and possessing guns as the Cherokee did.

The Tennessee River was also likely 2 dangerous, as Cherokee/Creek wars and Cherokee/Chickasaw wars flared. Deep on the Cumberland and Kentucky Rivers Cherokee lived in caves and used rules of war fare they would bring2 Arkansas: travel by canoe @ night, no burning of day light fires, night fires hidden, no axes, beating of metal, shouting, or gun shots. Actually the shouting thing was also in the code of ethic, which bound Cherokee2 abide by council decisions and not argue on forever. Banishment meant low chance of survival. Although some of Cherokee here in Arkansas were banished from back east. The original core of banished Shaman that lived on Saint Francis River in seventeen twenty one.

They joined Cherokee already there, and here. This must have been the Keetoowahs, They and frenchmen got along and merged.

Dangerous Man had already established towns near Williford Arkansas and Paragould Arkansas by seventeen hundred. Powhatans and Delaware people Pocahontas ARkansas. Irish Cherokees and Powhatans populated Powhatan Arkansas in sixteen ninety six.

Pocahontas and Powhatan are located on the extreme edge of the Ozark escarpment, eastern portions of those towns are Mississippi embayment or lowland swamp, open water or standing water in cypress forest.

These towns were "coastal" as This coalition considered the big swamps "the ocean." They knew that down south this big swamp, which featured a tide of a foot or more, gradually blended naturally n2 the Gulf of Mexico and thus the big blue ocean some Cherokees might have seen in Carolina.

The industry standard canoe Cherokees and Powhatan brought over the mountains2 the Ohio was born from intense competition on the outer banks of Carolina. this industry spurt was caused by the introduction of the metal adze by English in 1592. Within a few decades, canoe making accelerated, with shore line camps guarding secrets of the trade, and open competition proving or not. A Canoe had2 b able2 circumvent the Outer banks or Roanoke Island, including the rough Ocean on the East side. It must post an honest record setting time around a major island 2 b considered4 other positive traits such as shallow draft2 move over shallows, the weight must be practical4 portage and dragging or carrying, and stability, though proven in open ocean, must also b proven on rapids. All of this research and industry sharing among native tribes settled upon an unbeatable boat. This boat conquered the Atlantic Seaboard, and as Cherokee and Powhatan explored west they took this boat 2 the Ohio river via the konowha, and soon everyone, English and French, acknowledged this boat as the fastest in the interior of the continent also. So with fastest most adaptable boats, traveling @ night, and by sixteen ninety six, guns, Cherokee established towns that, while no longer Cherokee after 1812, still survive or thrive 2day: Pocahontas Arkansas a "seaboard town on the edge of vast open water know on some maps as Cherokee Bay. Since it is south of the Thirty Six Thirty line it was considered Cherokee by the English, French and Spanish, but likely numerous Shawnees and Delaware joined Cherokee and Powhatan there, with percentages of black and European, particularly English, who came west with Delaware, Irish, long infused in Cherokee and Shawnee culture, And French, who "owned" Arkansas. Powhatan, south of Spring River, then called south fork, were likely more full blooded Cherokee with numerous Powhatan and Irish. Strawberry River is just south of Powhatan, Irish Cherokee were moving up that river2 claim valleys4 peaceful farms and strengthen the web.

Scots would b more and more crucial. A fraternal scot named John Stuart would become the superintendent of Indian affairs4 England, he was inspired and innovative, crafting treaties with Little Carpenter, both were Beloved by Cherokee.

Many among the tribes were also Masons or Royal Scots, members of secret societies, so they knew the value and thrift of keeping a vast secret. This web, Water Spiders web, was a grand secret, the power that Shawnees and Delaware, Cherokees and Osages held grew quietly. America never knew what awaited them as they exterminated or chased Shawnees and Cherokee east of the Mississippi. The secret coalition of tribes west of the Mississippi quietly awaited, unified and strong, and would have been unbeatable were it not4 the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811 and 1812.

This destroyed everything between the Ozarks and Kentucky and Illinois. All was lost. In common intertribal council, Shawnees, Delaware, and Cherokee elected2 move west on foot in tandem, breeching Devils Backbone, the western limit4 over one hundred years.

Im tryna draw some interpretive maps, slowly, I'm not an artist or graphing and mapping guy, but I figure I can do this.

Crow Lee had a fast horse. And a mud horse. Little Crow Lee drove a mule daily and a team sometimes. From Forest Town2 they moved along the north south trail traversing the ridge. Open water showed often left and right. Paths off held Cherokee farm or port of commerce.

@ Carry Place Crow Lees Ridge narrowed then widened, dimpled with valleys, any portage across the ridge a slow myriad journey. The mule trail jogged a few times, skirting higher ground and soggy terrace.

On2 Pine Knot Crow Lee would move, checking sentries and posts with military rhythm.

Saint Francis waterway2 the east showed vast ocean, vast Mississippi waterway. Likewise west from high trails gigantic Cherokee Bay showed setting sun.

@ chalk Bluff Crow Lee camped. Ocean all around unless drought brought sandy beaches and white water.

Crow Lee drew a map on moonlit sand4 Little Crow Lee2 c. With an X he showed the Cherokee Post @ Black Rock. He drew a simple setting sun, water was easily depicted From there @ north End of Crow Lees Ridge, a boatman need merely make 2ward the setting sun during spring high water2 find the Southfork.

Cache Lifter held court @ favorite launch point. His fire was constant, Birch boats made. Birch were fine4 plying inlets and corners, hauling a few people or goods. standard ocean poplar canoe kept above. Hidden on high water lines and guarded with armed sentry. mat makers disguised things as did birch boats. High on northernmost slope giant sycamore puffed smoke as potters worked refining white clay4 shipment east.

Crow Lee might make2 Saint Genevieve in some lame craft, smelly and unkempt he might take a slug of whiskey and act drunk, learning of trends and treasons from common word or typed circulars posted4 public reading.

Irish among Cherokee smuggled eastern papers, written circulars and books. Big Benny Franklin hosted writers and printers @ his creek on Strawberry River.

Often when camped @ Saint Francis, written words on sheets of paper, talking leaves2 Cherokee, were read aloud, stories shared, listeners silent.

Crow Lee made south now, varying his trail from the day b4, regular sentries expected him. Pigeons sent east and west with routine updates meant4 Old Mule in Willow Ford, or Cherokee sentries on Kentucky River.

Near Bono the ridge funneled2 near nothing, then stayed small and narrow many miles south. There was only one trail now, camps were central on highest ground, finally moving south the ridge fattened again, deep folds of Village Creek abuzz with Cherokee doings. Active village hummed with craft and preparation. Crow Lee released a pigeon North east2 Charlotte Cloud @ the corner post inside the backbone many miles across flat swamp. The pigeon held a scroll aroung its leg that signaled a journey from Forrest City2 Arkansas Post in the morning. Crow Lee would move out in deep night, making way southeast2 vile Arkansas Post, and Charlotte would send some warriors in fast canoes2 also come n2 Arkansas Post area @ dawn. Dawn was best, many thieves and bandits would b sleeping drunks.

He rigged fishing lines4 sturgeon. ARkansas post might cough up good barter terms4 fresh caviar. He went2 Village Lifter Maguire, a few nice furs, just a few, and bear or mink oil in sealed gourds would bring gypsy wages over @ the post, but scouts, converging @ dawn, should stay safe and c what could b had.

He had a Spanish coin and some willow headache powder. He could broker horse sales. Powder and lead might b got but @ a mark up, same with salt or grain. Either likely 2 b foul. The one purple girdle was getting moldy, and the price of a broad hoe or double bitted ax simply crazy. Saws were never available here @ the post, those were private endeavors and suppliers.

he might meet a ship at a prearranged location and time. sometimes larger ships could swoon all the way n2 Forest Town, sometimes several.

So Crow Lee and Little Crow Lee did well4 Cherokee. He commanded Gadugi workers when needed, His wife held a nice farm near Pine KNot. Her clan family worked the farm and ran errands on foot. A pack mule could supply the area once a day or less.

Day time fires were fine here unless on alert. No disputes here. Chickasaw did not want2 expand. Quapaw held no real claim2 Crow Lee's Ridge, presence @ Forest Town mostly ceremonial. Osage had never claimed the area, but it was between the Missouri and Arkansas Rivers during drought, Osage no doubt harvested the area seasonally prior2 the sixteen nineties, but after that those seasonal harvest runs were on Ozark shelf west of Black Rock. West of Pocahontas. West of Poplar bluff Missouri...

Osages were moving away from water travel and moving2 horses. They adopted more warrior horse culture and harvested Buffalo.

Cherokee were doubling down on water travel with the giant open water here, the entire Mississippi embayment, the Ohio embayment if thats a thing, The mouths of the Tennessee, Kentucky, and Cumberland Rivers all part of giant bay stretching from The gulf of Mexico2 the Konawha River in WEstern Virginia. Dark Path2 the Delaware.

There were some Falls around Louisville Kentucky but probably not when the water was high. But just because it was high doesn't mean the flood was torrential. It was often just backing slowly from the main channels, making smooth movement and big shortcuts. In other words few of the meanderings of modern rivers would have existed most of the year or even year round during periods of flooding that might last decades.

Straight across giant bays Cherokee moved @ night with Atlantic Champion canoes. At the big juncture of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers they would day camp until near dark. Then they would move n2 setting sun2 Crow Lee's Ridge.

February 21 2020

And we roll. Quiet night. Long day. Early I was headed up a sprawling post oak on Lake Thunderbird in Cherokee Village. Heavy trimming of curving branches over the roof and entrance and parking. Quite a few as it happened.

Then a taller post oak over the other end of the house and deck. WE also left chips in a subtle crescent on the corner of the yard. Nice Rebel Tree Care morning.

Then it was Jonesboro ARkansas, hanging with celebrity weather man Terry Wood. Cool individual.

I bought a car. A fast little sports car. Nice.

T Rump hires an internet troll4 security chief. But the main interest here is2 keep any mention of the ongoing Russian interference quiet. When briefed that Russia was in fact meddling as we speak, T Rump was angered that Adam Schiff heard it.

Remember when T Rump tweeted, "the first I've heard about it." back in the first months of the mueller investigation. First he had heard of any Russia meddling so it had2 b a hoax. But as Hillary pointed in the debate, seventeen national security department had determined Russia was meddling and that T Rump was obviously a Russian Puppet. "I'm no puppet," screamed T Rump, purposely casting a shadow over the smaller person, "you're the puppet. I'm rubber and ur glue, so poo poo u."

T Rump fans ignoring the data concerning School bullying. The facts that show the rates of bullying incidents way up, and that many if not most bullies are mimicking T Rumps rhetoric. But thatS just Liberal hating according2 hate book.

Fact checking is hating. Asking is being an offended snow flake. It's not the espionage. It's the leaking or reporting of the espionage. Sabotage must be perceived differently.

FEbruary 20 2020

And we roll. Cold blustery day. EArly we were on the first job it was a feet on the ground job, but tough enough. Another, this one also in Cherokee Village. And finally another. We used the big saws most of the day though, so that manages2 turn n2 something.

One more oak reduction job 2moro on Lake Thunderbird then I'm freed up4 TESLA. I have an attractive young lady from Mississippi2 accompany me. I just wanna c her smiling face. When I walk through the door...

January 20 2020

And we roll this dark early evening. Warming things up 4 the evening. Fires were low when I got home this afternoon but I got them going again.

Life is. I been feeling better over all after some pain when I got back2 work. I was fine with a brutal week last week so I'm actually doing well. Not hitting on all cylinders, but my engine will roar again someday lol.

Early this morning it was about fifteen degrees, some said six but we were red e, with cover alls and lined gloves. I had tools organized and gas already so we made our way2 a fine house on Spring River. Actually very close2 Southfork also.

First up was a gnarly viny bitch of a hickory. This one hung in an adjacent white oak but we were able 2 snatch it out.

Then it was the adjacent white oak, one sided and curving 2ward the house. Then a dead red oak near the house, fence, gas tanks and new communication pedestal. All three beasts were heavy with vines and complicated matters. Greatly. Although my feet were on the ground the whole morning, it was a stressful and slow process2 get them down safely.

Then it was lunch @ Chow on the square. And back @ it. Down the road a nice Cherokee Village home on Southfork river had 2 dead persimmons by the house and gas tank. Boom those hit just right, and missed the redbud.

On2 another job on Southfork River, a dead chinkapin leaning and curving n2 a larger tree, with smaller trees about that needed2 b missed. It was nip and tuck, with my very strong helper pulling quite hard. But boom that one hit on target.

We had still another job2 do but the client was @ the doctors office and it was no hurry so we are saving that one4 another day.

Rebel Tree Care. We are eating up January and will b rolling strong n2 February God Willing.

I do rant about politics here but rarely enter the fray on Facebook. I guess this morning I was reading an article about how T Rump not only has spent more than Obama did in eight years on golf and golf carts, but he directly pockets that $ yada yada. I guess I accidentally hit the little Facebook icon and shared it2 Facebook. So @ lunch I'm scrolling and realize I started a little something. Not a brutal argument or anything like some Facebook battles but a nice thread anyway. I hope it's done with. I'm sure there will b some conservative troll, or liberal, that tries2 spark it back up yada yada...

Moron tap 2moro. stay tuned.

Fog out. Heavy dripping fog has stopped the Tree Care train4 the day. Conditions must b perfect 4 this job, and other jobs So I will piddle and run. Errands yada yada. Needed a break anyway.

Take a drive. Look@ trees. Talk about them.

I have2 make my annual pilgrimage 2 Cherokee Village City Hall and reup my business license. They will listen politely as I explain ANSI standard 2 them and how thousands of cities and communities nation wide have adopted the standard as ordnance. They will say they will look n2 it and they will never. From the top of government down they are afraid. They don't research or make waves, only follow prevailing winds like so many political entities. Plus I'm2 sure of myself, drive a non shiny truck, and have long hair.

I have also told them repeatedly2 join the National Arbor Day foundation as a municipality. They would have access2 pamphlets and materials2 help a community improve it's trees and correct many imperceptions, make informed decisions. Yada yada. The Cherokee Village Townhouses had a secretary that took this seriously a few years ago and we got2 work trying2 get them correct. Sadly she moved away and the area went back2 the old ways of hiring bs artists and non standard hack workers. WE had a priority system, an organized, computerized sectional descriptions, etc. Now? meh.

So we rock on. ONe tree @ a time.

January 14 2020

And we roll. Piddling long hours this evening. It does not stress or tire, placing items in rightful spaces.

This morning was a nice Rebel Tree Care job in Hardy. It was2 wet2 do the scheduled job of spikeless ascent of super tall tuliptrees. So we got down 2 earth, staying close2 the ground. I did go twenty feet up a maple2 reduce it away from the house, and had2 get on the house2 battle a redbud, and I used a long manual pole saw2 trim a bushy crabapple, ornamental oak, elm, hackberry, holly... Maybe more. Proper cuts. proper pruning all the way around. As always, Rebel Tree Care does quality work...

The client hasn't seen the holly yet. She may freak.

So I'm working the angles, I have a two wheel drive and a four wheel drive, and sometimes I put the chipper on the trailer. Other times we need the trailer empty yada yada. But it's Saul Goode most times. The important thing is quality. Although two trucks double the gas, the gas is not a major expense. Any job in Cherokee Village, Ash Flat, or Hardy is within five miles so it's not like I use alot.

T Rump 2day: "It doesn't matter what my motivations were risking war."

Also T Rump 2day, " I alone stand4 protecting preexisting protections. I'm trying2 get the courts 2 hold off on destroying them until after the election. Sure, it's my law suit they are deciding."

Guiliani associates bring new evidence. They say T Rump never wanted an investigation n2 Biden. Just the announcement of an investigation would have sufficed. Not a joke.

Kellyann Conway violates the Hatch Act4 the record setting twentieth time.