4.6 Miles From Here

is the ghost town of Lacrosse (Izard County) Arkansas. We drive past the old store building and the plaque honoring the college every morning reminding us of what once was.

 The last building standing other than residences.

There is much history here, We have a past.  Not of ignorance but of people striving to establish a community in which all could be proud and equal.

One such person was Henry Karr Shannon born in Lunenburg (where my father was born) and was very active in the surrounding communities.  He graduated Melbourne High School, attended college and pharmaceutical school. After developing an allergy to pharmaceuticals his career direction changed. Mr. Shannon taught school, was involved in higher education while exploring Izard County's rich history. He later purchased the Melbourne Times newspaper with his own special column covering many subjects and opinions that gained the attention of the Arkansas Gazette. While in Little Rock he became a controversial figure in the Central High Desegregation Crisis of 1957. Mr Shannon published six books during his life time.

And you're wondering where this is leading?

Looked at my birth certificate a few years ago and discovered I was delivered by Karr Shannon! What?  Delivered by a newspaper man?  Did some research and Henry Karr's son became a medical doctor and served one year in Melbourne, 1954, the year I was born.

And that's the truth as I know it.

Only In Black...

A young child began kindergarten.  She progresses very well and began to take her art work home to her parents.  They were puzzled, although her pictures were very creative, they were always painted in black.

The parents talked to the teacher showing great concern about the mental condition of their child. They observed the children painting as they were gathered around a table with containers of paint and paper.  They noticed nothing unusual but remained concerned. 

They decided to take her to a doctor, then to a neurologist,  to an orthopedic specialist, to an optometrist, and finally to a therapist. 

As much as these professionals tried to discover the reason the child painted only in black, they could not.

The concerned parents were discussing this one night and the older child overheard the conversation.  He asked if anyone had asked the child why she painted in black.  Wow, what a concept, yes, let's ask the child.

When finally asked why she only painted in black, the child simply replied...It is the only color I can reach.

Sometimes the most simple answers are the right ones.