"O" is for The Big O

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Seminole Indian Chief Osceola

"O" is for Osceola, Arkansas, my hometown. Us natives (no pun intended) proudly refer to it as "The Big O".

The original Osceola town site was named Plum Point, as referred to in the writings of Mark Twain, and was established in 1837 directly on the Mississippi River. The town of Osceola was incorporated in 1875. It was named in honor of Osceola, a Seminole Indian chief, who at one time was thought to have visited Indian tribes there, regarding an exchange of local land for Seminole land in Florida. I will talk more about Chief Osceola in a future post, but the "Big O" today will refer to my hometown.

Steamboats and river packets frequented the early village as a REfueling station because of the availability of firewood. The town was noted for its generous assistance to victims of the all too frequent boat wrecks, which occurred in the area. Although Osceola enjoyed an established river trade by the time of the Civil War, it was too small to be of military importance.

Located in central Mississippi County, adjacent to the Mississippi River, Osceola is the original County Seat of Mississippi County. Constructed in 1912, the Mississippi Country Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Many famous people call Osceola their home. Besides me, there is:

Bill Alexander, U.S. Representative from First Congressional District, 1969–1993
David Barrett, New York Jets cornerback
Maurice Carthon, former NFL and USFL player and NFL assistant coach
Ran Carthon, running back with Indianapolis Colts
Dale Evans, wife of Roy Rogers, TV and movie Star
Buddy Jewell, the first Nashville Star winner
Cortez Kennedy, former NFL defensive lineman
Albert King, Blues legend
Kemmons Wilson, founder of Holiday Inn

Jeremey Wells, songwriter and stage manager for Finding Jimmy Hoffa band and my rockstar

Gaylon Nickerson, former NBA player
Bill Ramsey, played baseball for the Boston Braves
Billy Lee Riley, Sun Records artist, Rockabilly star
Son Seals, Blues guitarist
Fice Musaveni, American Producer/Musician
Jimmy Thomas, Blues recording artist, lead singer for Ike Turner

I could elaborate for days about all the great memories that I have of the Big O. Honestly, I have never seen a sky more blue, the grass more green, or a rainbow with more vivid colors spanning across the Mississippi River, than I have in the Big O. I've never made dearer friends, had more fun, or loved as many, as I have in the Big O. I've never felt more sorrow, experienced more happiness, or felt as helpless, as I have in the Big O. Times were hard but they were good when making memories to last my lifetime, in the Big O.

I am linking up with Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday. Please grab her button on my sidebar and go over to read all the other great "O" posts!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

The Thorn Birds

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Father Ralph de Bricassart: There's a story--a legend, about a bird that sings just once in its life. From the moment it leaves the nest, it searches for a thorn tree, and never rests until it has found one. And then it sings--more sweetly than any other creature on earth. And singing, it impales itself on the longest, sharpest thorn. But, as it dies, it rises above its own agony, to out-sing the lark and the nightingale. The thorn bird pays its life for just one song but the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles.

Young Meggie Cleary: What does it mean, Father?

Father Ralph de Bricassart:

That the best is bought only at the cost of great pain.

The bird with the thorn in its breast follows an immutable law; it is driven by it knows not what, to impale itself, and die singing. At the very instant the thorn enters there is no awareness in it of the dying to come; it simply sings and sings until there is not the life left to utter another note. But we, when we put the thorns in our breasts, we know. We understand. And still we do it. Still, we do it!

Colleen McCullogh

The Thorn Birds, 1977

The Thorn Birds, starring Richard Chamberlin and Rachel Ward, debuted the tv screen in 1983 and was the 2nd most watched mini series (after Roots) of all time.

Second only to Gone With the Wind, this is MY favorite of all time love stories. As luck would have it, I found the book a couple of weeks ago at my favorite junk store. Reading it stirred up memories of Richard Chamberlin in his priestly black soutane. OMG, was he ever so handsome!! And, who alive can outshine the beauty of Rachel Ward? That was a couple made for the screen.

As with many books vs movie versions, the two end differently. I actually prefer the movie's ending over the book. If you haven't ever read the book or seen the series, this is a good read. I know it made a lasting impression on me! The book is still available on Amazon.com

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company!

Au revoir,

Avatar

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

James Cameron's AVATAR

I admit that I was a little "skeptical" about this one BUT it is great! If you want to escape to a mystical place, this is a must see! This is not your regular boy meets girl storyline. I think those of you that have already see it will agree.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company!

Au revoir,

"N" is for "Nothing"

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

This week, my post has nothing to do about anything: Nought, nada, non, no thing, no event, no remark! Just a word:

n o t h i n g

Shakespeare's play, "Much ado about Nothing," really was "much ado about something", ALOT OF SOMETHINGS: Social grace, deceit, death, war, honor, public shame, deception as a means to an end.

The play does have a happy ending, however. It reminds me of Queenmothermamaw's double wedding! She is celebrating her GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY. Please take time to visit her and send her an anniversary greeting. She is a great writer and always finds plenty of things to blog about. I know you will love her!

Actually, in Shakespeare's time, the title of the play really was "Much ado about Noting". In order for the plot to work, the characters had to NOTE one another constantly. And, according to Webster, that definition is:

N O T E : observe, notice, take heed of

So, this week I am NOTING the works of other students and heading off to read their "N" word for this week. Join me by grabbing my Alphabe-Thursday button hosted by Ms. Jenny Matlock!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company!

Au revoir,

www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/muchado/

"M" is for "Me", "Mariachi Band" "Mexico" "Margaritaville" and "Melanie"

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Melanie, Jacque, and J. Karen and a Mexican Mariachi Band

Three of my sisters, Jenny, Melanie, and J. Karen, and I went on a cruise to Mexico where we were serenated by a Mariachi Band at the port in Couzemel. We had to leave Jenny aboard the ship to see the doctor, due to a bad case of seasickness, so she is not in the above picture. She was a sport about the whole thing and did get better the next day.

One of the places we visited en route was Key West, FL where we enjoyed a break at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.

I wanted a picture to include the signage, so I had to climb up into the window to have it taken. I like to say that I was "high" but not on the Margaritas!

I am linking up with Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday. Please grab her button on my sidebar and go over to read about all the other "M"s in class today.

Happy "M" day, Ms. Matlock!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit. We love having company!

Au revoir,

"L" is for "Limousin" Cattle

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Limousin cattle are a breed of beef cattle originally bred in the Limousin and Marche region of France. They are recognisable by their distinctive chestnut-red coloring. The first herd was established in 1886 for improvement of the breed by natural selection. However, the breed may be as old as the history of Europe itself. Cattle found in cave drawings known to be 20,000 years old in the Lascaux Cave near Montignac, France have a striking resemblance to today's Limousin cattle.

Limousins are known for their muscular build, feed efficiency, ease of management and comparable calving ease to other breeds. Limousin cattle produce the leaner cuts of beef that have become a staple of the modern market. Breeders have worked extensively on their disposition issues since their arrival in North America. Most producers find them to be manageable and easy to work with, if not better, than any other beef cattle breeds available today.

Limousins are the breed of choice raised here at Campagne Maison.

I am linking up with Jenny for Alphabe-Thursday. Please grab her button on my sidebar and visit our classroom today. There are plenty of "L"s to read about today.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

http://www.wikipedia.com/

Easter 2010

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Easter blessings from our home to yours!

"And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written".

St. John 21:25

"He's Alive" NO one can sing it like Dolly Parton !!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company!

Au revoir,

"K" is for a "Knight" at Campagne Maison

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

A Knight at Campagne Maison

Sir Paul or Sir Elton, he is not, and, he does not sit at a round table. But, this Knight keeps the karma and kismet keen at Campagne Maison and serves as a backdrop for many Kodak moments.

I am linking up to Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday. Grab her button on my sidebar to read all the other "K"s for today!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,