Automobile license plates once identified Arkansas as the "Land of Opportunity". It was officially changed to "The Natural State" in 1995 and, although the lawmakers considered changing it back, the nickname remains. I believe "The Natural State" is an appropriate nickname for this home of mine.
I was born in Little Rock and recall fond memories of traveling to the state capital at Christmastime to view the nativity. The diamond lakes provide plenty of opportunities for fishing and swimming. Fields filled with cotton, rice, and soybeans are common in the eastern part of the state as well as ponds filled with catfish and minnows.
In Southeast Arkansas, the pines grow tall, Main Street boasts lovely old homes, and the town square remains a shopping destination. What I love most about Southeast Arkansas are the clear starlit nights, the gentle breezes, and the Spanish moss hanging on the trees of Lake Enterprise. I never made it to Ding Dong Daddy Days in Dumas although I still staunchly defend Arkansas' claim to the song over that of Texas. OK, so maybe that has more to do with the old Arkansas/Texas rivalry.
Washington State Park in Southwest Arkansas in early spring is a daffodil paradise. It's also home to the Bowie knife. Although I have canoed down the tranquil Buffalo River, I've not tried the Cossatot River. "Skull crusher" just doesn't give me a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Northwest Arkansas is home to Tyson, JB Hunt, and Walmart. Booths at the War Eagle Craft Fair exhibit local treasures while Rosie the Riveter resides alongside other works of art at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. There is no shortage of dining options and some of my favorites include the Monte Ne Chicken House which serves family style chicken dinners, the Dairy Freeze (aka the Hiwasse Hilton) in Hiwasse where a juicy cheeseburger and battered onion rings await, and The Wooden Spoon in Gentry where the Friday evening line is long for fried catfish and Snicker Pie.
Home is The Natural State... whether it's north, south, east, west, or central. And as Dorothy said, "There's no place like home."
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Psalm 19:1
No comments:
Post a Comment