A good buddy of mine, Bob McCosh, spends his weekends screaming down a dragstrip going 200 mph. I asked him once what it takes to compete. He said dedication, a great team and a reliable car. If any of these are missing you won’t be taking home that checkered flag....
This month marks one of my favorite editions of Rural Missouri. Every year our members decide what is the best of the best in the Show-Me State. So, I thought I would give you my list of top things in the state as well. Favorite Fishin’ Hole: Bennett Spring State...
Some buddies and I have a contest called “Dad of the Year.” Before you question my parenting skills, let me explain the game. There are no rules, judges or winner. The theory behind “Dad of the Year” is straightforward. Every player steps up and does whatever they can...
About a month ago, my son, Max, forgot how to tie his shoes. He’s been tying his shoes like a pro for more than a year now. So, he and his sister, Charlie, did what kids do these days — they looked up a tutorial on YouTube. The video combined with a quick refresher...
Front-row parking at the grocery store, stopping at the gas station and finding my cellphone on the tailgate of my truck or catching the biggest trout at fish camp opening day — if you ask my wife or any of my buddies, I’m a pretty lucky guy. I’m going to let you in...
There’s no other place I’d rather be than rural Missouri. For me there is something a little special about forgetting to grab the keys from my truck and knowing it will still be there when I get back from lunch or stopping by the feed store to hear about who nailed...
As any dad knows, when your darling daughter looks up at you with her beautiful blue eyes and sweetly asks if she can have a kitty, it’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when you are getting a new pet. Earlier this summer that was the situation at the Jones...
In the early 2000s, the Jones brothers were back-to-back hay hauling champions at the local county fair. After I won, my brother Clayton (in the white T-shirt) felt obligated to try to outdo me. Photo courtesy California Democrat There is nothing more stressful to a...
I always get excited as the county and state fair seasons wrap up. I know it’s that time of year when the morning air is a little crisper and I get to spend my weekends watching my Mizzou Tigers and Kansas City Chiefs play football. There is nothing better than a...
This past weekend our kids were up way past their bedtimes running through our yard chasing insects that light up. While I believe this should be a summertime requirement for every child (and most adults), it sparked an argument between Lindsey and me. Are these...