Arkansas Blog

Dang, Max. You beat me to the punch. Where are the snowtires?

It's a sad day for Arkansas.

The man and his words are and will be missed . . .

I have in my possession Richard's personal framed copy of the original Frozen Daffodil and Snow Tire Festival photo that someone sent him in the 1970s.

I quoted him to a non Arkie who was clueless about the forecast.....

Yes, I too always think of the "Frozen Daffodil and Snow Tire Festival" when we have these late winter snows. The year my older son was born it snowed in April!

I'd recommend going outside with a broomstick and knocking the snow off your shrubs every once in a while, to keep them from breaking under the weight.

Whenever we have weather like this I think of Richard Allin and his Snowtire and Frozen Daffodil Festival. He was such a delightful writer and described Arkansas and its people so well. He is very much missed.

About a month ago I sent Max a picture of the first daffodils in my yard. His resonse was:
"Can snow be far behind?"

This means one, and only one, thing:

SNOW CREAM!!!!

My mom and grandmother always made it with condensed milk, but all I've got is some whipping cream in the fridge and I never have vanilla flavoring.

I threw together this version:

about a cup of cream
coconut flavoring
a little bit of splenda
some grenadine that was in the back of the fridge

Mix together above ingredients--should be very rich and sweet--in a large bowl. Now, go have one of your kids (or borrow a neighboor's) and send them outside to fill up a mixing bowl with the white stuff. Mix and enjoy.

I'll admit its not quite the real thing, but it's a great substitue. Hmmm, a bit of Malibu maynt be so bad either...

He will be missed.

Someone check with TC and see if they closed the school at twin metropolises of Gudge Creek and Wad.

Will the Helena Handbaskets still play their game tonight or is it called due to weather?

I miss Richard Allin every time I see (but pointedly ignore) the work product the DOG's columnists now dish out. Hussman's smartest move after acquiring the Gazette was hiring Richard Allin and Charles Allbright; his dumbest was letting them go. Allin should have gone out like George Fisher--while penning his last column or, better yet, riding the Orient Express or sailing on the QE2. R.I.P.

One of my biggest writing heroes, right up there with B.C. Hall, Lewis Grizzard, and Douglas Adams. I know, Adams wasn't from the South, but he shared my sense of humor.

How I wish I could tug on RA's ear a bit and ask him about the current state of things. Or share a Vidalia onion sandwich on buttered bread. Though I don't believe my husband would be so appreciative of that last bit -- he has to live with me.

Maybe there might be someone from my generation who might step up to the plate and demonstrate such understated greatness and humility. Maybe.

Even though I've been in exile from AR for the past 2 1/2 years, I am allowed to browse the internets for news from back home. Some bad news is occasionally sprinkled in with the somewhat limited good news and this is, indeed, sad news. It was always a toss-up between Richard's "Our Town" and Charles' "Arkansas Traveler" as to which I read first. It is somewhat fitting that the good Lord sent one more Frozen Daffodil & Snow Tire Festival our way. Condolences to TC.

Kats writing often reminds me of Richard Allins. Enjoy the tiedyetravels blog and her unique writing style.

ArkieInExile,

The headline must have made you think Mr. Allin's death was recent. He died in October, but it's clear that those of us who loved his writing think of him when we see certain things such as daffodils in the snow or passenger trains.

Since you mentioned Mr. Albright, I had the pleasure of bumping into him at the grocery store (several times) not too long ago. Next time I see him I'll ask if he ever reads this blog. Who knows, he could be one of the "regulars".

BTW...fine photo, Brian.

awesome picture Brian Chilson.

Kat, Thanks so much for the Boston tour, i feel like I have been there...again!

Damn. I, too, am getting old. How did I forget his death? Damn.