Fayetteville, Arkansas

Fayetteville is truly the most unconventional city I have ever experienced. Our address is Prairie Grove, which is a small town just a few miles from Fayetteville, but we spend a lot of time in Fayetteville. One of our very favorite things is going to the farmer's market, perhaps not so much to buy, but just to enjoy the ambiance and to talk to everyone. Seems like others feel this way, too, as people are out in crowds, many of them with their kids and pets. Last Saturday we got there fairly early to purchase some Brussels sprouts (they were so yummy), foccachia bread, and  spaghetti squash. We encountered many friends and acquaintances on the square, , as well as the "Reverend Tom Brown" , handing out what to him were religious pamphlets. He is a self-proclaimed minister who believes that marijuana is the answer to everything and based his "church" on that theory, trying to convince people to make anointing oil with marijuana by stating that this method is mentioned in the Bible!!!  Just one of the many characters who inhabit Fayetteville.

climbing rocks and running water at the Farmer's Market for the kids

Seeing all the vendors with their booths (or tents) reminds me of the Feast of the Tabernacles as seen in Leviticus Chapter 23, when the people from the twelve tribes of Israel returned to Jerusalem to celebrate the abundance of God's blessings. It was a memorial to  their years in the desert, when they lived in tents or tabernacles. It is a reminder to us as it was to them of God's protection and promise.
As the vendors in Fayetteville stood proudly before their tents offering the best of their harvest, so did the Israelites.

fresh okra  -  an Arkansas staple

many, many vendors

fresh home grown tomatoes

better yet, Arkansas peaches

all types of fresh bread

Not only were there food vendors, but many entertainers were on the square, singing for the crowd. A young gentleman sat by himself, playing his guitar and singing praises to God. This group also played folk songs for every one's enjoyment. 

a group of friends playing for fun and money





Also present were artisans of many types: basket weavers, pottery makers, spinners, and craft displays of almost every nature.

handmade split oak baskets

one of the pottery displays

there were flowers in abundance - some people bring their vase for an original bouquet

gorgeous cutting boards of every shape

crafts of yarn - many hours were spent on these

this lady was cutting a log with a hand saw as she fashioned wooden utensils!

I spent a lot of time talking to this lady - picking her brain for hints on spinning

Fayetteville is a college town - the University of Arkansas and the Razorbacks (Whooo pig souiee).

Dickson Street is a popular place to be - lots of unusual stores, interesting and exotic places to eat, and home of the Walton Arts Center, where many different types of entertainment are offered. And in the midst of all this, a huge Razorback Hog painted on an intersection!



Razorback Stadium from a distance

closer view of the Stadium

this is the place to go if you want a Razorback t-shirt, flashlight, or plastic pig nose

Fayetteville's claim to fame is that it is the city where President Bill and Hillary Clinton attended college, taught in the law department of the University, were married, and lived in their first house as husband and wife. 

The home in Fayetteville which Bill Clinton bought for Hillary just before they were married. It is now a  very interesting museum.

We spent Wednesday visiting with Chaplains Jim and Vicki Troutman, CRM chaplains who spent  the summer as chaplains serving at the KOA in Branson, MO.  They also serve in the winter at a park in S Texas, Citrus Gardens,  where we do get to see a lot of them! We were able to show off our area as well as introduce them to our home church and pastor, Vance Eubanks.

We are spending this next week preparing to return to S Texas - where we will resume ours duties as chaplains at CHI. We again want to thank all of you for your love, prayers, and support as we continue on our "Preusslesspathways". If  God lays it upon your hearts to contribute to our support, please go to online giving.  You will be truly blessed for it.