Even the most fearsome Bull can, at times, be brought low by the smallest of bugs. And so it has been this week as The Bull has fought off an attack of pneumonia. All is improving now after a round of antibiotics, some rest, and meditation.

Having the time to think while being too ill to do much else – and with the Calves all in school – I considered the meaning of Family. Recently Lady Beth and The Bull headed to South Carolina to retrieve my son’s belongings from his mother as he moved in with us here at The Pasture. It had been years since I had been back on the grounds of my birth. We visited the grave of my father and my fraternal grandparents. Then we visited the ancient Jones Graveyard near the Oolenoy Community wear lies the bones of Joel Jones, the first in my Clan to arrive in the New World.

Also there were the mortal remains of others of my forefathers, including Bennett Cooper Jones, (Capt. Co.B, 1st SC Rifles, CSA). I was stunned to see that the Sons of the Confederacy have tended to the Honored Dead even in this long lost graveyard in the forest – a flag flies in perpetuity over his resting place, replaced often and kept in good repair. Amazing…
Another amazing thing is the bonds of Friendship. Throughout Life we all develop many friendships. Many last for years, some for only weeks or months. A rare few last a lifetime. A pair of such life-long friendships were tested during this trip. While on the road I called two of my ol’ stompin’ ground friends, Tim Evatt and Mike ‘Buttons’ Bottoms, just to let them know I was thinking of them while in the old hometown.

It never really occurred to me that they would do anything more than chat for a bit about old times and add a few lines about how life was going for them now. Deep inside The Bull yearned to see them more than can be put properly into words. Nevertheless, both of my old friends dropped everything and raced to our hotel for a visit. As we started into the hotel, Mike said “Wait! Let’s do this right.”, and out we went to the bed of his pick-up where we stayed for the next few hours talking as if no time at all had passed rather than the full decade plus that was reality. Save for beards somewhat whiter, all was as it had been. There were silent tears in three older set of eyes when the time came for The Bull to drag his hurting spine to bed that night.
It is said that a person can not choose his Family, only his Friends. In this mortal realm that is true. However, as I sit here waiting on the time for my next visit this afternoon to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, I can not help but think that there is much to be said for Friends well-chosen.
Bull, out. ![]()

Mobile County reports an addition to its ‘Most Wanted’ list. One Oliver Antonio Jones, 47. This
Not all is bad news, though! The City of Mobile has captured one of its ‘Most Wanted’. Tony Lee, 18 was wanted on charges of second-degree rape. Between March and April, Lee reportedly had consensual intercourse with a juvenile girl, which resulted in the girl becoming pregnant.







































