Sun-Ae's Ozark Images: Initial Days

South Fork River View

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According to my wife, Sun-Ae, En-Uk went down the hill to South Fork River -- which you see above with the many trees damaged by that ice storm from last winter -- and indeed got the turtle that he so confidenty asserted that he would catch (i.e., "I will catch a turtle tooday"), for Sun-Ae writes:

Today John took Sa-Rah and En-Uk to the river, and they actually caught a turtle but a very little one. They let it go. And something else they caught, too. But I don't remember, some kind of claufish.

Also a 'claufish'? Perhaps a "clawfish"? Sounds risky. Oh, I get it. A crawdad, a crayfish. Hence, my wife's Koreanized portmanteau word: "claufish'. Okay, that's straightened out . . . but what kind of turtle? Maybe I'll simply have to wait for En-Uk's own personal report. Meanwhile:

Kids also mowed the lawn, first on the truck with John. Later, Sa-Rah also did the push mower. She sweated and felt good about the exercise.

Excellent, they're suffering! Here's the iconic image:


Wait a second! En-Uk doesn't look to be suffering! I used to have to cut those weeds with a sling! If I mistake not, En-Uk is learning to drive a . . . dozer! Likewise, Sa-Rah -- despite using a pushmower -- is not even breaking a sweat, for the July temperature, much to my great astonishment, is reaching a high of merely 80 degrees fahrenheit (26.66 degrees centigrade):


She's obviously -- and coolly -- enjoying the outlook, for she observed: "Uncle John's new house has a great view." Hillbilly homes just ain't what they used to be, ain't what they used to be, ain't what they used to be, many long years ago! Rather like the "Old Gray Mare." Or like some episode from the Beverly Hillbillies! I fear that my kids will come back spoiled rather than disciplined! They'll also have a diminished image of their dad after scenes like this one:


Uncle John's place far exceeds what I've managed to obtain -- and the kids will certainly feel the difference when they return to Seoul! Sun-Ae, too, will not escape noticing the difference:


My wife, framed in the mirrored doorway, can thereby easily imagine herself living in such a house . . . and with such a variety of views:


Here's a close-up image of that 'lake':


But . . . what sort of 'lake'? On the phone, Sun-Ae described to me this lovely view of a nearby 'lake'. I had to ask:

"Near the hospital? A lake? That might be the sewage treatment pool."

In a moment of epiphany, Sun-Ae exclaimed:

"So . . . that's why your brother John smiled when he said, 'Yeah, you'd really like to go swimming in there'!"

I know somebody who did, and also what he stirred up from the lake's depths . . . but I won't mention any names. No, twarn't me! But let us turn to more pleasant scenes:


Here's the porch . . . or the patio. Either way, it's a spot for barbecues! Here's a clearer view, 'lake' partly included:


I begin to see clearly that I chose the wrong career path. I ought to have striven for the title of "Reverend" rather than "Professor"! At least I have successful brothers who are willing to share their wealth . . . and generous nieces like John's grown-up daughter, Crystal, as Sun-Ae noted:

Crystal said that Sa-Rah should come to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she lives. She thinks that she can be a guardian for Sa-Rah and help her out for adjusting. I think that we should consider that prospect. Sa-Rah thinks of the possibility very positively. Crystal would be a very good person for her, I think. And Sa-Rah will feel more secure with her and near families.

This sounds like a very good idea, one that never would have occurred to me, but Sa-Rah could well benefit from family guidance when living in the States for the first time.

Well, there will be more photographs -- far more stunning ones . . . if the camera can capture them adequately.