Yesterday I went into Smiling Jacks.

This is a funky, fun cafe that's been around Fayetteville for nearly a year. It's homely, hippie and natural with really good sandwiches and soups. During the summer, the line will be out the door. In the winter, the crowds die down, but still women and men, in thick neutral colored sweaters, some with dreads, come in to sample the goodies.

My friend Amanda and I met for lunch. The owner was working and spoke to us briefly. He was originally from out of state, although I didn't catch where he grew up. However, he said that the Buffalo River brought him and kept him in Arkansas.

He found something as reliant as a river to lean on.