A Day in Bolivar, MO | Emma's Afternoon Around Our Small Town

My name is Emma, and I am a new member to the JBS Team this year. The other day I got to go around Bolivar. Now, it was a gloomy day, but whenever I drove around more, I started to realize all of the gems Bolivar has to offer.

1. The Garden in Late Spring

My first stop was at my house. My mom has worked really hard this spring to get beautiful flowers blooming around our house. We have two flower baskets, a couple roses, and some lillies that Sam bought me last year. They are doing really well this year!

2. Meet Emma's Dog

Meet my dog! This is Nova Jean. She is our rescue pup. We got her about two years ago and she has grown quite a bit since then. Her breed is definitely unknown, but we think that she is a mix between a black lab and a boxer. Her energy is never-ending and we think that she has two brain cells competing for second place in her brain.

3. The Best Lunch in Bolivar Happens at Home

For lunch I had to come home and make some of my favorite Ramen. It’s prepackaged, but it’s the most flavorful ramen you can get. You can find it at your local Walmart. I added a fried egg on top with some freshly cut chives.

4. Errands on the Way Out of Town

My next stop was Casey’s. My car (Holly) desperately needed to be filled up with gas, since prices have been so high I haven’t filled her up in awhile. So I treated her to a full tank that day.

5. A Drive Through the Country (and the Polk County Fairgrounds)

If you really know me, you know that I LOVE cows. Like, love them. I will wave to them when I pass by in my car, on a run, and I say hi. I took my senior pictures with cows as well. So, of course, I went to go take pictures of some cows.

Bolivar is a very small town but it has lots of cows. On every country road, you will find pastures upon pastures of cows. As I was driving down my favorite country road I came across these cows.

Country road drives are also something that I love. It’s a form of therapy, having the windows down with Noah Kahan blasting, driving an open country road. This country road led me to the Bolivar Fairgrounds. This is a spot that I go quite often, to catch the sunset. Today looked a little different at the fair grounds, it was gloomy outside and the ground was very muddy. There was a sense of peace here as well. Complimented by the wind.

6. A Stop at White Rabbit Apothecary

Lastly, I stopped at my favorite, recently opened, small business in Boilvar. It’s the White Rabbit Apothocary. The owner is my friends mom, and she has just recently opened her storefront. Inside, you will find her nail business, a plethora of natural remedies, soaps, and also sourdough starters.

In the corner you will also find Glowlicious body oil, this is my friends business. She makes my favorite body oil!

This small business is located across Caseys on the West end of town. In a white building. It’s easy to miss so make sure you watch for them!.

7. The Small Things You'd Miss

In a small town, that seems boring, there are a lot of small things people may miss. Like the dew in the grass, or an abandoned car with greenery growing out of it in an allyway on the square. These are all things we can miss in the business of life. It’s important to slow down, notice the little things, and appreciate their beauty.

Words of Advice

All of this to say that, Boilvar is a charming small town. If you like small businesses, cows, and country roads, then Boilvar is for you. If you live in Bolivar, don’t forget to show small businesses some love, and say hi to the cows!