…a Loaf of Bread – and Thou.” It’s a line made famous by poet Omar Khayyám in his “Rubaiyat” over nine centuries ago. Bread and wine have not only been consumed but written about since man came forth from the Stone Age. No single food since the advent of agriculture has had more impact than…
Read moreA Rolling Stone
It’s been said that “A rolling stone gathers no moss.” In a recent reflection on my life, I see a clear parallel between my personal journey and that fabled stone, leaving behind most moss I’ve rolled past. I’ve known or read about people who’ve gained enduring friendships, even when they’ve moved several times over the…
Read moreNomers and Misnomers
In the last few decades, people have taken to creating new terms that, while not always accurate, have taken hold broadly to mean something specific. In most cases, no word may have previously existed for the exact idea or item. The term “African American” has been one of those. It’s been used to describe only…
Read moreLife Is Like A Box Of Chocolates
Tom Hanks said it was, as Forrest Gump. The character he portrayed was slow-witted, had a good heart, and a single-minded focus. His guide for life consisted of life lessons his mama had told him. One of those nuggets was, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get”. My…
Read moreMusical Notes
Most people I know listen mainly to one genre of music, rarely any other. Of those, the majority I’ve known prefer either country music or rock and roll. Others, like myself, enjoy a number of different types. Hymns were my first introduction to music. I loved to sing. When the church had a choir, I…
Read moreA Writer’s Best Friend – Well, Sometimes
Every week, I write a column for you, my valued readers, with a challenging handicap. Putting my thoughts on paper in a manner that communicates clearly to all is a skill I sadly lack. Fortunately, for most writers, an editor skilled at word-craft makes the leap between dismal failure and confusion to complete success at…
Read moreLove and Marriage
Prior to my teens, my life was a stress-free, very happy-go-lucky time spent playing with my brothers, attending school, and doing light chores. Puberty hit suddenly, with the stresses that accompany the teen years. Hormones brought about a desire for females, yet they were initially foreign and fearful to me. Later, the stress was magnified…
Read moreRetirement and the Unexpected
I’ve often quipped that retirement can be defined as “tired all over again.” That may not apply to many folks who consider retirement their time to rest and relax. They might think in terms of travel, watching movies, attending social events, or spending their days with other leisure activities. Some of us “tired all over”…
Read moreLife In The Dark
Unlike some of my schoolmates, we did have electricity on our farm and running water at least to the kitchen sink. Our overhead lights, a few outlets for the fan or radio, and a small refrigerator were the only things powered in the house. When night came, and the lights were out, the only sound…
Read moreSatan’s Point of View
Since God issued ten commandments, then Satan must have given his potential followers an opposing list. I imagine it goes something like this: God: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Satan: Don’t worship that arrogant, self-serving tyrant. He’s no fun and is causing you misery, claiming you will get a reward for it…
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