. . .THE DUTCH. . . Sometimes, late at night, when the house was quiet. I would hear her “thump” to the floor from her favorite chair.She would do that when she woke up and found nobody sitting nearby. She had to know where her “Mom” was. . . as if to say, “It’s my […]
I Remember the Coronation of the “King”! In 1956… or maybe it was 1957. . . I was in the seventh grade at Harding High School in Charlotte, N.C. That was the “Old Harding High” downtown! The one that had Coach Dave Harris cranking out the meanest “gang” that ever took the field in a […]
Some things are good for you. Reliable and practical and so sublime that to discard them would be a horrible mistake! Things like old blankets, warm sweaters, arthritic husbands, graying spouses and that pair of 25 year old Hush Puppy Tan Bucks with the 3/4 inch red rubber soles! ( I finally parted with mine […]
Your will spend your lives trying to achieve perfection. . . Then, one day, you will realize that we are defective, imperfect beings and from that point on, life will be so simple. In a nutshell. . . , we spend our lives trying to “get it right” all the time. Then. . . , […]
The Plan Did you have a plan? When you were 16 years old, did you know, just absolutely know, what your life was going to be like? Were you going to be a Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief?Were you going to have a home, spouse, kids, two cars, boat, summer place and all the other amenities […]
My Friend George By Bob Thomas I have a friend named George. He’s been my friend for over 20 years, and will be until one of us decides to depart this life I suppose. The agreement we have is. . .regardless of which of us dies first, the other one gets his shoes! I suspect […]
In 1952 my Dad decided it was time to take me fishing. I was 9, going on 10, and had never had the opportunity to ‘wet a hook’ with the Old Man. I was pretty sure he was a sportsman of some kind because I had often heard he and his friends talking about the […]
For 47 years Father Jake had ministered to the spiritual needs of over 40,000 students in a rural community school. He had attended their ball games, officiated at a few of their weddings, and too many funerals. Now, this year was his last. He planned to give his customary speech at graduation, thank the students, […]
It’s not the end of the world! It’s a Jet.(Bogue Banks is an Island off the NC Coast. Home to a Carrier Landing training field for Navy Pilots)Are you at all surprised to see, and hear, jets flying over your head if you live on, or near, Bogue Banks? Did you just wake up one […]
How To Catch a Big Fish! (A Guide for Beginners) Back in 1980, or 1981, I went fishing for “Giant Blues” in the shadow of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. It was a trip still talked about to this day by my dozen or so, fellow fishermen who shared the experience with me. (Although they never […]