Monthly Archives: March 2011

John Donne penned the famous “No Man is an Island” poem as a part of a sermon in the 1600’s. I guess because it was a popular choral tune for school programs in the 1960’s, I have always liked Joan Baez’s rendition of this thought. Her first two stanzas go like this: No man isContinue reading “No Man Or Woman Stands Alone”

Walking down the road those days, looking for the easy ways, I found there’s no give-aways, only dirt to dig. Looking  for the only one, looking for the love and fun. Wishing for some race to run, wishing I was big. Dreaming up the world I’d see, Looking for that harmony I saw thing’s thatContinue reading “I took the Road”

We love to watch children learn. That is why Joy and I went into education… and our son and his wife teach, as did our moms. We especially enjoyed watching our son Anthony develop a love for music and the music industry. I was riding with him yesterday and he was playing a CD ofContinue reading “Txt me Papa!”

A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again. Alexander Pope – attributed early 1700’s This quote which was often hashed around by my dear absent-minded professor Dr. Ellis in 1971 basically tells us if we dabbleContinue reading “A Little Learning”

            I had a neat poster in my classroom several years ago. It had a picture of a baby with his nose wrinkled and the caption said, “If something stinks, change it!” That poster was a great starting point of discussion for students who needed advice. Sometimes change is good.Continue reading “Keep The Change!”

My dad was from Brevard, NC and grew up in a home without running water or a bathroom. Both of my parents  grew up in large families and they had little to eat.  Mother’s family farmed, but Dad’s family depended on the wild of nature very often, so squirrel and dumplings was a staple inContinue reading “Premium Sodie Crackers”

Sometimes we are all better at giving advice than we are at observing and listening.  As parents, we are experts at this. My mom and dad gave me lots of advice, but were always eager to hear what I had to say. They made me feel comfortable telling them what was on my mind. TheyContinue reading “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Whoever created that often quoted bit of advice was…WRONG! If you had an open discussion with anyone about this topic, I think you would find any 3 year old,  30 year old , or 90 year old would totally disagree with thisContinue reading “Sticks and Stones”

In my 60 years, I think I may have eaten one whole rutabaga…If you add up all the bites. I guess I think of it as an “old-fashioned” vegetable that Mama Runion, Mama Gravley, Memon (My wife’s mom,) or my mom would find as a treasure if someone gave them some. They would dream upContinue reading “Are You a Potato, or a Rutabaga?”

I had a bad evening of pain yesterday, but the love and support of my family brings such great peace. I will feel better soon …and write more. Psalm 142:7 …Then good people will surround me, because you have taken care of me.