Christmas always brings memories. One such memory involves my friend, partner, and colleague Ron Loving on a dark, drizzling, cold night in Memphis, Tennessee, the week before Christmas. We had secured the CEO into the Peabody Hotel. Ron had gone to the front desk to get some change. He and I then headed toward the […]

Today is the last day. My birthday month. Leaves are still falling. Finally, we have rain. The colors may pop or not. Some will be bright and cheery, and others are not. September has always been a puzzling and, at times, challenging month for me. It has been a month of exponential joy and great […]

The ever-dependable Dollar General Store sits five miles down Hopkinsville Road from FArmstrong. I know that because I frequent it regularly. And the greeter there is “Old Gypsy.” Gypsy walks to work every day. Exceptionally dependable. Always on time. But she has no keys to the store. Yesterday morning, I went to the Dollar Depot […]

Several dogs and I have had relationships over the years. But only twice with a “Duke.” The earliest one I can recall was a Pekingese with one eye, Pokey. He wasn’t that friendly. Along came Midnight, a coal-black, long-haired fellow with a big personality who was very active for five-year-old me. Susie was a Chihuahua. […]

Clearly, There Are Miracles While most young people don’t hesitate to jump into bed before marriage, Mari and Nate mutually agreed not to consummate their love until after they wed. They had met in October 2021 while students at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. Together, they prayed nightly. In December 2022, they became engaged. They […]

Of all the years of my 56-year career, perhaps the most memorable and enjoyable was my time serving at the Tribune-Courier in the early 1970s. The team from those days, those of us remaining, had a reunion yesterday with lots of laughs, hugs, and recalled memories. As a young man, I dreamed of one day […]

12 August 2024 – Temptation Rusted brandy in a diamond glass Everything is made from dreams Time is made from honey slow and sweet Only the fools know what it means – Diana Krall Indianapolis, Indiana – 1976 Snow is waist-deep on this Kentucky boy. That’s at least 40 inches. It is white-out driving conditions. […]

Maude and the Zippo Tybee Island can be a magnet for characters. I took off the recycles this morning. I drive by the campground and see this woman trying to attach her American flag to her camper. She is barely 5 feet tall and petite, stretching to reach. I stop and offer to assist. “Mighty […]

Elders, Respect and Decoration Day From my earliest years and recollections, my Mother taught me to respect and honor my elders. All elders were either “Grandmothers,” (ulisis ),“Grandfathers” (ududus), Aunts (elogis) or Uncles (edutsis). Somewhere around six years of age I think, my Grandfather and I were in his old truck headed to the Liberty Church […]

The weekend had been one of the field exercises where ROTC guys played Army out on Blood River, one of the many embayments on Kentucky Lake. It had been cold, damp, and miserable. However, as we packed up, everyone seemed reasonably satisfied with the performance. James Alphonso Caruso, or “Little Al” as we all called […]

All About My Dog Belle The new bookstore sits between a quick loan company and the best Chinese buffet in the small southern town of 2,380 people. I recommend the hot and sour soup with crisp fried noodles. I know it is the most okay buffet because I eat there when I wish to splurge. […]

My wife, best friend, and business partner, Kay, and I are moving into the first stages of retirement. I have no idea what that means. You see, for almost 60 years, I have worked. From age 13, having forged my father’s signature, I started working at the local Ben Franklin store in Princeton, Ky, […]

Now, technically, my birthday isn’t until 2 September. However, I believe in “Birthday Months.” So, as far as I am concerned it begins today. It is hard for me to believe but I will be 72 years of age on my birthday. I am a fortunate man, husband, and Virgo. A Virgo is a person born […]