Only a few weeks were left before summer vacation from school. The children were beginning to get restless and yearned for freedom from the constraints of the classroom. It was a warm spring Saturday, ideal for an outing in the park. Perhaps this was just what was needed for a case or two of spring fever. Mary gathered some food into a basket and the family headed out to Fort Amanda Park. Upon arrival our four kids scattered to explore the already familiar park to see what new things they might ...(click to continue reading)

The elevator door opened. Sergeant O’Neal stepped out with his dog, trained to sniff out explosives. They headed straight to Sheriff Tate’s office and entered.

“Good morning Sheriff, said O’Neal.

“Good day O’Neal, I hope you’re bringing good news this time,” said the sheriff.

“I’m afraid it’s not so good, Sheriff,” said O’Neal, “We’ve searched every day for a blessed week now, and we aint found nothin’.”

”Nothing?”

“No sir. Mike and Tom have had the t...(click to continue reading)

“Mammy’s little baby loves shortenin’ bread.” That’s my favorite song for singing. I used to sing it to my kids as we drove down the highway, that is until they got tired of the song and started singing something else. Actually they tolerated it for a relatively long time and joined in. It’s a nice bouncy little tune that won’t put one to sleep, fun and easy to sing. Besides that, it promotes the advantageous qualities of shortenin’ bread. For example, consider the line “Three little darkies lay...(click to continue reading)

“Make him quit, Momma.” Words such as these characterize much of my memory of my little sister during our growing years of the 1930’s. Margaret had lots of playmates in our early years, while I had to leave the neighborhood to find boys to play with. As we grew up I had casual friends among the boys, but only Bill Cornn became a close friend. Margaret on the other hand, had a circle of friends whom I perceived to be close friends. 

Studying was never one of my favorite activities. I was...(click to continue reading)

“What are we doing on an airplane leaving Tampa, north for Washington just when the weather is getting good again in Florida?” I asked my son, David.”

“Because we have tickets for today,” he said.

”But it’s a national holiday. Have we no respect for the groundhog? It’s his day. No matter, he no doubt went back into his den hours ago. He couldn’t have missed seeing his shadow.”

“Yeah, six more weeks of winter, he says.”

When we reached Dulles Airport a light sn...(click to continue reading)

“Momma, I’m gonna take a little hike up the mountain if you don’t mind. OK?”

“Are goin’ by yourself?”

“Yes maam. I’m only goin’ where I’ve been before.”

“All right, but be careful.”

“I’ll be back by supper time.”

I go straight up the mountainside. I wish there were a better trail. That’s OK. It’s steep but I’ll make it. Kind of slick here. There’s a root I can grab onto. I must’ve come up a thousand feet by now. Oh well, I’m half way to the top. Stop ...(click to continue reading)