Stories from the Steps

girls

  • IMAGES & INSPIRATION, PORTFOLIO 2, COMPOSITION 1: Today, I looked out on a gym floor filled with children. Two caught my eye, one black, one white, one a student, one a prospect. The visitor, full of tears & nerves, was… Continue reading

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  • Vol.1, Chronicle 51

    (FROM 12/16/2022, A GOODBYE LETTER TURNED GENESIS: We all have landmarks on our human journey, significant places or events like Peniel in Genesis for Jacob after a night grappling with an angel or Ray Kinsella in the Iowa corn after… Continue reading

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  • Vol.1, Chronicle 47, 40 Years…

    40 YEARS, EXITING THE FRIEND ZONE, SHALLOW THOUGHTS FROM THE DEEP END WITH MISS JULIE’S POOL BOY: As MJPB pours the 2nd of his self imposed daily limit of 2 cups of coffee at 5:43 AM, effortlessly ignoring the fact… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 47, 40 Years…

  • Vol.1 Chronicle 43

    STORIES FROM THE STEPS, VOLUME 1, CHRONICLE 43, TUESDAY GIFTS FROM GRANDADDY: “…It’s not what you got, it’s what you give, it’s not the life you choose,. it’s the life you live..”~Tesla~ “What You Give “ On this day in… Continue reading

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  • Vol.1 Chronicle 40

    DUCATS WITH DAD: This was intended to be a rant against overpaid & overhyped coaches, the NIL & Tennessee’s “10% talent fee” on next season’s ticket package. I spent yesterday banging the keyboard between my ears foraging for nouns &… Continue reading

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  • Vol.1, Chronicle 37: Keys, 8/27/1984

    KEYS, A 40 YEAR STORY OF MISS JULIE AND HER POOL BOY: Miss Julie gave me these keys for Christmas 2023. They used to work the locks of Maclellan Gymnasium on the UT-Chattanooga campus. Today, technology has rendered them useless… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 37: Keys, 8/27/1984

  • Volume 1, Chronicle 36, Lottie’s Song

    Today, August 10th, 2024, marks 21 years since my grandmother passed away. What follows was written a year ago to her namesake great-great-granddaughter. I thought about brushing it up with a rewrite as I scrolled the socials on a sleep… Continue reading

    Volume 1, Chronicle 36, Lottie’s Song

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 35

    INTROSPECTIVE INSOMNIA, ‘70s ANTENNA TV & MARCIA BRADY, SHALLOW THOUGHTS FROM THE DEEP END WITH MISS JULIE’S POOL BOY: This very Monday, only 3 days from children reporting for academic duty, Miss Julie’s Pool Boy disguised in his normal identity… Continue reading

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  • Vol.1, Chronicle 32

    THE WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL FIX, 1974 WITH LOTTIE & JULIA: As days sometimes thunder by slowly & the years are greased lightning, I find myself recognizing deeds that went by without applause. I find the words in Maya Angelou’s “Continue” both… Continue reading

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  • Vol.1, Chronicle 28

    VOLUME 1, CHRONICLE 28, BOTH INDEPENDENCE DAYS & PLYMOUTH ROCK: INTRO: The 6 or 7 minute read that follows in 3 chapters, is my pastor’s fault. This Sunday past, he basically told our congregation, those that weren’t thinking of beating… Continue reading

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