Stories from the Steps

history

  • 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

    Vol.1, Chronicle 35

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 34

    I ALMOST STAYED OUT THE HALLWAY: “Stay out the hallway” was written in black on 2” white athletic tape, advice on a gym door for students where me & Miss Julie voted last Tuesday. That advice in some form, has… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 34

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 33

    IT’S 2:35 AM, NO POWER, & THEN THERE WERE KIDNEY STONES: A windswept stormy night has shifted conservative overreaction, outrage, & offense of the French & their ceremonies on the socials to the 1st world dilemma of complaint of no… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 33

  • 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

    Vol.1, Chronicle 32

  • 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

    Vol.1, Chronicle 28

  • Father’s Day

    VOLUME 1, CHRONICLE 26, FATHER’S DAY 2024, ABSENT YET PRESENT: Sometimes I write, to paraphrase Maya Angelou, because it’s agony to bear an untold story in the soul or like today, I’m an empty penitent seeking a filling communion, seeking… Continue reading

    Father’s Day

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 25: Streak of Love

    STREAK OF LOVE: In Philadelphia, on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, sits a legendary gymnasium named The Palestra. Outside that old barn’s front doors is a plaque that reads: “To win the game is great. To play the… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 25: Streak of Love

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 24

    HAPPY ANNIVERSARY & THANK YOU TIMES TWO, SHALLOW THOUGHTS FROM THE DEEP END WITH MISS JULIE’S POOL BOY: The Facebook memory machine tells me it’s been one year since MJPB went from hit & run guerrilla tactics to a shock… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 24