Stories from the Steps

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  • 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 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 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 29

    (CITY MEET, FINISH WHAT YA STARTED)THOUGHTS FROM THE DEEP END WITH MISS JULIE’S POOL BOY: It’s pre sunrise, Friday 5:39AM, & Miss Julie’s Pool Boy pours his second 28 ounce cup of emotional support coffee. Miss Julie has long since… Continue reading

    Vol.1 Chronicle 29

  • 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

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 27, TitleIX

    STORIES FROM THE STEPS, VOLUME 1, CHRONICLE 27, Title IX: No man need be a mediocrity if he accepts himself as God made him.” ~Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh~ I equate Miss Julie with this line. She answered her call long… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 27, TitleIX

  • 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

  • Vol 1, Chronicle 23, Casualties of War

    VOLUME 1, CHRONICLE 23, MEMORIAL DAY, CASUALTIES OF WAR: By the time most read this, local scouts will have spent their Saturday morning placing flags on white markers at National Cemetery in observance of Memorial Day. My Dad returned from… Continue reading

    Vol 1, Chronicle 23, Casualties of War