Stories from the Steps

mother

  • STUFF, A BENEDICTION: I rounded another bend this weekend, a trip that both hollowed out & enriched my soul as we prepared my mom’s house for market & we prepped for moving her into assisted living. I mowed a yard… 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

  • 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 31: Mirages

    MIRAGES OF GRIEF, THE PRODIGAL, VOLUME 1, CHRONICLE 31, STORIES FROM THE STEPS: Maya Angelou wrote, “I answer the heroic question ‘Death where is thy sting?’, with it is here in my heart & mind & memories.” I seem to… Continue reading

    Vol.1,  Chronicle 31: Mirages

  • 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 22: Spittin’ Truth

    VOLUME 1, CHRONICLE 22, SPITTIN’ TRUTH WITH RED: “The house don’t fall when the bones are good…” Maren Morris ~ “The Bones”~ These are my grandparents, little ones. This coming Sunday, May 26th, is the day they married in 1928… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 22: Spittin’ Truth

  • Edna & a cake pan

    VOLUME 1, CHRONICLE 20, EDNA & A CAKE PAN: This is your paternal great-great-grandmother. Twenty three years ago today, May 17, 2001, we lost her. Also pictured, her cake pan. The pan is mine now & I treasure it like… Continue reading

    Edna & a cake pan

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 17: 2 years in Sundown

    VOLUME 1, CHRONICLE 17: 2 YEARS IN SUNDOWN, NOW & THEN. As I say good morning to another night, I’m struggling with do I need to say something or do I have something to say? John Steinbeck said, “I write… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 17: 2 years in Sundown