Stories from the Steps

school

  • Vol.1 Chronicle 38: Farewell 9/2/2021

    CHINSTRAPS & HEROES, A FAREWELL TO JIMMY: I wasn’t expecting to cry today. I especially wasn’t planning on one of those heaving cries that convulses down to the gut. I’d already been a little emotional in dreading next week, a… Continue reading

    Vol.1 Chronicle 38: Farewell 9/2/2021

  • 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 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 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 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 21: From the Pool Boy

    (PERSONAL & NOT SO) SHALLOW THOUGHTS FROM THE DEEP END WITH MISS JULIE’S POOL BOY,  Windows, reflection & revelation: Earlier this month, I found myself alone in God’s house. As I stood on the stage under one of its stained… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 21: From the Pool Boy

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 18: Teacher Appreciation Week

    VOLUME 1, CHRONICLE 18, TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK: “…You stand at the edge while people run you through, I thank the Lord there’s people out there like you…”Elton John “Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters Miss Julie & I are privileged to… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 18: Teacher Appreciation Week

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 14: Educators & Angels

    EDUCATORS & ANGELS, A HALF CENTURY LATE APPRECIATION POST: Both the personal & the social media memory machines are working overtime today. First, the personal. I’ve been privileged this last year to spend time with a group of dedicated educators,… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 14: Educators & Angels