Tag: Parents
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Uncle Johnny Makes a Few Bucks
I got cousins out there somewhere in the wild that may or may not know this story. But it has to be told. My Uncle Johnny made a few dollars on my dad. I’m not upset or disappointed. It simply is a fact and there is a story behind it. Let’s drift back to 1958…
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Who Taught Me How To Tell A Story?
There once was a boy who was lost. Fighting to be heard at any cost. He found a voice where none was before. And because of you he found more. This story goes out to three young ladies who helped me find my path in life. I was just a young lad no older than…
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Rolling Down & Dropping Popcorn
Forget the title. It will make more sense in a moment. Let’s start with the nostalgic and iconic pastime (circa 1950-1970’s) of family outdoor entertainment, the Outdoor Drive-in Movie Theater. In it’s heyday there were over 4,000 theaters. Now only 300 remain. Modern cinematic technology, changing American culture, and the 1970’s oil crisis most likely…
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Christmas in Mexico
It was a bull. We were on the highway in our Mexican town and in front of us on a flatbed truck standing proud was a Mexican bull. My wife was driving and called it out. I was distracted with my phone in my lap, but looked up to see the odd sight, when it…
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The Great Racoon Lake Campfire Blessing (or what might have been)
Campfires are dangerous and like many things in life, need to be respected. Growing up in Indiana will most likely cause you to end up at some point in one or two places for an outdoor weekend with your family, Turkey Run and/or Racoon Lake. I’ve done both. Great activities like hiking, fishing and camping…
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Throwing A Baby
In the Autumn of 2021 I lost my little brother. He died way too early. News of his death shocked and stunned close friends and family. We decided that it would be a more fitting setting for a “Celebration of Life” ceremony in December to be held in an Irish Pub. Charlie would have liked…
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Cows & Raccoons
You are probably asking yourself what do cows and raccoons have in common, and it would be right fair-minded of you to do so. Well the answer is, my parents. The last home my parents owned was in a small farm town in Northern Indiana. The corn fields ran long and the corn was always…
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Never Take a Shotgun into a Bathroom
One of the most contentious topics these days center on guns. I’m not here to discuss the good or bad of guns. But I will share a little story with you if you are willing to indulge me for a few minutes. For my fourteenth Christmas I received a 12 gauge shotgun. I didn’t ask…
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The Haunted Ladder
I always look forward to writing stories about my dad. He led such an interesting life. He was one of the most hardworking men I’ve ever met in my life. I remember growing up, he always had two to three jobs, just to make money to put food on the table. One Saturday morning when…
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Twenty-Seven Bees Versus One Shirt
If you are squeamish about bee stings then this one is for you. I was a young boy living in a corner of a small town in northern Indiana. I led a farmstead lifestyle. I grew up with horses, ducks, and chickens; everything that you expect on in a picturesque agrarian life. Life passed slowly…
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The Telephone Pole
Do you have any idea how heavy a 75 foot telephone pole weighs? I do. The year was 1979. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers were playing in town the night the telephone pole was struck down out in front of the my friend’s house. Some guys from high school had started the musical celebration a little early…
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Grandma and the Fireball
In 1976, I was just 14 years old when our proud country was celebrating its 200th birthday. As a tribute to the upcoming event, Ray and Mildred Thilmont decided to host a family gathering. In 1976, they lived in Griffith, Indiana. Millie, as most called her, was my grandmother. And her house in Griffith became…