Life goes on until it doesn't. When we least expect it, things change and it's never the same again. This is dedicated to my friend, Paula, the most generous person I ever knew.
A funny story my dad used to tell was about how he would pilfer a coke from the gas station as a teenager. This is how he got caught and cured of stealing.
Two descendants of the noted North Carolina Gaston family were killed at the Battle of Antietam. This is the story of one of them -- Lt. Hugh Jones Gaston, CSA, 48th North Carolina Regiment.
Among the funny stories that my dad told, what how to ditch your little brother so you could have fun with your buddies. My dad was raised in rural southern Indiana.
I have one brother 13 years younger than me. When Philip was young, I never got to know him. Since 1971, however, we have started to interact as brothers. This article remembers the best times in my life with Philip.
I attended Burlington High School in Wisconsin in the late 1950s and early 1960s. This article recalls my classes, classmates, teachers, and friends during my freshman year. I also remember being on the football team and other school activities
Do you have objects passed down to you from parents or other family? What memories do they hold? There is so much history buried in an object, so many tangible memories. These objects were my father's; for me, they evoke feelings of pride, protection and humour. I invite you to take a peek.
A son and a dad build a robot for school; hidden skills and using unusual materials help build a robot whose "eye" is a flashlight bulb, and becomes the animated mouth of a robot puppet. An excellent activity for parents wishing to teach their children about, art, science fiction and engineering.
A patchwork cushion is often created from off-cuts of all sorts of fabrics. Come with me on a historical journey as we look at such a cushion made by my mother, and the memories it recalls.
2020 was a year. Painful, full of problems we have never encountered. We also lost a great deal of famous people during the year, but who was the most influential? Who was it that did something that touched the most lives, did the most for the masses? Here are my thoughts on my choice.
An essay about my dad's growing up experiences, which gives a fascinating insight into what Midwestern rural life was like 100 years ago, as well as how life has changed over that time
God's presence in my life is everlasting. I have seen His angels and heard His voice. These are the accounts of my adventures as a believer and walker in God.
Inherited family objects can evoke memories of people, time and places. They have their own history too, often intriguing. I'd like to show you some of my inherited objects; this time, a cribbage board and unusually connected pieces.
During the 1950s and 60s, I lived on a farm in Wisconsin with four siblings. Although our family was poor in the late 50s and up until the mid-60s, we still had wonderful Christmases. In this article, my younger sister and I reminisce about Christmases in the 1960s.
This is part three of my story, Blind Faith. This portion of the story covers the span of time after my surgery.
I had problems with the names of things, the difference in voltage for electrical appliances, as well as navigating relationships. These are only a few of my mishaps living in Spain for 2 years.
Objects handed down from grandparents to parents to children often come with stories, with connections to so much history. Have a little peek at my family through some of my possessions, starting with a metronome.
These are stories that I lived during my childhood, from age 3, the furthest back I can remember. The first story is one that mt step-father told me during my childhood.
This is part two of my life's vast adventures. As if being blind wasn't hard enough, life threw me many more curve balls. It's how you respond to your curve balls that matters. I hope that you find inspiration and strength amongst these words.
Anyone who loves dogs knows that having a dog in your life guarantees you many wonderful days, and, all to soon, one very sad one.
Have you ever felt like a loner or like the world is full of people who are different from you? Well, I do. Hi, My name is Miranda. I am a blind individual who has endured great trials and encountered many challenges. This is my story. My story has challenged and grown my faith.
Turk describes her experience at the beach with her brothers, and how this simple experience changed her perspective on life and happiness.
This is the story of my last trick-or-treat and the hoodlums who ruined it for me and my siblings. The magic is gone when mean people threaten children.
This is about my experience going to a bullfight in Spain when I lived there in the 1970s. Not being a Spaniard, I was a spectator not knowing what was coming next.
After his graduation from one of the universities in Kenya, Ken was employed in a certain school found in Garissa County, Kenya. He had barely worked there for two years when he was kidnapped by the radicalized group, Al - Shabaab. He happened to narrate to me the terrible ordeal.
This is a brief memoir of childhood days in Papillion, Nebraska, where I lived for a short time as a youngster. It's a response to Billybuc's writing challenge posted back in the third week of September 2020.
I lived in Spain for two years in the 1970s and experienced many things. The travel was different than I had experienced here in the US. These are my experiences.
Missing you Dada Abu (my Grandfather).
I am not sure whether Phil hated me or his mischievous mind simply made me the object of his prank. But, thanks to that prank, my childhood escaped the den of the lion who carried himself like a lamb.
A story of a baby boy, who was a fighter till the very end. A story of a mother, who overcame, so his death would not be in vain.
People keep pets for various reasons but primary one is to enjoy in their company and have fun. Those who had never kept pets with them might not understand these emotions but once they start keeping, they also find it interesting and amazing.
This article is in reponse to a challenge from Bill Holland. The article is about the memories I have for my grade school years with my family and friends.
There are many English proverbs that we can infer their meanings using contextual skills. However, there are some that we need to learn by experience. No wonder, experience is the best teacher. This happened while we were at primary school. This story is all about this proverb.
Reminiscing can evoke both pleasant and painful memories. Share some of my boyhood adventures that took place at a simpler time and a simpler place.They focus on the local creek and dump site, but any location could have inspired the types of experiences when left to a boy's imagination.
His shining eyes dimmed, fixed on that far away place, and he was gone. As he went over, my stoicism broke....
Another tale from my train journeys but with a twist. Certain events happen perhaps to test one's faith. Some happenings are inexplicable. This experience taught me to not judge people and to stay humble.
Halloween is out in full bloom in the store across America with candy filling the shelves. And, costumes hanging on racks waiting to be bought for children to have fun. Will there be fun this Halloween--in my opinion it would be a sin not to have a carnival and trick or treat.
We use so many gadgets in our lives and soon forget about them but there are a few which remain in our memory for a long time due to the associated events or situations and we do not forget them and neither forget the other people connected with it. This article is about one of such gadgets.
Bunny rabbits make great pets and will return the love you give them and much more...
I write about the loss of my son and what that loss has done to me.
The life on earth seems dull. It seems empty. It seems like the sun doesn’t shine the way it used to. But he is no longer in pain no longer hurting. And because of that, while the sun does not shine the way it used to it has a glistening gleam that my grandfather once carried in his smile.
A recent find about someone famous on my maternal side of my family.
A glimpse into the life of my father, through my own personal memories.
Substance addiction isn't a twentieth-century nor a twenty-first century problem. The United States has a long history of addiction to include morphine addiction.
This is a mini autobiography in seven-year segments. Since 1958, I have experienced a seven-year itch not only in my marriages but also in working jobs. In this article, a decrease in happiness and satisfaction is reflected in seven-year periods.