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February
February’s winds brought heavy grey skies Thick with a Southern surprise I stood at the window, took in the sight Of a tree, sturdy and aged, that’s brought us many a morning delight A home to...
View ArticleRaising Six Grand
For the last four years I’ve made a donation to our local Juvenile Diabetes (JDRF) fundraiser. This is a great charity, the local group raises hundreds of thousands of dollars, and they always score...
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The Ripple Effect
“Mom? It’s John. Just calling to say we’re home now.” We had spent an entire week with my mother. We cooked for her almost every day, took her out for oysters, looked through old photos, sat with...
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I’ll have St. Pete with a Squeeze of Lime
The rain pelted against the house, sounding like rocks tossed by an angry neighbor, waking us well before our six am alarm went off. I trudged out of bed, turned up the heater then returned with two...
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“At This Performance”
Tears had formed in the eyes of Eric Ruiz and there wasn’t a tissue within 300 feet, and I suddenly felt stupid for not being prepared. But I didn’t think I would need tissues. After all, Eric...
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A Honey of a Smile
Patrick Square’s Farmer’s Market was buzzing with activity yet the sky behind Liydia Vdovichenko had grown menacing. The threat of a thunderstorm was in the air yet she wasn’t fazed. There were...
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A Tale of Two BBQ’s
Hudson Denney has just handed me perhaps the most memorable bite of BBQ I’ve ever had. It’s beef brisket; tender as a poem by Byron, more complex than a fine Bordeaux, redolent with spice, smoke,...
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The Smile of a Stranger
After the rain broke, I took a short bike ride on the Swamp Rabbit trail. I slowed for an approaching cyclist at the intersection of Wardlaw Street. A kid on a beat-up ten speed bike (an old Schwinn)...
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Ollie Who?
“So who’s been to the Panama Canal? Can I see a show of hands?” I looked around cautiously. Of the 20+ folks in the room; myself and the lecturer were the only ones with our hands down. The...
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Eyes Up!
A handful of shimmering leaves, shades of green, yellow, and gold, twisted through my field of vision. Moistened by the midnight rain, they fluttered to the road, clung to the rocky shoulder, and...
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On Your Left!
I heard them coming. The crunch of rubber tires on dried leaves, the click of a rear derailleur, the gentle whoosh of spokes beating the air; there was no need to look over my shoulder because I...
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Merry Christmas Amy
I spent half of 2013 on crutches as I recovered from reconstructive knee surgery that came with a lengthy period of rehab. That May we celebrated our 26th anniversary with a long weekend at our...
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#ThrowBackThursday
I’m a fairly emotional guy. I don’t mean that I cry often, rather I tend to linger over fond memories. Perhaps too much. Maybe that’s why I enjoy looking through old photographs. Recently my wife...
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Boxing with God
I’m going to jail, and I’m scared. A couple months back, a very good friend of mine asked me a tough question. And I should have said no. If I had, I wouldn’t be in this position. I would not be...
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In Defense of Football
My son is a high school football player and I love watching him play the game. I never played organized football. When I started sixth grade, I told my dad I wanted to play ball. And he said no. Dad...
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Interview with The Poet
In celebration of National Poetry Month, I’ve interviewed poet Jessica Kristie. A Rod McKuen 8-Track. That was my first exposure to poetry and looking back, it didn’t resonate with me because if my...
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Where did Jonas Salk’s last dollar come from?
That question was posed by my friend Bill Englert. It’s an intriguing question, isn’t it? How much money did the cure for Polio cost and where did it come from? And if Polio can be cured, why not...
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Please?
One last time, please. All I need is pedals, and a little air. Climb on board and grip my bars, twist them in your familiar hands Ease me onto the street, stand up and jump Coax me through the gears...
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Why Would You Do That?
I’m ready. On Friday morning, July 17th, I’ll climb onto my Trek Road Bike and join 285 cyclists and pedal across the state of South Carolina. Yeah I know. It’s gonna be hot, and cycling is...
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Merci Beaucoup, Chef
“One day, you’re going to be a great attorney.” “Yeah, uh, thanks, Dad.” How could I tell my attorney father that a morbidly obese cook from Opelousas, Louisiana, a man that favored sweet potatoes and...
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