FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) – part 36

“Cheyenne,” I said, “I might as well go ahead and tell you about another unexpected conflict. It had to do with a certain big corn-fed Alabama peck-of-wood popping into the story, a young fella who thought he had laid some kind of claim on the dark-haired girl.”“Peck of wood?

OUT TO PASTOR: Ice cream really solves a lot of my problems

Like everybody else, I face problems almost every day. Or maybe I should say, my problem faces me.Every Monday, when I get up, I say to myself, “How many problems will I have this week? How many will I solve?” Unfortunately, myself never replies back.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) – part 35

We severely violated our oft-used Oak-Ridge Boys’ “No time for lengthy speeches” motto in our monologue about Mrs. Long. Cheyenne listened carefully to every detail, but I suspected our departure off the main trail was not exactly the terrain Cheyenne wanted to investigate.

OUT TO PASTOR: Who doesn’t like baloney?

When I was young, my favorite sandwich was the baloney sandwich.Sometimes, with cheese and other things, but most importantly – baloney.I can’t imagine what my childhood would have been like without those bologna sandwiches.Just about every boy in my class had baloney sandwiches for their lunch.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: The moment time stopped – a tribute to Roy Deering

Of all the miles – and all the moments we shared, friend with friend, two with a common love for nature and the writing of it – this one moment stands out above the rest. It was a moment that will be sealed, as Jim Croce would sing, like precious time in a bottle.

OUT TO PASTOR: Idiots make me look good, so says the boss

Often, I get agitated by people I call “idiots.”I don’t have an inclusive definition for what an idiot really is; I just use the word carelessly.This is especially true when I’m out in the neighborhood driving around.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: The moment time stopped – a tribute to Roy Deering

For the next few weeks we will pause from our 1973 novel/memoir to pay tribute to, and walk together down a trail with, our good friend Roy Deering. The surprising phone call from the amazin’ blonde came to me Wednesday afternoon, July 7, 2021.

OUT TO PASTOR: Making decisions is the hardest part of my life

I still wrestle with decision-making. I admit that I often don’t make good decisions.I’m not sure, so don’t repeat this, but I think The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage knows this and uses it to her advantage. How? I don’t know. She is the primary source behind my decision-making.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) – part 34

We severely violated our oft-used Oak-Ridge Boy’s “no time for lengthy speeches” motto in our monologue about Mrs. Long. Cheyenne listened carefully to every detail, but I suspected our departure off the main trail was not exactly the terrain Cheyenne wanted to investigate.

OUT TO PASTOR: The key to life is forgetting the right things

The thing that has concerned me as I have aged is about forgetting things.In this regard, there is no comparison between The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and myself. I have a problem remembering, and her problem is forgetting. She can’t forget anything.