Life Under The Lemon Tree

Its a small community, population 273. A tavern, a Bank, a library, dry-goods and grocer, farm machinery and the grain elevator along with numerous churches. School classrooms were like a home away from home. School and Church were the center of our social world so as soon as I could, I started going to the… Continue reading 32. Christmas Memories 76′

Cold...very, very cold but not quite cold enough yet to see my breath as I poked my head out from under the blanket. We were living in the "big house" in Whitewater Kansas in 76'. It was the only house we ever lived in that was actually big enough to hold our family of eight.… Continue reading 31. Thanksgiving 76′

A dear friend reached out recently to chastise me for not having posted anything in over 6 months. I've had a hard time feeling motivated to write as my process has always included my 'Muses". This blog began with me orally telling my story to a small group of friends. This collective are people I… Continue reading XXX. When Life Is Good Again

I had taken the day off to make it a three day weekend. Syd and I were home doing yard chores that morning. I had just finished mowing and was about to go assist her with finishing up the gutters so we could get cleaned up and go for lunch. It was always 'Daddy -… Continue reading XXIX. June 26, 2015 (Anniversary II)

For oh so many years, Father's Day was an event I just tried to avoid and ignore. Childhood Father's Days were spent avoiding Harley. It wasn't much different than any other day in regards to the attention he demanded of everyone in the house. He expected an adoring family but got what he had created,… Continue reading XXVIII. Father’s Day

Life has slowed to a pace not known by most for many years, if ever. We all seem to be a bit frozen in time...waiting. Waiting for what? Waiting for the hectic and chaotic world to once again sprint forward while life fly's by in a blur. The pain, suffering and loss of loved ones… Continue reading XXVII. If I could slow it all down

I'd seen him out and about, always with his regular group of friends at The Rainbow Cattle Company, Austins only gay country bar left at the time. We had made eye contact, A few times across the crowded bar, but had never spoken. It appeared he was in a relationship with one of them. I… Continue reading XXVI. May I…

When I left Colorado for Texas in 83' I assumed I was saying farewell to the cold temperatures and winters. Everything I knew about Texas had been garnered from watching old westerns and the hit TV series, Dallas. Winters appeared to be mild if not almost nonexistent. I kept one lite jacket and left my… Continue reading XXV. The Traveling Peacoat

For the last 20 years Christmas has been a very happy and fulfilling time for me. It wasn't always this way. Christmases of my youth were down right horrific at times but also included some of my most precious memories of people, places and experiences. Christmas in much of my 20's & 30's were filled… Continue reading XXIV. Christmas Present

I was in first grade when we moved to Wyoming. There were my younger brothers, David and Eddie, and my infant sister, Laura. Another ranch. This time on top of a mountain, where roads are fenced in and open range is a way of life. We had come from the barren plains of Kansas where… Continue reading XXIII. Angels Among US