Life, and Death, on Tin Roof Farm

When we lived in the suburbs, I really enjoyed cutting the grass and maintaining the landscaping. Our previous homes in Greenville had traditional lawns. One big square of grass in the front, and one big rectangle in the back, each bordered by bushes or shrubs with the occasional tree poking up in the middle of […]

Tears of his Daughter

Nuclear chemist, forensic toxicologist, and crime lab director; dad to Amy, and my father-in-law; David Todd Stafford has passed away. As a young nuclear chemist for Oak Ridge National Laboratory, he researched radioactive fuels for the Department of Energy, as toxicologist for Shelby County, TN (Memphis) coroner’s office, he wrote the toxicology report on Elvis […]

Good Humor is the Clear Blue Sky of the Soul

Not that long ago, just off the coast of south Florida, our country stood at the brink of an all out nuclear exchange.  Russian and American submarines, surface ships, aircraft carriers, fighters, soldiers, and strategic bombers gathered in and around the island of Cuba and stared each other down. The US Army had almost a […]

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 dangerous, and I could hurt myself, and I’ll probably get sunburned, etc.  I’ve heard it all. And all […]

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 her in the kitchen and shared coffee, and listened as she told stories of her childhood to […]

My Underwear was Showing

  Rob’s face held no secrets. His last six days had been sleepless, full of pain and suffering, tears and anguish and it showed. His brother, just 34 years old, lay in a linen-draped casket just an arm’s reach away. What must have been going through Rob’s mind? Perhaps visions of the two of them […]

Our Last Kiss

  Our last kiss Was it that long ago? A smile, a hug, a caress Once so abundant Promise me Never taken for granted A hand Delicate, steady, firm Tell me, it’s still there A laugh, a twinkle, applause Thank you, it meant so much A dream, a wish, a prayer Persuade me, it’s all […]

Get Back on That Horse!

  “Goodnight John.  Goodnight Tommy.  Oh, and in the morning, before you get out of bed make sure you shake out your shoes real hard before you put them on, just in case a scorpion crawled in during the night.  And if one does comes out, squash it with your shoe.  I love you.” And with […]

A High Note

  Finally the rain had abated.  The last four or five Saturday mornings have been awash in combinations of rain, lightning, wind and thunder.  However, this past weekend the biggest meteorological threat was sunburn.  We all slept in to what I consider late, 7:30 for the adults, 9:00 for the teenagers.  After sharing coffee and […]

Dear God,

It’s been six months and you know how your people love milestones and I guess I’m no different.  So I’m writing to say thank you.  I know I promised I was going to do some things better but I don’t feel like I’ve followed through.  I promise I’m trying.  I apologize for not coming to […]