It’s Better in the Bahamas
“Where are you taking Amy for your 30th anniversary?” “The Bahamas.” I answered “Oh you’re going to love Atlantis” My mind suddenly filled with visions of turbo-charged slides rocketing screaming kids under shark filled pools while sea turtles languidly swam through massive salt-water tanks tugging signs for “all you can eat conch fritters.” “Uh…well we’re […]
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 […]
#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 asked me to help her find a photo of us from Mardi Gras. We broke out stacks of real photos […]
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 favorite place, Fripp Island SC. I could only walk very short distances but I could pedal a bike. So on […]
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 twirled into the mist. A feathery blanket of fog melted into the valleys while sunlight sparkled on the peaks of the Blue […]
“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 plays a character capable of murder, one so intimidating that an entire community cedes to his demands, […]
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 cups of strong coffee and crawled under the blankets. A strong gust lashed against the windows as my […]
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 sparrows, mockers, Juncos and warblers that Enchant with song, dazzle our eye, and often confound the cat She […]
Sky Dive
At 7,000 feet, the jump master opened the door and offered me a thumbs up. The air whooshed through the cabin, animating the nylon of my jumpsuit. As the green patchwork gently retreated past the spinning props and whistling wingtips, I stood up, gripped the hand rail, and hesitated. “John, I have a job I […]
Solo, Page 49
I can’t remember being shy even though my Mom swore up and down that I was. I usually sat in the front of the class, didn’t mind speaking up, raised my hand often and volunteered when needed. As an English Lit major, it was not uncommon for me to recite Byron, Shakespeare or a give […]