Blog

17 years ago, when my children were still in college I spent some time with my daughter, Meredith, in a doctor’s waiting room. I guess it was my attempt to hold onto whatever time I had left of my child. Somehow, I felt it necessary to be with her on that day. She is now … Continue reading The Doctor’s office

As a child of the 1950's, we were neither rich nor poor, but my parents went all out at Christmas. In 1954 I was entering the first grade.  Unlike today, when many parents insist on complete transparency with their children, my parents crafted elaborate lies about Santa Claus. When I asked about seeing so many … Continue reading When Pigs Fly

A little over a hundred years ago a young girl in Augusta, Georgia was given a writing assignment by her teacher. “Write a poem about snow,” the teacher said. Snow, as you might imagine, was something about which Gertrude knew very little. Living in Augusta doesn’t give you much perspective on the subject. I can … Continue reading On Thin Ice

The following story happened a long time ago. No names were changed. No one is innocent. We were in North Carolina on the ski slopes. My wife rented her equipment. I was decked out in the finest ill-fitting garage sale ski paraphernalia that 1975 dollars could buy: eight foot wooden skis, leather boots, wooden poles, … Continue reading On a Slippery Slope

We gathered the other evening to celebrate our brotherhood and friendship and to remember some of the best years of our lives. Raymond Baggarly and his wife Susan opened their home and kitchen to the rapidly aging alums of the first few classes of the now defunct Gamma Xi chapter. I guess it was our … Continue reading Reflections on “Roseball”

In about two months life is going to change for our family. If all goes as planned, on or about July 24th Katherine Leigh Harper is expected to make her entrance into this world kicking and screaming. Her Poppa Stick just can’t wait. I had to wait longer than most to be a grandfather. My … Continue reading An Heir and a Spare

Life and wife have compelled me to become more physically fit. Two back surgeries and arthritis in the spine have slowed me down a bit, so I’ve joined a gym so I can participate in a senior citizen exercise class. Silver Sneakers®, they call the program and lest you be fooled by the name, this … Continue reading Fifty Shades of Silver

Recently we’re hearing more and more about bird strikes on aircraft. From what I have been told, most of the hits are by large birds, usually Canada Geese.  These geese, when they hit a plane, are like a Buick colliding with the Nancy Hanks. I’m afraid that a collision usually spells curtains for the goose … Continue reading Goose Grease

My wife is on a mission. She's made it her passion to try and keep me healthy.