Coloring Outside the Lines

Image courtesy of chokphoto
at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Gift of the Battle Axe

I didn't know my maternal grandmother very well, but her name was Nana. She was not a warm and fuzzy grandma. She was tough. She didn't complement or coddle. My Dad (whom she made no bones about not liking) nick named her Axie, short for Battle Axe. They say, “It's always better at grandma's.” Not at mine.

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One of Those Days

Image courtesy of zirconicusso
at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Have you ever had one of those days? Mine started the night before last when I fell out of bed. I wish I could say I was doing something fun when it happened. I was simply sitting crossed-legged on the edge and leaning over to plug in my phone. I overextended just a little and gravity made me regret not springing for thicker carpet.

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Does T-Mobile Hate Old People?

Image courtesy of chokphoto
at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Does T-Mobile hate old people? My Dad thinks so. T-Mobile is my parents’ cell phone provider, or at least it used to be until they got a letter informing them that for their “convenience” their bill would now be available on line. If they wished to continue getting a paper bill they could do so for additional monthly charge of $3.95. T-Mobile sent this letter to a man who comes from a generation where $3.95 bought you some land, a house, and a horse; and you got back change.

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For the Love of Strangers; Any Given Saturday

The comedy club was packed — standing room only. The line to get in was out the door and growing. Some folks tried to cut line and a fight broke out. Thankfully, Security squashed it quickly and no one was hurt.  And I thought "Wow, y'all. It's just jokes." 

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Ain’t Misbehavin’

My seventh grade teacher Mr. B got a message that he had to go down to The Office right away. What was so important it couldn't wait until the end of the school day, which was less than an hour away? I never found out. But I think we all know leaving a classroom of 28 12-year olds on their honor has a very predictable outcome.

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Peeing Standing Up – A 4-Year Old’s Failed Experiment

I was lucky. While my Dad worked, my Mom stayed home with me until I was four-years old. And then my luck ran out. Somebody got the bright idea that I needed to be “socialized” with other kids my own age and off I went to day-scare. I remember there being a lot of teasing, hitting, and crying. All I wanted to do was go back home and lock myself in my room. Things haven’t changed much.

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