Stories from the Slow Lane
Champions of Second Chances – Part 1
Barbara Wampler comes to the rescue of neglected, vintage textiles. Catherine “Rabbit” Janecka brings new life to weathered wood, chipped resin, and rusted iron. These “champions of second chances” repurpose, repair, and recycle items that others might consider trash....
How Hot Is Houston?
I joined the influx of immigrants to Houston about a decade after our friend, Richard Dixon. We didn’t know each other back then, but comparing notes now makes us laugh. The heat of that first summer we spent in our respective corners of the Bayou City was not for the...
David Heller – In It for the Long Haul
We can set our clock by David Heller of the Hallettsville (Texas) Livestock Commission. When this cattleman says he’ll arrive on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. to haul our livestock, count on it. As David turns off the main road onto the uneven surface of our lane, the gates...
Vintage Western Art Hides Out in Old Texas Post Offices
Look up! A massive mural of galloping horses hangs above the postmaster’s door at our post office in La Grange, Texas. At nearby Smithville, Texas Rangers make an arrest in another huge painting . Not far away in Giddings, there’s artwork of three cowboys gathered...
Please Don’t Feed the Bears
Shrill protests from the henhouse suddenly rocked the peace and quiet of the farm in the Alberta foothills. When the commotion occurred, Cecilia Taylor was peeling potatoes at the kitchen sink that late August morning. She squinted out the window in the direction of...
The Day Winston Churchill Met His Namesake
In the summer of 1941, legendary British Prime Minister Winston Churchill shook hands with my favorite Canadian veteran, whose name is Winston Churchill Parker. Then the two had a little chat. The impromptu encounter occurred at 10 Downing Street in London,...
To Dad with Love
In honor of Father’s Day, Carol Kana, Dr. Elva Meiners and Gale Lincke join me in honoring the memories of our dads. These good men not only left footprints on our hearts, but the lessons they taught us continue to influence and enhance our lives today. Thanks, Dad!...
My “Doctor in the West”
On a summer evening long ago, my young life dangled by a proverbial thread. I remember fragments of the episode: excruciating pain, fear in my parents’ eyes, Mom desperately attempting to comfort me, Dad hunched over the steering wheel, the soothing voice of a...
Color These Stories Green
If only I had more willpower, I’d identify and commit to memory the correct common names of my favorite plants. Then whenever I’m asked, “What is that?” I could answer in a heartbeat, rather than hesitating and sheepishly grinning because I don’t have a clue. ...
Stories I've Saved
