Stories from the Slow Lane
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. ...
Texas Airman, Age 99, Recalls V-E Day
Etched in Glenn Lacy’s memory is May 8, 1945. That’s the day World War II in Europe ended following Germany’s surrender. At the time, the 24-year-old native Texan was stationed at Lavenham Air Base in England with the U.S. Army Air Corps. Glenn recalls a huge...
When Two Worlds Once Touched
By chance, I found myself the link between a Canadian prisoner of war and a young German nurse whose lives fleetingly intersected during World War II. A shiver runs down my spine every time I tell this story. The minute I pulled into Renate’s driveway near...
Easter Blessings: Faith, Family and Fun
At Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church. Although Easter this year will be unlike any other we have observed, we still can count our blessings and revisit joyful memories that we hold...
It’s Springtime in Tillie and Mason’s Garden
Grandma Tillie tenderly passes on her passion for gardening to her young grandson in a plot across from the railroad tracks in Smithville, Texas. She wears an old-fashioned sunbonnet and a dress with a long skirt. An apron is tied around her waist. Mason is clad in a...
What’s a miniature donkey to do?
Back in 2006, Hansl was in big trouble. The miniature donkey had broken out of his Fayette County, Texas, pasture once too often. His owner, who already had given the scallywag several second chances, was out of patience. Hansl had to go. ‘Go where?’ Hansl must...
Stories I've Saved
