Small Things

Small Things

In the summer, if you’re quiet, observant, and live in the right place, you’ll see a hummingbird. My mother-in-law has them in abundance off her back deck. Most people sitting where I am notice the deer—plenty of fawns, yearlings, and does, and, on the occasional...
Monument or Gravestone?

Monument or Gravestone?

About 50 years ago, many a dairy farmer was caught up in the hype and desire of having a one-and-only blue Harvestore next to the barn.   A Harvestore was a dark blue, enameled-steel marvel that promised perfect silage to boost production and make dairymen profitable....
The Lost Tree

The Lost Tree

In my front yard is an Ohio buckeye tree. Since I live in South Dakota, this tree is obviously lost. This time of year, I get a lot of comments about it because it looks a little like an orange tree—except instead of oranges, it’s covered in strange green orbs. Break...
Now Comes Miller Time

Now Comes Miller Time

When I sat down on my back deck, I looked at this little tableau and decided to tell you about it. In the background, you can see my shed. What you can’t see is the radio inside, playing a preseason football game. You also can’t hear the thrumming cicadas, droning...
Grudging Admiration

Grudging Admiration

My grandsons are crazy about Pokémon. They spend all their allowance—and any money they earn—on cards, coins, and whatever else Pokémon has convinced them they absolutely need. “Pop! This one is worth 88 DOLLARS!” “Would you sell it for 88 dollars?” “NO! Money doesn’t...
Endless Summer and My Favorite Sounds

Endless Summer and My Favorite Sounds

  If summer is slipping away, perhaps you have twelve minutes to watch it rain with me.   Together, we’ll sit beneath the old barn lean-to and listen to the rain, the songbirds, and the long, slow roll of summer thunder.   Twelve minutes before we’re called back to...
The Story Map: Piano

The Story Map: Piano

When this hotel was new, they bought a beautiful piano to create an atmosphere of class and elegance. That was a while back. Now, the hotel has slipped a bit. There are wrinkles in the lobby carpet, and someone at the front desk put up a sign on the piano that...
An Interesting Question

An Interesting Question

“Would you ever consider contacting a friend you haven’t talked to in over 20 years?”   My friend Randy McCoy asked me that question. As luck would have it, I had just tried that very thing earlier in the day. But in truth, before then, I don’t know when the last time...