This story is almost entirely true.  The parts that aren’t literal are, well, close enough ….. Unless you’ve been in a Turkish prison or a hermit’s cave, you know that cigar smoking as a (primarily male)  “fad-du-jour” has come and … Continue reading →

Seen and overheard at lunch. I went to that “Fish Place” the other day. That’s what we call it at our house. That fast-food fried-fish chain that gets a bad rap for being a little overly greasy sometimes.  I went … Continue reading →

In my hometown of Mexico, Missouri, the large tree of lights is up again at the old AP Green brick plant.  I think they’ve done it again for several years now, even though AP Green company is long-gone from the … Continue reading →

I grew up in Mexico, Missouri. Mexico is a small town just a bit northeast of the center of the state. The two houses that I called “home” for my first 18 years were near to the campus of a … Continue reading →

Jon held the door for the old man as he stepped out onto the back porch. Carl carried a couple of glasses of sweet tea and Jon followed with a small plate with some sliced fresh peaches.  He had stopped … Continue reading →

When I was a kid, I’d often travel with my folks through Kingdom City, Missouri. It was just 17 miles down the road from my hometown.   There really was no “city” at the junction of US Hwy 54 and old … Continue reading →

It is not lost on me that Memorial Day is all about honoring our veterans, and especially those who lost their lives while serving our country.  But for many folks during the time I was growing up, Memorial Day …. … Continue reading →

note:  this is not a happy story. if you’ve read and liked other things I’ve written, let me just say this is unlike the other items I’ve written and posted here before. One of my best friends took his own … Continue reading →

“Hey Johnny, your parents are looking for you!”  My friend’s mother leaned over the railing, calling to me from her front porch, as a group of us were playing out on the sidewalk in front of her house.  I didn’t … Continue reading →

The boy just stood there transfixed, watching.  The little monkey danced up and down, moving gracefully back and forth along the smooth wooden railing.  The monkey gave a little hop, then sort of a pirouette.  Then he skipped back to … Continue reading →

A slightly shorter version of this piece appeared in the April 2013 newsletter of the Autism Society of Wisconsin for Autism Awareness Month, and just ahead of my appearance at their annual leadership conference, where I led a workshop on … Continue reading →

“John, do you like fried chickens?” Not “chicken”.  Chickens.  With an “s”. Even though it was almost 28 years ago I can still hear those words, spoken with a slight German accent by Bob, whom I had just met two … Continue reading →

The following piece is something I wrote for a Facebook Group of which I am a part.  The group is called “Memories of Growing Up in Mexico, Missouri”.    And I did. (grow up in Mexico).     Much of the conversation … Continue reading →

I had a dream last night about my dear friend Craig who died tragically a couple of months ago.   I don’t put a lot of stock in the mystical interpretation of dreams.   But I do  think that dreams are your … Continue reading →

I was talking with a friend the other day who has been “in the trenches” doing the work in the disability community with families and individuals for a long time. This person lamented that in some ways it seems like … Continue reading →

Ok… this post is rather long, and may be something of a departure from other things you’ve seen here, but I think it’s a fascinating story.  It involves a short visit by Mark Twain to my  hometown of Mexico, Missouri … Continue reading →

I’m posting a picture here of my mom and dad, Helen and Dorsey Shouse. Don’t know exactly when this was taken, but it’s probably not too long after he returned home from the CCC (Civilan Conservation Corps) where he served … Continue reading →

This morning I wish it was summer and I was 6 again, making one of those trips downtown with mom.   The reason isn’t important, just a trip downtown.  A big deal.   Maybe we’d go first to get a new … Continue reading →