Carefully Grandpa shuffled down the barn stairs, a trip he has taken countless times. He used to climb the steps two at a time, but that was a long time ago. Today his stride is measured and slow, leaning heavily on the handrail. He pauses at the bottom to catch his breath. He is in no hurry; the cow is already in the stall where she waits patiently to be milked. He pats the old girl’s neck and gives her…..
The outhouse no longer stands guard on the hill. It’s been gone for years. As have the chicken-coop and the cattle. Once the farm teemed with livestock, now all is eerily quiet. Through the eyes of a young boy, the green-shingled house was huge. Nearby the barn was painted a vivid red. Its cavernous interior a haven for life: cows, cats, mice, owls, and countless spiders and crickets. In the Barnyard stood the skeletons of better days, the hog-houses. Sheltered…..
“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.” – Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories ‘Tis hard to believe that it has been two months since I embarked on my latest endeavor…..
It was a beautiful day. A perfect day to play. The air was warm, the sun was bright. We ran outside our spirits light. Indeed a perfect day – well, a perfect day ‘til sister fell. The treehouse meant no harm. Yet Caroline fell upon her arm. Was she hurt? Dad couldn’t tell So, he ran to where she fell. “Caroline has a broken arm!” then he shouted with alarm. The ER’s near, about…..
It was October 11, 1968, and in the little town of Dubois, Catherine stood by the window. Every morning for weeks, she had stood by that window and watched the southern Indiana sky. Today, it was different. Today, storm clouds darkened the western sky. Catherine smiled, surely they would get some rain. It had been a long dry spell, although not as bad as in ’53. This year there had been some rain, but not nearly enough. Under Catherine’s garage,…..
Once again I climbed the stairs. A trip I have taken a thousand times. Often, like last night, in the wee hours, groggy from lack of sleep. On one such trip, while racing in the dark, I stubbed my toe. Hopping on one foot, stifling a yell, I nearly fell. That was a lifetime ago, and I was a much younger, agiler man. In contrast, last night’s quick ascent was dignified and majestic – as befits my status as the…..
With a boom that shook the walls and rattled the windows, he slammed the door. The boy stomped into the room and flopped on the couch. Grandpa shook his head and sidled over. “What’s up?” he asked, taking a seat beside the boy. The boy sighed, “It’s my research assignment; it’s too big. I’ll never get it done!” “Why not?” With a teenage eye roll, the boy tried to explain; there were too many references, too many quotes, and too…..
When I got the call, I was in my basement office. The call wasn’t just any call, it was the boss. I picked up the phone. “Hello,” I answered. “Come to my office.” The voice on the other end was short and to the point. The boss was always short and to the point. “I’ll be right up,” I gulped. Sprinting up the stairs, I paused at the top and peered down the long corridor. It seemed longer somehow. At…..
Soft and steady fell the snow. Temperature a record low. Massive mounds of pristine white, accumulate throughout the night. Deserted streets buried deep, while everyone is fast asleep. From a distant streetlight’s glow, come muffled footsteps in the snow. Who of us would be so brave, to break the silence of the grave? The single runner, out for fun, couldn’t wait for the summer sun! David L. Dahl __________ Snowbound by the recent storms…..
{Previously, in part 1 & part 2 – It is Christmas Eve 1933. A blizzard holds Pilot Knob in its icy talons. After finishing his second job, Thomas walks home in the storm. On the way, he helps a woman get her children to safety. He Continues his journey, and meets a soldier lost in the storm. Together they discover that a tree has fallen across the road.} What brings you out on a night like this?” Thomas asked……