Story-Telling

Todd’s Creek

Oct 26, 2023 | Story-Telling

Todd’s Creek I grew up literally on the bank of a bayou in Memphis, Tennessee. Of course, we didn’t call it a “bayou.” We called it “The Ditch.” It’s real name was “Todd’s Creek,” which I sometimes call just “Todd Creek” (leaving out the possessive). Or I...

Jesus on the Wall

Oct 26, 2023 | Story-Telling

Jesus on the Wall As far back as I can remember, the picture hung on my grandmother’s wall in her living room. Jesus holds a little lamb in one arm, and a shepherd’s crook in the other hand. Sheep gather around, and one looks up at Jesus (Like he knows him and trusts...

The Mayor and I

Mar 30, 2021 | Story-Telling

The Mayor and I There once was a county clerk in Memphis, by the name of Dick Hackett. He was a hard line fundamentalist right winger who required female employees to wear bras. I wrote him and volunteered to be the county bra “inspector.” Needless to say, I didn’t...

Scanning Family Photos

Mar 30, 2021 | Family, Story-Telling

Scanning Family Photos March 30, 2021: My cousin, Betty Millican Barnes, sent a packet of old family photos. I’ve been scanning them and trying to figure out who’s who. To see what we’ve scanned so far, click on the “Family Photos” link in the menu above; or click...

Sam’s Houston Press Articles – 2021

Jan 2, 2021 | Story-Telling

Sam’s Houston Press Articles – 2021

Jan 1, 2021 | Story-Telling

Sam’s Houston Press Articles – 2020

Jan 2, 2020 | Story-Telling

Pursued by the Magician’s Assistant

Aug 4, 2019 | Food, Story-Telling

Pursued by the Magician’s Assistant Once, at a Gridiron Show cast party, the magician’s assistant made a play for me. I wasn’t interested and tried to dodge her. She persisted. One of the other acts was a lady barbershop quartet. They saw what was...

Volkswagen Bug

Jan 11, 2019 | Story-Telling

Volkswagen Bug Tommy Moore | Quarter Beer Night | Mayor | Wall Jesus | Todd's Creek One of my favorite memories of driving a “Bug.” Running out of gas, but then coasting into the next gas station. One of my WORST memories of driving a “Bug.”...

Sam’s Houston Press Articles – 2019

Jan 2, 2019 | Story-Telling

The Magician’s Assistant

Aug 4, 2018 | Story-Telling

The Magician’s Assistant Once, at a Gridiron Show cast party, the magician’s assistant made a play for me. I wasn’t interested and tried to dodge her. She persisted.One of the other acts was a lady barbershop quartet. They saw what was going on. They liked me...

Sam’s Houston Press Articles – 2018

Jan 2, 2018 | Story-Telling

Dodging the Flood

Aug 31, 2017 | Story-Telling

We Dodged a Bullet! Randal Byrd | August 31, 2017 | Storytelling We dodged a bullet! This picture was sent to us at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning (August 27, 2017). It was taken by our across the street neighbors. Our neighborhood became a river and a lake. Not one drop...

Sam’s Houston Press Articles – 2017

Jan 2, 2017 | Story-Telling

Coming to Houston

Nov 2, 2016 | Story-Telling

Coming to Houston Back in 1998, we were invited by Houston Baptist University to come to Houston.1998She received her call on Monday, June 29, and they flew the two of us down on Wednesday, July 1, 1998. They made their offer to hire on Thursday, July 2nd; then on...

The Mayor and I

Sep 14, 2016 | Story-Telling

The Mayor and I There once was a county clerk in Memphis, by the name of Dick Hackett. He was a hard line fundamentalist right winger who required female employees to wear bras. I wrote him and volunteered to be the county bra “inspector.” Needless to say, I...

Saturday Morning Rassling

Sep 14, 2016 | Story-Telling

Tommy Moore | Quarter Beer Night | Mayor | Wall Jesus | Todd's Creek | Rassling Saturday Morning Rassling A recent post to the Frayser High Class of 1969 website by Gary Harrison (class of ‘72) mentioned famous wrestlers, Tojo Yamamoto and Jackie Fargo. It reminded me...

Schools and Unions

Aug 24, 2016 | Story-Telling

Schools and Unions So much talk about this that and the other —- how about our schools? Teachers, tests, standards, on, and on, and on…. Yes, all of this is important. Did you ever think about who cooks the food? Who waxes the floors? Who carries out the...

Quarter Beer Night

Aug 24, 2016 | Story-Telling

Quarter Beer Night Most of us have heard at one time or another a hair-raising tale about an event which was so harrowing that it caused the storyteller’s “whole life to flash before” him. I’m not sure I’ve ever had such a “flash...

Playing for Pizza

May 3, 2016 | Story-Telling

PLAYING FOR PIZZA I just finished reading John Grisham’s “Playing for Pizza,” a story about an NFL quarterback who takes a five-month contract to play minor league football in...

Sam’s Houston Press Articles – 2016

Jan 2, 2016 | Story-Telling

Tommy Moore Sightings

Apr 11, 2013 | Food, host, Story-Telling

Tommy Moore Sightings Thanks to my brother, Dwayne, for tipping me off to these two sightings of the Tommy Moore picture. One on the local Fox News affiliate in Memphis, and the other on CNN. The Fox News segment apparently lifts verbiage straight from this blog post....

Saturday Morning Rassling

Feb 19, 2011 | Food, Story-Telling

Saturday Morning Rassling A recent post to the Frayser High Class of 1969 website by Gary Harrison (class of ‘72) mentioned famous wrestlers, Tojo Yamamoto and Jackie Fargo. It reminded me of two other famous personalities from that same era, and I thought I’d relate...

The Mayor and I

Jun 28, 2010 | Food, Story-Telling

The Mayor and I There once was a county clerk in Memphis, by the name of Dick Hackett. He was a hard line fundamentalist right winger who required female employees to wear bras. I wrote him and volunteered to be the county bra “inspector.” Needless to say, I...

Church Stuff

Jun 21, 2010 | Food, Lagniappe, Story-Telling

Church Stuff Some pictures of our children at church anglicans online bcp (By Section) bcp (Entire Book in PDF) bible Bible Gateway bishop doyle bishop doyle recommends bishop greg rickel childrens ministry online church calendar 1 | church calendar 2 daily office...

Saturday Morning Rassling

Feb 19, 2010 | Food, Story-Telling

Saturday Morning Rassling A recent post to the Frayser High Class of 1969 website by Gary Harrison (class of ‘72) mentioned famous wrestlers, Tojo Yamamoto and Jackie Fargo. It reminded me of two other famous personalities from that same era, and I thought I’d relate...

Who Is Tommy Moore?

Jan 3, 2008 | Food, Story-Telling

Who Is Tommy Moore? An unusual springtime snowfall canceled Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s plans for a March 22, 1968 protest. More than 16 inches fell: the second largest snowfall in Memphis history, and well beyond the city’s yearly snowfall average of...