• If Only Trump Would Learn

    If Only Trump Would Learn

    I am married to a teacher. I have an education degree myself and have spent 30 years in and out of classrooms. I have four school age grandsons. Not surprisingly, I take this directive from Betsy DeVoss and Donald J. Trump that schools must be[..]
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    08 07 , 2020 1 Comment
  • A Fallen Brother

    A Fallen Brother

    Editor's Note: The following is an article I wrote for the VVA magazine that ran shortly before the publication of my memoir AFTER THE FLAG HAS BEEN FOLDED (Wm. Morrow). While working on that memoir, I searched for the men who served with my father.[..]
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    01 07 , 2020 2 Comments
  • Riding Shot-Gun

    Riding Shot-Gun

      I came across this photo while looking for another. Everyone in this picture has gone on to be with God except for me and the babies. The two I'm carrying and the one sitting at the table. That's Mama, the baby of her family,[..]
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    30 06 , 2020 No Comments
  • The Politicization of Epidemics

    The Politicization of Epidemics

    My grandsons came for a visit. We have not seen them in six too long months. Not since Christmas. Not since the worldwide pandemic took over our lives. My daughter called before arriving: "Should we wear masks?" "Yes," I said without any hesitation whatsoever. Her[..]
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    29 06 , 2020 1 Comment
  • How to identify Systemic Racism

    How to identify Systemic Racism

    Editor's Note: We continue to feature the voices of Blacks during this decisive time in our nation's history. We are fortunate yet again to feature the voice of Ralph Mitchell. Ralph is a veteran, a Lt. Col. in the U.S. Army Reserves. He is CEO[..]
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    20 06 , 2020 1 Comment
  • Karen and John Birch

    Karen and John Birch

    My friend the always witty and brilliant Celia Rivenbark reached out to me to ask what did I think of all the "Karen" memes going around on Social Media. She is the only person besides my husband who has asked how I felt about having my[..]
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    13 06 , 2020 No Comments
  • We Need Justice

    We Need Justice

    Editor's Note: George Floyd was laid to rest in Houston yesterday, next to the mother he cried out for. Did you listen to any of the service? I did. The remarks of Rev. William Lawson left me in tears. The 92-year-old Lawson helped organize the[..]
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    10 06 , 2020 1 Comment
  • A White Mother’s Angst

    A White Mother’s Angst

    Editor's Note: We welcome yet another voice to the blog. That of a white mother to a dark-skinned boy. Tammy and I have been friends for decades. Our kids attended the same schools. I worked with her husband, Mike, a retired Oregon State Police Lt. [..]
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    08 06 , 2020 No Comments
  • Don’t Shoot

    Don’t Shoot

    Editor's Note: The voice featured today is from Rhonda Waller. Rhonda and I met when we both worked at the Columbus Ledger Enquirer in Columbus, Georgia, my hometown. We became fast friends, as does everyone who comes into contact with Rhonda. I've met her wonderful[..]
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    05 06 , 2020 No Comments