Did You Hear About The Writing Challenge?

Archie Brown entered a writing challenge to write a short story using the titles from song of a favorite band. The stories were to between 300 and 400 words.

Arch used song titles from the Mamas and the Papas. He called it, "Love At First Sight". There are 399 words and 28 song titles.

It was a week of FRUSTRATION in the office. By Friday I had developed an, “I CAN’T WAIT to get out of here" attitude. My co-worker, Bob, stopped at my desk at TWELVE-THIRTY and said, “I still have a spare ticket to the ballgame tonight. I told him, GO WHERE YOU WANNA GO, but I am going to that new club uptown, CREEQUE ALLEY. I’ve GOT A FEELING I am going to be DANCING IN THE STREET. I hope to find THAT KIND OF GIRL and go on a MIDNIGHT VOYAGE.
Bob said, “Tom, you know I’m a STRAIGHT SHOOTER. You are CALIFORNIA DREAMING! That’s no way to spend your life. You should find a nice woman like MY GIRL and settle down. I said EVEN IF I COULD, I don’t want that lifestyle. LET ME BE!"


I went to the club feeling good. There was a crowd in each of the ROOMS. I casually scoped out the ladies until I saw the most gorgeous dark-haired beauty I’d ever seen. MY HEART STOOD STILL. I was no longer willing to stay SAFE IN MY GARDEN of solitude. I worked up my courage and approached her.


As she looked up I said “HEY GIRL. She sparkled, replying, “Hey man. I asked her name. She said “I am PEARL. I asked, “DO YOU WANT TO DANCE? She agreed, so I took her in my arms and we spent the evening together. I walked her home, all the way to SPANISH HARLEM. I told her I hoped to see her again and asked her to DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME. As I left, my heart filled with WORDS OF LOVE I hoped to tell her for the rest of my life.


I SAW HER AGAIN last night. It was all I hoped it would be. It was as though we had known each other forever. And I now wanted nothing more than to build a relationship, a life with her. I would no longer be GLAD TO BE UNHAPPY, alone in the world.


I stand here in my quiet apartment. As I LOOK THROUGH MY WINDOW, I consider all that has transpired in one short weekend. Soon it will again be MONDAY. MONDAY will no more be a dread to me. I am determined from now on to live each day as though it is DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE!

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Did You Hear About Easter Retreats?

Archie and Ronda Brown have been married 40 years and are active Christians. But they have seldom been in a church building on Easter Sunday. For over thirty of the years, they have helped conduct a retreat for the teens of the congregation over Easter. It is the only weekend of the spring school calendar that does not have conflicts, so it is a time when most of the teens are able to attend without giving up something important. It is a good way to spend the holiday!

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Did You Hear About the Buzzards?

Archie Brown heard this story at a funeral a while back:

I went to the memorial service for the father of one of our elders a few days ago. The godly gentleman had lived to 93, and was ready to go. He lived well and was a joy to be around. He will be missed, in part, because he made everyone laugh.

One of the stories told that day about Brother Parker was the funniest I've ever heard at a funeral. Mr. Parker had bought and moved into a new home 4 years ago. He decided that the home was not complete till it had a garden growing beside it.

So he broke the ground over a couple of day period, and got it ready for planting. He then bought 60, yes SIXTY, tomato plants to plant. I am sure that an 89 year old man could not eat the procude of 60 tomato plants, but that is how many he thought made a sufficient garden.

The next day he was planting those tomato plants, but his knees and ankles were in such pain he decided to that he would not stand up and move between spots to plant. Instead, he laid down, planted a plant, then pulled himself along the ground to the next place.

He had done that for a few plants, when he looked over head and saw buzzards circling. He decided maybe his legs did not hurt so bad after all!

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Did You Hear About Honoring Teachers?

Archie Brown wrote this tribute to teachers:

Teaching is a very rewarding experience. But like anything else that is rewarding, it also is very demanding.

A teacher is at fault if s/he does not do his/her best to help the student become all he is capable of becoming. The teacher's goal should be to become dispensable to the student. That is, the teacher should want to be outgrown by the student. The teacher should strive to provoke the student to think for himself!


The teacher's thoughts and presentations should be pertinent and applicable to the student. A lesson should be offered as stimulus to the students growth.


A true teacher is a very special person!


I was blessed by several great and special teachers over the years. In another posting later I will tell you about my first algebra teacher. Today I will simply mention my favorite, the one to whom I became the closest as I grew into adulthood. Her name was Edna Earle Tucker, I was in her class in fifth grade. But she taught me for years after that!


Who was your favorite Teacher? Why?


James 3:1 "Not many of you should act as teachers, my brothers,because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly!"

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Did You Hear About Dreams of a Young Sailor?

Archie Brown wrote this story as part of a writing challenge. He was trying to write a short story in the style of a favorite author. Can you guess the author?

The young sailor was discharged from the Navy in San Diego, California. He had served honorably during the Second World War, and he was not ready to go back to Northeast Arkansas, to the family farm. He did not have anything against farming, or hard work. But now he had a bigger dream. He believed there was some rewarding future for him, if he would just take his time to decide his long term future. He knew how to apply himself when there was a prize to be won.

He had been valedictorian in his small country school. As a child during the depression he had come to understand that he had to carry his own load. He had not only farmed, but also hacked out cross ties for the railroad when he was only 14. Each tie brought in the princely sum of 50 cents. On a good day he could make $1.50.

Now, as he stood on the pier in San Diego, he decided to take a trip to the Texas Gulf Coast before heading back to Arkansas, if he ever went back. He had heard that two of his Dad’s brothers were working for a big chemical plant down there. He hoped he could secure a solid job that would secure his future.


When R.L, the young ex-sailor arrived, he stepped off the bus into the sweltering heat and humidity of July in Freeport, Texas. And he immediately attacked by what he first thought was a flock of small birds. But the truth was that it was only a cloud of salt grass mosquitoes.


R. L. also discovered he was not the only warrior to have chosen this course. When he applied at the big chemical plant the first time, he was told that there was no job for him at the time. But rather than give up on the goal, R.L. was able to secure work selling tractors in a nearby community called El Campo. He stayed on that job for three months and was a good worker. Selling was not his cup of tea, but it did provide a few dollars to keep him fed and in his rented room.


But every week R.L. went to the personnel office at the chemical plant. His persistence paid off. In his third month of knocking on the door, he was hired as an operator in the chlorinated methane department. He was making 96 cents an hour and had fringe benefits he could hardly believe.


Such security allowed R. L.’s mind to wander back to the young woman he had met when was stationed in Philadelphia for a few months during his military service. He had no real reason to believe she could be serious about a bumpkin from the woods outside Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was a professional woman from Trenton, New Jersey. They had corresponded some while he was aboard ship, but there was no mention of long term commitment. He was wasting his time thinking of her.


But as days went by, R. L. decided it could do no harm to let her know of his dreams. He called her. During the call he got up the courage to ask her to consider becoming his wife. To his shock, Betty said she would marry him. She spent a few days getting things in order and making arrangements to take the train from New Jersey to Texas.


It was a horrible trip for Betty. She had motion sickness for the three days it took to reach the train station in the small town of New Gulf, Texas. To make matters worse, New Gulf was built around the sulfur mine that had been discovered there. The odor was more than Betty could take, and she again wretched.


R. L. was waiting at the station, along with his cousin, Gordon. They helped Betty to Gordon’s car, and collected her luggage. They went straight to Gordon’s family’s home, where the local parson was waiting to lead R. L. and Betty in their marriage vows. Betty was so weak from her sickness that Gordon had to literally hold her up through the ceremony.


That unlikely beginning blossomed into a wonderful story of love and family and community service. There were four children born to the two, and the job at the chemical company grew and provided plenty of comfort and opportunity for success for the whole clan.


These two individuals from such different backgrounds, drawn together by the war were perhaps an unlikely match. But they had common goals and common commitment. It would be hard to ask for or expect much more than they shared.

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Did You Hear About Memory Loss?

When I signed up to blog, I accepted the charge that the best way to blog, and make money at it was to be consistent in posting. I was a little concerned at the beginning that I would quickly run out of things that I thought might be interesting enough to merit a blog.

So I began a list of ideas. I keep a list in the desk at home, and one in the drawer next to my computer in the office. If an idea occurred to me, I would jot it down so it would not slip away forever. Usually the ideas on the list consist of a key word or phrase that will help me recall the idea.

Now, one of the ideas I wrote on the list at the office several months ago is, “memory loss.” I am sure there was a funny story or a poignant point that I felt would be enjoyable for the community. I have moved that idea to a new note card five or six times, but I cannot for the life of me recall what it was I wanted to say about memory loss! How funny is that?

Then yesterday I got an email from the guy to whom my wife donated the kidney last November. It was filled with stories and jokes about old age. I want to share some of those with you now, but I am going to keep moving the note to new lists till that original idea returns to my consciousness, or blogging fades from it! For now, I hope you enjoy these funnies my friend sent.

Reporters interviewing a 104-year-old woman: "And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?" the reporter asked. She simply replied, "No peer pressure."

I've sure gotten old! I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees Fought prostate cancer and diabetes. I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts. Have bouts with dementia. Have poor circulation; hardly feel my hands and feet anymore. Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92. Have lost all my friends. But, thank God, I still have my driver's license.

And my personal favorite: My memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.

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How Would you Like To Be Stuck With A Name Like That?

But I have met some folks in life that had been tagged with names that I would hate to bear. For instance, in school in the 50's and 60's I knew a girl named Gay Dick. Honestly; this one caught lots of grief, even when gay meant happy.

I met a guy one summer whose name was Don Cherry. His nickname was Buster! Down the street from us there was a boy named Danny Rhodes. His dad was called Dusty.

I know you are going to think i am making this up, but in the summers in Arkansas, I had some dates with Rosemary Cox-her pet name was Rosie, and she attended Weiner High! It's true!

And a grade ahead of me in our school was a young lady named Anita Lott-and she married Billy Moore. There was also Anita Martini-a sports reporter in Houston. And later I met Lacey Ball-frilly touch for a good athlete.

When I was a kid one of the best athletes in our little town was Royce Wood--but then anyone would if they had the chance. There was a girl named Wanda Ride-when you called her name she said she would rather walk. In my youth group years ago was Les Orr--not a good name for a minor! And the last one I can think of right now was Cindy Lippert-affectionately known as SinLip.

Do you have any acquaintance with similar burdens to bear?

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Did You Hear About Making the Gesture?

Archie Brown loves to tell about an incident that took place when he was twelve. Now, he had grown up in a small town, the year was 1960. In the elementary school he attended they were fairly normal boys. Some time in that age range, thay had all learned what it meant to make the gesture of extending one’s middle finger in derision of someone or to express our displeasure with another party.

Arch did not in his wildest dreams think it was a universal gesture. He thought it was some secret form of communication someone in his school had invented. So he was pretty indiscriminant in usage of the gesture, after all, not many people knew what he was “saying”.

One day at baseball practice, he was playing second base. His good friend, who was playing shortstop, laughed and made some remark when Archie made an error on a routine ground ball. Arch proudly demonstrated his dexterity in saluting his friend with the secret gesture.

Our coach stopped practice and chastised Archie for his vulgarity and began to inform the team that they were never to be seen making the sign again. He talked at length about good sportsmanship and good citizenship.

The coach did not tell Archie's dad. He was Archie's dad! Arch learned that day that his dad knew a lot more than he had given him credit for knowing.!

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Did You Hear About Pecans?

Here is another of Archie Brown's favorite stories:

There is one thing about fall toward which I look forward. Pecans. I love pecans. When I was a little boy we had three pecan trees in our yard. And the school grounds, two blocks away were covered with pecan trees. Every year in October, we looked forward to the pecan crop. Almost every day for a couple of weeks we would go to the school yard and gather the nuts that had fallen that day. We would sometimes wait to pick up those in the yard, knowing they would be there when we finished the harvest on the public grounds.

Picking up pecans is work, but there were some good reasons to pick up all I could. One of those reasons is that we could sell the ones we would not use, and a little spending money was always welcome. Most often it is what we used to fund our trips to the county fair. When I was a sophomore in high school I asked my dad for some money to buy my date to the homecoming game a corsage. His reply was “I only buy flowers for two girls, your mom and your sister; you need to find another way.” That sounds harsh to you, did to me at the time. But I believe it was his way of telling me he did not have any extra money. I had a week to come up with something.

That night, a Friday, a big thunderstorm blew through town. I got up early and went to the school grounds. The pecans were down, all over the ground. I worked very hard that morning and was able to pick up 117 pounds. Usually a good day’s total was about 20 pounds. I sold the pecans at the local feed store, and had the funds for my homecoming date.

I still love to pick up pecans. It is a time of quiet and a release of any worry about anything but the nuts on the ground. I now only pick up enough for our use. I will sit in front of a football game on television and crack the pecans, shell them. I did that during the West Virginia/Louisville game last night. When I fill a Tupperware dish with the little delights, I turn them over to my wife who makes candies and pies and cookies for the holidays. I also love to give shelled pecans as gifts to my kids. They know I am sharing a treasure with them.

I am nuts for pecans!

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Did You Hear About Forever Flamingo's Blog?

Archie Brown has heard that one of the current ways to improve the value of a blog site is to create links from one blog to another. There are a few bloggers Archie began blogging with who have decided to spend a little time building a network of links between their sites. They want to all improve our page ranking with Google, which is one indicator of visibility of a particualr blog.

Here is a link to yet one other of the bloggers. Forever Flamingo's Blog

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Did You Hear About Trying to Pop Corn in A Cold Pan?

Popcorn! Hot popcorn, buttered and seasoned just right, what a treat! But popcorn does not just happen. Many things must be done to be able to enjoy a delicious batch of popcorn. Even after you have assembled a pan, some oil in the bottom, and added a measure of corn, nothing happens unless you apply sufficient heat. You can't pop corn in a cold pan!

The corn does not pop at the first instant heat is administered, in fact, you cannot really tell if anything is happening. We wait anxiously, with a foreknowledge of what is to come. Then, when proper motivation comes, things begin to explode

At first the action is rather slow. Only a few kernels burst into the savory treat we desire. All the kernels do not pop at the same time. One goes, then others become agitated and start doing things. And then, it seems suddenly, there is a rush of activity, with many kernels popping at once, in all areas of the pan.

Then the great climax, when all the popping has ceased. The lid is removed from the pan and all rejoice at the feast to come. The only sad thought comes at the realization that some kernels did not pop and must be thrown out because of their uselesness.

Application of this analogy can be made to a congregation of Christians. Even though we assemble regularly and hear the truth spoken, you cannot really tell if anything is happening, Energy and enthusiasm are missing. Remember, you can't pop corn in a cold pan!

God is anxiously waiting, with a foreknowledge of what is to come. When the proper motivations is applied, things begin to explode. Not everyone gets involved at the same time. At first the action is rather slow, only a few individuals developing into the beautiful Christian servants God desires. One goes, then others get agitated and start doing things. And then, it seems suddenly, there is a rush of activity in all areas of the congregation

The great climax will be when our faith becomes sight and we can rejoice in our eternal home with the Father. The only sad thought is that some never lived up to their profession of belief and must be cast out because of their uselesness.
"And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."

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Did You Hear About My Allergy to Chocolate?

Archie Brown likes to recount stories of special moments in his life. Here is another of his oft told tales.

I was sitting in my comparative anatomy class, minding my own business when I began to feel a strange sensation around my mouth, nose and chin. It felt as though my face was swelling. I covered my lower face with my hand left hand and continued to take notes till class was over.

I then went to the infirmiry to see if the nurse had any idea of what to do. When I walked in she looked at my face and said, "Uh oh, allergic reaction." I said, I was just sitting in class and had not been bitten by a bug, nor had anything else happened I could think of that would be the cause.


She asked me what I had eaten for breakfast. I told her nothing, only had a coke on the way to class. She asked what I had for supper last night, but when I told her, she said that was not the problem. Next she wanted to know what I had eaten after supper. I told her my wife had made a pan of brownies and I had eaten several while they were still warm, with a glass of cold milk!


Her immediate reaction was, "that's it, you are allergic to chocolate." I let out a shout heard all over campus "Nooooooo!"
I said I had eaten chocolate all my life and never had a negative reaction. I said "maybe it is coca cola, I drink lots of cokes". She replied that coke has chocolate in it. I was devastated, losing chocolate and coca cola all in one moment.


I asked if there was any doubt. She told me that I could go have a series of tests run to confirm, but that she had no doubt. She suggested that I go a few days without chocolate and then try a bite and I would know the answer soon enough.


Since I did not really want to know, I went a week or so without chocolate. But one morning my 2 year old was eating a Marathon candy bar and offered me a bite. Without thinking I took a small bite, congratulating my baby for her spirit of sharing.


Within minutes my body was coverd with welts the size of golf balls. I was miserable and very sad. I then went about three months without any chocolate. At Halloween the girls brought home lots of goodies and I opened a little box of Milk Duds, three measly Milk Duds! Within a few minutes of eating those morsels my face began to swell, my windpipe closed off and I was gasping for breath.


I decided that day that I like breathing more than I like chocolate, but it is only by a very narrow margin!

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Did You Hear About Inducemts Not To Have An Abortion?

Ronda Brown read about Dan Patrick, who is in his first term as a Texas legislator. He has introduced a bill that would enable the state to offer $500 to a woman who decides to give a child up for adoption instead of having an abortion.

Ronda knows that there is a waiting list for parents who want to adopt, so it makes some sense to me that the option would benefit not only the child but also the prospective parents. Ronda is opposed to killing unborn babies as a means of birth control.

And yet for some reason she is not really comfortable with the idea of this inducement. She can't put her finger on why, but it doesn't feel right either.
She can't wait to ask her husband, Archie, what he thinks.

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Did You Hear About Bulletin Bloopers?

Last Thursday Archie got a collection of such statements that were supposedly gleaned from various church bulletins. There are about two dozen of them. He will include the first four today, and add one at time as you stop by.



The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.

The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."

Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.

Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.



Please feel free to post any that you have seen yourself.

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Did You Hear The Secret of Our Long Lasting and Happy Marriage?

This is a story Archie Brown loves to tell!

My wife and I have had a long (39 years) and happy marriage, and I will reveal the secret in a moment. It is not that we don't argue or have moments of difficulty, or have not made mistakes. Those have probably helped us forge our bonds to be even more strong.

We have read a lot of books on marriage, attended seminars and listened to lots of advice. We have benefitted from that investment of energy and time in the hope of succeeding, not just staying together.


We have done lots of things to build our marriage and maintain the passion. I send flowers for no reason and she leaves little notes in places where I will find them one day and be reminded of the blessings of this woman. We play together and pray together and have common dreams, about which we talk--yes we try to communicate.


I am not the easiest guy to live with, I love to tease and I am a bit of a slob by nature, and I have never done anything wrong in my life (at least I can't recall anything). One day my wife was asked in my presence, "How do you two get along so well when you are so different?"


Her reply is unquestionably the secret to our long and happy marriage. She said, "That is easy, he is both of our favorite person!"

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Youth Dew

Archie Brown loves to buy perfume for his wife, Ronda. It seems to him to be such an intimate gift, so personal. He loves when Ronda puts on a scent he has given her, especially when it is their favorite, Youth Dew, by Estee Lauder. That is a definite signal. It will be a special evening!

This is a sponsored post

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Did You Hear About The Guy In The Breast Diagnostic Center?

Archie Brown has this friend who had to have a mammogram yesterday. This is a guy, old guy, ex-jock, old fashioned and overly modest. Not long ago he discovered a painful lump in his right breast. He thought at first it might be a boil in a very delicate place. But when it did not develop like a boil, he went to see his family doctor. Because Arch's friend's mom died of breast cancer when she was 56 and her mom died of breast cancer when only 27, the doctor sent my friend to the breast diagnostic center. The idea of cancer made Archie's friend keep the appointment, despite his discomfort in going to that clinic.

When he arrived he was very self conscious. It did not help that he had to sit in the waiting room with his patient id wrist band letting all of the women in the room with him know that he was not just there waiting for his wife. And then twice his name was called out loud so they could get information and have him sign some papers at the reception window.


He was not sure if he was more embarrassed in the waiting room or in the examination room. The nurse and the doctor, both women, were nice to him, but he was uncomfortable undressing and being "palpated" by the professionals.


The test results determined that Archies's friend has a condition called gynecomastia. That is an inflamation of the soft tissue of the breasts of men. The doctor thinks the condition is a side effect of blood pressure medication my friend takes. There is no danger to one's health. My friend was very relieved.


But Archie's friend thought the incident should be publicized on the blog site to let others know that breast cancer is not uncommon, even in men. He would advise you to be aware of that fact and pay attention to your body's signals. And don't let modesty or macho self images or embarrassment keep you from getting the tests you need to be sure of your physical condition!


Archie told his friend he would spread the word!

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