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Gravely Mowing the Lawn

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On Saturdays male college students left campus in abundance. Some went to the mall. Some went home. And some of us who needed cash went to work for the good folks in the local community. It was on one such Saturday that I found myself at Mrs. White’s, along with a fellow college student named Phil. We rode there in Phil’s rattle-trap car, parked, got out, slammed the doors, and walked to the front door of a rambling white house with dark blue shutters. Wisteria grew profusely on a trellis to the left of the door, draped in purple, and a hulking magnolia tree grew on the right, fully in bloom and fragrant. Phil knocked, and when the door opened, a tiny former Southern Belle with completely white hair welcomed us. It was Mrs. White. She must have at least been in her seventies, and you could tell she had always been happy and honest of soul, two traits that had given her a grandmotherly glow from within. We stepped just inside the door, and she introduced us to her son, Plato (yes, “Plat

And Now for Something Different: Minimalist Movie Descriptions

Can you name each movie based on its minimalist plot synopsis? Kudos to my brothers Keith, Eric, and Joel for their creative input! • Archaeologist repeatedly risks his life to ensure that an ancient artifact is properly warehoused. Raiders of the Lost Ark • A whiner with daddy issues saves the day. Star Wars: A New Hope • World’s worst proprietor teaches motel guest that cleanliness is next to deadliness. Psycho • Family film glorifies a romantic relationship between two different species. Beauty and the Beast • Handsome wanderer spends two hours squinting. High Plains Drifter • After the king’s brother kills the king and marries the queen, the king’s ghost appears to his son, urging him to avenge his death. The Lion King . Or Hamlet . Same plot. • Bacall teaches Bogie how to whistle. To Have and Have Not • Faithful, competent, long-time housekeeper has little respect for her inept new employer. Rebecca • Poverty-stricken farm girl goes to unbelievable lengths just t

Mountains, Trains, Aspens, Friendly People: Our Colorado Vacation

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Are you looking for beautiful views? Train rides? The Old West?  Friendly people?  Lots of T-shirts? If so, Colorado won’t disappoint! Here are a few photos and memories of a trip Cindy and I recently took to southern Colorado. Garden of the Gods: Free and Amazing! One of the best things about Garden of the Gods is that it is free. The original owner deeded it to Colorado Springs when he passed away, with the understanding that it would always remain free to the public. It’s a beautiful location that boasts mammoth red rock formations. Don’t miss it if you ever have a chance to go! At Garden of the Gods. The bald mountain behind Cindy and me is Pikes Peak. One of the large rock formations at Garden of the Gods. Balancing Rock, Garden of the Gods. That’s me way up there, pretending to read a book. (It was supposed to be funny, but never mind that.) There was a drop-off on the backside of my perch, and when I started to sit down, I stumbled and fell … away from the drop-off, thank th