“Being Dirt-Poor” By Neal Murphy

March 8, 2022 - I can recall my parents, Alice and Cecil, talking about someone being “dirt-poor”. At the time I did not think much about the saying. Now that I am old I look back at this saying and wonder about its true meaning.

Are You a “Down-To-Earth” Person? By Neal Murphy

February 18, 2022 - As a young lad I recall my parents, Alice and Cecil, discussing certain people's traits. I can remember that they often described someone as “down-to earth”. The phrase, to me,meant that the person so described was very nice. I still hear this phrase even today as people may describe others.

"Rocky Mountain Oysters" by Neal Murphy

February 14, 2022 - I grew up in East Texas during the 1940s and 1950s, and must admit that my culinary experiences were very limited. I ate mostly meat, potatoes, and other vegetables that my dad grew in our small garden.

“South of the Border” by Neal Murphy

January 28, 2022 - “You’re gonna love this restaurant, I guarantee it”, John insisted as we headed for the Mexican border. I was a little apprehensive about crossing over from Brownsville into Mexico and eating lunch. John was insistent that we should do this even though we were on a strictly business trip.

“What’s Happening to the Four-Door Sedan?” by Neal Murphy

January 21, 2022 - Years ago when I was a young lad my hobby was keeping up with the new automobiles that were introduced each fall. The various automobile makers always brought out their new models in October. At that time San Augustine had five car dealers. I would go to the show rooms and ogle the fancy new cars in all their manufactured splendor. I still like to do that, but many of those car dealers have disappeared.

There's A Computer In That Thing!

November 16, 2021 - I must admit that I am not a computer-savvy person. I grew up during the time that most things were done by hand. Having recently purchased a new Chevrolet Malibu automobile, I knew that it has a computer that practically runs every thing. A simple oil change revealed that there is a tiny computer in the steering wheel that controls the gauges around the area. The oil changing mechanic failed to re-set the computer to show it ready to go for another few thousand miles. I had to take the car back for a lesson on how to re-set everything.

“Cross Your Fingers” by Neal Murphy

November 2, 2021 - Have you ever felt the need for good luck, courage, or protection when attempting to do something? Perhaps you have “crossed your fingers” as a silent request for divine help or protection, or maybe you have asked other people to “keep your fingers crossed”. Some people, mostly children, also use the gesture to excuse their telling a white lie, or to invalidate a promise made. Crossing the first two fingers on your hand is a good luck sign recognized around the world.

“It's Not in the Dictionary” by Neal Murphy

August 27, 2021 - The computer age has thrown me for a loop. I made better grades in school with my courses that involved words and their meaning. This has continued into my adulthood. I purchased a rather large Webster's dictionary many years ago. It is large, containing two volumes with thousands of words therein. Anytime that I need to find the correct spelling of a word, I consult it. I have used it for many years.

The Drive-In Movie by Neal Murphy

April 23, 2021 - It is a real loss to our country that drive-in movies have died and gone to cinema heaven. They were killed off by the television set, a slow and agonizing death. But I have noticed in the news that a few new ones are sprouting up around the country. I wish them success and a long life. I suppose that I have a fondness for the outside movie due to the fact that my uncle, Ed Buckalew, owned the first (and only) drive-in movie in San Augustine, Texas, history.

An Alarming Situation by Neal Murphy

April 16, 2021 - The boarding house on Wettermark street near the campus of Stephen F. Austin State College was the setting for many a juvenile prank during the fall of 1955. I was a freshman student at the Nacogdoches college living in the large, two-story house with eight other male students at the time. More time was invested in playing pranks on each other than in studying the expensive courses required for a degree.

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Submitted by Neal Murphy