Love and Gratitude

Years ago, I was asked by the leaders of our…

Socket to It

Larry was excited the day his big gun safe arrived.…

Leaf Season

The closest town to where I live is where I…

Getting to the Hospital

Jack was a free, independent spirit. He loved to live…

Standard Transmission

We just got a car with a standard transmission, an…

A Silver Lining

The day came that they were to play the Cougars,…

Teamwork and Dates

Aiden struggled to get his head into the game. All…

Needed on the Team

After they stepped into the principal’s office, Mr. Hill motioned…

Welcome Home: Conclusion of the Story of Bob the Dog

My mother was 96 and living in an assisted living…

Losing a Friend

Joyce had had her dog Bob since she was five.…

Making the Way Back

Joyce's dog, Bob, had been with the family for six…

It’s Not About Being Perfect

Bob had saved Joyce’s life when she was only five,…

Freeing Bob the Dog

Bob, the dog, had really become part of the family,…

A Smart Dog

After the stray dog saved Joyce’s life, it was allowed…

A Dog Named Bob

Mom grew up during the Depression, and to stay around…

Community Teamwork

Too often it seems like all the news we hear…

Unforgettable Encouragement

Often people will come up after seminars to ask questions,…

The Surprise

Clara had a surprise she wanted to share, but she…

Mom, the Counselor

Anna couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Mom, you aren’t…

Feline Trading

We have a cat named Marshmallow. I call her that…

The Prayer of a Child

I grabbed the milking bucket and went out to do…

The Bulls are Fed

When I was going to graduate school in Logan, Utah,…

Permission, Sir

Merrill hadn’t been back to the army camp long before…

Goats and Grass

I have been busy building us a new house that…

Tuba Bath

There had been a community band at one time, and…

Tough Parents

“Do you remember growing up and all the work we…

Fire Alarms

“Daris,” she said, “you are very tech-savvy. Would you be…

A Plumber

Our daughter, Clarissa, called me. “Dad, would it bother you…

The Signal

When I worked at a religious university, a church leader…

Brothers and Friends

Bob, Van, and Clyde were more than brothers; they were…

What Students Learned in Math Class 2023

Over the years, I have found that one of the…

A New Pickup Adventure

Kevin loved the convenience of having a pickup. His new…

A Bad Scent

I went to visit Jason, a neighbor, and when I…

Police Reports

The local paper doesn’t carry police reports anymore, but before…

Being Honest

Though there were fun parts about being mayor, Dean found…

Something to Do

“Retirement just isn’t what I thought it would be, it’s…

The Power of a Puppy

Many years ago, our golden retrievers had puppies. The puppies…

Turkey Sweaters

John's city friends had laughed. “You’re going to find rural…

Negotiating With a Moose

Our place is a favorite stopover for moose who like…

Hauling Calves

Jason was a trucker and hauled cattle. The weather then…

The Questionable Alexa

Computer-assisting devices are getting to be the norm. When my…

The Haircut

The semester had barely started when Vince and Mary sat…

Quit Worrying

One day, someone asked Lane why he seemed to excel…

Catch a Clue

Caleb was a friendly teenager. But the one thing that…

Cough Syrup

I have tried just about every kind of cough syrup…

Reindeer Hooves

Like anyone else with children, I love to see the…

An Eight-Cow Wife

I had a relative who saw all the hours I…

Short but Sweet Vignettes

Sometimes I have or receive stories that are short enough…

You Start on Tuesday

My wife, Donna, and I were visiting a harpist recently.…

Cookie Jar

Throughout that year, I often went over to help Mrs.…

Called to Serve

Mrs. Levi continued with her story that Halloween night. She…

The Prairie Diamond

Mrs. Levi said that when William had asked her to…

Never Miss a Date Night

The Bishop was coming to the church for his weekly…

An Unusual Courtship

After helping Mrs. Levi harvest her garden and apple trees,…

Halloween Help

It was Halloween, and my friends had invited me to…

A Little Distracted

Tanya came up to talk to me after class. “Professor…

Off-Roading

Arden’s married son, Jason, came to visit and wanted to…

Zucchini Season

It was fall, and that meant only one thing in…

Rooster Peas

Anna didn’t know what to do. She was running out…

The Perfect Honeymoon

Larry was getting married. While his future wife was busy…

That We Never Forget

A year ago, I was asked to be part of…

Doctor Bo Makes His Rounds

Gary had seen how the patients at the nursing home…

Doctor Bo

Gary had been through some tough times in his life,…

Doing Good with a Government Check

Mom and I had a discussion about her government COVID…

No Debt

My mother was in an assisted living center, and I…

The Best Family

“I wish I had been born into their family,” he…

Ringtone Tales

I was sitting in a meeting recently when a person’s…

Calculators and a Changing World

The debate about whether calculators should be allowed raged in…

First Calculator

“I grew up before the days of calculators. We had…

Hamsters and Rabbits

David was away from home and looked forward to the…

A Fun Dog

Buster was part of a litter of pups born at…

Freedom and Peace

A Ukrainian student provides an interesting outside perspective on our…

The Couch

James taught religion in a small building across the street…

Fathers and Consequences

A wise father teaches his kids the meaning of consequences…

Understanding Passing

The passing away of loved ones can fill us with…

The Dress

Terri received a call from her sister, Lori, one morning.…

Careful of Wording

I’ve learned that a person must be careful what they…

A Matter of Honesty

One evening, my daughter, Celese, heard a noise outside her…

Learning to Eat Anything

Our daughter called in complete frustration. “Dad, Mom, how in…

It’s More Than the Building

COVID has made the process of taking on any building…

A Matter of Independence

Arthur was both independent and stubborn. As he got older,…

Helping a Neighbor, or Not

“Seth,” the neighbor continued, “could you do me a favor…

Pranks and April Fools: The End of the Story

Tasha, the only girl in my computer class, had played…

Pranks and April Fools (Part Two)

Tasha, the only girl in my computer science class, had…

Pranks and April Fools

In most of my classes, the boys were the ones…

Internet Ethics

When the president’s council at the university wanted to force…

The Best Decision

Back in the late eighties and early nineties, when the…

Living the Dream

I think we have all had those dreams, the ones…

Together Again

Ron got so he really didn’t like to do anything…

Major Misfire

“Professor Howard, My name is Shanae, and I’m in your…

Together

Ron and Edna got married very young. They didn’t get…

Cupcakes

Mary and Sally were neighbors and best friends. But sometimes,…

Valentine Unknown

Elliana had a big group of friends, and many of…

Children and Grandchildren

It was a Saturday, and I was home from school…

Children and Phone Calls

I think anyone who has had children has had a…

Still the Corgi Capital of the World

Jed had created a Wikipedia site claiming their little town…

Corgi Capital of the World

Jed and Nicole were annoyed with each other. They had…

Being Santa Claus (Part 2)

Throughout my evening as Santa Claus, I had just pulled…

Being Santa Claus

I told my daughter I would be happy to play…

The Spirit of Christmas

Playing Santa each Christmas helps remind me what this season…

The Quilt

My wife, Donna, wants each of her children and grandchildren…

Naming Chickens

At a recent church social, we got to talking about…

A Thankful Attitude

Two girls sat next to each other on the first…

An Honest Thief

As we were finishing up one evening, one of the…

Running Out of. . .

A bunch of us were visiting at a community picnic…

Waking the Dead

I recently I had a chance to do a reader’s…

A Friend and an Assignment

“Whatever it takes to beat Covid, I guess.”

Wide Awake

After a long, tiring day of schoolwork, I learned I…

Lending a Helping Tractor

I grew up in the last house on the edge…

Hating Goats

Lilly had a terrible dislike of goats, and she didn’t…

Practice and Performance

I was an offensive guard on my high school football…

Learning the Hard Way

Samantha did not know Timmy had taken a curious interest…

A Lesson That Would Linger

Samantha had wanted to teach in a rural school district…

Teaching and Learning

Having grown up in a big city, and seldom having…

Consideration About Guardian Angels

To provide money for my family I did many different…

A Technology World

I had been grading papers all day, and I was…

Destroying One’s Enemies

Within a year and a half after the bombing of…

A Supercharged Battery

My high school mechanics teacher assigned team captains by our…

Toothaches and Painkillers

Years ago, about the time Russia was opening up more…

Softball Mentality

My wife called me in from working in the garden…

The Hand of Providence

Hannah had worked a long shift at the fast-food restaurant…

Chariots of Tire

Hailee loved her job working at the nursing home, but…

Tilling Service

I have a big tiller that will rip deep into…

The Prank that Wasn’t

Twelve-year-old Kevin loved to tease his fourteen-year-old sister, Sally. Of…

Getting a Driver’s License

Having been a deputy sheriff for a long time, Ted…

An Unfortunate Spill

Not only was the girl not interested, she was embarrassed…

A New Perspective on the One Who is Always Late

Trevor came in late, as usual, and I could tell…

Getting Old

A sweet, elderly lady that goes to our church approached…

Flowers and Meaning

“When I die,” my mother said, “make sure you bring…

A Date with Grandma

One conversation that is always common is dating. Most of…

A Wild Ride

After reading my story about Sandy, a kitten we rescued,…

Worth It

Grant and Emma had just seen the last of their…

A Dream for a Salesman

Celese sighed as she climbed out of bed. She knew…

Taking Responsibility

Mrs. Ward was known as a strict teacher, and we…

Getting Mail

As my mother and I were heading back to the…

Things We Have Lost

Growing up in that small town, I knew every checker,…

Sweet Revenge (All Day in the Saddle, Part 2)

When Bart’s brother, Seth, tricked him into putting turpentine on…

All Day in the Saddle

Bart had ridden horses a fair amount, but not for…

Losing Pens

I was a teenager, and my parents ran a farm…

The Power of an Update

As we wait for engineering and permits, we have started…

Singing Bass

My wife is a music major, and most of our…

Heartbreaking Rules

One of the biggest challenges of being a foster parent…

What True Love Looks Like

Eight-year-old Jason, one of our foster children, slammed his pencil…

Upside-down-Plate Day

You may call it Valentine's Day, but we call it…

A Time for Talking

It had been a while since we had foster children.…

Guaranteeing a Second Date

I always love hearing how married couples met. Recently, some…

A Careful Job

Even though I thought I would beat the moving truck…

The Power of a Child

My daughter, Elliana, works at a fast-food restaurant. She says…

The Right Clothing

Kent was already on his way to visit Judy at…

Finding a Needed/Useful Gift

My mother is almost ninety-five and hard to buy gifts…

Christmas Change of Heart

Jane hated Christmas, but it hadn’t always been that way.…

A Little Absent Minded

When we visit our children, one thing I really enjoy…

Clean, Shiny Dishes

None of us had ever met before moving in, so…

Truly a Day of Thanksgiving

It was Thanksgiving, but Aaron struggled to feel thankful. It…

A Difference in Age

Lindy was a boisterous young lady, and she did almost…

Curious Grandchildren

I have the smartest grandchildren. Of course, all grandparents think…

Senior Hour

Have you ever had what you considered was a good…

A Privy Halloween Operation

The five friends gathered for lunch at their regular spot…

Something New and Better

The children who had watched me work in the garden…

Gardening With Children

To relieve stress when I was working on my master's…

Stress Reliever

When I was young, my mother made me weed garden…

Painting the House

There are only a couple of jobs that I really…

The Undesirable Assignment and the Surprising Change

After an eventful fortnight in the backcountry, Ed filled out…

The Undesirable Assignment and the Unexpected Twist

They had barely started hiking on the morning of the…

An Undesirable Assignment and An Unforgettable Lesson

Ed had just started cutting some small saplings with the…

The Undesirable Assignment

Ed usually worked alone on the trails and had become…

Proving Someone Right or Wrong

Mateo was only ten when he came to the United…

A Cow Explained

Though Susan was only five, she had probably read every…

A Fair Deal

Ken took his seven-year-old grandson, David, to the fair. It…

Going Back for Sandy

There are world-famous sand dunes near where we live. We…

Being Treated Right

Jan worked at a fast-food restaurant. Most of the workers…

An Important Lesson in Scouting

Because Steven, a scoutmaster from another troop, had let his…

An Unforgettable Lesson in Scouting

Because the boys in my troop liked to stay at…

Not All Fun and Games

Steven, the scoutmaster of a new troop at scout camp,…

Teaching Scouts

One of my scouts came into camp, shaking his head.…

A Happy Dog

When you put two-year-old Hannah's love for animals together with…

The True Power of Community

"Mr. Howard," Wendy said, her voice sounding terrified, "my house…

The Gift of Community

At five o'clock one Saturday morning in February, I got…

It’s About Community

I put the phone down and let out a sigh.…

Needing a Reminder

Jennifer's children wanted a dog. That is normal for children,…

True Happiness

As Steven climbed into his van, he thought a lot…

First Week as an Empty Nester

My last daughter moved off to college last week, and…

Watering Greenhouses

I went to the nursery where my daughters used to…

The Grain Drill

As with harvest, farmers often help each other or share…

A Sense of Community

Besides being a group of people living in the near…

The Stay-At-Home Challenge

Sometimes it is hard to find humor in our current…

Stir Crazy

Parents feel the challenge of being home with their children…

Silver Lining Amidst the Shut Down

My youngest daughter, Elliana, is our last child at home.…

Reluctance to Technology

For Christmas two years ago, my sister gave Mom an…

A Desire to Help During the 1918 Spanish Flu

It was 1918, and Arden, the man Rachel had been…

A Walk in Someone Else’s Shoes

The recent coronavirus outbreak, and the fear surrounding it, reminds…

What Students Learned in Math Class 2020

Over the years, I have found that one of the…

The Water Boy Wrestler (final)

After Curly ran for his life twice, only to be…

The Water Boy Wrestler (part 3)

After Curly ran for his life at the first whistle,…

The Water Boy Wrestler (Part 2)

Coach had put our marshmallowish water boy, whom we called…

The Water Boy Wrestler

His persona was that of a giant marshmallow. His physique…

I Can Do My Own Yard, Thank You

When your neighbors are literally too kind.

Shoulder Surgery

After finding out there was a bullet in my arm,…

A Possible Answer

Having found out during an MRI that I have a…

A Bullet in My Arm

After I got over the shock of seeing the bullet…

A Shocking Discovery

I was having trouble with my shoulder this summer. The…

A Really Lucky Day

When I lived in Buffalo, New York, in the early…

A First Name Basis

With ten children, it seemed like somebody always forgot something.…

The Therapy Session

Some of us were visiting after church, and since Thanksgiving…

Deep-Fried Twinkies

As families gather for Thanksgiving, they learn that not everyone…

A Motivational Class

After the teacher had finished passing out the tests, she…

Fifteen Minutes of Fame

According to an old saying, everyone will have fifteen minutes…

Wife’s Time Out

Much of the burden of taking care of our seven…

Supercharged Halloween

Though Lenny had won the last round with his uncle…

Vacation Timing

I had been working on a doctorate for three years,…

God’s Children

Rachel's family had moved west in the 1800s, along with…

Equal Respect

Rachel's father insisted they treat the Native Americans with respect.…

Not Liking Dogs

Marilyn didn't like dogs, and no one seemed to know…

Sacrifice and Forgiveness

Isaac’s family had been brutally murdered by the Germans, and…

A Change of Heart

At first, Isaac balked at the idea of raising a…

An Understanding of Innocence

Isaac’s oldest sons had been shot by the Germans. His…

Learning to Forgive

Isaac had lived in a small town in France at…

Army Intelligence

It was the time of the Korean War, and Carl…

A Blessing in Disguise

When one of the coaches asked me to come out…

Sports and Honor

Every summer, many of the different church congregations and small…

Lemonade Stand

One thing I love to do in the summer when…

Wanting to Help

One day, the leader of her church congregation called Wanda…

Theatre and Friends

I had been helping run the lights for a theatre…

Signs of Climate Change

Donna, my wife, grew up in California, while I grew…

The Summer Vacation

I knew that Brent had gone on an extended vacation,…

A Dog Named Chico

Before I left my wife and daughter to camp for…

What You Can Learn From Hands and Shoes

Leona was someone who thought deeply about things, and when…

Choosing a Musical Instrument

Despite my lack of musical talent, over the years, due…

Questionable Business Decisions

Anyone who has had an accident and dealt with insurance…

A Fathers’ Day Mystery

Cindy excitedly came into the sewing room where her mother…

The Most Important Wagon

After the Teton Dam broke and flooded the valley, everyone…

A Day of Fear and Thanksgiving

On Saturday, June 5, 1976, my younger sister came running…

The Red Rose and the Mission Call

Lewis had fought through World War II in the Pacific.…

Getting Tomatoes to Grow

My cousin Becky loves gardening about as much as I…

A Lesson No One Could Teach Like My Mother

My daughter was in her mid-teens—those years when young people…

Feeling Useful

Have you ever had reason to wonder how useful you…

It’s the Simple Things That Matter Most

The end of the semester was busy with students complaining…

The Great Chemistry Experiment

John was our roommate at college. He was not a…

Snakes and Sunk Boats

Celese couldn't believe the low price on one home they…

A Change in Personality

One day as I was heading home, I ran into…

The Ultimatum

Of all the people that my mother tried to teach…

New Technology

Cell phones were new, and the university made me carry…

A Check We Can’t Cash

One of the jobs that I have as Scoutmaster is…

The Skunk Skin

What does a person do with the skin of a…

The Garden Plot

Jenny was working in the community garden one evening when…

Vehicular Break-in

It had been a long day of work, and it…

Valentine’s Day Problems

I was almost seventeen, and the Valentine’s Day girls-choice dance…

A Timeout

Our friend Mike recently informed us he had fourteen grandchildren…

Revenge and Refried Beans

My daughter, Celese, worked at a taco establishment. One of…

The Snow Challenge

Eight fourteen-your-old boys, two leaders, and six snowmobiles—what could possibly…

An Embarrassing Event

One of my scouts asked me about my most embarrassing…

What Makes a Home

This week I helped my son as he moved his…

Vacationing in Winter

It was cold in Idaho that year when we left…

New Year Commitments

Even though it had been a few years since I…

A Very Good Reason for Being Late

When eight-year-old Katherine walked into class, the teacher looked at…

The Old Truck

Have you ever spent an inordinate, unreasonable amount of time…

Mutton Chops

My two youngest daughters wanted to try out for the…

It’s a Beautiful Day

“Today is a great day, huh, Bill?” My old friend…

An Unusual Holiday Assignment

It was the day after Thanksgiving. As a police officer,…

A Failing Weight Loss Center

Sam was tired of working his boring job and wanted…

Going Solo

Jacob loved music. He sang while he milked the cows,…

Missing a Halloween Party

“Do you want to join us for some Halloween fun…

No One Knows Why

“Howard, how many times have I told you, the kicker…

An Old Friend

I was a young teenager when I first met them.…

A Pregnancy Adventure

“You’re a man. What do you know about adventure when…

A Desk Full of Memories

As we moved furniture recently, a small white desk brought…

How to Make Indoor Plumbing a Priority

Goren and Lilly had been married for just over a…

The Perfect Sisters

They were the perfect sisters. They were both kind and…

Memorable Notes from My Students

Most of my college students are bright, fun to teach,…

Gaining Strength to Endure

When I got my tonsils out at forty-five years old,…

A Day to Look Back on a Wonderful Life

My mother is 92 and has been without my father…

Hatchet Woman

“Who’s that?” I asked. “Oh, that’s Hatchet Woman,” Walt replied.…

Something New, Something Sweet

When we walked into the buffet restaurant, the first thing…

Where Do Babies Come From?

I knew things were going to be interesting in my…

Solving The Case Of The Scout Camp Bandit

Scout camp was going pretty much as usual. Gordy had…

A Thief At Scout Camp

Gordy stormed out of his tent and marched right over…

When Something Gets Your Goat

I really love mountain goats.  I think they are incredible…

The Runaway Dowry

“Daris, didn’t you grow up on a dairy farm?” he…

Courage To Stand Up To Friends

When I stood up to my friends, defending a new…

A Sense of Balance

Butch was always one to try to show everyone up.…

On the Naming of Cats

Because of my lack of attachment to cats, I can…

A Gringo in Peru

I looked at the menu, and I didn’t understand a…

The Father’s Day Gift that Kept on Giving

Fathers’ Day was not long after summer break started, and…

Singing to a Father

Millie loved to sing in primary, but she sang monotone.…

Pirates, Romans, and Scouts

It has been a few years since I’ve officially been…

What You Can Learn From Children

One spring for primary I decided we should sing a…

The Flowers of Friendship

We had just moved into the house where we now…

When Your Neighbors Are Just Too Friendly

There are many things that indicate the friendliness of a…

A Mother Teaching Responsibility

Mother’s Day was coming the next week, and the teacher…

A Little Girl Who Needed An Angel

She looked tough, not like someone who would need an…

A Kitten’s Mother

My sister, Janet, and her family came out to visit…

A Pre-Wedding Trip to the Doctor

Ann’s daughter, Sheila, was getting married, and there were a…

What to Look For In a College

My daughter was finishing her high school senior year when…

I’ve Seen Worse

My daughter asked me if I would judge at a…

Hiding My Own Easter Eggs

“You think you can find some good places to hide…

A Difference in Culture

I was nineteen years old and living in New York…

The Gift of a Violin

Nathan was always a big boy for his age, and…

A Little Bit Out of It

Dora and Frank were some older neighbors that I often…

Competing With Confidence

Our high school wrestling team was gathering to board the…

Wrestling Dilemma

In the fall of my senior year, wrestling had just…

Learning To Believe In Yourself

I was a horrible dancer, and I mistakenly signed into…

Competing in Dance and a Change of Heart

The class was ending as our instructor informed us, “Since…

A Dancer With Too Much Class

My daughter stared at my college transcript. “Dad, did you…

At Any Price

“The hay is no good. My cows won’t eat it.…

A Group Rate

When Jay met Helen, and they fell in love. Helen…

The Friendly Cow at it Again

Our cow, Leah, demanded to be petted. Justin, our daughter's…

A Friendly Cow, Again

Justin, a young man who was a friend with our…

A Fast Sled

I had nine brothers and sisters, and there wasn’t a…

Together Forever

Being a foster parent can be both a heartwarming and…

The Friendly Cow

When the economy started going down in 2008, my wife,…

A Competition for Good

It had been a hard year in our rural community.…

The Computer Mystery

I had only been in my office a short time…

Thanksgiving and Freedom in 1941

The year was 1941. There was news of the carnage…

Comforting a Child

We were in New York one summer, a long way…

The Touch Lamp

My daughter, Heather came out of her room all bleary-eyed…

Football And Nylons

“Men, we are in for a tough game tomorrow. Adding…

A Halloween Vendetta

As I was heading home from church on the Sunday…

How to Get the Girl

I asked my mother what I needed to do to…

Keeping a Promise

My eighteen scouts were excited to see me do something…

Mountain Climbing Merit Badge

I was scoutmaster to eighteen boys. They had tried to…

Looking on the Heart

Victor was in trouble again. It seemed that everywhere he…

Paying It Backward

One small, kind deed can change a bad day.

Never Underestimate the Band Nerd

Tyson knew what the other band students said about him.…

Off Road Bicycling

We brought our bikes to a stop at the top…

The Eclipse, New Friends, and Paying it Forward

We live in the region of the path of totality…

Being the Best Family

I used to be Scoutmaster to eighteen boys. I’m not…

Buying Better Raspberries

My children and I had been busy picking raspberries, enduring…

A Scaredy Cat

Our neighbors’ dog, Rosie, didn’t like cats. In fact, she…

The Heartache Of Being A Parent

The doctor took a deep breath before sharing the unwelcome…

Sleeping In (or Not)

My mother is now ninety-one years old, and her life…

Developing an Appreciation for What We Have

This last week we were talking about Independence Day in…

Always Kindness

High school class reunions are always interesting. The women that…

Dog Costumes and French Horns

The community musical for the summer was Chitty Chitty Bang…

Family Vacation Through a Child’s Eyes

We had decided to travel to the eastern United States…

Vote of Confidence

On Tuesday of one week, I had been asked by…

You Can’t Have Too Many Rolls

My wife, Donna, had a women’s conference, and I was…

No Good Deed

Maria looked out the back of the truck as they…

Computer Repair

My phone rang, and when I answered, it was Andy.…

It’s Time to Go Home

Eva was a big lady. I don’t mean she was…

What Do You Have In Your Pack?

Our scoutmaster had dropped us off, leaving us alone for…

Hiking Packs, Unevenly Distributed

Our scoutmaster called the meeting to attention for about the…

A Plan of Discord

“Hey, Rick. You like reading so much, why don’t you…

Don’t Take Away A Calf’s Dinner

“Hi, Daris. Hey, my cousin, Amanda, is here from the…

A Modern Healing At The Pool Of Bethesda

Steve is one of the kindest people I have ever…

It Can’t Be That Hard

“How hard can it be to take care of the…

No One Will Notice

When my wife, Donna, came home, I could tell she…

Solving the Real Problem

The problem may not be what you think it is.

Contradictions

I walked into a local community library and saw a…

A Major Misfire

I sat down to read my email on the first…

The Hidden Honeymoon

According to Dixie, they had a family tradition of trying…

By Reputation

I was a senior in high school, and it was…

Exponential Growth—Or Not

We had been studying exponential growth in my math class.…

A Cat and a Dog

“We had a dog and a cat that hated each…

The Avid Scouter

The scouts loved and respected Delos, partly because they knew…

Life’s Outtakes – Quick Wit

Uncle Delos might have been old and slightly infirm, but…

Teaching Children About Service

A friend of mine, Richard, saw me and laughed. “Is…

Brother Against Brother

“You’re new here,” Harold said, “so you don’t know, but…

Snowed In

It was only a week before Christmas that year when…

A Visit From Santa for David

One particular Christmas, a mother called and talked to my…

Markers and Campers

As scoutmaster, I tried to make sure that we went…

The Gift Of Oneself

Christmas was fast approaching, and as I sat in church,…

An Independent Child

Our neighbors have a little three-year-old daughter, Millie, who is…

A Thankful Attitude

Over time I noticed that almost everything was harder for…

When to Keep Your Mouth Shut

Cyrus was an old farmer and had worked hard all…

It’s Not Over Until The Whistle Blows

It was the end of my sophomore year in high…

Spreading Sunshine

Though most of us were speeding that day and probably…

An Honest Thief

As I read about all of the refugees in the…

A Crusty Fall Freeze: Barnyard Humor

It was late October and Butch and Buster, my two…

A Bear Scare

Rick and his family planned one last campout before winter.…

The Dating Coach Continued

Rod considered himself the best ladies’ man in the high…

The Dating Coach

The guys I hung out with were all gathered around…

A Technology-Obsessed World

I had been grading papers all day, and I was…

The Mechanics Test

The mechanics students were way smarter than the teacher knew.

Feeling My Age

Maybe it was crazy. The hike is a grueling fourteen…

Former Member of a Band

“Jim, did you sign up for a preshow number? I…

Life Outside the Prison Walls

John had been going to the prison every week for…

Don’t Mess With Mom

Mary was proud of her son, David. He was nineteen…

Girls’ Camp Bears

I took my daughter to meet the girls she was…

Softball Mentality

My wife called me in from the garden for what…

A Parking Plot

Mr. B. was a drivers’ education teacher and sometimes his…

A Fan Club of One

We were at a community reception for donors of the…

The Happiest Man On Earth

My daughter, Trissa, is a band and choir teacher for…

Getting a Driver’s License

Ted had been a deputy sheriff for a long time,…

Snakes and Pranks

Daniel was twelve, and he loved to tease his fourteen-year-old…

Good Pay

Sometimes the best kind of pay isn't money.

The Perfect Advantage

David was a perfectionist. He always had been. His bedroom…

Putting Down a Deposit

Fred and Richard were neighbors and best friends. It also…

Love Your Enemies, Love Your Neighbors

Fred remembered his dismay when his new neighbors moved in.…

Key Comments on Test Day

I finished passing back the linear algebra tests that I…

To Hug or Not to Hug

The director of the nursing home called a meeting of…

Flowers Don’t Last Forever

Donna has a beautiful flower garden that, right now, is…

An Acidic Situation

A group of us stayed to help clean up the…

A Story to Take a Gander At

Connie angrily slammed her paper down on my desk. She…

A Good Horse

My dad had trained our horse, Annie, well. He had…

Let the Races Begin

Hailee loved her job working at the nursing home, but…

Teaching the Kids About Service

I have a big tiller that will rip deep into…

Standing Up for Someone

I had just taught a Sunday lesson to my sixteen…

The Unknown Child

The story of how we first became foster parents has…

What Students Learned in Math Class 2016

Over the years, we have found that one of the…

Pine Nuts

Leann received a call from her friend Sarah. “Hey, Leann,…

Toothaches and Pain Killers

Years ago, about the time Russia was opening up more…

There are Ways

The nurse sighed. “Please, Kara. Before you have your surgery,…

Scout Logic

I was sure that since two of my scouts had…

The Key of Togetherness

As we finished our scout meeting, I reminded the boys…

Wrestling Challenge

I tried to avoid my roommate’s challenges. I’m not sure…

Slime and Punishment

Little Harvey’s family was going to visit some good friends…

Deep Snow

A friend of mine, David, has a job filling propane…

A Final Chorus

Bill Farley enjoyed his job at the local high school…

Harmony and Melody

Andrew lost his right arm fighting in World War II.…

A New Understanding

Andrew had been wounded and lost his right arm fighting…

A Miracle in Disguise

As he looked around himself, Andrew could tell he was…

Clean, Shiny Dishes

My roommate, John, had grown up in a home of…

A Smelly Situation

One night, two of our students came for dinner and…

A Thanksgiving Concert

It was the evening before Thanksgiving, and David stood in…

A Doggone Cold Night

My assistant scoutmaster, Jubal, and I were taking the boys…

We All Are Brothers

In honor of Veteran's Day, here is the story of…

Calculating Consequences

My phone rang, and when I picked it up, the…

Straw Mazes And Little Girls

My older children were all going to the straw maze,…

An Ounce of Understanding

I looked at my class roll and turned to Colleen.…

A Rule of Thumb—Timing is Everything

Derek, a friend of mine, had lost half of his…

Football Through The Eyes Of A Child

Taking my children to watch the homecoming football game gave…

Ticked-Off Kickoff

“Hey, any of you losers want to challenge me in…

“Dear Teacher”: Notes From Students to Make you Smile

Most of my college students are bright, fun to teach,…

We Are Family

His colleagues did a remarkable thing when they learned he…

Something to Sit on

It was a big event in the small Wyoming town.…

The Color of Things

My friend, Nathan, is an electrician at the university where…

When the Honeymoon Is Over

My wife, Donna, grew up in Los Angeles, and I…

The Right Kind of Girl

Mike was telling me this week about meeting his wife,…

A Sinking Feeling About School

I walked into a local store and saw many aisles…

Just Neighborly Neighbors

When Tina called, Sally could tell something was really wrong.…

Getting Children To Weed A Garden

When spring came that year, my children were almost as…

One Cat is Enough

Jed wasn’t fond of cats. So when his wife approached…

A Beary Scary Tale

My university colleagues and I always tried to find summer…

A Cowboy and Some Special Horses

I first met Bob the day the men from the…

A Super Hero

I was twenty years old, living in New York, and…

What Winning Truly Is

I was twenty years old, living in New York far…

The Bestest Vacation Ever

I was determined that it would be the best vacation…

Keeping a Bum Lamb

“Annicka and Celese, would you like to have baby lambs?”…

Calculator Music

David had shown his incredible skill in programming, but he…

What It Takes To Have A Good Church Choir

Sometimes all you need to recruit a bigger bass section…

A Life Changing Decision in Hawaii

Private Howard learns a valuable lesson about sticking to his…

A Brilliant Student

A student doesn't do his assignments, but he can outperform…

Making A Friendly Horse Mean

By the time Barbara, Cashmere’s owner, came home for a…

A Horse Named Cashmere

I looked in to see the biggest, most beautiful stallion…

Making Connections

As our flight came to a stop, my wife, Donna,…

My Brother the Cowboy

When my son was a teenager, he, like many young…

Cell Phone Secrets

It was at that point that the cell phone of…

April Fools — It’s No Joke

Beatrice first saw Merritt when she went to eighth grade.…

Water Problems

It was the end-of-summer meeting for our community theater board.…

A Wild Goose Chase

When I came home, my oldest daughter came to meet…

A Calf Named Lucky

It was mid February, and the temperature was about -20…

Secret Tunnels

I had grown accustom to Sid coming early. He seemed…

An Honest Swim Check

When I became scoutmaster, I promised the boys I would…

Valentine’s Day and Computer Coding

Valentine’s Day, the day of the college girls’ Preference Dance,…

Food or Nought

My sweet Aunt Bea was a strong willed, determined woman.…

What Students Communicate

Sometimes I get interesting letters, emails, and phone calls from…

A Shocking Experience

“When this thing reaches full charge, it cuts the electric…

Applying for a New Job

I was working on my graduate degree in mathematics and…

A Theater And A Memory

I loved movies, but a movie isn’t much fun to…

Y2K Problems, Looking Back

As the year 2000 approached, everyone feared the computer problems…

New Year’s Motivation

I started out the year well, determined to lose weight.…

Season Of Miracles

After we purchased a Santa suit, Donna asked me if…

A Really Lucky Day

His last name was Hatzenbuler, so we all called him…

Follow The Leader

The truck had a big sign with an arrow that…

What Thanksgiving Is Truly All About

If a person is asked what they are most thankful…

A Tale of Two Soldiers

David and John were two men from the same small…

Ancient And Modern Technology

As we gathered back to our boat, some Peruvian men…

The Floating Islands Of Lake Titicaca

We toured lots of old ruins while traveling through Peru,…

The Old Clunker

I had considered trading my old van in for a…

The Halloween Haunt

This was the year I learned just how scary I…

Why Pigs Should Never Try To Fly

We were flying out of the Andes Mountains of Peru…

How To Lose A Cameraman

I saw my daughter alone in the crowd. "Where's the…

Who Is A Real Hero

I heard that a young teenage boy had gotten in…

Always the Best Cheerleader

All cheerleaders don't have pom poms.

Not on the Same Page: From Student to Teacher

Most students are bright and fun to teach, but each…

Getting Up Each Time We Fall

I watched as my son and Timmy tried, but stumbled…

A Little Boy Who Needed Softball

I set up a practice schedule, and at our first…

Army Intelligence

Most of the performances for his band were as the…

Where Everyone Knows You

As my wife, Donna, and I were dating and were…

What Honor Really Means

Every summer, many of the small communities form youth softball…

Sacrifice And Forgiveness

When he boarded the train for his home in France,…

Where Food Comes From

Interesting results can occur when people from one walk of…

A Change Of Heart

An Understanding Of Innocence

Forgiving the Soldiers Who Killed His Family

The Wrong Kind Of Gas

Scouts, Pickups, And Sprinklers

My scouts were adamant about wanting to ride in the…

Being A Replacement Father

All of the fathers and sons in our small community…

Frustration Turned To A Miracle

"You remember how you heard I was on the missing…

The Most Important Wagon

After the Teton Dam broke and flooded the valley, everyone…

When A 2000 Pound Baby Throws a Tantrum

The calf, who had to spend most of the day…

A Very Special Gun And A Day To Remember

As Memorial Day and D-Day approached, many memories flooded Randall's…

Happiness And Freedom

Liberty is a person's ability to come and go as…

A Baby Named Logic

The ultrasound shows that the baby is going to be…

When Dad makes Mother’s Day Dinner

I had been a scoutmaster for many years, and had…

Life’s Outtakes: Driving With Crossed Wires

The mechanic has crossed the wires on my car. The…

Life’s Outtakes: Crossed Wires

When I was in high school, I had a little…

My Conversion To Multiplicitus

So, after the terrible experience I had with my relative…

The Great Chemistry Experiment (Beans Part 2)

The exciting to conclusion to the roommate and beans conundrum:…

Life’s Outtakes- The Great Bean Experiment

My roommate John had never learned how to cook anything…

A Visit To The College President

But one day I received a call that surprised me.…

In The Big City

"Dad," my son said from the back of the van,…

The New Paint Job

The little white house down the street was old and…

The Setup

We did introductions, and then my wife asked them, "So…

An Instrument Of Embarrassment

Steve had a sharp mind and an ear for music…

It’s All About Intimidation

"I think that wrestling is not as much about skill…

What’s in A Nickname?

I asked him how he got such a strange moniker.…

The Effect Of A Ghost Story

It was scout month, so we planned a fun adventure…

A Crazy Scoutmaster

February is scout month, and it always reminds me of…

Valentine’s Day Problems

That Valentine’s Day Dance Invitation

Laughable Ad Postings

A Motivational Teacher

I stopped after class to talk with my teacher. I…

Tragedy And Unity

That fall, as we prepared for our first high school…

A Funeral And A Memory

I went to a funeral this week for my former…

Acting On Good Intentions

My dad used to say that good intentions are never…

Let A Sleeping Grouch Lie

Rod always fell asleep in class. It didn't matter if…

Inventory Time And Nut Roll Candy Bars

If the sale on something looks too good, it may…

Mutton Chops

Having Ebenezer hair can make you a real Scrooge.

Bears With Learning Disabilities

The story on the radio said that scientists are concerned…

Gratitude For What We Have

Seeing the struggles of others made me so grateful for…

The Death Of Private Orange

How does a man explain the army? They try to…

Experience Is The Edge

Experience and hard work will eventually edge out talent every…

Missing A Halloween Party

"I knew I couldn't go to the party. I had…

Being Smarter than a Pig

Trying to best a 500 lb pig at 12 years…

For Whom The Horn Blows

Who's responsible for all that noise?

Cats and More Cats

Lest anyone think otherwise, I actually like cats. But everything…

Different Generations

The un-holey thing that happened when Grandma mended the jeans.

Teaching Children the Value Of Money

My children wanted to get advanced degrees so they wouldn't…

A Case Of Freezer Burn

You never know what you're going to find.

Gaining Strength to Endure

He came out of knee-replacement surgery with flying colors, but…

Carrying Packs to the Top Of The Mountain

He was surprised and upset at what he'd been carrying…

How Rock Salt can Spice Up a Dull Life

A story about when a little rock salt when a…

Signs For Tourists

You really don't know what you don't know.

Ordering Food In Peru

Because I didn't know the language, it was a culinary…

Bartering For Better Butter

A question of integrity.

They were going to Burn the Flag!

It was an era of protests and in our small…

Nothing Is Quite What It Seems

As I watched them, I thought how much I had…

Where Happiness is Found

As I walked into the theater, two happy, little people…

Life’s Outtakes: When Things Don’t Work Out as Planned

When the director has to take over as the lead…

Courage to Stand Up to Friends

This is a not-to-be missed beautiful story about putting your…

Unintended Fireworks at Scout Camp

How the fireworks got past my inspection, I can only…

What Bravery Isn’t

I wasn't very popular in 3rd grade, so when a…

Boys and Fire: An Exciting Summer Day

They were trying to do something nice for their father…

Dandelions

I really hate dandelions! They take over my yard, turning…

Clueless

I watched them for a couple of weeks in my…

Relative Differences

An aunt was an inveterate pessimist. An uncle always saw…

Angels Among Us

Six-year-old Emily showed up at our house because she was…

Angels Covered In Tattoos And Dressed In Leather

Is sometimes surprising who steps up to help.

Life’s Outtakes- Emily’s First Time at Church

Now that Emily had permission to go to church, we…

Life’s Outtakes: Dogged Every Step of the Way

Emily became a wonderful part of our lives. But when…

Life’s Outtakes: A Bicycle for a Little Girl

I was 20 yrs old, and 6 yr old Emily…

Life’s Outtakes: A Little Girl in Search of an Angel

"What the *#&@ are you doing?" Mostly I had only…

Life’s Outtakes: A Letter from an Upset Student

Dear Professor, I want you to know that I feel…

Life’s Outtakes: It Has Been A Long Time

"Sure," I said. "I'd love to have a baby in…

Life’s Outtakes: Blanket Permission to Dance

Her mother gave her permission to go to the dance…

Life’s Outtakes- Hiding My Own Easter Eggs

John and I tried to find the eggs we had…

Life’s Outtakes- What to Look for in a College

I associate with thousands of students every year, and I…

Out of the Mouths of Children

Of all of the assignments at church, my favorite has…

Life’s Outtakes: The Same as Her Mother, My Daughter

I heard the only sound more suspicious than silence. My…

Life’s Outtakes: Competing with Confidence

I was a freshman, he was a senior, and my…

Life’s Outtakes: A Valentine Description

How does a shy husband show his wife he loves…

Life’s Outtakes- Winter Camping

When it comes to scout winter camping, sometimes you get…

Valentine’s Day Dance

Valentine's Day + Junior High + awkward teenage boy +…

Life’s Outtakes: Of Moose and Men

The true story of how 2 dogs almost become moose…

Life’s Outtakes: A Husband’s Cake Recipe

A foolproof cake recipe any father, husband, or bachelor can…

Life’s Outtakes: We Are All God’s Children

Children aren't born with ideas of differences, but it is…

Life’s Outtakes- Two Funerals

Two people died last Sunday, but that is where the…

Life’s Outtakes- Uncle Hickory’s New Year’s Resolutions

Uncle Hickory's old car plowed through the drifts, sliding back…

Life’s Outtakes- Giving Away Christmas

As I think of the people in Connecticut, and know…

Life’s Outtakes- Too Real Nightmares

I dreamed I was in a theater, and someone told…

Life’s Outtakes- The Incomplete Yearbook

"Experiment! What kind of experiment were you doing that would…

Life’s Outtakes- Not Just a Fire Drill

"The fan is blowing backward!" Mr. Hatsker yelled. "Everyone, outside!"…

Life’s Outtakes- The Fall Camping Trip

The sleet worked its way through my rain coat in…

Life’s Outtakes- Football and Nylons

Lenny's mom was small and slender. Lenny was about the…

Life’s Outtakes- Ordering Food in Peru

I must have missed the section in the travel book…

Life’s Outtakes- Puppy Baseball

Heather hit the ball in a nice arc across the…

Life’s Outtakes- Bad Hair Day

My 9 yr old daughter said, "Dad, I need to…

Life’s Outtakes- How Much is a Bike Worth?

Money-smarts and street-smarts learned from a stolen bike.

Life’s Outtakes – Ten Speed Bicycle

I had never seen anything like it. It was shiny,…

Life’s Outtakes – Glue Cakes And Black Bears

How Aunt Hazel solved the Yellowstone Park bear problem.

Life’s Outtakes- That Really Stinks

No matter how bad your day is going, it couldn't…

Life’s Outtakes- Buying Better Raspberries

Capitalism is a strange thing. Maybe if I had charged…

Life’s Outtakes – Sisterly Love

Trissa grabbed the toy bear from Jenna and took off…

Life’s Outtakes- The Imperfect Gift

She hugged the bear tightly to and started rocking him…

Life’s Outtakes- Heartache of Being a Parent

As a parent, the hardest thing you will ever do…

Life’s Outtakes- Best Fishing Spots are Kept Secret

It was the first weekend of fishing season. I stopped…

Freedom We Take For Granted

The girls from Russia could hardly believe we had a…

Life Outtake’s- Something New, Something Bubbly

The Russian student had never had anything like soda pop…

Life’s Outtakes- I am Grateful for a Father Who…

"Well, Searle, part of your advancement is based on citizenship.…

Life’s Outtakes- A Friend’s Girlfriend- Or Not

I hadn't arrived home from New York very long before…

Life’s Outtakes – Uncle Hickory Goes Fishing

Uncle Hickory liked to fish. In fact, he liked to…

Life’s Outtakes- How to Destroy One’s Enemies

The gunner was called to the port side to help…

Life’s Outtakes- Empty Tank, Late To School

"Sorry I'm late. My mommy had gas problems."

What Do You Have in Your Pack?

After discovering that Butch had packed our hiking bags quite…

Life’s Outtakes – Hiking Packs Unevenly Distributed

We should have suspected something was up when Butch volunteered…

Life’s Outtakes – Bovine Madness

Lisa had a whole bottle of milk spilled on her,…

It Really Isn’t About Basketball, Anyway

At the end of our last basketball game, one little…

Life’s Outtakes- A Young Calf and an Unforgiving Swing

"The swing just beat up the calf, so I better…

Life’s Outtakes – What Students Learned In Math Class

One of students' greatest criticisms of any math class is…

Life’s Outtakes- What’s in a Name?

My children have a tendency to name everything, including inanimate…

Life’s Outtakes – Always Together

The inspiring story of a couple in love.

Life’s Outtakes – A Snow Machine and a Valuable Lesson

Two snow machines, a frozen river, and a bunch of…

Life’s Outtakes – Getting Stuck With Pinning On A Corsage

It was my son's first formal dance, and I could…

Life’s Outtakes- Old Hickory – The Board Of Education

The paddle, which hung prominently on the wall, was shaped…

How To Beat One’s Self

I soon found myself on the receiving end of one…

Life’s Outtakes: Snow and Ice

I have decided that I am sick of snow and…

New Year Resolutions

It's that time of year when all of my friends…

At Christmas: Hidden Talents That Should Stay Hidden

"Up on the housetop reindeer pause..." "You know," I said,…