CoffeeTime Articles
Are Excuses Like Hineys?
As a student did you ever use this one? “But, teacher, I promise, my dog ate my homework!” Or telling your mom, “I didn’t think we should, but she made me!” Or just the plain old standby that works every time, “I just forgot, I’m sorry.” Ever had a teacher or your dad...
Plan, Execute and Enjoy… In the Right Dose
Renie wanted a gorgeous new flower garden. So she spent some time picking the brain of a college educated agriculturalist. A man who had spent years as a high school teacher in that field. Plus, for the last ten years after retirement, he and his wife had a “hobby” -...
I Just Usually Back Up ‘Till I Hear Glass
By seven in the morning, we are usually out for our daily walk. One day we were about halfway through our route, walking on the sidewalk of a lovely tree-lined neighborhood. As we approached the next house in front of us, we watched as a car pulled slowly and...
Don’t Put All Your Eggs Into One Basket
Everybody has heard that cliché. I am saying something a little different. Don’t use all those eggs in your basket just for you - using your gifts and abilities only for your needs and wants. “I take care of me, and eva’body else needs to take care of themselves. No...
Sometimes You Just Need to Help Them Cry
Mrs. Johnson took her little boy with her when she stopped by her neighbor’s home to deliver a casserole for the grieving widow. Mr. Cline had died suddenly and the community was rallying to aid and comfort his grieving wife. Getting ready to leave after a short visit...
Hearin’ Your Stinkin’ Thinkin’
The boy sure had learned some choice words, no doubt about it. In the school room, on the playground, and at home, he kept getting into trouble on a regular basis for his rather colorful way of expressing his thoughts and feelings. Making it worse, his friends often...
Goofballs, Bullies and The Rest of Us
Ever wonder why goofballs walk this earth? You know them, not a serious thought in their head for more than fifty-eight seconds at a time. They believe that life is a playground, and they need to enjoy each and every ride that exists. And taking on a serious role,...
Creative Coping – Not a Good Thing
The man had a heart attack. His cardiologist then told him he had to walk at least forty-five minutes daily, the rest of his life. So off he went, just like the mailman – rain, sleet, snow, or burning sun. Walking became a regular part of his days. Then he began to...
Hammers, Pigs and Cows Can Make a Farmer Cuss
Andy has always said that his dad, whom I never had the privilege of meeting, was a fairly mild-mannered easy-going guy. Respected and well-liked in his rural community, a boys’ baseball coach, and a church-goer – seems he had a friendly word for everyone. Even when...
Don’t Plant Peas and Expect Spaghetti
While watching tv the other night, a commercial came on that got my attention. Yeah, that’s right. Believe it or not, an ad that was worth watching. In a closeup of his face, the owner of a local business was speaking directly into the camera. And lo and behold, he...
Better Version of Getting Older
Like so many of us, I have a lot of my family and friends’ birthdates in my phone’s calendar, and I have it set to notify me when a loved one’s birthday is on the horizon. I prefer to tell myself that “I have so many family members now, and combined with all my...
If Nothing Else, Salute The Uniform
Andy was once approached by two of his church members, military men, who asked him to become an Army chaplain. As such, his military rank would have required them to salute him. In amusement, he mentioned that fact. Their laughing response? “Remember, Pastor, we are...
Valuable Garbage
Blackened old banana peels, egg shells, used coffee grounds, moldy grapes and dried-up orange skins. The diet of champions. Loaded with antioxidants and nutrition, and guaranteed to make the body healthier. And so appealing to the eye. Just makes you drool at the very...
Beware of Forcing Your Mate to Compete
The young man’s bride of a whole six months waltzed dramatically into the den to show off her new outfit. But engrossed in the college football game of his alma mater, he never took his eyes off the screen. Slightly miffed, she moved in front of the tv to force him to...
Instruction Manual? Nah, Don’t Need It
Men. The very first species of human-kind that the Creator made, and with absolutely no instruction manual to show Him how. The Bible says God made Man “in His image.” I have to wonder - is that why men are so reluctant to read the instruction manual, or stop and ask...