I enjoy looking behind the obvious scenes, which is why details are so important. More things are happening than we can see at first glance. A lot of life takes place in hiding. Maybe the good folks of Maple Valley aren't hiding on purpose, but not everyone sees everything they're doing. That's good. No one …
If I say "swamp-water," what comes to your mind? Green algae with unseen beasts waiting just below the surface to bite off a toe if you dare step in? Lilly pads? Frogs? Snakes? Large-mouth bass? Swamp-water is none of those things, except, I guess it could be if I were talking about a real swamp. …
Continue reading Growing Up Lapeer: Missing Some Favorite Places
I have to admit, even though I don't want to, this winter darkness has not had as much of a detrimental effect on my mental state as in other years. At least it doesn't seem so. But winter isn't over. There is another hype-filled round of snowpocalyptic prognostications beginning to fill the air, even as …
Continue reading Model Railroad Scenery, Coffee, Earl Klugh, and a Sunlight Therapy Lamp
Maple Valley is a small tourist town in Kertok County, Missouri. The claim to fame in this tiny place is The Old General, a Civil War era steam locomotive that carries visitors to Maple Valley. Maple Valley has been here a lot longer than The Old General has been bringing folks to see it. Years …
Continue reading The Cast of Characters in the Scandal at Maple Valley
I have been working diligently on the scenery of my HO scale model railroad, The Maple Valley Short Line. Since I learned how to make convincing weeds, I'm putting them everywhere, and probably overdoing it. You can see the steps I learned for placing great weeds, by clicking here. I've added one more step. After …
Continue reading More Trees for the Maple Valley HO Scale Model Railroad
As a middle school counselor, I had many opportunities to speak with students about things bothering them. It certainly wasn't all troublesome topics, there were many happy moments when great success had students beaming with pride. Bullying was a common thread in discussions about student life. We did our best to provide an atmosphere in …
Continue reading Hot Coffee Conversation: “Heck Yeah, I Like Myself!”
Our triplet boys were born ten weeks early, at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan. We learned Mary was expecting three babies instead of two just seven days before. At 3:30, 3:31, and 3:31:30, our precious tiny babies were lifted into the world. Baby A weighed four pounds. Baby B weighed three pounds, three ounces. …
All teachers have the opportunity to shape young minds and hearts, providing building blocks that students can use to construct a lifetime of experiences. I was blessed to have many terrific teachers, most of whom I can still name from second grade to graduation. While attending Lapeer High School from 1968 to 1971, it was …
I had a stray thought this morning. Carl Rogers and Mr. (Fred) Rogers were incredibly similar. Carl Rogers is widely considered to be the father of person-centered, or client-centered counseling. Empathic listening, acceptance, focus on the experience, thoughts, and feelings of the client are central to this type of practice. If you are familiar with …
Continue reading Therapy Thoughts for Thursday: Carl Rogers and Mr. Rogers
Sheriff Pete Terkinberry enjoyed "Hannah's Egg Surprise" at The Ya'll Sit Cafe. He's been going to the cafe every morning for the past several weeks. Pete is looking forward to another quiet day in Maple Valley. The call changes everything. Sheriff Terkinberry had no sooner stepped into the office, which is his kitchen, than the …
Continue reading Scandal at Maple Valley – Episode 36: The Call About Sylvia
A Coffee State of Mind 