Mom grew up with 8 siblings and a loving Mom. Her father provided for the family but on his own terms as an alcoholic. She dreamed to be a singer like Billie and Ella but knew it was near impossible. One day while out on the front porch she heard the...
1810 Views
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1810 Views
Henry Pineau could do everything well. He played semi pro baseball and was a fantastic golfer. He was about as handy as a man could be and succeeded at most of his bright ideas. Henry was my Grandfather, my mother's father. We called him, "Gammie." I remember as a child going...
1973 Views
1973 Views
I wish I knew my grandparents better before they passed. What I know of them comes from a few visits as a child and conversations with my parents. Genealogists are often surprised by their discoveries about past family members. But what will my descendants be surprised to know about me? That...
1784 Views
1784 Views
With 10 kids it was always a chore for Mum and Dad to take us anywhere. Trying to keep us quiet in church had to be one of the greatest challenges outside the home. We were rambunctious and always looking for something funny to laugh about. Easter was particularly difficult for...
1681 Views
1681 Views
March 25, 2012. I receive a story prompt from Legacy Stories about my predictions for the future. My thoughts begin to swirl as I think through the infinite possibilities. I dare to write so my thoughts become anchored in time. If I believe in my opinions then this is a way...
1985 Views
1985 Views
As the van with it's nearly bald tires reached the crest of the deep snow-covered mountain pass we were exhausted after pushing it up the last 100 feet or so. It was desolate and we all asked ourselves why in the world we would ever try to do this. In airplane...
1883 Views
1883 Views
To answer this week's story prompt about having been fired, laid off or firing or laying off an employee I offer this story among many. Except for jobs in my teen years I have always been self-employed. With that comes great freedoms and opportunity. But, there are many downsides too. I've...
1274 Views
1274 Views
I don't know what drives me to start up and run new businesses. Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, having tried so many things and failed more than I have succeeded. The part I like most is the dream and bringing the dream into reality. I believe most everyone has at...
1312 Views
1312 Views
It was a sunny afternoon at the Bretton Woods Ski Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. My brothers, Jimmy and Johnny were onstage performing with me at the resort's nightclub. Performing 5,6, 7 days a week took its toll on us and after a while every venue became a blur and...
1773 Views
1773 Views
There is so much to be proud of with my immediate family. By immediate family I mean my wife Christine and sons Justin and Tyler. For this I choose to share a story about Justin. After returning from Vietnam the climate back home was so hostile towards veterans I hid the...
1459 Views
1459 Views
I've written my accounting of where I was on 9-11. But, this morning I sit with Christine watching the build up to the 10th anniversary ceremonies at the three historic locations. We spent the evening last night watching beautifully produced documentaries about the attacks. I had to write this because I...
1165 Views
1165 Views
Brad Hill was the GM of LTA Media, my marketing company on 9-11. He was on his way to Los Angeles to meet a new client, flying at 30,000 feet above Memphis, Tennessee when he heard the strangest announcement over the intercom. The pilot said they had to land immediately and...
1224 Views
1224 Views
Jimmy was the oldest of 10, I was second and then there was a twin girl and boy, Joan and Johnny. Johnny is and always has been the funniest sibling of the family. Everyone looks forward to reunions with Johnny because of the unexpected hilarity that is bound to take place....
1647 Views
1647 Views
It was an exciting day for me as I was anticipating a conference call with a potential new client for my business, LTA Media. I was pacing, waiting for the call in the living room of our lake house at Rarity Bary in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The...
1592 Views
1592 Views
It was about 3 years ago in 2008 that I had a dream that my mother was dying. I don't know what put it into my head but it was as clear as day. Thankfully, she is alive and well today at 83 and I couldn't be more fortunate to have...
1632 Views
1632 Views
After the demise of our sign business in 1989 Christine, the boys and I were taken in by one of our clients and good friends, Robert Cyr, who was about to restore a 240 year old condemned farmhouse into a fabulous Victorian gingerbread Inn. It was just what we needed after...
2265 Views
2265 Views
With 10 kids it was impossible for my parents to give any of us much one on one personal time. Although many of could argue that there was definitely a "favorite" and also the "baby" and of course, the last little girl, all of whom received maybe just a "little" more...
1789 Views
1789 Views
It was the same plane that he crashed into the mountains killing his wife and dog..
1479 Views
1479 Views
I had the good fortune of becoming very close with a hillbilly family in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. I know I can use the word, "hillbilly" because it's just who they are and they are proud of it. Rather than tell that entire story here I wanted to...
1841 Views
1841 Views
A sign once read, "A good friend will bail you out of jail. A true friend will be in jail with you saying, "Damn that was fun." I have had many "good" friends in my life. Many could even qualify as true friends. I can recall deeply loyal friendships in my...
2200 Views
2200 Views