All Jim wanted was a cup of coffee when he stopped down at the Mule Barn the other day. Sometimes when he comes the three miles down off the interstate with his big rig he has a full meal, but this afternoon it was just for a quick cup and a friendly smile. He got [...]
It’s always a treat when Jasper Blankenship comes down from the diggin’s with his dog, Arthur, to see us here in town and stop by for stories and coffee at the Mule Barn. “Jasper, is it true you built your cabin with only an ax?” Jasper nodded. “Aren’t axes kinda … hard to get used [...]
If you didn’t know what time of the year it was, or what the weather was like, you could tell simply by eavesdropping at the philosophy counter of the Mule Barn coffee shop. Let’s give it a try. “Good to see you here, Doc,” said Herb Collins. “That warm water on the battery trick work [...]
The Club didn’t last long. It wasn’t the dues, which were nothing. It wasn’t being worried about being elected recording secretary or something if you missed a meeting. There were no officers, no directors and no meetings. It was born of an idea that occurred to Doc one day. He said the members of the [...]
Dud Campbell had been quiet for almost an hour, which brought concern to his wife, Anita. Dud isn’t the strong, silent type. He’s more like a quick, noisy type. After an hour had gone by in silence, he picked up a sheet of paper and began taking notes. “Dinner’s pretty soon, Hon,” Anita said. “Can’t [...]
There were two little boys down at the Doughnut Hole Café the other day, standing outside, just waiting. They didn’t have long to wait. The Greyhound bus pulls up just about one each afternoon, give or take a little. When the bus pulled up and parked and the brakes went whoosh, those two little boys [...]
The phone rang just before Dewey pulled off his clothes for his end-of-workday shower. “Hi Dewey.” He smiled. “Hi Emily.” “Hope I’m not interfering with anything by calling you.” “Just got home from work and about to dive into a shower, so you called at a good time. How are you?” He thought that would [...]
When it’s cold, build a fire in the fireplace, or the wood-burning heater, or maybe just light a candle and look in the flames, look deep in the flames for the answers. I’ve always believed they are there, and this time of year is a time for questions. It is a time to weigh the [...]
