"Hoppin' John and Limpin' Susan" by Neal Murphy

December 27, 2021 - Another New Year’s Day is upon us and, as Southerners, we will be eating the symbolic meal of Hoppin’ John to assure a happy and prosperous new year filled with good luck. Most of you are familiar with the dish usually made with black-eyed peas (Texas Caviar), rice, chopped onion, and sliced bacon, all seasoned with a bit of salt. This dish has an interesting history.

“The Robots Are Coming!” By Neal Murphy

November 29, 2021 - I consider myself lucky to have been born at the time in history that I was. I have experienced parts of the “good old days” and currently into the computer age. Next, it would appear, will be the “robot age.” It seems that as it was with computers, robots are the next item that will be prominent in our homes.

”Call Me A Taxi” By Neal Murphy

November 5, 2021 - The comedian Don Rickles used to have a joke – “Call me a taxi. OK, you are a taxi..” It was usually good for a few laughs. However, if you are in need of a taxi around these parts you are out of luck. All this reminds me of an incident that happened back in 1987 to my wife, Clara.

Halloween In The 50’s By Neal Murphy

October 22, 2021 - I have always loved Halloween. Even now in my older years I still enjoy decorating my front porch with all kinds of Halloween items, and dressing in some kind of costume. I get a kick out of entertaining the children who come to my door playing “trick or treat”. They always leave with a treat, thus I have never had a trick played on me.

Halloween Regrets By Neal Murphy

October 15, 2021 - I challenge any of you readers who have grown children to do what I did recently. I asked my grown daughter what she considered to be the worst punishment that we meted out to her while a youngster. I was shocked at her answer, as this incident had drifted off to the far corners of my mind.

“Clowning Around” By Neal Murphy

September 27, 2021 - Being a deputy sheriff can have its humorous moments, some you can share and others you cannot. A number of years ago I was working security at the Shelby County Rodeo at the rodeo grounds on Highway 7 East. I had arrived early to watch people parking and entering the arena and just to be seen by the public.

"The Disappearing Whitewall Tire" by Neal Murphy

September 3, 2021 - My Chevrolet sedan is about to need re-tiring – that is, a new set of tires. It came with blackwall tires, and I was thinking of sprucing it up with a set of new whitewall tires. I know that they are more trouble to keep clean and white, but the white dust in my neighborhood would be less visible on whitewall tires.

“The Steering Wheel Knob – Where Is It?” By Neal Murphy

August 20, 2021 - I purchased my first car in 1955 after my sister, Evelyn, loaned me the down payment. The car was a 1950 Chevrolet two-door with fender skirts, a sun visor, and an automatic transmission. I always referred to the transmission as “slush-matic drive” as it was rather sluggish on the takeoff. One final amenity was added to my chariot – a brodie knob on the steering wheel.

“Where Have Shoeshine Stands Gone?” By Neal Murphy

August 13, 2021 - When I was a kid growing up in the small town of San Augustine, Texas in the 1940s and 1950s, I recall our town having at least two shoeshine stands. They were located inside two barbershops in the downtown area. Mr. Stephenson owned a shoe repair shop where he worked with all kinds of leather goods including saddles and harnesses. He would also put a shine on shoes that he had repaired with new leather soles. Mr. Crawford had a shoe repair shop on the east side of the courthouse.

“Why Are Porch Ceilings Painted Blue?” By Neal Murphy

July 30, 2021 - In my younger days I occasionally hung wallpaper and painted in a few of the very old homes around East Texas. Two things I noted about these old homes: one, they always had large porches, some completely surrounding the home; and two, the porch ceilings were usually painted a light blue. As we know, porches have just about disappeared on the new homes built today, or else a front porch is like an afterthought. Why is that?

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By Neal Murphy