Episode 15 is a true story about my first piano recital circa 1958 at Matador, Texas.

I have two podcasts/newsletters - Fixing America with J Mel and Short Stories by J Mel. I have been publishing each podcast/newsletter weekly on Tuesday. In the future I will alternate publications - this week, June 9, I will publish another episode of Short Stories by J Mel. The following Tuesday I will publish a new episode of Fixing America with J Mel. Comments are welcome.

This story provides in graphic detail the arduous and painful process three country boys endured to create a sailing vessel designed to rival Columbus’s Santa Maria. Hindered by a lack of wood, corrugated sheet metal proved a poor substitute and may have contributed to the short duration of the vessel’s maiden voyage but added flavor and solemnity to their final salute to it.

Episode 13 is a realistic glimpse into an adolescent country boy’s misguided, albeit nearing reality, impression of a typical service at the First Baptist Church of Afton, Texas, in the 1950’s and 1960’s. It highlights an event that happened at least biannually that reminds me of the Ray Steven song, circa 1984, “The Mississippi Squirrel Revival”. You just can’t make this stuff up.

Episode 12 is a story about junior high school football at a Class B school in the Rolling Plains of West Texas in about 1962. The incident it described may seem trivial to you, as it may in fact be. But the fact that it is a vivid memory to me after 64 years later says it was not trivial. It definitely generated a lot of enthusiasm from the spectators. Enjoy.

This is a true story about the day we ran away from our new babysitter’s house by walking about one-half mile to the Patton Springs School, grades 1 – 12, where our mother was a teacher. My sister was 3. I was 5. It did not end well for me.

Episode 10 is the true story of my harrowing visit alone to the pig pen after dark to check-up on the day’s activities of Buck, the man hired to slaughter and dress out two hogs on our family farm. It is told 70 years later through the eyes of a 5-year-old country boy.

Episode 9 is a true story about my father allowing me to drive the Massey Ferguson 65 tractor with a four-row implement attached to it, called a ‘knifer’, from the Lewis Place to the Home Place and what happened enroute that demonstrated my six-year old driving skills, or luck, and why we never told mom.