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 to?” Herb asked. […]
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. “Good to see you here, Doc,” said Herb Collins. “That warm water on the battery trick work for you?” “Thanks, Herb. Yep. I tried […]
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 eat now. […]
Home Country Slim Randles 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, […]
The last of the geese went by the other day. The late ones. The big dark geese. Headed south noisily. I used to envy them, somehow. They go down there to the warm coastal areas where the jacks swim and the nights are chilly but livable this time of year. If they’re especially sensitive geese, […]
When Pop Walker sneaked out the kitchen door the other day, it affected all of us. He’s been a resident of the Rest of Your Life retirement home for several years now. He still remembers who said what during combat in Europe, but has a hard time remembering if he’s had breakfast. The call went out […]
The photo of Emily Stickles sat on the nightstand next to Dewey’s bed. They weren’t yet to the stage in their relationship, if that’s what they have, where they pose for picture together or where he could ask her for one. That would be a dead giveaway, of course, that he looked on her as […]
Somewhere between first coffees and the scrambled egg course, Dewey walked into the Mule Barn coffee shop wearing a big grin. “Well, looky here, guys,” said Doc. “It’s the one and only Manure Man!” “Thank you kindly, dear friends and fans,” Dewey said, flipping his cup to the upright and fillable position. “I’ll always remember the […]