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How to ask for a butt kicking
Little Johnny liked to fight. He was reared that way, out of a sense of honor. Not everyone understands this “fight culture”, but I sought to do so, as…
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Ben Talley
4
Anonymous common folk
We all know such people; courageous common folk who spend their lives toiling away in complete anonymity, in many colors and flavors, silent, tucked…
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Ben Talley
7
In honor and memory of a great superintendent
(Rex Gearheart)
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Ben Talley
3
The power of touch
We mammals are creatures of touch. We cuddle our young. Indeed, we mammals appear to love cuddling our young . . . especially we mammals who call…
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Ben Talley
9
August 2023
Picking up hitch hikers
I can spot ‘em from a country mile. Literally. Staggering along Highway 126 toward Bristol. Inmates, fresh out of the Sullivan County Jail. Though they…
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Ben Talley
4
God spelled backwards
(what dogs can teach us)
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Ben Talley
25
Jesus was a hillbilly
(Particularly dedicated to those native souls in our region who proudly speak the King’s English with a distinctly Appalachian drawl and dialect) We all…
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Ben Talley
5
Why I'm a Quaker
This particular edition is dedicated to all those who worship in freedom of conscience, the first and greatest of our American rights: whether one…
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Ben Talley
5
July 2023
Which of your children do you love the most?
I have two children - one “natural” and one “step”. I have four grandchildren - two “natural” and two “step”. Do I love some more than others? Or do I…
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Ben Talley
2
Healing (our) criminal minds
Would you like to peek inside with me? Inside the mind of a criminal? You needn’t be afraid. However, I’d like to offer a warning before you do; you may…
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Ben Talley
4
Confronting racism; swapping spit and hugs
You will search the world in vain to find a “natural born racist”. Babies are never racist. Racism is a learned behavior. We can also often tend to…
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Ben Talley
6
The closest thing to magic
Earlier this week I was sitting in a local car dealer’s waiting room while getting my oil changed. A song began to play in the background. Immediately I…
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Ben Talley
7
© 2023 Ben Talley
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