Those who do not have power over the story that dominates their lives, the power to retell it, rethink it, deconstruct it, joke about it, and change it as times change, truly are powerless, because they cannot think new thoughts.

Salman Rushdie

Graduation Day

Rituals are important, usually more important to the observers than the participants, but still very important parts of the stories that we tell. If there was a section of Story Chip devoted to the first time I had too much to drink, how many of the stories would be about a wedding celebration? It is probably a good thing that the first drunk...

Full Story Chip

We appreciate all the wonderful feedback about the new format for Story Chip. A series of stories from a Peace Corps volunteer in Mozambique has begun. More will be added next week. Check the newest stories (belsow) for links to each new missive from Arica.

Collecting the rent

Being a man of rather large and tall stature, I get called upon to help out from time to time. You know a lady needs something off the back of the top shelf or move pianos that sort of thing. Making the situation worse was the fact that I owned a pick up truck. But once I got a call from a friend, Phil who needed help collecting the rent. He told me that he had a guy who owed him several months rent on a old gas station. He told me that the guy keeps stalling about...

Butch Cassidy the III

My Dad had a dog, well he was really an extraordinary dog. I think he was really a cat. He had many lives like a cat. When this young chocolate Labrador limped into my Dad's yard, my Dad took him in and started nursing him. Dad kept an eye on him and he kept getting sicker and sicker. The dog's leg was swollen up and he had several spots that had been bleeding. Finally Dad rolled him over onto a towel and loaded him into the truck and took him to the veterinarian. The...

Barbara Bowen

Landing On Jones Beach In A Snow Storm As flight weather forecaster for American Airlines at LaGuardia Field, I was working the midnight-to-8 shift of a January night in 1946. I had to reckon with a storm center in North Carolina which had been moving steadily eastwards and showed no sign of changing course, with its associated precipitation spreading only as far north as Richmond. The chap who took over at 8 a.m. found everything behaving as I had forecast. At 4 in the...

Dock Jumper Jack

A good friend of mine passed away last fall. A great fisherman. A fisherman of the first water. Loved it. All of it. The knots and line, thinking like fish..buying lures, boats, rod and reels equipment man. Truly had a great passion for fishing, Jack Rex loved catching fish. We had many adventures together some scary and most were Big FUN! My Dad lived on a private fishing club in East Texas, he had invited Jack and I down to fish. We went out late in the evening and...

The Trinty River Stomp

The Trinity River Stomp by Allen VanBlarcum Headin' south on the river On the steamboat Ariel at night 'Bout to make Magnolia Landing Won't my baby be a sight Tonight cause she'll be dancin' She's dancin' the Trinity River Stomp A'int nothing like it She's dancin' the Trinity River Stomp She'll be prancin' She's dancin' the Trinity River Stomp And the band is playing She's dancin' the Trinity River Stomp And the trees are swaying When 'o when will we get there Seems...

Teaching as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mozambique

September - Part II All is well as we move into week 3. I was a little sick from food poisoning but other than that, perfect health! The only bad thing about my family is my sister Neda. I thought I would be able to deal with her for the next 8 weeks but I have already found I am getting short with her. She is the sister with cerebral palsy and down syndrome. She loves me, so if I am home I have to be near her. She constantly is touching me, my hair, and it is just too...