Short Stories by J Mel

A short story based on actual events that teaches a farm-raised father important lessons about what to teach his urbanized child about operating a motor vehicle. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jmorrisakajmelss.substack.com

The calf-roping event at Roaring Springs Rodeo Arena represented very talented ropers with top-notch horses and years of experience rivaling the professionals. It’s not supposed to be a rodeo. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jmorrisakajmelss.substack.com

Episode 15 is a true story about my first piano recital circa 1958 at Matador, Texas. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jmorrisakajmelss.substack.com

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 is a public e...

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. This is a public epis...

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. This is a publi...

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 public episode. If you woul...

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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jmorrisakajmelss.substack.com

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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jmorrisa...

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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acce...

After being punished for a careless mistake, a country boy convinces himself—with the help of his friends—that bending the rules a little won’t hurt. A trip into town and a scheme to save a few dollars seem harmless enough at the time. But when things take an unexpected and painful turn, the real cost of that decision becomes impossible to ignore. This is a public episode. If you would like to dis...

A misguided prank involving a classmate quickly escalates into a trip to the principal’s office for two country boys. But what follows is not punishment for the act itself—it’s their inability to contain their reaction during a painfully serious lecture. Viewed from their split perspective, the moment becomes one they’ll never forget… for all the wrong reasons. This is a public episode. If you wou...

This episode reveals how a past casual observational remark can be a source of learning in a law school study group years later and rekindle fond memories of a summer job with a friend. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jmorrisakajmelss.substack.com

I know you won't believe it, but this story is based on an actual event. I want to believe it shows this church's dedication to "singing praises to the Lord". Although it did not affect me that way. To me, it showed how stubborn country folks can be. You got your song - I got mine - you want to compete - I ain't stopping. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subsc...

Episode 4 is a true story. The names of the guilty have been changed, except for the author's. It tells the story of what teenage boys in the rural Rolling Plains of West Texas found exciting to do in a creative, albeit, sadistic-sort-of way, Try to picture it - 1960's, lush green wheat fields, cool autumn night so remote no lights could be seen in any direction ... I will give you a hint. What is...

Running a sand fighter is noisy. What a teenage country boy could be doing to preoccupy his mind so he fails to hear the clankity-clank of that implement?   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jmorrisakajmelss.substack.com

This story taught me a valuable lesson on perspective. The fact that my dad was walking as we sped to his rescue did not mean he wasn’t seriously injured. What John Wayne did in movies does not reflect real life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jmorrisakajmelss.substack.com

This story relates a dramatic, unforgettable incident in English class that demonstrated our teacher’s dedication to teaching that invaluable life skill even to a resistant student. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jmorrisakajmelss.substack.com