Poor Thomas’ Almanac for March 17: Today is the Feast of St. Patrick, or St. Patrick’s Day, whose said to have driven the snakes out of Ireland. Wonder if he could do that for Congress?

“Holy shit!” Jackson yelled as he came around the blind corner.  As if in slow motion, he watched as the child flipped through the air after bouncing off the grill of his truck. Jackson felt an awful pit well up inside himself as he raced to the child’s side – that’s when he realized the…

Two sharp pops interrupted the buzz of young voices. And for a moment an awful stillness hung over the classroom. It was my fourth day on the job as a substitute teacher. I had seven tours of duty in the Marines between Iraq and Afghanistan and I recognized the sound before it even registered in…

Mr. Saito sat quietly in his apartment sipping tea, folding pieces of paper into shapes and figures. It was more than a hobby; it was a way of life that had sustained him following the Pacific War, better known as World War II. A sharp rapping at his door broke the silence. There he found…

Never have I seen so many people fearful to help an animal in distress. Yeah, so the animal is 15-hundred pounds, around 15 hands high and scared shitless, but that doesn’t mean much if you use common sense. It began with the sound of metal grating on asphalt. Not like a bumper might have dropped…

When the old guy, dressed in black clothes and hat, carrying a walking-stick, entered the ‘Yacht Lot,’ Silvio ignored him because he could tell the man had no money. Silvio even tried dodging him when he turned and began walking in the salesman’s direction, but inexplicably he found the old man standing at his side…

My Mom and brother visited me last night as I dreamed. And boy, did they ever look swell. Mom was in her late 20’s or early thirties, legs curled under her as she sat in a favorite chair, reading an ‘Agatha Christie’ novel. She asked me to go to the basement and get us a…

“Is it money you want?” he pleaded, as I tightened the zip-ties binding his wrists. I shook my head, ‘No.’ She continued struggling against her restraints, “Try all you want, you ain’t getting loose.” Picking up my bat, I asked, “Who’s first?” No answer, so turning to the husband, “How ’bout you?” “No? Her then,” as…

Legalism simply defined is the dependence on law rather than faith. Once, I got into a heated exchange after claiming the Bible to be the “perfectly inspired word of God.” “Oh, you’re one of those,” he responded. “Yes,” I shot back adding, “And remember I have a doctorate in theology, while you sing in the…

She was watching the white rabbit carrying a satchel. Being curious, Alice Liddell followed the hare into the garden. “Why are you running?” she asked. “I’m very late. No time to talk.” “You can speak!” “No I can’t, I’m late.” “Where are you going?” “To the Red Queen’s. It’s her birthday. I’m to bring her…