Golf gave the world a gracious word: Mulligan. Like a lot of good stories, there are several versions of how the word came to be. Golf historians still debate the true origin. My favorite traces back to a golfer named David Mulligan in Montreal during the 1920’s. The story goes that after hitting a poor … Read more
Growing up in a solid Baptist home, dancing was never really discussed. Scottie Leech made sure piano lessons and choir weren’t optional – those were settled matters. Rhythm in our house came from a hymn book, not a hardwood floor. And if that didn’t shape the rest of us, my dad’s reputation in Brownfield certainly … Read more
Herbie’s Cabin Every generation has that place. The one you return to — not just on the map, but in your heart. For me and a group of high school brothers from Brownfield, Texas, that place was Herbie’s Cabin in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Since 1980, we gathered there — year after year — thanks to … Read more
I was introduced to this story years ago by a dear family friend, Jackie Cargill. Jackie was one of those steady people every town hopes to have…thoughtful, respected, and committed to making things better. In Brownfield, he served in leadership in many ways, and on April 29, 1997, while serving as Development Director, he wrote … Read more
By. Stan Leech “What’s this world coming to? A stone in the road.” Delivered in the flattest, most monotone voice imaginable–by a tall second grader in a construction paper costume–those words made Carla and I look at each other and do everything in our power not to laugh out loud. Her college roommate and our … Read more
“There but for the grace of God go I” – John Bradford This well-known phrase is often attributed to John Bradford, a 16th century English reformer, As the story goes, Bradford witnessed a group of prisoners being led to execution and humbly remarked, “There but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford,” He recognized … Read more
It was sometime around 1995 when my former next-door neighbor, Joe Fuller, gave me a nudge that would end up shaping the next season of our lives. We’d been living nearly ten years in our first home at Cibolo Crossing – a classic starter house that had done its job well. It sheltered us, gave … Read more
February has a way of stirring old memories – especially in West Texas, where snow was rare and gone too soon. For me, one snowy day in 1967 turned into more than a school assignment. It became the beginning of a lesson that lasted nearly sixty years. I was six years old, in Mrs. Bobbie … Read more
It’s a conversation we all have with ourselves, whether we admit it or not. When the calendar turns, and January rolls around, the subject of resolutions drifts into the air. Some say they don’t believe in them. Others laugh them off. But if we’re honest, most of us strike a private deal with ourselves – … Read more
By Stan Leech If you grew up in the 60’s and 70’s, you know what really started the Christmas season. It didn’t begin with the first cold front. It didn’t start with a tree going up in the living room. It didn’t even start with Bing Crosby singing White Christmas on the record player. It … Read more