Over ten years ago I wrote about what it takes to be a healthy, happy human. And I said, “First, you have to be a human. Next, you need to be healthy and happy.” Sounds sensible enough. Right? And I added some suggestions for getting outside to soak in some fresh air and sunshine. Doesn’t take much but consistency. And fresh air and sunshine … The rest of the story…
Category Archives: Tony Funderburk
The anchors, the weather and sports reporters, the investigative reporters, and the editorialists all talked a blue streak night after night. So, it was ironic when Theo felt something like the stroke of a paintbrush across his heart. Because it wasn’t the same feeling as a physical paintbrush stroke. It was more like a blue streak of cool light. And it happened as he … The rest of the story…
Mateo walked through the shin-deep snow on that cold February night in 1996. And one thought kept echoing through the dark chambers of his mind, “I can hear my heart, but I just can’t feel my life.” But he couldn’t figure out what “feel my life” meant. Because it wasn’t like he had NO feelings. Of course he had feelings. Lots of ’em. Passionately … The rest of the story…
You’ve heard how there was no joy in Mudville when Mighty Casey struck out. Well, I assume you’ve heard that or read it. And I know what happens when you assume. So, maybe I should have given a spoiler alert. But the poem first appeared back in 1888. So, for cryin’ out loud, if you haven’t read it or heard it by now, then … The rest of the story…
So you see the title, Typhoon Tycoon, and you think to yourself, “Self. That’s obviously the most important thing I’ve got to read today. So, read it NOW!” Am I right? Yes? I knew it. Because who wouldn’t wanna know more about such an odd topic? But now that you’re here I gotta tell ya. It was a ruse. A ploy. A diversion to … The rest of the story…
OK kiddos from 3 to 103. I’ll just let you know, right up front, that I’m here for you. Because I know that you fit into one of these categories. You are the: Cream of the crop Top of the heap Bee’s knees Cat’s meow Best thing since sliced bread And maybe you’ve even come up with something else you think describes your effervescent … The rest of the story…
Once upon an old West morning, in the little town of Glenwood Springs, the scent of freshly baked bread and coffee wafted through the air. And it woke up one of the most famous young doctors ever. He got up, walked to the window, opened the curtain, and sunshine flooded the room like liquid gold. And, from downstairs he heard a voice yell out.. … The rest of the story…
Kris and Themum woke up to a thunderstorm filled with bright flashes of lightning. Thank goodness they had taken extra time to secure their tents and position them for protection. Because the thunderstorm turned into what Uncle Paulo would describe as “a real frog drowner.” But they weren’t gonna let a little rain put a damper on reaching the goal for the day. Because … The rest of the story…
Finnar and Sami were what you might call “fast friends.” Well, I certainly would anyway. Because that’s an old and established way to describe a solid friendship built on mutual trust. And only a solid friendship could have done what they did. Keep in mind, now, every word you’re about to read is based on hand-me-down information. So, you know what that means. Yep. … The rest of the story…
It probably wasn’t on your radar. Nope. You probably weren’t wondering about my process for stringing words together to create the rhymes and reasons I share with you. So, when I say I started a 3-verse rhyme with the phrase “nothing more to say,” you roll your eyes. Or yawn. Or both. But this morning I wondered, “What if there was nothing more to … The rest of the story…
Oliver Treze was born to write bright. And that was his answer when anyone asked what he did for a living. He’d smile a quarter smile and reply, “I write bright.” So, every morning, he sat in the shade of olive trees to write bright words. Words to wake the whimsy. Words to wake the joy. All for flights of fancy. Words he could … The rest of the story…
Theo loved drawing and coloring from the moment he could hold a crayon. And his bedroom walls were papered with creations straight out of his wild imagination. Just about every other day he’d ask his mom or dad to get him some more drawing paper, crayons, and pencils. His parents chose to encourage his drawing and coloring. So, more often than not, they’d be … The rest of the story…
If you’ve never met the Icle family, you’e certainly missed out on a special treat. First, there’s Grandpa Icle. But most people know him as Pops. Then there’s Uncle Bice Icle. And cousin Trice Icle. Then, there’s King Lear Icle. At least that’s what the rest of the family call Leero. Because he walks around the house quoting Shakespeare at the oddest times. But … The rest of the story…
Elara lived in the star-island village of Millezza (pronounced milletsa, with the accent on the et). I’m sure you never heard of her or her hometown. Because they’re located at the Northwest corner of the Milky Way Galaxy. Of course, I know you’ve heard of the Milky Way Galaxy. After all, anyone who lives on planet Earth knows our entire solar system is contained … The rest of the story…
OK, you’ll enjoy this story much more if you use your best Irish or Scottish accent as you read. Even if you read it to yourself and you don’t read it out loud. You’re already doin’ it. Aren’t ya? Yeah, the way that power of suggestion works is a mystical phenomenon. And speakin’ of a mystical phenomenon. Have you ever heard of the Blue … The rest of the story…
Amelia sat by the window. And the soft glow of the evening sunset shined warm shades of orange and yellow across the nursery. As twilight settled on the crib, she hoped tonight would be different. Because her baby, Lily, had struggled with sleep for a week. But Amelia decided to try something new. She she gathered her ukulele, her songbook journal, her favorite pen, … The rest of the story…
What’s with all these hypnic jerks who bug you just when you’re drifting off to sleep. How incredibly rude! And embarrassing. Sort of. Maybe it’s just me. Have you ever had to deal with ’em as you’re drifting off to sleep? I mean, can’t they get your attention before that point? Because that’s the part of sleep that puts the La La in La … The rest of the story…
I’m not a fan of hot weather conditions. Yeah, there’s a pun hiding in plain sight, there. But I’m not gonna pun-ish you, more, right now. If you’ve been staying inside to lounge in the coolness of air conditioning, believe me, I’m with ya man. And it IS a manly thing to do. Here’s why. Hot weather conditions can wring rhymes right out of … The rest of the story…
Wow. August the first. And this month started out the same way July ended. HOT! Blazing, triple digits hot. A/C running almost continuously all day hot. And did I mention it was hot? I just looked at my weather app. August the first ain’t the end of it. I’m in the heart of the heartland of America now. But 10 years ago, on August … The rest of the story…
I remember learning the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep prayer way before I “went to school.” Naturally, I didn’t get the full meaning of it, at the time. Because I was a little kid. I just loved the sound of the rhyme. “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep.” Did you ever learn that … The rest of the story…