Monthly Archives: December 2020

“Not with a Bang…

Posted on December 31, 2020 by bullersbackporch

…but a whimper.”           — T.S. Eliot So ends the 2020 edition of Buller’s Back Porch. Some bloggers and writers pull out all the stops for a year-end finale, wrapping up their year with a Top 10 list, or some … Continue reading →

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Songs of Will T. Massey — “A Dying Breed”

Posted on December 27, 2020 by bullersbackporch

Today is my cousin, Will T. Massey’s 52nd birthday — wherever he may be. It’s been 4 years to the day since I last heard from him as he slipped back into the shadows of the schizophrenia that haunted him … Continue reading →

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Santa at the Psych Center

Posted on December 25, 2020 by bullersbackporch

Hooray for holiday heroes — a huge shout-out to everyone working this Christmas Day, whatever your work may be: clerk, cop, firefighter, military,  hotel staff, or a janitor at any public facility open today. I see you out there — … Continue reading →

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Granddad’s Boyhood Holidays

Posted on December 23, 2020 by bullersbackporch

My grandfather, G.M.C. Massey, grew up in rural East Texas in the latter part of the 19th Century. His memoirs,  which I often feature excerpts from here, offer a personal glimpse into the past. Here, he talks about how restrictive … Continue reading →

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Benjamin Franklin’s Dialogue with his Gout

Posted on December 21, 2020 by bullersbackporch

Gout — historically renowned as the “Disease of Kings” or the “Rich Man’s Disease — is, in fact, neither. Take it from me. I am neither rich nor king but I have gout. Most gout sufferers have a genetic predisposition … Continue reading →

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Songs of Christmas — A Baker’s Dozen

Posted on December 18, 2020 by bullersbackporch

Nothing sets the stage for the holiday season like seasonal songs. Here are a few of my favorites for your enjoyment featuring everyone from Aaron Neville to John Lennon to classic monster movie heavy Christopher Lee — with a good, … Continue reading →

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Songs of Will T. Massey — “Rainy Day Penny”

Posted on December 13, 2020 by bullersbackporch

Another tune from a limited-release CD that Will privately distributed to a few fans. She was a blushing new bride I was an old boyfriend. Older, I tried to hide The pain of what might have been. As I watched … Continue reading →

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No Eye Contact Required

Posted on December 10, 2020 by bullersbackporch

“Writing is something you do alone. It’s a profession for introverts who want to tell you a story but don’t want to make eye contact while doing it.” When I read that quote from author John Green, it immediately resonated … Continue reading →

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Granddad Reflects on His Years as a Teacher, 1900-1917

Posted on December 7, 2020 by bullersbackporch

My grandfather, G.M.C. Massey, left memoirs of his life, starting with growing up in rural East Texas. Here I have gathered some fragmentary pieces from the text where he shared some thoughts about his time as a teacher and an … Continue reading →

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I’m not usually one to start Christmas early. I love Thanksgiving, and certainly, Sara and I have our reasons to make that a biggie every year. Also, I grew up with my brother’s birthday being December 17. To avoid overshadowing … Continue reading →

Posted on December 5, 2020 by bullersbackporch | Leave a comment