Author Archives: rogerbarbee

 It is said that the American writer Ernest Hemingway first penned the six-word story which fully captures all the emotion and action of a longer one. Hemingway’s story was this, “Baby shoes for sale: never worn.” Those six words certainly capture all that any longer story could. The recent epidemic of gun violence leads meContinue reading “Six Words”

Near my stationary bike is a bird box which is fastened to one of the 42 pines trees in our front yard. In years past the nesting box has been occupied by titmice, but this year a brown-headed nuthatch pair claimed it. The small birds are busy with their brood, and I marvel as IContinue reading “Qohelet Knew”

As a recent volunteer for the Mooresville Graded School District, I was required to watch a brief presentation concerning what to/what not to do when interacting with students, and I was given a copy of the 2021-2022 Student Code of Conduct to read. Because I had spent many years as the administrator in various independentContinue reading “Student Handbooks”

Last week during a Mecklenburg County budget meeting, Commissioner Vilma Leake criticized the lack of progress made by students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System. According to the Charlotte Observer, she said, “Every parent in this community ought to take out a warrant and have every educator arrested and put in jail for not seeing thatContinue reading “Teaching”

Take a moment and consider these stress-causing issues: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; The Supreme Court leak; Abortion; Political primaries for everything from the United States Senate to county commissioner; Hunter Biden; COVID variants; A seasoned deputy aiding a criminal to escape; Personal problems that affect us all; and feel free to add to my list.Continue reading “Relief”

Richard L. Smith WIPF and Stock, 2021 394 pages When I ordered Smith’s book, I was  anticipating a book similar to other studies of the Old Testament that I had read, such as Getting Involved with God by Ellen Davis. Smith obviously had read and studied the Old Testament. His Bibliography extends from page 395Continue reading “Such a Mind as This (A Biblical-Theological Study of Thinking in the Old Testament)“

Readers often respond to the writer of an article or essay they have read. Recently one such reader wrote to a writer about an article printed in the Washington Post Magazine. Printed below is the email as shared by the writer.                                     Hi Damon: I like your pieces in the WP magazine but I reallyContinue reading ”            Racism Hidden Behind Grammar”

Before the Senate vote for Judge Jackson, I contacted Senator Tillis and encouraged him to vote for her. After voting against her,  he answered me explaining that, while he found her well qualified, he was concerned that she would “legislate from the bench.” I wonder how the Senator views the recent ruling of Judge KathrynContinue reading “Legislating from the Bench”

Kevin’s last email to me arrived nine days ago. It followed a brief text exchange in which he admitted that his health was deteriorating because of his struggle with COVID. He died this week, but his email is still on my computer screen, not tucked away in a folder or tossed into the trash. ButContinue reading “Kevin’s Last Email”

This week I had an appointment in the office of The Mooresville Graded School District, which is located in the old post office at 305 North Main Street. When I  drove into the parking lot I was surprised that there were no handicapped parking spaces. However, I had faced that before and occupied two spacesContinue reading “MGSD Act”