Chuck Etheridge
Bio
Novelist, Teacher, Transplanted West Texan, Reluctant Poet
Achievements (1)
Stories (46/0)
Why We Need Substitute Grandparents. Top Story - January 2024.
I don’t know if it takes a whole village to raise a child, but it takes more than just the parents. If we’re fortunate, as we grow, we’re guided by a rich network of adults who look out for us and help us along the way—relatives, teachers, coaches, youth leaders, and others. We need a whole tribe to look out for us, to guide us on our way.
By Chuck Etheridge5 months ago in Families
Washing Headstones
Every year, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, my employer, does something called “Giving Tuesday,” where employees are encouraged to go out and do service in the community. This year, I was assigned to the Coastal Bend State Veteran’s Cemetery. My assignment was to, quite literally, wash the bird poop off of veterans’ headstones. I was given a sponge, a bucket of soapy water, dishwashing gloves, and was assigned a section to wash.
By Chuck Etheridge7 months ago in Humans
A Celebration of Pat Carr
I mourn Pat Carr as a person and as a writer. Pat Carr was my mother’s friend—always kind, patient, and supportive, a rock for Mom through a number of rough patches—a lawsuit for equal pay for equal work, which made Mom a lightning rod for negativity at the place she worked and, later, as a calm, supportive voice as my mother suffered through radiation therapy and, later, the cancer caused by the therapy. Pat was a stalwart—always present, always kind—Mom knew Pat was there, and was someone she could turn to when she needed.
By Chuck Etheridgeabout a year ago in Humans
In Praise of Harmony Rock
I think about music a lot. Although I play a couple of instruments poorly and sing in a church choir, I don’t consider myself “a musician.” I just love music—I pay attention to the sounds, the words, and how they make me feel. My two musical loves--love of rock and roll and love of great vocal harmony--don’t get along very well. Multiple voices singing together—2, 3, 4, or 5 voices singing in harmony creates this amazing, rich listening experience that touches my soul. It’s probably why I’ve sung in choirs since high school.
By Chuck Etheridgeabout a year ago in Beat
Bilge Water Baptism. Runner-Up in Passing Ships Challenge.
“Is it clogged?” a voice called from above. “Well,” I called back. “I’m standing in chest high water with about three inches of hydraulic fluid floating on top. Something’s keeping the pump from draining.”
By Chuck Etheridgeabout a year ago in Motivation
