Dennis E. Powell was an award-winning reporter in New York and elsewhere before moving to Ohio and becoming a full-time crackpot. His column appears on Mondays. You can reach him at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The View From Mudsock Heights: The Christmas lesson of my father's old, worn framing hammer
Written by Athens NEWS Staff
Monday, 24 December 2007 05:32
Family travel around the holidays is a common thing. I don't normally undertake such activities, but when I do, it's a doozy.
The View From Mudsock Heights:'Tis the season to gaze skyward and feel the wonder and awe
Written by Athens NEWS Staff
Sunday, 02 December 2007 20:00
It was cloudy a week ago tonight, and that was annoying to me.
Yes, of course we needed the rain, and truth be known I'd almost forgotten how nice it sounds when the creek is running. But a week ago tonight something usual happened, and because of the clouds we missed it.
The View From Mudsock Heights Sometimes our treatment of the elderly strikes too close to home
Written by Athens NEWS Staff
Sunday, 26 August 2007 20:00
My mother died a few days ago.
She had been able to sustain a good conversation until that day in April, though even then a 20-minute call was usually a five-minute talk repeated four times. But she seemed to be happy, enjoying life.
The View From Mudsock Heights: It's a good thing to have the music of the hills as your neighbor
Written by Athens NEWS Staff
Sunday, 10 June 2007 20:00
The radio was on for the ride to the Christmas Eve gathering in Meigs County. It was tuned to WOUB's "D-28+5," and Pete Hart was about to bring a tear to my eye. Be sure to call your mother and father, he said, "because you're not going to have them forever."
The View From Mudsock Heights: During spring, try to avoid slow-moving things with 4 feet and 4 wheels
Written by Dennis E. Powell
Tuesday, 29 May 2007 05:46
If this spring"s weather has been a little too weird for you, be glad you"re not a turtle.
As anyone who pays attention while driving in the country knows, the spring is when the roads are sometimes seemingly covered by our armored reptile neighbors.
Written by Dennis E. Powell, Athens NEWS Contributor
Sunday, 08 April 2007 20:00
It always seems to happen: you're fixing to get married or something and all you need to do, really, is iron a shirt, and then the electricity goes dead and the whole thing has to be called off.
The View From Mudsock Heights: Deep philosophizing with a stranger on a beautiful pre-spring day
Written by Dennis E. Powell, Athens NEWS Contributor
Wednesday, 28 March 2007 20:00
There was no way to tell whether the old fellow thought he recognized me or would have begun the conversation with anyone who happened by. Nor, really, did it matter.
&lscript>
