Chuck Etheridge
Bio
Novelist, Teacher, Transplanted West Texan, Reluctant Poet
Achievements (1)
Stories (46/0)
- Top Story - January 2024
Why We Need Substitute GrandparentsTop 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 Etheridge3 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 Etheridge5 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 Etheridge10 months 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 Etheridge11 months ago in Beat
- Runner-Up in Passing Ships Challenge
Bilge Water BaptismRunner-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 Etheridge12 months ago in Motivation