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Articles by Steve Stricker
An Ole Miss Halloween - The Oxford Eagle
Many years ago on Halloween, when my office as Assistant Director of Career Services and teacher was on the third floor of the un-restored Ole Miss Lyceum, I needed to work late. The sun had just settled in the west, and before going into the Lyceum to work, I took a short walk around campus in the crisp fall air.
Welcoming back second-favorite SEC team - The Oxford Eagle
Welcome once again, Vanderbilt, my second-favorite SEC football team, to beautiful Oxford, the University of Mississippi, and legendary tailgating in our Grove. Today, Saturday, October 28, 2023, we meet on the gridiron at 6:30 PM, our Homecoming, at the Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium. Whew – won, 33-7. On any other Saturday, I would cheer for Vanderbilt. I love Vandy! How’s that you say?
With God at the wheel, all is well - The Oxford Eagle
As a therapist at two universities and a “psychologist” at an institution for residents, I drew from my therapy “toolbox” many of my favorite theories, but found my vast experience, familial, secular, university, military, Catholic, to humbly be my best source; “Bet you never heard or experienced this…?” Those mentioned here are immensely condensed.
Cat is favored part of routine - The Oxford Eagle
Today, Thursday, October 8 is a milestone birthday for my son, Stephen, who I wrote about in my column last Thursday. Happy Birthday, Stephen! Stephen has three degrees; I have four. To obtain these degrees while working on Campus to pay for them, I had to have a strict routine; am sure Stephen did as well.
A son can be more than a son - The Oxford Eagle
His birthday is next Thursday, October 8; we have been friends for 50 years. Multi-talented and highly intelligent, with a degree in Molecular Biology from Vanderbilt, a member of their Spirit of Gold Marching Band, he came to Ole Miss for his BS in Biochemistry, then obtained his PharmD from the University of Missouri, Kansas City with Post-Doc Fellowships at the University of North Carolina and Emory in Georgia.
A September of seasons, saints and Scottish memories - The Oxford Eagle
September — transition from summer to fall, hot days slowly mutate into more bearable ones with foliage turning colorful, cool breezes finally wafting through beautiful Oxford, Pride of the South Marching Band practices again across the street from St. John’s Catholic Church, our Ole Miss awesome students back in session for Fall Semester, ahh! However, with actual temperatures in three-digit figures for weeks, 14+ degrees above normal, feel like temps are unreal – can you say, “Duh!” This...
God works in mysterious ways - The Oxford Eagle
God does indeed work in mysterious ways. The mind, the mind, the mind. Vatican and Catholic teaching view the human mind as a spiritual dimension of the person that goes beyond the physical brain, rooted in an integrated unity of body and soul, possessing reason and free will. For as long as I can remember, reading research about how powerful and untapped the potential of the mind, I have been enthralled about what the mind can do and focused on how I could control it.
When life knocks you down, keep the faith - The Oxford Eagle
We are all semi-bipolar. Bipolar is a mental health condition causing extreme mood changes, from energy, no energy, activity, no activity, depression to joy and clear to clogged thinking. For most of us “normal” folk, that is a softened, “normal” up, down “circadian rhythm” that we all as human beings suffer from the sin of Adam and Eve…flowing from feeling great, to feeling like crap and everything in between.
So much going on - The Oxford Eagle
I can’t believe it’s September. Ole Miss is GO, grandsons, Stephen (3) Senior at Oberlin, twins – Trent Freshman at Michigan, Thomas Freshman at Vanderbilt…it’s time to hit the library – the one with books….
To the freshman class of 2026; you've got this - The Oxford Eagle
Monday, August 24, birthday of my dad, Paul B.
Freshman orientation put students on right track - The Oxford Eagle
Saturday, August 1st, phone call from son, Stephen, on the way back from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with son, Trent, after a great day of freshman orientation for his major of Trumpet Performance and Biomedical Engineering.
Go with the flow - The Oxford Eagle
Time. “Time is the continuous, forward flow of events from the past, through the present, and into the future. It is a fundamental dimension we use to measure the duration of events, organize our daily lives, and understand the order in which thigs happen.” AI Time – far more precious than diamonds or gold, cannot be bought no matter how rich or “important” one is, and nothing stops it from slippin’ slippin’ slippin’ into the future.
Seeing America through fresh eyes - The Oxford Eagle
When we see things day in, day out, we can become complacent to the point where we don’t “see” them anymore.
A well-deserved Padre pause - The Oxford Eagle
Writing this on Monday, July 6, no daily Mass this week at St. John’s because Fr. Mark Shoffner, our Pastor, is on a very well-deserved vacation all week to the Gulf Coast with nine other priest friends…and always attending daily Mass, happy for him and them, but I center my day on Mass, and am so lost! I arrive at church one to two hours early for my Bishop Fulton Sheen “hour” to meditate, pray, plan my day according to what the Lord tells me, and, yeah…search social media and research...
Dog days of summer - The Oxford Eagle
July – Happy 250th Birthday to us this past Saturday, July 4. Catholics dedicate the month of July to the “Precious Blood of Jesus” that he shed on the cross to save us. Without that, there would be no us, world, USA, 4th of July, no nothing…. July, ahh, the dog days of summer – Friday, July 3-Tuesday, August 11, hot, steamy, high humidity, temperatures in the 90’s with feel-like temps in the lower 100’s, afternoon pop-up thunderstorms, sweat.
Happy 250th Birthday America - The Oxford Eagle
Happy 4th of July, and Happy 250th Birthday America – 1776-2026! GO ARMY! There are many holidays that come and go, which many of us take for granted, not giving a second thought as to their origin; i.e., Christmas – all about decorated trees, bright lights, gift giving, parties; well, more – it’s about the birth of Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary and stepfather, Joseph.
Routine KIA service visit becames a life story - The Oxford Eagle
On the day before Thanksgiving 2011, Wednesday, November 23 – I drove to the old KIA dealership in Tupelo and traded four cars – 1971 MGB GT, 1985 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1987 Saab SPG, and a 2004 Honda Element EVEN for a new 2012 KIA Soul+…! On Wednesday, November 30, Pastor of St. John’s for 18 years and a great friend, blessed my Soul….
Life is like Ole Miss - The Oxford Eagle
For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who don’t believe, no explanation is possible. I pray to the Holy Spirit to guide me before I write my columns. Fr. Joe complimented me once (well, several times) on one of my columns, and I said I didn’t write it. Puzzled look. Your name was on it. The Holy Spirit wrote it. Oh. He got that. My hero Eagle friend and long-time editor, Don Whitten told me not to make the readers uncomfortable.
Our names are historical treasures - The Oxford Eagle
Walking into Church on the first of June, thinking about this column and names, wondered if my friend “June” was named for the month, or nurse “Autumn” at the Stern Clinic, for the season, or where did Beyonce get her name, etc. Our names are historical treasures. Most of us have a first, middle, and last name. Last names are often hyphenated with the wife’s maiden name. Each name can be extremely interesting and reveling. How were you named by your parents? How did you name your kids?
The power of a 'well done' - The Oxford Eagle
Has anyone told you, Well Done, Good Game, Good Job, Thank You, Congratulations, etc.? This may seem an odd question to those of you with great parents, family and friends, but I guarantee some reading these words have sadly never heard anyone tell them this. Before I go any further, I want to give a VERY WELL DONE to my twin grandsons, Trent and Thomas Stricker who graduated from high school this past Sunday, May 31 in Florence, Kentucky.
The power of a 'well done' - The Oxford Eagle
Oxford (Miss.) Now Quinn Minute – Health assessment - The Oxford Eagle oxfordeagle.com - Rix Quinn • 57m Let me be frank with you…although Frank is not my name. I am a hypochondriac, and I have been since childhood.
Happy to be stuck in the Velvet Ditch - The Oxford Eagle
Since the 50’s, Oxford, and Mississippi in general, have been known as the “Velvet Ditch,” i.e., a place that is incredibly beautiful, warm, and comfortable – making it easy to fall into and hard to crawl out of. Falling into this velvet ditch on a “walkout” with my Pike pledge class as a junior at Southeast Missouri State, (SEMO) we spent a great weekend at the Ole Miss Pike house.
God's will will be done - The Oxford Eagle
“I’m in favor of progress; it’s change I don’t like.” — Mark Twain.
Reflecting on the good and bad - The Oxford Eagle
Writing this on Thursday, May 6, our wonderful Ole Miss students are one day away from ditching finals and Spring Semester 2026, (don’t be in such a hurry). This Saturday, May 9, is Commencement for those who managed all those assignments, measurements of knowledge, occasional stupidity, poor judgment (like all of us, including your parents), and other maturational stuff of an awesome Ole Miss college experience – WELL DONE and CONGRATULATIONS.
Shaking the worries of the world off - The Oxford Eagle
I’m an outdoors, gun guy – always had BB guns growing up, and my first real gun was a Stevens, single shot, lever action with hammer, .22 that I bought for $1.50 in seventh grade from a classmate who thought it was broken. Took it to Spec Deline, Gunsmith, needed a firing pin for $1.50, and Spec told me how to refinish the rough stock. To this day, that is one of my favorite guns that I fired probably over 10,000 rounds through.
Wishing a good friend Happy Birthday - The Oxford Eagle
The Ole Miss web site on Facebook, Thursday, April 16 asked, “Who was your best friend during your time at Ole Miss?” Today, Wednesday, April 22, is the birthday of an Ole Miss, Oxford legend, a guy I call my very special friend and hero for over 38 years, and one of the finest, most humble, giving, Christian individuals, I have ever known.
Remembering the Masters - The Oxford Eagle
After six years of trying to get lottery tickets to the Masters, son Stephen called one memorable day to say he had finally won two tickets to the 77th Masters Tuesday Practice Round that April 9, 2013 – “Dad, do you want to go?” “YES!” On that 2013 Sunday, Adam Scott, in a pouring rain, bested Angel Cabrera in a two-hole playoff by one stroke on the 10th green, becoming the first Australian ever to win the Masters.
Remembering past Popes during Holy Week - The Oxford Eagle
Writing this during Holy Week 2026 and submitting to the Eagle on Holy Thursday, April 2, the official end to Lent this evening. This has been one of the most spiritual and beneficial Lenten journeys of my life, which began on Ash Wednesday, February 18, but wanting to do more this year, I began mine on Thursday, February 5. Holy Thursday, also called “Maundy Thursday,” Latin for “mandatum,” or mandate. On this day, Christ gave us a mandate: “I give you a new commandment: love one another.
The start of a busy April - The Oxford Eagle
There is a lot going on beginning today, this Wednesday, April Fool’s Day – “The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.” –Mark Twain Passover begins this evening, we are in Holy Week as of Palm Sunday, March 29, tomorrow is Holy Thursday, at sunset is the official end of Lent – which for me I began on Thursday, February 5, instead of Ash Wednesday the 18th to add an additional degree of “giving up” stuff which I also do; so 57 days since real food...
The Feast of St. Joseph - The Oxford Eagle
I’m writing this on Thursday, March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph, husband of Mary, step-father to Jesus (God). A “Cradle Catholic,” I thankfully have multitudes of saints to whom I regularly pray for general, specific assistance and for their intervention to God for me. Of course, I know St. Joseph but didn’t really “know” him intimately but wanted to.
Spring break memories - The Oxford Eagle
Thursday, March 12, 2026, leaning back in my Oxford home office desk chair, slowly sipping my Lenten drink of apple cider vinegar and orange juice, found myself thinking about our wonderful Ole Miss students on Spring Break this week and prayed that they were safe, not stranded in some airport, and having a well-deserved relaxed, fun time.
Wishing to be at Augusta - The Oxford Eagle
Published 1:36 pm Wednesday, April 9, 2025 By Steve Stricker Columnist If one was not interested in golf, they might think to watch it on TV could equate to watching grass grow. Oh contraire! Watching golf on television is very quick paced as cameras continuously move from one golfer to the next with multiple angles that are rapidly switching. And my grass is growing way too fast.
Will never be another Norman - The Oxford Eagle
Published 11:38 am Wednesday, April 2, 2025 By Steve Stricker Columnist Last Wednesday, March 26, was the birthday of my buddy and great guy, Norman Adcox, a talented writer, musician, song writer and businessman. Met Norm and his wife Sherry at a Thacker Mountain Radio Show in The Lyric where he performed with his band, the Shoe Birds. Later at City Grocery over a beer, the three of us had a long chat and realized that not only did our personalities match but we also had a lot in common.
Full of hope and a new energy - The Oxford Eagle
Published 10:06 am Wednesday, March 26, 2025 By Steve Stricker Columnist Hope: “a feeling of optimism and expectation that something desired will happen or that events will turn out for the best.” Without hope there is nothing but despair. This Friday, March 29, marks the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War ending – the last US personnel were evacuated in April 1975.
Having Lent cravings for food - The Oxford Eagle
Published 11:30 am Wednesday, March 19, 2025 By Steve Stricker Ladies, I heard that when pregnant you can have weird food cravings – did you? For as long as I can remember for Lent I’ve given up alcohol and all kinds of food that I really like.
Opinion: Lent is perfect timing this year - The Oxford Eagle
Published 10:57 am Wednesday, March 12, 2025 By Steve Stricker Columnist Today I am eight wonderful days into my 40-day Lenten journey in the peaceful, quiet, prayerful desert until Easter. And I’m finally out the other side of those two back-to-back major surgeries on my heart all within one month.
Days of reflection during Lent season - The Oxford Eagle
Published 12:12 pm Wednesday, March 5, 2025 By Steve Stricker Columnist Submitting this on Thursday, February 27, met with Dr. Lyn’s Nurse Katie at 11:30 am in his Oxford Baptist Hospital Medical Complex, first consult after the procedure on Tuesday, February 18 where he successfully connected that third lead of my new pacemaker to the back of my heart.
Feeling like a pot-holed road - The Oxford Eagle
Published 11:22 am Wednesday, February 26, 2025 By Steve Stricker Columnist I’m from the “Show Me” state of Missouri – kind of surprised that I’m alive on this Thursday, February 20, home, finally out the other side from months of two Echo’s (25-30% EF), Nuclear Stress Test (no blockage), implant of new Pacemaker January 23 by Cardiologist, Dr. Mark Campbell and connection of that third “loose” lead (vein too biologically small), so, Tuesday, February 18, brought on Cardiologist, Dr. Thomas...
Living a life of imperfect perfection - The Oxford Eagle
Published 10:48 am Wednesday, February 19, 2025 By Steve Stricker Columnist Thought about writing this column about my beautiful Martin Ukulele purchased in 2020 at the encouragement of my close buddy Norm Adcox, but he very sadly died unexpectedly shortly after that and kept thinking about how much I missed him.
Don’t lose your head on Valentine’s Day - The Oxford Eagle
Published 9:56 am Wednesday, February 12, 2025 By Steve Stricker Columnist Writing this on the birthday of my beautiful mother, Get, February 6th – my forever, Valentine Psst – Hey guys, crawl out from under your loser rock and wake up! Friday is the 14th of February, two days away from, AKA, Valentine’s Day! You can procrastinate about many things, paying bills, homework, chores, replacing the front swivel ball assemblies on your classic 60’s Land Rover, dying – but you cannot screw up...
Twists, turns of a soap opera life - The Oxford Eagle
Published 1:04 pm Wednesday, February 5, 2025 By Steve Stricker Columnist My column last week was about the procedure at new Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi, Oxford on Thursday, January 23, 2025 to replace my pacemaker received eight years earlier in an emergency situation at the old Baptist Hospital on Thursday, June 22, 2017, where at my regular 3-month checkup with hero Dr. Mona Castle, Nurse Cherry Craven placed that Oxygen/Pulse thingy on my finger – pulse 39, I felt...
New pacemaker, minus one lead, is good - The Oxford Eagle
Published 3:45 pm Wednesday, January 29, 2025 By Steve Stricker Columnist Dr. Mark Campbell, Autum, Derek, Dorothy (Oxford Stern Cardiovascular Clinic Staff), Vallery, Carlen, Katlan, Madison (In-room preparation and monitoring), Dr. Mark, Derek, Caleb, Olivia, Shelby, Maddie, “Tiger,” (Surgery). Couldn’t remember all those terrific staff.
Change my batteries and keep me ticking - The Oxford Eagle
Published 1:13 pm Wednesday, January 22, 2025 By Steve Stricker Columnist Snow update. Exhale…the snow on Thursday night, January 9 covered everything at first light Friday morning the 10th as I opened my front door, temps in the 20’s.
Step by step, little by little - The Oxford Eagle
Published 12:58 pm Wednesday, January 15, 2025 By Steve Stricker Columnist “For sound mental health, we must love and be loved unconditionally by at least one person.” Dr. William Glasser, Reality Therapy (my base counseling theory.) As we look way back from this new lofty 2025 seat – as hard as we try, we can’t undo the past, only evaluate ourselves, change, adapt, and move forward. A major concept of Reality Therapy. Tough, but with God’s help, we can do it. Eye blink: is your seatbelt on?
Timeless message in ‘Gift of the Magi' - The Oxford Eagle
Published 8:28 am Wednesday, December 11, 2024 By Steve Stricker Columnist “The Gift of the Magi,” first published in “The New York Sunday World” on December 10, 1905, is one my favorite stories written by one of my favorite authors – O. Henry (Sydney Porter), about a young married couple and how with no money, just love, they met the challenge of acquiring Christmas gifts for each other…you know the story; if not, find that old movie or read the story – it will bring tears…well, did to me.
Out of sorts when the students are away - The Oxford Eagle
Published 12:36 pm Wednesday, December 4, 2024 By Steve Stricker Columnist Writing this Thanksgiving Day (pray we beat State tomorrow), slowly sipping a swell bourbon, so right Wild Turkey 101, nibbling popcorn chicken and fruit for a lovely Thanksgiving brunch, family scattered, just me, Jag and God, and a warm glow pulsing from my beat up heart, mind and body – but after beaucoup doc appointments, stressful, serious implication procedures over this past year, finishing the past few days,...
Taking nothing for granted, but giving thanks - The Oxford Eagle
Published 9:28 am Wednesday, November 27, 2024 By Steve Stricker Columnist Tomorrow is my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, because it is the least commercialized, pure, focused on family, being thankful for the goodness God has humbly and graciously allowed each of us. If you think your “success” is all because of you, tough love – get over yourself quickly before your life disintegrates before you and you fall flat on your face – be thankful to our Lord and give your life to Him.
Frozen in time waiting on results - The Oxford Eagle
Published 2:19 pm Wednesday, November 20, 2024 By Steve Stricker Columnist No worries, I get it!Reading my last few columns about my health stuff are like reading about your health stuff, HA! The last thing you want, right? But I’m frozen in time.An unexpected Echo on October 14, surprisingly revealed 25-30% EF, which resulted in the next procedure of a Nuclear Stress Test on, appropriately, Halloween.
Opinions are everywhere, even on car bumpers - The Oxford Eagle
Published 2:54 pm Wednesday, November 13, 2024 By Steve Stricker Columnist This has been a weird spring, summer, fall and expectations of winter are the same. My 1964 Land Rover Series 88, IIA, is demanding my attention, as is my bought new 1971, mint, MGB-GT – but 1996 Volvo with rare 5-speed 850 wagon has unusually received all the consuming attention and$$!. 2012 KIA Soul, second new car, is squared away…sort of.
Nuclear Treadmill Test Day is spooky, too - The Oxford Eagle
Published 2:40 pm Wednesday, October 30, 2024 By Steve Stricker Columnist Tomorrow is Halloween. As a huge introvert and “surfeit” of other stuff – I hate Halloween! Lights out.
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