Tales by Tom

Welcome to Tales By Tom. Today we continue with the third installment of  "Take It To Heart." In this series my father will make you cry, laugh, reflect and maybe even provoke you.

This podcast includes two new stories:

My ancestor has his say. He had to have been a tough 14-year-old. When asked, after he landed in these British colonies, he told the “gatekeepers” all he knew…and we are who we are because of him.

I would have been tempted if I’d had Twitter. What would I have said to my bosses a month after my exit interview --- when I was on the new job? Glad I didn’t ---scary idea for some. 

New Book!  

Recently my father, Tom Cagley Sr published a new book titled, I Was Your Son: A Troubled Journey.  The book is a view into Tom Cagley Sr's soul.  When asked why should anyone read this book ?  He answered, "Because the end effect is restorative and invigorating and because everyone who’s ever had a father like this wants to believe there is a happy way out." 

A recent review stated it even more powerfully, "I received a package from Amazon today, it was your book. I started reading it and I absolutely could not put it down. You really poured your heart and soul into this and it really touched me. Thank you for sharing your journey."

Buy  "Was Your Son: A Troubled Journey" on Amazon http://ow.ly/ug4ru 

I encourage you to provide feedback on these stories or any of the earlier shorts by email at [email protected] or by voicemail at 1 206 339 5456.

Check out the podcast http://www.talesbytom.com and on downloadable iTunes at http://bit.ly/yk9BC 

The music is a song titled "Rhapsody" by Andy Guthrie and was supplied Music Alley from Mevio 

Welcome to Tales By Tom. Today we continue with the fifth installment of  "Take It To Heart." In this series my father will make you cry, laugh, reflect and maybe even provoke you.

This podcast includes a single story:

That first job, remember? I asked a few people this question---friends, old employers, a teacher, some of my children and a Holocaust survivor. They seem to have learned a lot.

New Book!  

Recently my father, Tom Cagley Sr published a new book titled, I Was Your Son: A Troubled Journey.  The book is a view into Tom Cagley Sr's soul.  When asked why should anyone read this book ?  He answered, "Because the end effect is restorative and invigorating and because everyone who’s ever had a father like this wants to believe there is a happy way out." 

A recent review stated it even more powerfully, "I received a package from Amazon today, it was your book. I started reading it and I absolutely could not put it down. You really poured your heart and soul into this and it really touched me. Thank you for sharing your journey."

Buy  "Was Your Son: A Troubled Journey" on Amazon http://ow.ly/ug4ru 

I encourage you to provide feedback on these stories or any of the earlier shorts by email at [email protected] or by voicemail at 1 206 339 5456.

Check out the podcast http://www.talesbytom.com and on downloadable iTunes at http://bit.ly/yk9BC 

The music is a song titled "Rhapsody" by Andy Guthrie and was supplied Music Alley from Mevio (www.musicalley.com).

See you in two weeks

Welcome to Tales By Tom. Today we continue with the fourth installment of  "Take It To Heart." In this series my father will make you cry, laugh, reflect and maybe even provoke you.

This podcast includes two new stories:

The old sawbuck. When my father died in 1979, he left me a dollar. I never saw it but I still have the $5 bill he’d given me in 1952.

Bourbon in the hot tub. We became friends over his store’s wine selection.  He gave me some good advice and ended up taking it himself.

New Book!  

Recently my father, Tom Cagley Sr published a new book titled, I Was Your Son: A Troubled Journey.  The book is a view into Tom Cagley Sr's soul.  When asked why should anyone read this book ?  He answered, "Because the end effect is restorative and invigorating and because everyone who’s ever had a father like this wants to believe there is a happy way out." 

A recent review stated it even more powerfully, "I received a package from Amazon today, it was your book. I started reading it and I absolutely could not put it down. You really poured your heart and soul into this and it really touched me. Thank you for sharing your journey."

Buy  "I Was Your Son: A Troubled Journey" on Amazon http://ow.ly/ug4ru 

I encourage you to provide feedback on these stories or any of the earlier shorts by email at [email protected] or by voicemail at 1 206 339 5456.

Check out the podcast http://www.talesbytom.com and on downloadable iTunes at http://bit.ly/yk9BC 

The music is a song titled "Rhapsody" by Andy Guthrie and was supplied Music Alley from Mevio (www.musicalley.com).

See you in two weeks

Welcome to Tales By Tom. Today we continue with the third installment of  "Take It To Heart." In this series my father will make you cry, laugh, reflect and maybe even provoke you.

This podcast includes two new stories:

Doodleedoo is what I do. And you? I have always doodled, sometimes on paper and sometimes in my head, like my son, Nick. My last doodle of note was before a BCS Bowl game. How about you?

When did you first hear your own voice? As a volunteer at a middle school, I helped “engineer” a debate in the 4th/5th grade gifted class and heard the students voice opinions MAYBE for the first time. It made me wonder when I heard mine. How about you?

New Book!  

Recently my father, Tom Cagley Sr published a new book titled, I Was Your Son: A Troubled Journey.  The book is a view into Tom Cagley Sr's soul.  When asked why should anyone read this book ?  He answered, "Because the end effect is restorative and invigorating and because everyone who’s ever had a father like this wants to believe there is a happy way out." 

A recent review stated it even more powerfully, "I received a package from Amazon today, it was your book. I started reading it and I absolutely could not put it down. You really poured your heart and soul into this and it really touched me. Thank you for sharing your journey."

Buy  "Was Your Son: A Troubled Journey" on Amazon http://ow.ly/ug4ru 

I encourage you to provide feedback on these stories or any of the earlier shorts by email at [email protected] or by voicemail at 1 206 339 5456.

Check out the podcast http://www.talesbytom.com and on downloadable iTunes at http://bit.ly/yk9BC 

The music is a song titled "Rhapsody" by Andy Guthrie and was supplied Music Alley from Mevio (www.musicalley.com).

See you in two weeks

Welcome to Tales By Tom. Today we continue with  "Take It To Heart." In this series my father will make you cry, laugh, reflect and maybe even provoke you.

This podcast includes a single story . . .

Always the Optimist. You may have heard this from me in one way or another but I think it has a better title now than it ever did---because it’s who I am---and what I thought the blessing meant.

New Book!  

Recently my father, Tom Cagley Sr published a new book titled, I Was Your Son: A Troubled Journey.  The book is a view into Tom Cagley Sr's soul.  When asked why should anyone read this book ?  He answered, "Because the end effect is restorative and invigorating and because everyone who’s ever had a father like this wants to believe there is a happy way out." 

A recent review stated it even more powerfully, "I love this book; it is a very telling, touching story of one man's troubled past with his father who obviously had problems of his own. He had no love for his son in his being beyond childhood. I feel so very much for Tom; he was disconnected from his Dad for no good reason; never able to see or talk to him again---not his problem, but scared him none the less.

This story is a lesson in how not to act as a father. His father did not apply the story of the prodigal son in the bible; that is the kind of love we should have for our children. I pray that in telling his story, this book will be help Tom heal and go forward and help those who read it never to make the same mistake, as his father."

Buy  "Was Your Son: A Troubled Journey" on Amazon http://ow.ly/ug4ru 

I encourage you to provide feedback on these stories or any of the earlier shorts by email at [email protected] or by voicemail at 1 206 339 5456.

Check out the podcast http://www.talesbytom.com and on downloadable iTunes at http://bit.ly/yk9BC 

The music is a song titled "Rhapsody" by Andy Guthrie and was supplied Music Alley from Mevio (www.musicalley.com).

See you in two weeks

Welcome to Tales By Tom. Today we begin a new set of stories.  This set of stories is titled "Take It To Heart." In this series my father will make you cry, laugh, reflect and maybe even provoke you.

This podcast includes the first two stories in the collection.  The two stories are:

This war’s invisible wound. For Philip Brooks it was much more than a bad dream, and in his case it was one he’d never wake up from. Could I have helped? 

Autographs. I’ve collected a few over the years---one I am immensely proud of, but there are still two I don’t have that I’d love to inherit … but would hate to have to pay for.

New Book!  

Recently my father, Tom Cagley Sr published a new book titled, I Was Your Son: A Troubled Journey.  The book is a view into Tom Cagley Sr's soul.  When asked why should anyone read this book ?  He answered, "Because the end effect is restorative and invigorating and because everyone who’s ever had a father like this wants to believe there is a happy way out." 

A recent review stated it even more powerfully, "I have never seen our responsibilities to, and our influences on, our children’s lives so honestly revealed as they are in Tom Cagley’s book about his life with and without his Dad’s proper parenting, love, example, guidance and direction. It took a lot of fortitude and courage to write this soulful outpouring of how our interactions with our children (as they grow and mature) can be a source of strength, security or torment in their adult lives."

Buy  "Was Your Son: A Troubled Journey" on Amazon 

I encourage you to provide feedback on these stories or any of the earlier shorts by email at [email protected] or by voicemail at 1 206 339 5456.

Check out the podcast http://www.talesbytom.com and on downloadable iTunes  

The music is a song titled "Rhapsody" by Andy Guthrie and was supplied Music Alley from Mevio (www.musicalley.com).

See you in two weeks

Welcome to Tales By Tom. This is the concluding installment of Tom Cagley Sr's Novella entitled, “The Medal, Revisited. A Blessing from Rome.”  From a numbering perspective this is installment 13.   

The Medal, Revsited. A Blessing from Rome is a multi-installment story.  This version of The Medal is a reimagining of a story Tom Cagley Sr has returned to many times.  The story is a powerful mixture of memories and imaginings that will paint a vivid picture for the listener. 

Story so far: Charlie and Cal reconnect, Charlied has an affair with Amber, leaves Rhoda , returns to Rhoda. Maggie retrurns and foreshadows the medals futrue travels.

This instalment 

Charlie dies. Laura and Cal go to the funeral and Cal sends the medal with his brother as he crosses the Rainbow Bridge.  In the epilogue, Cal and Laura’s son is married in Lafayette. The whole family came from near and far, including Charlie’s widow. Cal was sad that his brother had gone on, but knew he was on a journey of his own. On December 30, Cal leaves church early and waits in the car. He dozes and sees a vision that tells him that Charlie is in good hands.

Next  . . . a new set of stories!

I encourage you to provide feedback on these stories or any of the earlier shorts by email at [email protected] or by voicemail at 1 206 339 5456.

Check out the podcast http://www.talesbytom.com and on downloadable iTunes at http://bit.ly/yk9BC 

The music is a song titled "Rhapsody" by Andy Guthrie and was supplied Music Alley from Mevio (www.musicalley.com).

See you in two weeks

Welcome to Tales By Tom. This is the twelfth installment of Tom Cagley Sr's Novella entitled, “The Medal, Revisited. A Blessing from Rome”   

The Medal, Revsited. A Blessing from Rome is a multi-installment story.  This version of The Medal is a reimagining of a story Tom Cagley Sr has returned to many times.  The story is a powerful mixture of memories and imaginings that will paint a vivid picture for the listener. 

Story so far: After reconnecting as a family, Charlie calls telling Cal he has returned to Rhoda.  

This instalment: Cal goes to the annual shoe buying trip to New York City in December. He goes to St. Patrick’s and visits Saks next door through a door that should have been closed. Guess who is there in the half-dark. Later Cal receives a package from Michael, the son who came with his mother when she married Cal’s dad.

I encourage you to provide feedback on these stories or any of the earlier shorts by email at [email protected] or by voicemail at 1 206 339 5456.

Check out the podcast http://www.talesbytom.com and on downloadable iTunes at http://bit.ly/yk9BC 

The music is a song titled "Rhapsody" by Andy Guthrie and was supplied Music Alley from Mevio (www.musicalley.com).

See you in two weeks

Welcome to Tales By Tom. This is the eleventh installment of Tom Cagley Sr's Novella entitled, “The Medal, Revisited. A Blessing from Rome”   

The Medal, Revsited. A Blessing from Rome is a multi-installment story.  This version of The Medal is a reimagining of a story Tom Cagley Sr has returned to many times.  The story is a powerful mixture of memories and imaginings that will paint a vivid picture for the listener.  

Story so far: Charlie and Cal play golf and visit an Irish pub afterwards. Charlie tells his brother that his “affair” with Amber is over. Charlie describes what Amber meant to him. Charlie and Cal discuss Maggie, the medal and generally reconnect.

This instalment 

On the flight home, Cal is all about daydreams, those things that drive us on. Then Charlie calls and tells Cal he’s moving back in with Rhoda. Rhoda calls later, tells Cal that Charlie has come home and apologizes for her phone outburst. Cal explains to her his motivation for helping his brother make the contact with Amber.

I encourage you to provide feedback on these stories or any of the earlier shorts by email at [email protected] or by voicemail at 1 206 339 5456.

Check out the podcast http://www.talesbytom.com and on downloadable iTunes at http://bit.ly/yk9BC 

The music is a song titled "Rhapsody" by Andy Guthrie and was supplied Music Alley from Mevio (www.musicalley.com).

See you in two weeks

Welcome to Tales By Tom. This is the tenth installment of Tom Cagley Sr's Novella entitled, “The Medal, Revisited. A Blessing from Rome”  

The Medal, Revsited. A Blessing from Rome is a multi-installment story.  This version of The Medal is a reimagining of a story Tom Cagley Sr has returned to many times.  The story is a powerful mixture of memories and imaginings that will paint a vivid picture for the listener.  

Story so far: Charlie and Cal play golf and visit an Irish pub afterwards. Charlie tells his brother that his “affair” with Amber is over. Charlie describes what Amber meant to him. They drink to Charlie’s health and him losing a lot of dangerous weight. 

This instalment While Cal is at lunch with Charlie, not only does the medal he gave Charlie’s daughter Vickie come up, but so does the mysterious clerk at Saks who called herself Maggie.  The road trip continues as Cal and Charlie go to a automobile Expo, a museum and some book stores. While Charlie looks for golf-related books, Cal buys some 1st editions and inquires about an volume they have on Mary Magdalene. They are directed to a library downtown. Leaving the next day, Cal promises it won’t be another six years between visits

I encourage you to provide feedback on these stories or any of the earlier shorts by email at [email protected] or by voicemail at 1 206 339 5456.

Check out the podcast http://www.talesbytom.com and on downloadable iTunes at http://bit.ly/yk9BC 

The music is a song titled "Rhapsody" by Andy Guthrie and was supplied Music Alley from Mevio (www.musicalley.com).

See you in two weeks