The Obits

Two strangers - both retired - get off on the wrong foot over a favorite table at the cafe.Joe celebrates his first day of retirement by stopping into the cafe for a cup of coffee and the newspaper. He doesn't realized that he has chosen the seat and the newspaper of longtime regular, Eddie, who is a creature of habit. Marlene, the cafe's matriarchal waitress diligently tries to talk Joe into moving just as Eddie shows up and makes a scene. Joe bites his tongue on Marlene's account and moves to the other table, leaving Eddie to read his beloved obituaries.From this awkward beginning, an unlikely friendship develops. Dennis Doud was born in the same hospital as John Wayne, and lived his entire childhood in Iowa before leaving for higher education. After graduating from LeTourneau College, (now a university), in Longview, Texas, he returned home to the Hawkeye State.He left Iowa again to chase down his almost-a-wife who had taken a job in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. It's a place called "God's Country" and it has been truly that to Dennis, his bride of 35 years, and their now-grown-up kids.Dennis has enjoyed reading and writing since elementary school, but to this day he still barely tolerates arithmetic. He has written numerous short stories and articles, and has now trying his hand at writing faith-based screenplays and 'tweener home-school adventure books. He sporadically scribbles an online blog called Uncle Denny's Garage.