Stories. Enjoy!

  • Start Here

    New to Five Minute Observations? Welcome. I’m Joe Class III, and I write stories and essays about what I notice, the encounters that reveal something true, and the moments that stick with you after they’re gone. If you’re just getting started, these three pieces will give you a sense of what this space is about:…

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  • Not By Accident

    Today, it is unpopular to follow Jesus. I don’t know that’s it ever been a popular idea or opinion to tell other people that you love Jesus, that you believe he came, died, and rose again, all for your benefit because – and this is the kicker – because guess what? He loves you. Why…

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  • “No, I don’t know her name, and honestly, I could care less to know who she is. Wait. Did you hear that?” Cauble’s ears perk up, losing all attention to me. Then, without hesitation, her eyes zero in on me, Gregory Tremaine, interviewer of all pets. How did I get this gig? You may be…

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  • I blinked a few times and rubbed my eyes. Yes. You are at home. You are in your bed. Cauble is purring, rubbing her face in mine. Guess she’s hungry. Blinking a few more times before stretching, I felt stiff. Every muscle hurt, like I finished a high-impact aerobic workout. I rubbed my eyes again,…

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  • Invisible

    Having zero expectations? That’s super easy being invisible. No one expects anything from you, plus you don’t have to worry about what you do or if it’s right or wrong. You fill up space in just the right way. There is no perfect occasion to wear an appropriate outfit. Jeans? Sure. Leggings? Absolutely. Unfortunate shorts,…

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  • Marcus didn’t drink, preferring to keep his wits instead of losing control like his college friends used to. Rare occasions found him sipping a glass of Pinot Noir after learning red wine neutralizes garlic’s acidity, the reason he had heartburn after ingesting any alfredo dish. Fettuccini alfredo with white clam sauce was served at Tabitha’s…

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  • Dr. Marcus Allen spent most of his late teens and early twenties in school, attending Lousiana State University, LSU, for his undergraduate degree in education. Then, he continued his pursuit of education, obtaining a graduate degree at the University of Florida. Education wasn’t demanding. Not for him. Neither was writing or editing academic papers. For…

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  • Inside Walmart

    Walking through the sliding doors, Tabitha took off her sunglasses, letting both the shoppers and employees see her eyes. Making eye contact with her? Most of the people inside avoided that as much as possible. There was a terse, tense feel behind her eyes. It made you feel awkward. And if she may glance in…

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  • She didn’t like the attention. Nor did she like how the other girls looked at her, staring at her new eyebrow piercing. Amber Hubbard was the first girl at Fairchild High School in the small town of Macon to have it done. So many questions. And so much unwanted attention from all the girls, from…

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  • Why Storytelling?

    Sitting back in the corner of the café gives you an exciting vantage point to see most interactions between the staff standing on the other side of the register and the patron purchasing coffee, a muffin, or some other food or drink item. There is the yoga mom with a wealthy doctor for a husband…

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  • Kathy hated the day-to-day business side of the diner. She looked into hiring a full-time bookkeeper and business manager on more than one occasion. But after looking at the books recognized that wasn’t an expense Janice’s Diner could afford. There were more important things she needed to worry about. The least of which was the…

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