High School Clubs Prevent Zombies

I thought about my high school club after buying some super-soft, spritzy hairspray at the drugstore where the teen cashier acted like a mute zombie. “Hi,” I said. She didn’t even give me a grunt. Finally, she pointed to the screen with a single syllable: “Here.” I took my purchase and offered a “thank you,”…

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What I did this summer

Books and leftover salad by the pool. The perfect day. Autumn is finally here and our summertime was fairly quiet. No hurricanes ( so far) and no travel. My lesson learned this summer is that authoring books isn’t for the fainthearted. The follow-up marketing and sales is difficult for creative types and I struggle with…

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How to stop the spitting

This story first appeared in Lagniappe News, Mobile, Alabama. Children and football players, please step back in time with me to my kindergarten classroom, when Little Bradley, better known as “The Spitter,” thought he could launch a slimy missile onto the face of another child.  The Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Carter and the University of Florida’s…

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Counting blessings at Cracker Barrel

 Years ago, I taught in the Pre-Kindergarten program in an inner-city public school, and realized the students were confused when we read stories about Santa Claus. I finally grasped that it wasn’t the Jolly Old Elf who puzzled them, but the concept of a fireplace was totally foreign to a group of children who lived…

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We’ll take Dixieland Delight

We’ll take Dixieland Delight First printed in Lagniappe News, Mobile, Alabama To my friends who cheer for the University of Alabama, As a longtime resident and native Alabamian, who is also a graduate of Florida State University, I’ve come to collect the spoils of battle. Don’t panic, all I’ll take is a one-year lease on…

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If you give a co-ed a chandelier

Here’s a replay from my 2019 column for everyone taking a daughter to college this month. Whether it’s grandma’s silver gumbo spoons, a tiara or a spinning baton, Southern girls have always been drawn to sparkly things. That’s why the trend to “bling-up” the dormitories of co-eds around the South has taken off like wildfire.…

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Summer plans

Here’s a quick note to tell you about a few upcoming author events and a short – temporary leave of absence.  First of all, if you are in the area of Fairhope, Alabama this coming Saturday, June 21st, you’re invited to attend my writing seminar at the Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church Arts Atelier – From…

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Keep Fairhope Funky

Even those who are unfamiliar with my hometown of Fairhope, Alabama, may find this story about efforts to save The Poet of Tolstoy Park’s house interesting. It’s a strange house with a unique literary twist. And of course . . . our small town is abuzz! There’s always something stirring in Fairhope, be it fact,…

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There is a river

The quote below from Andy Andrews’ Instagram page reminded me of a story about my cousin, Dr. Kenneth Harrison, who passed away last January at the age of 92.  My father’s first cousin, Kenneth Harrison, was raised on a farm, then attended Florida State University where he earned a degree in chemistry and later enrolled…

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