Capitol Hill is abuzz with as many new programs as fire ants in Alabama. Each politician scurries to make a statement, promising to fix all the problems, but I think they’re forgetting a few basics. If we truly want to improve the country, let’s aim for something the people in our district actually need—like a…
Read More
My husband is impossible to shop for. He buys most of his own clothes and loves good electronic gadgets, but he’s the expert of those, so I have to leave it to him. Socks? Boring. Books? He likes to read them on a glowing thing-a-ma-jig. But guess what Mr. Know it all doesn’t have? The…
Read More
Here I am with Barbara James on a teacher workday – otherwise, she would have never allowed me to wear a T-shirt to school. She expected all her teachers to dress up every day. I keep this picture on my desk. The best lesson I ever learned in kindergarten was when I was 27 years…
Read More
This story first appeared in Lagniappe News, Mobile, Alabama. South Alabama is usually as hot as the hinges of hell and plagued by hurricanes and humidity, but now our yards are covered in nine inches of glistening snow. It’s one of the prettiest and most unexpected things I’ve ever seen, and it’s made me realize…
Read More
I don’t enjoy the fussing and fighting of politics, but the pageantry and hoopla never fail to enthrall. The recent inauguration had me texting with friends in a frenzy of messages, approving some elements of the pomp and circumstance, and recoiling in horror at others. As star graduates of our childhood Sunday School classes, we…
Read More
My Christmas decorations are packed away except for this framed 12 Days of Christmas collection. I love it so much that I think I’ll let it linger a little longer. Is there a rule against that? The cards depict the original wooden 2 by 4-foot “cards” that were designed and painted by local artist Mary…
Read More
Originally posted in 2017. After she covered her black eyed peas with water to soak overnight, Millie went outside to help her husband wrap the big ball of chicken wire with Christmas lights. Every year, the couple hosted the New Year’s Eve party at their farm just South of Montgomery, and at ten seconds ‘till…
Read More
I’m fairly healthy, but I do run over to a hospital in Mobile every month or so for an infusion of glitter that keeps me sparkly. They’ve recently moved the location of the unit I use into the Cancer Center. As you can imagine, sitting in the waiting room two days before Christmas with those receiving…
Read More
This is a story I was asked to write and will read for my church’s community Christmas event, Carols on the Bluff, in Fairhope, Alabama on Saturday, 14th at 4pm, overlooking Mobile Bay. Everyone is invited. If you’re out of town, hum a few carols to yourself. We’ll miss you. Due to her competitive nature…
Read More
Yes, I’m hugging a pig, but not just any old swine. This is a special pig we all love. I understand why Southerners have the reputation for being just a tad bit crazy. We aren’t insulted by the label because we recognize our bizarre ways and actually delight in some of the weirdness. Not only…
Read More