Alabama
The Faith of Bobby Bowden
This was a feature story I wrote that appeared in the Sunday, August 15, 2021 edition of the Mobile Press-Register, Birmingham News and The Huntsville Times. It wasn’t included in their on-line site, and many of you contacted me, unable to read it without a hard copy of the newspaper. Thanks for your patience while…
Read MoreSocial distancing with Alan Jackson
***This was written during the thick of the pandemic when we were wiping down our groceries and spraying our mail with Lysol. – What is going on in this world? While the world was swirling in turmoil and we were wringing our hands in angst, wearing masks and trembling in our homes . . .…
Read MoreReal cheesecake is regional
My voice activated music system sometimes acts as if it doesn’t understand me unless I tone down my drawl, which gives me wrinkles around my mouth, because you have to pinch your mouth up in order to squelch a Southern accent. Try saying, “Hey Siri, play Guy Penrod” without a small twang in your tongue.…
Read MoreBanging the bladders — a Mobile tradition!
Now admit it, isn’t this the cutest picture you’ve ever seen of me with cow bladders drying over my head? Let me just say, I loved biology class, so this story didn’t bother me in the least. I also love the pageantry and tradition of Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, so to be invited…
Read MoreAtlanta bound? Home of the best greens ever!
Who would have thought the home of Scarlett O’Hara would give us the best-tasting collard greens ever . . . courtesy of a Mexican restaurant? I hate to admit it, but I haven’t always like collard greens. They were always too slimy or too bitter. I know, my Southern-ness is questionable now because I’ve also…
Read MoreThe United States of New Year’s Eve
Written 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 midnight,…
Read MoreFilm Festival Time in Fairhope!
Celebrating 5 years of the Fairhope Film Festival is a huge accomplishment. Growing in popularity and stellar reputation as a hotbed for all types of films, the organizers of the festival, especially founder Mary Riser and her loyal band of volunteers, have reason to throw a big party this year. With 40 films presented over…
Read MoreAre Southern women prettier?
You’ve heard it before, but are afraid to say it aloud for fear of sounding boastful. Southern women are prettier than others. But wait just a cotton pickin’ minute. Is it true? Are we really prettier? I’ll let you in on a little secret. We’re not. Everyone just has that illusion because the truth is,…
Read MoreThe Gulf Shores and Orange Beach guidebook is ready!
Well, I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out! I mentioned a few months ago (HERE) that I was chosen to write this year’s Gulf Shores and Orange Beach 2017 Official Vacation Guide. It was an interesting project about the place I love, and even though I’ve lived in this area my entire…
Read MoreThe Southern Christmas Queen
You know her well. There’s at least one in each family and several in each neighborhood . . . the ultimate Southern Christmas Queen. Not content with only one measly Christmas tree, she’s been washed and redeemed by the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future, and isn’t happy until every single surface is glittering…
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