Southern Interest
Lane cake’s a ‘Lame’ cake for our state dessert
In my never ending quest to sprinkle a touch of class on our dinner table conversation, I approached the topic of current events and informed my son and husband that the Lane cake had recently been named the official State Dessert of Alabama, to which my son replied, “Lame cake?” and my husband said, “Is…
Read MoreMy secret love of . . . gas station food
Forgive me, for I have sinned against the handbook of fancy Southern ladylike behavior. I can’t help myself, but I love sneaking off and eating . . . gas station food. I’m not referring to the new trend in gas stations where they’ve installed real restaurants with professional chefs. Such places have sprung up…
Read MoreDianne Bentley is a class act
While Alabama’s Governor and his former advisor are caught in the turmoil of their recent naughtiness, there’s at least one character in this tragic tale that has come out smelling like a rose. Former First Lady Dianne Bentley is the example of a classy Southern lady who has remained steadfast in the midst of the…
Read MoreThe hope of the South
Until recently, I’ve always felt safe in the South. Instead of staying out of each other’s business, we make it a point to know one another, which creates a feeling of security. We make eye contact, then smile and say hello when we pass on the streets. We carry chicken casseroles to sleepy parents with…
Read MoreSouthern Ladylike Words
Several years ago, I posted a list of my favorite Southern Belle words. It proved to be one of my most popular posts and was pinned on Pinterest a zillion times or so. After contemplating the original list, I’ve decided to freshen it a bit because I’ve realized there are other dandy words that…
Read MoreThe Joy Choir
In addition to some first-class Holy Rollers, Southern churches have also produced some mighty fine musicians, with many of the big-time stars giving credit to their religious roots for introducing them to the basics of music. But it doesn’t matter how many Grammys these stars have won, nor how many thousands of screaming fans their…
Read MoreA Dinah Washington Valentine
One of my favorite Alabamians is the Queen of Blues, Dinah Washington. Born in Tuscaloosa in 1924 as Ruth Lee Jones, Dinah rose to fame in the 1950’s with her earthy voice that thrilled fans, but baffled and often irritated the critics because she was able to bounce from one genre to the next with…
Read MoreKnights of Ecor Rouge
The sunny afternoon temperatures in the high 60’s led to a slightly chilly, but crystal clear night, perfect for The Knights of Ecor Rouge to claim the streets for their popular 2016 Mardi Gras parade. “The Force Unleashed” was this year’s theme, pleasing all the Star Wars fans. , The birthplace of American Mardi…
Read MoreSouthern Food and Beverage Museum
The Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans was having a Cochon Sauvage event, which is a celebration and tasting of wild boar, so of course, my husband and I headed over for the fun. Why not? I’ve actually been wanting to tour the museum for a while, and was glad we finally…
Read MoreI Wish for Gayfers
When the mistletoe’s hung and the smell of silver spray paint floats through the air, that’s when I miss Gayfers Department Store the most. I could stop right here and not bother to say another word because most of you just fell off your chairs with screams of, “Me too!” Just mentioning Gayfers launches…
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