It’s a long story, but Lois Lane and I ended up in Meridian, Mississippi this weekend. There will be more to come on their beautiful downtown that is being redeveloped. But for now, let me share with you how Lois (once again) stole the show.
My husband wanted to eat at world famous Weidmann’s, but since they are Beagle-intolerant, and it was far too hot to leave a dog in the car, we had to seek an outdoorsy-type establishment.
And lucky for us, right across the street from Weidmann’s was a wonderful outdoor place called the Brickhouse Bar and Grill. They have live music and wonderful made-to-order food. We sat at little cafe’ tables along the sidewalk on the surprisingly cool June evening, with Lois at our feet, and ate delicious bacon burgers and . . .
the most awesome fried green tomatoes ever! Huge, tangy, soft on the inside and crisp on the outside. Perfectly seasoned, just the way you would expect them to be in Mississippi.
I had just thought that I didn’t want to go back to Alabama without someone showing me some good Mississippi hospitality, when  suddenly, Karen and Johnny made my wish come true. The restaurant door opened, and out walked this fun couple, who immediately fell at the feet (almost) of her royal highness, Lois Lane. Karen and Johnny know how to spot a good beagle, because it turns out, they own 25 of them! Seriously! TWENTY – FIVE!
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We all became instant beagle-buddies and they gave us a lesson on how to hunt and train beagles. We watched video clips on Karen’s phone of the amazing way their dogs know how to come when Johnny gives the signal. “Whoop-whoop” and they come running with their white tails waving.
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Look at Lois in the photo above. She really wanted to go home with Karen and meet 25 new cousins. Johnny had just been featured in the local newspaper that day in a story that described his training methods.
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But alas . . . we had to get on the road. I took the last fried green tomato home in a box to reheat in the oven the next day for a special brunch treat.
If you follow me on Instagram (and you really should) you already saw this sign in Buckatunna, (“Buckatunna Mississippi” is my favorite new thing to say) where we stopped to clean the windshield. God gave the South a double dose of bugs to keep the weaker folks from moving here. It took both of us to scrape and clean so we could see to find our way home.
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And when I looked back inside the car, what do you think I saw?
“Ha ha! I ate your fried green tomato!”
I need to let Karen and Johnny know to expect Lois on the next bus back to Meridian.
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Click here to read the story on Johnny and his beagle, Opie in The Meridian Star.
What a cute story! It sounds like you had a good time in Meridian. I haven’t been there since 2005 – we worked there during Katrina – if I’m not mistaken, this was our first stop – not too much damage (when compared with the lower part of MS) – but the electricity was out. Georgia Power sent some employees to help restore electricity and sent 2 nurses to help provide nursing assistance for the employees in the event of injury/illness (I was one of the nurses). I’ll have to go back to these restaurants you are referring to.
Shelia
http://www.houseofhighlands.com
What a nice thing for you to do! There are always plenty of places to help after a hurricane. I’m surprised – but then again not – that Katrina knocked out electricity all the way up to Meridian. It was a terrible storm. Glad you were there to help.
I’m so glad y’all got to meet Johnny and Karen. If anybody in Mississippi knows about beagles it’s them. I’m sure Karen wouldn’t mind babysitting Lois if y’all take her with you on your next trip.
Wouldn’t Lois love that?
Thank you for speaking so kindly of my home. Its refreshing, really. I’ve seem to forgotten the perks of this town. I do have to say, regrettably, that if anyone has plans of visiting, please be careful and aware of your surroundings due to the growing crime rate. We really do have potential here to be a great town.
As we sat eating our dinner, we wondered aloud why more people don’t move to Meridian. It is so charming and beautiful with so much potential. The history of the town with the artists, writers and musicians is just amazing. Everything moves in cycles and I’m sure Meridian is on its way to great things! Glad you are a reader!
It was so great to beagle talk w/ ya’ll. Please let Jonhhy and me know when ya’ll are back in town;he would love ya’ll to run the babies w/ us. And, Weidman’s does have awesome ‘maters, but it’s their 1870 sauce the is OFF THE CHART
I’m so glad you saw the story! You two were so much fun, we hated to leave! Lois is still thinking about you, I can tell! Tell all 25 of your pups we said “hello.”
‘I ate your fried green tomato’
Well of COURSE she did!
What a doll!
Leslie Anne, Lois Lane just had a little food for thought. “Brunch, anyone?”
Ate at Weidmann’s years ago….wonder if they still have their famous, “Black Bottom Pie.”
Lois is too cute for words!
Well, Ill have to go back to check out the pie now! Glad you told me about it.
Sue, yes they do, how could I forget to mention that my “to-go” piece of Weidman’s black-bottom pie was gone before we hit the city limits! Yum, yum.
In Lois’s defense, I’d like to say that if you left me in the car alone with a fried green tomato, I’d probably eat it too. 😉
Hahaha! You get more Southern every day!
This post really brightened my day! I needed a good laugh, too, believe me.
Lois is so cute! Beagles are not for everyone, because they are definitely independent strong-minded creatures. Our pet growing up was a beagle we called “Brownie” (very original) who happened to be 1/4 bloodhound. Daddy bought him for a hunting dog, but he became the family pet instead. His bloodcurdling howl used to scare the wits out of the neighbors!
What a cute story. How funny that she ate your leftover tomato! She looked so innocent! My mother was from Mississippi and I have family there, but haven’t been for a very long time. I’ll make sure we put Meridian and Weidman’s on the list when we visit the South… maybe after the hot sticky summer 🙂
Smart move to wait for cool weather, although for June, it isn’t so bad . . . knock on wood!
This is the funniest thing I have ever heard of. The owners of 25 beagles having a chance meeting with Lois Lane. As some would say, “only in the South”.
Girl…I was in Meridian on Saturday too! Well, I went thru there to a family reunion, just outside of Meridian. I will be posting about our wonderful party out on the farm…be sure to check it out.
Blessings,
Linda
Small world! We know how to get around in the big world, don’t we?
That Lois! Well, I’m sorry that Weidmann’s wasn’t pup-friendly. When we were there a couple of years ago, their fried-green tomatoes were the best we’d ever eaten, served with a shrimp, mushroom and tomato sauce. If you go back (without Miss Lois, ha!), give them a try. They’re famous for those and the crocks of peanut butter and assorted crackers on each table. The crocks are made by local potters and are also for sale.
I love Mississippi! Everybody we’ve met there truly personifies Southern Hospitality.
I think I’ll be in Meridian again sometime this summer. Lois is going to have to entertain herself at home this time!