In the early 1940s, when my parents decided to build a restaurant in a small community near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, they plugged into the pop culture of the time. The establishment needed a theme, something to make their business stand out. At the time, the biggest show on Broadway was the musical “Lil Abner,” and the top comic strip was “Snuffy Smith.” They … [Read more...] about Losing the Southern Stereotype But Not the Moonshine
Homespun
Homespun-Volume Three
The dreaded tool of interruption rang, and that strange vibe that signals trouble ran up my spine. This man can sense danger quicker than a firefighter can sniff out a hot spot that’s ready to flair. “You gonna answer that?” Better Half asked between bites of scrambled eggs. “Nope,” I replied. “It’s our oldest daughter wanting to put me to work. Who told her I wasn’t flying … [Read more...] about Homespun-Volume Three
Musings of a Gentler Time; Volume 2
When my family moved from South Carolina to Georgia, Pat was my next-door neighbor. I loved her like the older sister I never had and would have traded her for my little brother in a heartbeat. I left all my high school friends in South Carolina and sulked my way through classes in Georgia. Pat was aware that no one was going to push me into socializing unless she did. So, … [Read more...] about Musings of a Gentler Time; Volume 2
Twenty Things Southerners Aren’t Crazy About
Kudzu- It's hard to imagine why this nasty green plague was intentionally brought here, but one thing is for sure, it doesn't want to leave. Unsweetened tea- We likely won't judge you too harshly if you choose to drink your tea unsweetened, but don't be surprised if you get an eye roll. Store-bought tomatoes- Trust us on this. There's no comparison with … [Read more...] about Twenty Things Southerners Aren’t Crazy About
And the Good Lord Said, “Fry Some Fish”
The church folks across the river from my house had a fish fry and sing a few months ago. It tickled me to be invited, and I wasted no time getting there. A winding country road connects our yard to the churchyard. It’s a graveled county endeavor that sometimes meanders through a canopy of oaks, at other times through rolling pastures dotted with grazing cows. It looked like a … [Read more...] about And the Good Lord Said, “Fry Some Fish”
