I am nothing if not completely predictable, especially in my fashion choices. This was confirmed when I excitedly tore open a package from Land's End recently to reveal a thrilling addition to my workwear. You see, when you wear dress shirts every day for work, you have to swap them out from time to time. … Continue reading Both colors of shirts
... but I will anyway. On March 30, 2026, Barron Wallace of Lilburn, Ga., proposed marriage to Margaret "Meg" Rooney of Richmond, Va., in a rented, white Penske truck on the side of Interstate 85 just north of Greenville, S.C. She said "yes." The significance of these seemingly mundane details will be clearer momentarily, but … Continue reading It’s not my news to share…
I'm not quite sure how we managed to do this, but we crammed not one but two life-giving experiences of live music into our packed schedules in the last seven days. While the ticket prices may have made us poorer in the short run, the head-clearing, hand-clapping, jaw-dropping wonder that swelled our hearts definitely made … Continue reading From Steep Canyon Rangers to Samara Joy
I am old enough to remember a time when kids had to learn to drive with everyone around them blissfully unaware that their life was in danger. It was a simpler time when "road rage" incidents made the local news and didn't have their own category on YouTube. We learned to drive and taught our … Continue reading Please be patient
Maybe it’s just me, but I cannot avoid “clean” these days. Everyone is wanting to go “clean” these days. I’m not always the most “with it” middle aged dude, according to my teenager, so I’m not sure what “clean” means. Do you? No matter how you define "clean" in the New South, I'm into it. … Continue reading Living clean or clean living
I recently discovered a 24-year-old reality TV show, and I am obsessed. Streaming live for free on the internet since 2012, this show airs most days between 9 a.m. and noon from January to the first few days of April. Occasionally there are special episodes that run longer or even air at night, and there … Continue reading My new favorite reality TV show
Confrontations with the truth can be so startling it takes time to process the impact. We adopted Archibald “Archie” Wallace last February 5 from the Society of Humane Friends in Lawrenceville. They had received this beautiful parti poodle from a group of dogs rescued from a hoarding situation in Coweta County. (I documented this joyous … Continue reading Who wears the (under) pants in the family
If you have been anywhere near regular old television any time since February 6, you may be aware that people are doing death defying stuff on ice and snow. These feats will cease to earn medals tomorrow when the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games end, but some unfortunate souls (Yankees, mostly) will have to contend with … Continue reading Southern Winter Olympics
A whopping 14 years ago, I wrote one of the statistically most-read posts of my blogging career about Valentine’s Day. Apparently I struck a nerve with couples who were more… ahem… mature in their relationship. If you need the “TL;DR” summary, here goes: Don’t waste money on flowers, chocolates or stuffed animals. Give your special … Continue reading The evolution of our Valentine’s
Quick, how many age-related cliches can you quote? You’re only as old as you feel. Age is just a number. I’m having a senior moment. You’re not getting older, you're getting better. Or my personal favorite, the twist on this last one which was used by the “Keenagers” senior adult ministry at our church in … Continue reading Discovering a new way to measure age
New South Essays 