Buc-ee’s is the fillin’ station of the New South

I believe it was William Shakespeare who first said, “Get thee to a Buc-ee’s,” in his 1603 groundbreaking work, “Hamlet.” And folks traveling the South’s major highways have been flocking to the always open convenience-store-on- steroids ever since. Much has been written and broadcasted about the chain of gas stations since Arch “Beaver” Aplin III … Continue reading Buc-ee’s is the fillin’ station of the New South

Cruising at Christmas

Going on a Caribbean cruise at Christmas time is an exercise in cognitive dissonance. Don’t misunderstand me, it was a fun exercise, and I highly recommend it. It’s just weird. Unlike Luther and Nora Krank, we did not elect to skip Christmas in order to go on a cruise, but like the Kranks, we discovered … Continue reading Cruising at Christmas

The Official Wallace Family Christmas Letter 2023: Clickbait Edition

Last year I decided to revive the tradition of sending a family Christmas letter. I used the internet sensation that is New South Essays rather than putting ink on paper, and it went viral! Well, not exactly pandemic viral, but literally dozens of people were interested enough in our family’s doin’s to click on the … Continue reading The Official Wallace Family Christmas Letter 2023: Clickbait Edition

Holiday countdown-itis

A brick house decorated for Christmas with white lights and wreaths

We’re conditioned from kindergarten to anticipate a significant break from industrious activity at the end of the calendar year. I’m sure you remember those halcyon days when playground conversations focused on what you were going to ask Santa to bring you for Christmas, the construction paper Christmas tree crafts, the classroom Christmas party, the church … Continue reading Holiday countdown-itis

Southern accent is gone with the wind

Several stories recently caught my eye about a new study from Georgia Tech and University of Georgia researchers about the death of the Southern accent. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Wall Street Journal, which are part of my morning media consumption, broke this troubling development in late September. With all the bad news lately, these … Continue reading Southern accent is gone with the wind