Milestone birthdays tend to end in zero. I had one Thursday, and like that first trip to the gym after too long a layoff, I’m feeling a little sore today. Twice a year like clockwork, I contemplate my life: New Year’s and my birthday. However, the extended period of being homebound during the COVID-19 pandemic … Continue reading I was told there would be answers
Planting Generosity
Today’s New South Essay comes from good friend and former colleague Don Durham. I’ve invited Don to tell us about his life on the farm, feeding the hungry, launching a podcast, and challenging all of us to do our part to end hunger. In another life I had the privilege of working with Lance for … Continue reading Planting Generosity
COVID Beach
We all need a vacation from COVID-19. But in case you haven’t figured it out yet, that’s not likely any time soon. Sorry to be a downer, but after a week at the beach, our annual family vacation was impacted by the global pandemic in many ways, some subtle and some obvious. If you have … Continue reading COVID Beach
Containers and Surprises
Growing up, I opened enough tubs of butter only to find three-week-old green beans that I developed serious trust issues. I recently confronted these past traumas when Carla and I spent the day in her hometown of Sandersville cleaning out her mother’s refrigerators and freezers in preparation for selling her house. Most of my experience … Continue reading Containers and Surprises
New South Essays returns
It took a global pandemic to resuscitate New South Essays.
Seasons
The weather is often our cue for seasonal change. The calendar helps, but not until the temperature dips below 60 does it officially register as fall here in Atlanta. Seasons in our lives don’t always have such markers. Rarely do we know what season of life we’re in until we’re through it. When I last posted … Continue reading Seasons
Four walls and a roof
I hate moving. Moving is one of my least favorite activities because when you’re married to Carla, moving means painting. I hate painting. When we first got married we lived in an apartment with vaulted ceilings. Because of her need for color and beauty, she insisted we paint the rooms, forfeiting our security deposit and … Continue reading Four walls and a roof
Thoughts on Lanny
On Nov. 1, 2013, my father-in-law, Lanny Barron, was in an automobile accident on his way to his house in Sandersville from his family's farm outside of town. He died on Thanksgiving, Nov. 28. Today's essay is the eulogy I had the honor of delivering at Lanny's funeral. He and Cynthia would have been married … Continue reading Thoughts on Lanny
Mercer pride
I had just wrapped up a conference call and had about 15 minutes until I needed to leave my office for my next meeting on the other side of the Georgia Tech campus. A quick check of the Mercer-Duke score revealed Duke had pulled ahead. No need to get excited. The Number 3 seed was … Continue reading Mercer pride
Preserving the art of Southern storytelling
I had been to Arkansas only once in my life until a month ago. Now, I’m transported to the Starving Artist Café in the Argenta Arts District of North Little Rock once a week for an incredible 30-to-40-minute immersion into the wide-ranging true experiences of Southerners. In the last month I’ve discovered and gotten hooked … Continue reading Preserving the art of Southern storytelling
New South Essays 