Yesterday marked the 15th anniversary of the day Carla Lynn Barron became my wife. Emily Post would tell me to celebrate the occasion with a gift of crystal and an arrangement of roses. Somehow, that just doesn’t seem to fit. Rather than blindly opting for tradition – a very “Old South” thing to do – … Continue reading Fifteen years and counting
Tag: contemporary South
Magnolia malady
How the magnolia became a Southern symbol, I’ll never know. Sure, it thrives in warm, humid climates and has lovely blossoms that emerge this time of year to give the air a sweet and intoxicating aroma. But, let’s face it, this tree is a mess. It takes a special homeowner who can handle it. I am not … Continue reading Magnolia malady
Piano music
New South Essays readers know I’m a fan of Southern singer/songwriter Kate Campbell, so when her 13th album “1000 Pound Machine” was released April 3, it wasn’t a stretch to predict a review was coming. I was intrigued by several twists on this album. First, Campbell trades her customary acoustic guitar for a piano, the … Continue reading Piano music
Fierce landscapes
What a difference a week makes. Last week I was in the Chattahoochee National Forest connecting with my middle son and enjoying the beauty of the Appalachian foothills. This week I visited Big Bend National Park in Texas, connecting with pastors and enjoying the beauty of the mountains and desert of southwest Texas. Call it a … Continue reading Fierce landscapes
Happy trails (mostly)
This week Harris and I embarked on a 4.8 mile journey that has come to represent more than just a hike through the Chattahoochee National Forest. This rite of passage for my boys began five years ago when Barron was six. We made a similar journey from Amicalola Falls State Park to the Len Foote … Continue reading Happy trails (mostly)
What makes the Braves Southern
Next Thursday the Atlanta Braves will begin another marathon baseball season with aims of winning a World Series. Oddsmakers give them a 22 to 1 chance to accomplish this feat. Whether or not they actually succeed really isn’t the point. I’ve been a Braves’ fan since 1982 when my Aunt Phyllis took me and my … Continue reading What makes the Braves Southern
Toilet trouble
I believe every homeowner should be able to patch a hole in drywall, install a ceiling fan and stop a running toilet. If self-reliance and resourcefulness aren’t Southern traits I don’t know what are. My two-week battle with a running toilet tested my convictions in ways that both surprised and infuriated me. It all started … Continue reading Toilet trouble
New South Bracketology
There are times I pretend to be an expert: any discussion of running, life in the New South, Star Wars and fantasy football. There are other times when no amount of pretending can cover up glaring ignorance: parenting, relationships, basic plumbing and filling out NCAA tournament brackets. The mania that has swept the country during … Continue reading New South Bracketology
Method to my madness
Today marks the 52nd weekly post of New South Essays, and it’s high time I let you in on a little secret: I started this blog a year ago to capture your attention, entice you to engage with my writing and whet your appetite for my book. This journey began in 2006. Two years after … Continue reading Method to my madness
Southern sports showcase
Last weekend was a convergence of televised events that treated channel surfers with more than the usual amount of Southern accents. Unless you were under a rock you know that last weekend was the 54th running of the Daytona 500, the official start of the never-ending NASCAR season. What you may have overlooked was that … Continue reading Southern sports showcase
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