Get thee to a pumpkin patch

As temperatures down South dip into the 40s and 50s, tasteful seasonal decorating requires at least one nice gourd on the front porch. Some of you have been so eager for fall temperatures that you ran out and bought a pumpkin when they first arrived in stores or when the pumpkin patches first opened in … Continue reading Get thee to a pumpkin patch →

County fare

Last Friday night we loaded up the minivan and headed to Lawrenceville for the Gwinnett County Fair. We hadn't been in several years, and we were overdue for a family outing. This one fit the bill nicely. I prefer my fairs a little later in the fall -- call it a habit formed by 10 … Continue reading County fare →

Can I have a second helping of home décor?

I’ll eat just about anything you can put on a plate, but I won’t admire just any plate you can put on a wall. Those plates must be historic. And Southern. And tell a story. When my wife of 15 years and I were concocting our wedding registry, (OK, let me restate that more accurately: … Continue reading Can I have a second helping of home décor? →

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 →

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) →

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 →

Muzzle control

There once was a day when it was presumed that all Southern males intuitively knew how to handle a firearm. That day ended in Georgia when the state required everyone born after 1961 to take a hunter education course before applying for a hunting license. With the onset of deer season for firearms this weekend, … Continue reading Muzzle control →

Y’all be sure and drive slow

Not all trends in the New South are welcomed by traditional Southerners with an appreciation for history. In fact, their voices tend to be among the loudest decrying the increasing recreationalization of Memorial Day. It’s hard to disagree with their case. I doubt very seriously that when Gen. John Logan proclaimed May 5, 1868, the … Continue reading Y’all be sure and drive slow →