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
Tag: New South Essays
Another step closer to an empty nest
It’s weird that it feels weird to have a full house again this weekend. Carlton’s two older brothers have returned home to celebrate his 15th birthday today (the actual day was Oct. 10). Just when I have adapted to the extra space and quiet, there are more people and more noise and no place to … Continue reading Another step closer to an empty nest
The time I met the man from ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”
Scottish actor and musician David McCallum passed away Sept. 25 at the age of 90. Known for his television roles as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on NCIS and Illya Kuryakin on “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”, he had numerous acting and musical credits and had a career spanning decades. My chance encounter with him on June … Continue reading The time I met the man from ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”
Fall confusion
Welcome to fall… I think. Or maybe it was three weeks ago. Who knows. For the past few years we’ve been hearing a lot about science and what it says or doesn’t say. If you follow science, it says that today, September 23, is the official start of the season known as “autumn” or “fall.” … Continue reading Fall confusion
Keepin’ it Reel
Carla and I have recently unlocked the key to marital communication – The Instagram Reel. With apologies to Gary Chapman, author of “The Five Love Languages,” we have discovered that sending each other Instagram Reels has become our love language. Maybe it’s the sixth one. It’s an exaggeration to say it has saved our marriage, … Continue reading Keepin’ it Reel
That time I met Edward Teller
As the closing credits of “Oppenheimer” rolled after Harris and I took in a rare Tuesday night movie back in July, I casually mentioned that I thought Benny Safdie did an interesting job portraying Edward Teller. Oh, and that I met Edward Teller in 1988 during my freshman year in college. The incidental revelation stopped … Continue reading That time I met Edward Teller
Hand-me-ups
I am not now nor have I ever been a fashionista. I take full advantage of the simpler clothing choices afforded my gender. I have both colors of shirts for work – blue and white – and if I feel really bold, I might opt for stripes. My wardrobe can be summed up in the … Continue reading Hand-me-ups
Air travel trouble
Atlanta is arguably the capital of the South, but it is undeniably home to the world’s busiest airport. By virtue of its geography, the visionary decision to build an international airport here, and the less-than-visionary decision to intersect three major interstates in the heart of downtown, the well worn joke about Atlanta goes something like … Continue reading Air travel trouble
Cuttin’ grass
A recent visit to Lake Wales to look in on my parents unexpectedly awakened nostalgia for yard work. You never could have convinced the teenage version of me wiping the sweat from my eyes under an August Central Florida sun that I would ever miss being on the business end of a lawnmower. In those … Continue reading Cuttin’ grass
My best side
About a year ago, my 14-year-old started this new and often annoying habit. He held his phone up to my forehead or chin while I was otherwise engaged, including driving, and snapped a picture. The resulting image gave him great joy as he giggled and shared it with a text group of his close friends. … Continue reading My best side
New South Essays 