Snowmeggedon. Snowpocalypse. Winter Storm Van Helsing. Whatever you call it, snow has been falling across the South this year in quantities not seen in my neck of the woods in a decade. We had two rounds of it with winter storms striking Atlanta Jan. 10 and Jan. 21 bringing with it that wonderful mix of … Continue reading Snow without kids just isn’t as fun
Tag: Southerners
The State of New South Essays
A look back at the year that was in 2024 for New South Essays.
Small talk
My day job has been a relentless torrent of small talk the last few weeks. And it’s glorious. For an extrovert like me, good small talk is a renewable and infinite energy source. I readily admit I have the gift of gab, and I feed off of the social interchange. What I find so appealing … Continue reading Small talk
Ain’t no party like an 80th birthday party
I recognize that we have just emerged from a festive season, but in my world, the holidays were just the warm up for some truly historic occasions. Last week we celebrated my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday, and my dad’s 80th is just around the corner. All of the forethought and planning that have gone into acknowledging … Continue reading Ain’t no party like an 80th birthday party
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
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
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

