In our modern age we rely on precision in our measurements. Even when we don’t need it, our devices give it to us. Google maps tell us how far away Grandma’s house is, down to the tenth of a mile. Our scale gives us our weight to the hundredth of a pound. Our workout app … Continue reading A heap of Thanksgiving measurement
Don’t “@me.” I know what “literally” means. It means “figuratively.” It used to mean “literally” but people don’t know what words mean anymore, so now it means the opposite. I am using the term ironically. Anyway, I digress. My point is Christmas is coming to a home near you and quickly. Seriously. Super fast. It … Continue reading Christmas is literally tomorrow
Thanksgiving week is upon us, and as we prepare our feasts and plan our shopping, the inevitable flood of nostalgia descends, flavoring our post-meal conversations with reminiscence. Always eager to indulge my inclination toward nostalgia, I offer these brief stories of Thanksgivings past to prompt you to remember and share your Thanksgiving memories. Our spread … Continue reading Memorable Thanksgivings
This week the Lilburn Wallaces will gather around our dining room table for a feast of turkey, dressing and all the fixins. I have committed to enjoying this day fully because I don’t know if 2023 will be the last time we enjoy our Thanksgiving this way. Traditions have a way of ending unintentionally or … Continue reading When traditions end
When Barron and Harris piled into the back of the new Hyundai, eager to ride with Daddy after another great meal at Los Hermanos, they had no idea we weren’t following Carla home. We had already had a pretty good day. It was one of those rare days when Carla and Carlton still had preschool, … Continue reading An unexpected journey
As I write today's entry, a life hangs in the balance. Our 11-year-old Volvo V70 station wagon sits in the parking lot of a transmission repair shop awaiting its fate. Those of you who are regular readers of New South Essays will remember that number 19 on my 30 days of Thanksgiving list was "functioning … Continue reading Wheels
November brings with it a number of seasonal peculiarities: falling leaves, premature Christmas decorations, cooler temperatures and now, in the New South, daily thanksgiving posts on Facebook. I’m not sure when the trend started, but taking the month of November to post “What I am thankful for today” status updates has caught on. Yes, there … Continue reading A month’s worth of thankfulness in one serving
I hate shopping. I don’t even really like Internet shopping. There is absolutely nothing appealing about Black Friday to me. I don’t believe in its philosophical underpinnings. I don’t understand its attraction. I don’t acknowledge its existence. But like someone chasing a ghost or questing for grainy 8 millimeter footage of Big Foot, I set out … Continue reading In search of Black Friday
You’ve probably already planned every detail of your Thanksgiving meal – at least those of you who subscribe to Southern Living – but have you thought about the one act that gives next week’s holiday its name? At the risk of sounding preachy, Thanksgiving is supposed to be as advertised. But often, the last thought … Continue reading Thanksgiving grace
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