Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was laid to rest this week on Jan. 9, 2025, after passing away Dec. 29. Since he first began receiving hospice care in February of 2023, tributes, retrospectives, reminiscences, and all manner of eulogies have been posted and published. As a former journalist and resident of Georgia since 1992, I … Continue reading Three encounters with President Jimmy Carter
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
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.”
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
When I was a cub reporter at The Macon Telegraph back in the early 1990s, copy editor Randy Waters once gave me a backhanded compliment that has stuck with me: "Lance, you're the funniest guy I know who can't tell a joke." Randy was right. I've never been good at remembering jokes, but as a … Continue reading My favorite joke
I have been drawn to writing as a creative activity since childhood. It started by inventing stories in my head. It grew into imitation when in the 7th grade I read William Faulkner’s 1942 short story “The Bear,” and I wrote my own story of a bear hunt gone awry. In the 8th grade, my … Continue reading Origins of a passion for writing
My life is full and has surpassed my highest expectations in profound ways. Carla is a beautiful person who chooses to share life with me through mundane, jubilant, and challenging times. Barron is a creative, goal-oriented and industrious son who shows gratitude and kindness. Harris is bright, engaging and is committing himself to a life … Continue reading Even better than expected – part 1
From my earliest days as a rookie features writer at The Macon Telegraph in 1992, I heard reporters talk about canoeing the Ocmulgee River and writing about it for the paper. I was young and foolish enough to attempt it. In the late summer of 1993 I began the ambitious project of paddling the entire … Continue reading River rescue
I’m a writer, not a musician. That’s the best way to explain my fascination with country music – specifically, alternative country and the work of singer-songwriters. I’m not much of a fan of that over-produced, impure sound coming out of Nashville the last 10-20 years. A few years ago, my native-Texan friend, Bob, introduced me … Continue reading I Gotta Go … listen to Robert Earl Keen
New South Essays 