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
Tag: the South
Piano music
New South Essays readers know I’m a fan of Southern singer/songwriter Kate Campbell, so when her 13th album “1000 Pound Machine” was released April 3, it wasn’t a stretch to predict a review was coming. I was intrigued by several twists on this album. First, Campbell trades her customary acoustic guitar for a piano, the … Continue reading Piano music
Fierce landscapes
What a difference a week makes. Last week I was in the Chattahoochee National Forest connecting with my middle son and enjoying the beauty of the Appalachian foothills. This week I visited Big Bend National Park in Texas, connecting with pastors and enjoying the beauty of the mountains and desert of southwest Texas. Call it a … Continue reading Fierce landscapes
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)
What makes the Braves Southern
Next Thursday the Atlanta Braves will begin another marathon baseball season with aims of winning a World Series. Oddsmakers give them a 22 to 1 chance to accomplish this feat. Whether or not they actually succeed really isn’t the point. I’ve been a Braves’ fan since 1982 when my Aunt Phyllis took me and my … Continue reading What makes the Braves Southern
Toilet trouble
I believe every homeowner should be able to patch a hole in drywall, install a ceiling fan and stop a running toilet. If self-reliance and resourcefulness aren’t Southern traits I don’t know what are. My two-week battle with a running toilet tested my convictions in ways that both surprised and infuriated me. It all started … Continue reading Toilet trouble
New South Bracketology
There are times I pretend to be an expert: any discussion of running, life in the New South, Star Wars and fantasy football. There are other times when no amount of pretending can cover up glaring ignorance: parenting, relationships, basic plumbing and filling out NCAA tournament brackets. The mania that has swept the country during … Continue reading New South Bracketology
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
Southern sports showcase
Last weekend was a convergence of televised events that treated channel surfers with more than the usual amount of Southern accents. Unless you were under a rock you know that last weekend was the 54th running of the Daytona 500, the official start of the never-ending NASCAR season. What you may have overlooked was that … Continue reading Southern sports showcase
Connecting with the past
When we hit the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from Charleston into Mount Pleasant the boys stopped watching Harry Potter on our minivan’s built-in DVD player. From the span over the Cooper River we could see the U.S.S. Yorktown, parked at Patriots Point. It would be our home for a night, and it was lit impressively, … Continue reading Connecting with the past
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