APRIL 4 SPRING HAS SPRUNG I do understand that the official arrival of spring was March 20, but I never really believe it until several things happen. The first harbinger of spring, in my world, is the blizzard of yellow pollen that covers everything. The first year I […]
Sheriff Willard “Bo” Diddley, sheriff of Barksdale County, Mississippi, stood leaning over his desk, glaring at the young female deputy who sat on the other side. The veins were pulsing on the side of his neck, and his face was flushed to a bright red. All in all, […]
MAR 28 Fair and Balanced In spite of the old adage, never discuss religion or politics, I feel very strongly that we must be willing to listen to opinions other than our own if we are to understand the process that determines the laws under which we live. […]
A CASE OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE The column of mounted men paused just outside the open gate leading into the city, to allow time for a small caravan of camels to wend its way up the hill. A man mounted on a fine black stallion, dressed in the uniform […]
AS I LIKE IT! MAR 22 SPECIAL EDITION My recent post bemoaning the sad state of the Republican Party elicited several comments, most of which were favorable. My Mississippi State classmate, Chester Miller, was less than enthusiastic, and posted the following: You seem to know as much about […]
AS I LIKE IT! MAR 21 This weekend there was a story in the local newspaper reporting the new rules that will go into effect at Jordan Hare stadium for the 2016 football season. It seems that no one will be allowed to carry a bag of any sort […]
MONA SIDES-SMITH On November 16, 1986, I attended my first AA meeting, and for the first time, I heard my secret story told by a room full of strangers. I’d thought I was unique, and no one could possibly understand what went on in my head, and yet, […]
MAR 13 On Sunday of last week, an era came to a close. Julian Fellowes period soap opera, Downton Abbey, aired its final episode on PBS’s Masterpiece Theater. I have thoroughly enjoyed the six years I’ve spent with the Crawley family and their downstairs staff. Their story has […]
CANNAE AUGUST 2, 216 BC The late afternoon sun was sinking to the west, casting long shadows across the Commanding General’s tent. Hannibal Barca looked up from the map that was spread on the field desk, rubbed his beard and said, “Hasdrubal, have you secured our left […]
MAR 7 THE JERUSALEM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA I love symphony music, and I’m fortunate to live in an area rich with orchestras. LaGrange, Georgia is one of the smallest towns in the world to sponsor a fully funded symphony. Then there are orchestras in Columbus, Georgia, […]
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