The Decade That Was

It just occurred to me the other day that not only are we nearing the end of the year, we’re at the end of a decade. I know I know … I’m a little slow on the uptake. Probably because it’s hard to believe that we’re fixing to put the teens behind us and head … Continue reading The Decade That Was

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas in Birmingham

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the ‘Ham Not a creature was stirring, not even the Ram. The stocking was hung on Regions with care In hopes that St. NickRocks soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of boiled peanuts danced in their heads. And … Continue reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas in Birmingham

Cuba and the Redneck

(I haven’t been posting here as much as I’d like because I’ve been working on a few other projects. Maybe you’ve seen this piece I did for It’s a Southern Thing on bean pie and how I learned there’s more to it than meets the eye … or mouth, as the case may be. Or … Continue reading Cuba and the Redneck

50 Years, 50 lessons

Today is the big day — my 50th birthday! I was born on September 21, 1969. I am the same age as Sesame Street, the moon landing, and Woodstock. It was the summer of the Stonewall riots, the Manson murders, and Hurricane Camille.  Sugar, Sugar by The Archies was the No. 1 pop song, and … Continue reading 50 Years, 50 lessons

We hold these truths …

Sometimes what I want to write and what I actually write wind up being two different things entirely. Today is one of those times. I wanted to write about the 4th of July because it’s my favorite holiday (as I’ve talked about before). I’d paint a picture of barbecue smoke hanging heavy in the humid … Continue reading We hold these truths …

Bonjour, Gizzard Salad!

The minute I saw it on the menu at Les Vapeurs in Trouville, I knew I was going to order it. I like to try new things when I travel, things I can’t get at home, things that are unique to an area. And on this particular night that thing was candied gizzard salad. After … Continue reading Bonjour, Gizzard Salad!

Alabama, Alabama, We will aye be true to thee …

Alabama is hard, y’all. It just is. It’s hard to be from here. It can be hard to live here. And sometimes — ok, a lot of the time — it’s hard to defend her. These last few weeks have been especially trying for those of us who were born and bred here, who love … Continue reading Alabama, Alabama, We will aye be true to thee …

The Poke Salat Festival

I have been to the Poke Salat Festival. Seriously. Tragedy (that's what I call my husband because of his resting sad face compared to my perpetual mule-eating-briars Comedy grin) and I drove for more than an hour from Birmingham to Arab, Ala., just to go to the Poke Salat Festival. How could we not? Now … Continue reading The Poke Salat Festival