Category: Americana
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My Southern Affections
My last post addressed the language of the South and the manner of speaking that is uniquely our own. The South is known for more than its linguistic distinctions; we have our own distinct culture, with different customs, accents, fashion, architecture, musical styles, and cuisines. So, I thought I might muse upon some of the things…
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The Language of the South
Growing up in Georgia in the 1950s and 1960s, I became saturated and steeped in Southern speak. So, when Southern Living Magazine recently published an updated list of “50 Southern Phrases You Won’t Hear Anywhere Else,” (shown below) I read them as if taking a trip down memory lane. None of these expressions needed defining…
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A Time for Patience and Kindness
I received a lesson in patience and kindness yesterday. Having a craving for chicken nuggets, I pulled into the drive-thru line at our local McDonalds. I was only the 3rd car in line, but I quickly noticed no one was moving. I must have sat still for a good five minutes. Finally, the lead car…
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Ground Rules for Dating My Daughter
My grandchildren are still a few years away from “dating.” And my two granddaughters are spitfires; neither I nor their parents will have any reason to doubt their ability to handle themselves in the future. Nevertheless, when I came across this decades-old list of “Ground Rules for Dating My Daughter” I thought it a good…
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Wearin’ of the Green?
I must weigh my words carefully in this post lest they be misunderstood by those whom I hold dear. I am not opposed to wearing green on St. Patty’s Day, but I confess to wondering if that is the best way to honor the patron saint of Ireland. Allow me first to establish my credentials. …
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Bumper Stickers to Live By
I have always been fascinated by bumper stickers. Why do people put them on their cars? Is it just another way to exercise our right to free speech? Are our cars just an extension of our personalities? Could it be that we Americans love our cars and love telling people what we think? Or do…
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The Changing Scale of Values
In my student days studying world history, I recall how the mighty Roman Empire was undone over time in part because they had no idea that their technological achievements had a built-in death knell. You see, Romans, especially those higher-born, channeled water into their homes through pipes lined with lead. As the Empire aged, many…
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What Good Is Freedom If It Is Only Used To Pursue The Obscene?
Frankly, my dear, I don’t know how this happened. There we were in 1939 when Clark Gable poked a hole in the dam of civil discourse when he emphatically declared to Scarlett, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” In other words, that’s when the verbal dam broke! (Pun intended.) It only took forty-six…
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Buttermilk and Cornbread
Driving to Grandma’s house in the late 1950s and early 1960s usually meant a day-long pilgrimage. It was an hour’s drive from our home in Decatur, Georgia, as we wound our way through small towns like Stone Mountain, Snellville, Loganville, and Bold Springs until finally arriving at the family’s ancestral home of Winder. Mom and…
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A Chilling Wind for Christendom
There’s a chill wind blowing in our cultural ethos. It reminds me of those days when winter’s first breath slaps your face as bitter, freezing, and gusty winds sweep southward alerting you that shorter days, lower temperatures, flu season, and barren landscapes are on the way. It seems like just yesterday, maybe ten years ago,…
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