Category: Americana
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May the Fourth Be With You
Growing up, the 4th of July was always a fun time. We celebrated our National Day of Independence with fireworks, parades, barbecues, and family picnics. As American humorist Erma Bombeck once said, “You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4th, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who…
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How to Name a Drug
I figure it’s time for a less-than-serious reflection on the lifestyles of the Medicare generation. The weeks following last year’s knee surgery is the inspiration for this post. With limited mobility and the usual aches and pains that follow surgery, I found myself watching more television than normal — my normal being not so much. …
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The Hypocrisy of the Left
In recent days, the media world has been ablaze with reactions to a commencement speech given at Benedictine College in Kansas by NFL Placekicker Harrison Butker. There is even a petition circulating calling for the Kansas City Chiefs to fire him for his antiquated and misogynistic remarks. You’d have thought he staged a campus riot,…
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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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