Meanwhile, in other news, there’s this: Mr. Kalberg, as you reached for the salt, you were warned about the danger of those four brass buttons on your Polo blazer. As is your custom, though, you failed to listen and ended up with the sugary residue of a full lemon-drop martini in your lap, along with […]
Anthony Kalberg
The Friday Funnies – Big Hair and Aunt Martha.
The renowned Coastal hair salon and spa, Chuck Kelly Salon, always aims to please. From making me look like I have more hair than I do to making “Aunt Martha” look like a true Gibson Girl, Mr. Kelly never ceases to please. On this rainy day, please remember to be the happy sunshine in someone’s […]
The Friday Funnies – A New Do!
Love me some Chuck Kelly Salon in Gulfport, Mississippi! The customer is always right, and Chuck always aims to please. I ask him to give me a new do that would make it appear that I had more hair than I do. I think he succeeded. What say ye? As you go through your day […]
The Friday Funnies – A Thousand Words.
Old-timers say a picture is worth a thousand words. With that in mind, please remember ths: Sometimes, when life beats you up and throws you under a bus, you just gotta get up, shoot it the bird, and ease on down the road. Later Bird-Shooting Gaters. (That’s 55 words, just in case you’re wondering. LOL!) […]
Dispatches from Home – Les Misérables. Bitter Memories and Sweet Ones.
I’ve just finished watching the movie version of this magnificent musical and, once again, was swept up in the beauty and majesty of its music and story of redemption. As I listened, I could not help but remember the first time I saw this delectable feast of sights and sounds. That was twenty years ago, […]
The Friday Funnies – Food Snobs.
Meanwhile, in other news! So, I’m asked to bring a potato dish to our Supper Club. I did. The snap best indicates the reaction I received. Oy Vey! Pampered food snobs…what ja gonna do? Gotta love ‘em, though. Today, while eating at McDonald’s or Mary Mahoney’s, don’t forget to do yourself a favor and laugh! […]
The Friday Funnies! A Tux + White Shorts = Trouble.
“I told you not to wear shorts to dinner tonight,” said she. “Oy vey! Such a slap and a lesson learned,” said me. Don’t forget to have a good laugh today! Big hug. (Originally posted April 25, 2025)
The Friday Funnies – Workout Gloves Don’t Last.
Yikes! And double yikes! Whatever happened to quality in our dear country? I’ve had these gym workout gloves for only 25 years, and now I have to buy a new pair. I was hoping to get at least another ten years out of them. I am heartbroken. Remember, the Good Book says, “A merry heart […]
The Friday Funnies – Good News. Bad News.
I spoke with my plastic surgeon, asking him if he could perhaps help me look 65 again. He flashed an intense light on my sagging face, poked around my puffy eyelids, pinched my neck wrinkles, and then, with a sadistic smile, said, “I don’t think I’ve got that much caulk and epoxy glue.” I was […]
The Friday Funnies – Poor Lit’ Mermaid.
Meanwhile, in other news! At the local Bustin’ Suds, some nut-job attempted to wash the Little Mermaid. Mercy me. Poor baby, I certainly hope she made it. Because laughter is the best medicine, take a huge dose today. Big hug. (Originally posted April 21, 2023)
The Sunday Sermonette – The Touch Divine.
The magnificent ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo in the early fifteenth century, is regarded as one of the most famous works of art in the world. Michelangelo was considered the greatest living artist in his lifetime, and ever since then, he has been included in the pantheon of the world’s greatest […]
Dispatches from Home – Titanic Epilogue.
Greetings! In 1865, the Sultana, a Mississippi riverboat loaded with Civil War wounded, exploded and burned; over 1,500 died. In 1914, the Empress of Ireland collided with another ship; 1,012 died. In 1915, the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine; 1,200 died. In 1940, the Lancastria, part of the Dunkirk evacuation, was hit by […]
The Sunday Sermonette: Messages Ignored.
At 2:18 on the morning of April 15, 1912, the lights on board RMS Titanic flickered and went out forever, plunging her luxurious interiors into darkness, along with over 1500 passengers, all clamoring for a spot on her rising stern. The screams of those aboard echoed through the inky blackness of the starry nighttime sky. […]
The Friday Funnies – A Rotten Easter Egg.
Greetings! Note to self. Self, next Easter, please remember that just because it looks like a chocolate-covered Easter Egg on a stick tied with pretty ribbon and covered in a candied yellow shell, it might not be all it seems! However, you’ll be happy to know, dear friends and family, that one bite of styrofoam […]
Dispatches from Home – Death! The Great Equalizer.
Greetings! One hundred and thirteen years have passed since the unsinkable Titanic sank, taking 1,496 souls with her to a frigid, watery grave. The Titanic continues to serve as a powerful symbol of human pride and arrogance. However, just as in those days, Death remains the great equalizer, affecting everyone—young and old, famous and not-so-famous, […]
Dispatches from Home – Titanic Strikes Iceberg April 14, 1912. Fast forward to the 16th.
When we read about the Titanic, its 1st Class passengers, with their gilded wealth and posh lifestyles, are always front and center. 2nd Class passengers are mentioned too, a myriad of preachers, missionaries, businessmen, teachers, and middle-class families. When 3rd Class passengers are mentioned, most have one thing in common—the better life awaiting them in […]
Dispatches from Home – Tea and Sympathy, Third Times the Charm.
Greetings! As I enter my golden years, I often sit in the still quiet of the morning, a hot cup of coffee in my hand, pondering what the future holds and the past reveals. Thoughts of the future usually find me traveling down a bumpy road, ending in a dead-end. It’s best to leave those […]
Dispatches from Home – The Titanic and the Nazis.
In the aftermath of the Titanic disaster, the ship became a metaphor for all of society’s misfortunes. The years leading up to the sinking had been excessively optimistic. Rich and poor alike put their faith in technological advances, believing mankind had reached the zenith of its knowledge. As one Titanic crew member stated, “God Himself […]
The Sunday Sermonette – In The Days of Evil.
In the last dark days of World War II, as the Third Reich imploded, there were still touching stories of empathy shown to those whose lives had been uprooted by Nazi racial hatred. One such story was that of Wilhelm Hosenfeld. Wilhelm was a Catholic schoolteacher from a small German village who, like many German […]
Dispatches from Home – Titanic. An Immersive Experience.
Greetings! Spring is my favorite time of the year to visit New Orleans. The city’s massive oaks are crowned with spring-green leaves as magenta azaleas gather at their feet. The cacophony of city sounds, bustling people, and the delicious aroma of equally delicious food wafting through the air are a visitor’s dream. But today, there […]
Dispatches from Home – The Titanic’s Unknown Child.
On a foggy cold day, April 17, 1912, the cable-laying ship, Mackay-Bennett, steamed out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her destination, the arctic-cold North Atlantic. Her job, searching for and recovering the bodies of the Titanic’s dead passengers. The crew aboard, all volunteers, were paid double for this sad, grisly task. The ship was loaded with […]
Dispatches from Home – The Titanic and the Old Curiosity Shop.
Like Dickens’ old curiosity shop, my little house is a repository of battered antiques, ruined finery, and dusty memories. Because less-is-best in interior design these days, when I shuffle off this mortal coil, my treasures may bring a buck-fifty at a garage sale. (Big Smile) However, my collection of Titanic memorabilia might bring a wee […]
Dispatches from Home – Prophecies. Bad Omens. And a Lucky Pig.
“I don’t believe in fortune-tellers!” Edith said, sitting in the gilded splendor of Madame de Thebes’ Parisian salon, the most famous fortune-teller of the late 19th Century. “I shall predict your fortune anyway,” the lady said in the flickering candlelight, her voice low, her stare intense. “You are about to go through a dreadful experience. […]
Dispatches from Home – Blanche from Laurel, Mississippi.
Greetings! What a delightful afternoon! Sitting alone at the Biloxi Half Shell Oyster House, imagine my surprise when a lovely young lady suddenly appeared, as if out of the blue, and said, “Sir, may I sit and have lunch with you? You look like an older version of someone I knew and loved, long, long […]
Dispatches from Home – He is Risen.
Greetings! “He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” – Matthew 28:6. And because He lives, so will all those who believe in Him. And they will spend eternity with Him and His Father in Heaven. Happy Easter to all my family and friends. […]
This and That – My Beach Walk.
Greetings! I love a good walk to the beach. And today, mercy me, it was a cloudy, blustery day, Christopher Robin. I love the feel of the wind fluttering through my clothes. I love the smell of the sea and the cool mist as it hovers overhead. Love hearing the crunching oak leaves beneath my […]
The Friday Funnies – Lit’ Abner, Mammy, and Pappy.
I think this picture’s caption should read: “Sorry, Mammy Yokum, I just cut the cheese!” With Abner saying, “And a big smelly slice it was!” (LOL!) Keep smiling today! It’s good for your soul! Big hug. (Originally posted April 5, 2024)
This and That – A Swell Time Was Had By All.
Greetings! Goodness grashus! What a raucous, fun time was had last night at the Kalbergs’ palatial estate in the Hood. I think it is safe to say that our sides are still sore from laughing so much! Gather a gaggle of thespians together, and their stories—some true, some embellished, and some suspicious—are sure to entertain. […]
Dispatches from Home – Titanic: The Last Sunset.
Easter, 1912, fell on April 7th. The magnificent churches and cathedrals of England would have been packed, their soaring, columned interiors filled with the sweet bouquet of incense and majestic choral music. But on the RMS Titanic, its luxurious interiors were being readied for her maiden voyage. 30,000 fresh eggs, 800 cases of shelled walnuts, […]
This and That – Morning Thoughts About Life.
A thought on this lovely, sunshiny morning: “The tide recedes but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand. The sun goes down but the gentle warmth still lingers on the land. The music stops, and yet it echoes on in sweet refrain. For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains.” Author unknown. Big hug, y’all. […]
The Friday Funnies – Corona Beer and D’Lo.
Tonight, for one night only, at the D’Lo Hog and Tractor Expo, the famous musical duo Banda de Hombres Atractivos will entertain with their unique blend of rock, big band, and country gospel music. Let the record show, however, that, being Baptists, they are not promoting the Corona Beer Franchise. They are, however, thankful for […]
Dispatches from Home – The Titanic Cat.
Propelled by the Titanic’s grandeur, the glamour of its 1st Class passengers, and the immigrant dreams of those in steerage, everything from its rivets to its china patterns has been placed under the microscope. But what about the little bow-wows on board? There were 12 canines on the doomed ocean liner, three of which survived. […]
Dispatches from Home – Ten Seconds.
What can happen in ten seconds? You could try to kiss your date in a bar and get a drink thrown in your face. Perhaps you could score a winning goal? Every ten seconds, 104,500 Coca-Colas are consumed worldwide. Every ten seconds, a honeybee beats its wings 2700 times. And in just ten quick seconds, […]
The Sunday Sermonette – The Trouble with Vicious Tentacles.
In today’s world, trouble wraps itself around us with vicious tentacles. Earthquakes. Horrific tornadoes. Wars. Fatal illnesses. Personal trials and tribulations. The senseless murder of children and adults. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were hounded by trouble as well. They often turned to God to help solve their problems, but it was too late. […]
Dispatches from Home – Wet Ass Pu.sy.
I usually refrain from slogging into the minefield of societal issues, but today I do. Let’s see. Pepe’ La Pew is a rapist. Mr. Potato Head is non-gender-neutral friendly. And Dr. Seuss, Elmer Fudd, Aunt Jemima, and Uncle Ben are racist. Yet, “Wet Ass Pu..sy” wins Best Song of 2020. Really? And now Satan has […]
The Friday Funnies – Rejected Virgins.
Meanwhile, on Old Compton Street in merry ol’ London, there’s this sign at the local tobacconist shop. I wonder how much non-rejected Virgins would cost? (Don’t go there. LOL!) Laugh, giggle, and guffaw today. It’s good for the heart and soul. Big hug. (Originally posted March 31, 2023)
The Sunday Sermonette – Being Lost is Frightening.
In the last years of my dear mother’s life, her mind slipped away day by day. I could hear it in what she said, see it in what she did, and recognized it in what she no longer remembered. Oft times, she didn’t know who I was, but never stopped thanking me for watching over […]
Dispatches from Home – Depression – The Silent Battle.
When the word, battle, is spoken, what comes to mind? Perhaps famous conflicts like the Battles of Yorktown and Gettysburg, the Battle of Verdun, or the Normandy Invasion of WWII. But other human battles are often fought alone, battles of the mind: depression, fear, panic, loneliness, and anger. However, the famous battles listed above were […]
The Friday Funnies – Who’s the Fairest?
Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who’s the fairest of them all? “Say who?” says me. “It’s you!” says thee. So, it’s not Snow White? “She ditched her Knight?” Now, there’s a flash, A box office crash? Thank you, Mirror, for your kind vote, It causes my old spirits upward to float. And when next I […]
The Friday Funnies! Entrepreneurial Ingenuity.
News flash! On the freeway between D’Lo and Mendenhall, there’s this. Leave it to the entrepreneurial ingenuity of Crapper Home Rentals to fill this much-needed void. Just in time for your country-teamed wedding, Easter bunny bash, or the upcoming spring cotillions, you can add a bit of old-time humor to the party. Remember: In today’s […]
This and That – In Your Easter Bonnet.
Greetings Ladies! “In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it. You’ll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade!” I saw this creative chapeau at the D’Lo Haute Couture Spring Fashion Show and thought of y’all. The title of the show was “Takin’ what you got…Makin’ what you can!” And if you do, […]
The Friday Funnies – Do You Have a Crazy Uncle?
Do you have a crazy uncle? I do, and his name is Cuthbert Alowishus Kalberg. As a child, when I visited him during Christmas, I remember thinking how strange he looked—fez for a hat, velvet dressing gown with a fox-fur collar, pallid face, wrinkles galore, and matted beard! Yikes! When I hugged him, I was […]
Dispatches from Home – Tennessee Williams Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Mr. Williams! Last week, someone asked me why I wanted to direct “A Streetcar Named Desire” during the dark times in which we live. I told the person it was because of the play’s characters and what made them honest and authentic. Mr. Williams saw into their souls and allows us to see […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Maturity is a Delicate Dance.
Do we ever stop maturing? Maturity is a delicate dance between what you know and what you still need to learn. It is not measured by age but by experience. One of maturity’s milestones is when you stop complaining, stop making excuses, and start making changes. Change is not easy. Ask Father God to help […]
The Friday Funnies – Fagin and His Pickpockets.
Greetings! Note to Self: When giving stage notes to Fagin and his gang of pickpockets, villains, and thieves, don’t anger them! They know where you live! All jokes aside, someone with a better grasp of English than I should invent another word for Thank you! But THANK YOU is all I can say to the […]
Dispatches from Home – Loving Poetry.
Greetings! Do you love poetry? I certainly do! And this is a favorite of mine. Ponder its words, and go forth. SOLITUDE by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. “Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone. For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth, But has trouble enough of its own. Sing, […]
This and That – Precious Memories.
Greetings1 Saturday night with dear friends! Lots of laughs and delicious food! Most of all, precious memories in the making! Thank you to our hostesses, Jannie and Joyce, for their delightful repast. As the Book of Proverbs says: A sweet friend refreshes the soul. Big hug! (Originally posted March 23, 2024)
The Sunday Sermonette – Prayers in the Belly.
Last week, I was rereading the story of poor old Jonah. Remember him? He was commanded by Father God to go and preach repentance to the wicked city of Nineveh. In the Old Testament narrative, though, we are told that at first, he didn’t follow God’s commands. Running from God, Jonah boarded a boat but […]
Dispatches from Home – One Month Ago Today.
One month ago, February 22, 2019—to the day—God called my dear mother Home. One month ago, the skies were clogged with misty fog and dripping rain. Today though, the skies are bathed in glorious blue, the morning dew glistening on springtime azaleas and roses. In the past month, many of you have asked how I […]
The Friday Funnies – Pothole Appreciation Day.
Meanwhile, in other news! Mayors on the Mississippi Gulf Coast have declared March 22, 2024, Pothole Appreciation Day! Although a nuisance, aggravating potholes can be transformed into spots of enjoyment with a bit of ingenuity. The snap indicates a suggested spot. (Swimsuits are optional.) Sometimes you gotta take what you got and make what you […]
Dispatches from Home – A Streetcar Named Desire Closes.
To my dear Cast and Crew, Thank you! Without your commitment, tenacity, professionalism, and love, our production of Streetcar would have never made its way out of the streetcar shed. As you well know, you brought tears of joy to these old eyes nightly. And a huge thank you for helping take down the set! […]
The Friday Funnies – Hugh Hefner and Moi.
Meanwhile, in other news, there’s this: A Hugh Hefner look-alike was spotted on the deck of a tourist boat in Mobile harbor while viewing the S.S. United States. Alas, things hurriedly spiraled out of control when the look-alike, channeling Hefner, began handing out Bunny applications for the mansion. Husbands took offense and threw the Hefner […]
The Friday Funnies -My Amazing Body!
Greetings! Isn’t AI wonderful! While I was lounging on my patio, all I asked AI to do was to put a pool in the picture. Amazing. (Wink, wink, wink.) AI is fake. But a good hearty laugh today will remind you that laughter isn’t fake, and will certainly give you a boost as you traverse […]
The Friday Funnies – “Applause” the Musical and Moi.
Greettings! For your consideration, I present Duane, in all his flaming glory, seen here in Gulfport Little Theater’s 1980 summer musical, “Applause!” The musical is based on the 1950 film “All About Eve.” Duane is dancing atop a wooden spool while being wheeled around the stage, belting out a song. Channeling both Nijinsky and Baryshnikov, […]
The Friday Funnies – Why Do You Brush Your Teeth?
In this crazy world, always remember: you brush your teeth at night to keep them. However, you brush them in the morning to keep your friends! Brushed yours lately? Later Brushing Gaters!
This and That – Bethnal Green. East London. 1890.
Greetings! This snap brought tears to my old eyes. The caption read: “An evicted mother, a matchbox maker, with her two children. Bethnal Green. East London. 1890.” I titled it: “One chair. A bundle. One lamp. A table. Two children. One mother. And no place to go.” Did she find somewhere to live? Did her […]
This and That – Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Greetings! Og, the leprechaun, and I wish you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day! It’s hard to believe he and I met at the Sanenger Theater in 1984, during the Mississippi Gulf Coast Opera’s production of “Finian’s Rainbow.” Haven’t seen him since. I miss the old boy! But I don’t miss all that green makeup. (LOL!) […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Are You Like Punch?
Have you seen the Facebook reels of Punch, the baby macaque monkey whose search for love and companionship has touched so many online? He was born in July 2025 at the Ichikawa City Zoo near Tokyo. Not long after, something unusual happened: his mother abandoned him. This can happen in groups of monkeys when the […]
This and That – Dear Friends are the Best.
Greetings! Here’s to you, my dear friends. I raise a glass to old times, old memories, and old days. May Father God bless you today and in the future. Big hug!
The Friday Funnies – A Victorian Mullet.
Greetins! Meanwhile, in other theatrical news, let me vent. Oh! These rank, amateurish productions of classics like “A Christmas Carol” are so exasperating. Does anyone know what period hairstyles looked like? But hey, at least they give us a good laugh, right? Always remember, everything is better with laughter, even a Victorian mullet. Big hug, […]
The Friday Funnies – Don’t Drink! Don’t Drive!
To the Baptist Sobriety Watchdogs: Please don’t drag me out in the night and send me to a temperance camp to dry out. I was only working on my testimony. All jokes aside, if you drink, don’t drive! It’s a magnificent, brisk day here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Enjoy it! And don’t forget to […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Falling? Get Back Up.
Greetings! Oft times, we allow past experiences to determine our future actions. If we had one bad experience at a local restaurant, we vow never to return. If we go out socially or to church and no one speaks to us, we tend to think all social events and churches are like this. It is […]
Dispatches from Home – The Deep Well of Loss.
Greetings! My sweet Granny from D’Lo once told me, “Andy, you’ll never miss the water until your well runs dry.” Hard, true words indeed. Another of life’s hard-learned lessons is this: You’ll never understand what you’ve lost, because you never understood what you had. Ponder this and go forth. (Originally posted March 12, 2023)
This and That – The Coronavirus! Keep Smiling.
Greetings! With the world in freefall over the coronavirus, let me say that I’m being proactive, washing hands, etc. I don’t ever remember the world in such a panic. I’ll not be a part of it. HOWEVER, if I contract the virus–I am old–and keel over from it, you have my permission to inscribe this […]
The Friday Funnies! The Music Man and Moi.
Today’s snap takes us back to Gulfport Little Theater’s 1976 production of “The Music Man.” Little moi was chorus member number 36. Because it was our country’s Bicentennial, many of the costumes were red, white, and blue. No problem for moi. I rushed to my closet and put together this stunning little ensemble, compliments of […]
Poems. Late Afternoon Shadows.
In shadowed halls, where whispered struggles dwell, I wander down a lonely path, my weary heart knows all too well. Although my strength doth often falter, still I reach for what is true, And lean on Father God, my faithful, merciful guide anew. When unkind life assails me, and trembling doubts arise, […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Late Afternoon Shadows.
In shadowed halls, where whispered struggles dwell, I wander down a lonely path, my weary heart knows all too well. Although my strength doth often falter, still I reach for what is true, And lean on Father God, my faithful, merciful guide anew. When unkind life assails me, and trembling doubts arise, […]
The Friday Funnies! Railroad Tracks and Hurt Feet!
Greetings. Note to self: In the future, remember to wear appropriate shoes when dressing to see a famous ship like the S.S. United States. The devilish rocks under my new red Tom’s slip-ons are killing me. Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted March 7, 2025)
The Friday Funnies – EARTH-SHATTERING CULINARY NEWS!
While divesting individual cucumber slices of their thick, deep-green skin – which was laborious and time-consuming at best – I thought to myself, “Self, there’s gotta be a better way!” It was then that the Food Fairy (the Tooth Fairy’s weight-challenged sister) sprinkled me with her magic dust ( Sorry to my Evangelical friends for […]
The Friday Funnies – My First COVID Shot.
Greetings! Good news! Bad news! The good news is this: I got my first COVID shot yesterday. The bad news is this: it did not go well. Alas, I had an acute reaction. (See picture.) However, the National Guard boys were standing at the ready. They got me plastered up and sent me on my […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Watchman, What of the Night?
In the Old Testament, Watchmen stood on Jerusalem’s ancient walls, searching the horizon for those who might attack the city. Because of their crucial tasks, these men had to be reliable, honest, and trustworthy. Reliable and honest in what they saw and reported to their commanders. Trustworthy that what they did report was accurate, whether […]
The Friday Funnies – Life is Good!
Greetings! A ventilated straw hat, aviator glasses, a trendy shirt, a 27-inch waistline, and an umbrella to keep the rain at bay. Life is good! Today, as you walk life’s pathway, please remember that it takes both sunshine and rain to make a rainbow. Learn to dance in the rain and look forward to the […]
Dispatches from Home – Thank you!
Greetings! I want to thank everyone who attended Mom’s funeral! I know she would have been humbled by the outpouring of your love and words of encouragement, as was I. A special word of thanks goes out to my dear friend, Janie Still Walters, for the humor and joy she brought to a bittersweet occasion, […]
The Friday Funnies – You Should Have Stayed in Bed.
The Friday Funnies! Ever have one of those mornings? Apparently this poor fellow had a bad night and should have stayed in bed. Here’s wishing y’all a Happy Friday. Don’t forget to laugh. Turn that frown upside down and make it a smile. Big hug. (Originally posted March 3, 2023)
The Sunday Sermonette – Photography.
Photography irrevocably changed the way we see the world. No longer dependent on artists to dab paint onto a canvas, thus creating their version of the world, photographs allowed us to view it as it really is through the camera’s eye. The oldest surviving photo was taken around 1826, and the camera that took it […]
Dispatches from Home – Beer-n-Cheese.
Greetings! For those of you who know my dear mother’s situation, you know that I’m never sure what she does or doesn’t understand. And conversation between the two of us is limited to answering the same question over and over, usually, “Did it rain last night…” But at tonight’s supper, things were different. The conversation […]
The Friday Funnies – Spring is Bustin’ Out all Over!
Meanwhile, in other opera news, the D’Lo Opera Society will present its reworking of Wagner’s famed Der Ring des Nibelungen. The Society’s new title is Der Ring des Bubba. Bubba will be played by Lockwood Peckenpaugh III, who thrilled local opera lovers with his rendition of “There are Fairies in My Garden” at the Fall […]
The Sunday Sermonette – History’s Filth and Ours.
Dachau. That one word conjures hellish visions of walking, starving skeletons, tethered to the gut-wrenching stench of decaying bodies and human excrement. Private John Lee, one of the American infantrymen who helped liberate the camp, later recalled, “We entered and the smell hit us first—it was like nothing I had known. Then we saw […]
The Friday Funnies! Tales from FBC’s Kitchen. Disaster!
Greetings! Note to self: When you’re told to turn the oven off so the roux flour can cool down, make sure the oven fan is off as well. If not, a face full of flour and a messy, detailed clean-up follows. Lest we forget: It’s good to chuckle at yourself and life’s problems. In today’s […]
The Friday Funnies! Nude Cooking or Playing the Banjo?
Alas, woe is me! Last week’s ballet hobby met with a quick denouement. While pirouetting, I lost my balance and hit the floor less than the other 74-year-olds in my class. Jealousy on their part, laced with snarky remarks, was the rule of the day. So, I thought it best to embark on a new […]
Dispatches from Home – Aunt Nell’s One-Hundreth Birhtday.
Greetings! Last Saturday, February 21st, I slipped behind the wheel and began a journey back in time. The car seat was comfortable against my back, and the crisp morning air greeted me, as did the luminous sunshine. The 22nd would mark seven years since Mother stepped into eternity and into the loving arms of Jesus. […]
The Friday Funnies – The Office Snake!
Greetings! On this foggy day in old Gulfport town, please take time to peruse the accompanying snap. You know it’s going to be one of those days at work–in this case, ye ole DHS office–when someone screams, “There’s a big snake in the hallway!!!” Snakes on a plane are one thing. A snake outside your […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Your Legacy.
In the Book of Chronicles, there’s a man named Er. It states that he was wicked, which led to his death. Thousands of years later, that is all we know about poor old Er. That is his legacy. That is how he is remembered. Each of us is creating a legacy, the imprint we leave […]
The Friday Funnies – It’s Best to Follow the Rules.
“Andy, we’ve had a great day at Pontchartrain Beach, but now it’s time to go home, so get in the car,” said Mom. “I don’t want to,” said I and threw a fit. The ensuing slap on my derriere told me who was in charge. Dad helped by taking a snap for posterity. Thought for […]
This and That – Stephen Hawking is Brilliant?
The brilliant intellectual Stephen Hawking stated: “We are each free to believe what we want and it is my view that the simplest explanation is there is no God. No one created the universe and no one directs our fate. This leads me to a profound realization. There is probably no heaven, and no afterlife […]
Dispatches from Home – One Year Later.
Greetings! Let me thank each one of you for your kind comments and uplifting prayers on the 22nd. They made a trying day all the more palatable. I’m thankful the 22nd has come and gone. Now, all the “firsts” are behind me. For those of you who have lost loved ones, you know how trying […]
The Friday Funnies – Ugly and Pretty.
Sometimes in life, you just gotta take ugly and make it pretty. Always try to look your best. And while you’re doing that, don’t forget to laugh. It’s good for the heart and the soul. Later Laughing-Chicken-Feet Gaters! (Originally poseted February 24, 2023)
The Friday Funnies – That’s One Ugly-lookin’ Broad!
Greetings! As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. I can hear these ladies now, “Mable, that’s one ugly-lookin’ broad!” “Lucille, Honey, I’ll bet you next week’s rent, she ain’t no better lookin’ when she’s a he.” (LOL!) But as we say down South, “Bless his/her heart.” (LOL!) Have a great weekend, y’all. […]
Dispatches from Home – With Bittersweet Joy.
It is with bittersweet joy that I must inform you that God called my dear mother Home about an hour ago. I’ll post the funeral arrangements later. Thanking everyone again for your prayers and kind words of encouragement! Big hug to you all! (Originally posted February 22, 2019, around 10:30 am.)
Dispatches from Home: One Year Ago Today.
One year ago today, God called my dear mother Home. The morning was foggy with rain. A dull silence filled the house. I’d slept a somewhat sleepless night, pondering what the future held for Mom and me since she was practically bedridden. When I checked on her in the wee hours of the morning, she […]
Dispatches from Home: Musty Letters. Dusty Memories.
I don’t remember much about that night, the night of the accident. I was only four-and-a-half years old. My father was working the night shift, and my mother and I were on our way to pick him up. As mother always did on those nights, she laid a snuggly-warm, patchwork quilt on the back floorboard […]
Dispatches from Home – Three Years Ago.
Mama’s been in Heaven three years today. While sitting on the seawall this morning, looking out across the tawny-brown waters of the Gulf, the morning mist against my face, I thought of that rainy morning that God called her Home. I remembered Mama’s low, raspy breathing. How quiet and still she was. And how warm […]
Dispatches from Home – Four Years Ago.
Dear Mom, Oh! How I miss you! I don’t know where the past four years have gone since last I heard your sweet voice, felt the warmth of your loving touch, and saw the sparkle in your blue eyes. Do you remember the day we took this picture? It was in the early 2000s for […]
Dispatches from Home – Six Years Have Passed.
Six years have passed since I touched your warm hands. And it’s been six years since I heard your sweet voice say, “I love you.” But one day soon, I’ll touch your warm hands again and hear you sweetly say, “I love you. Welcome home…forever!” Miss you, Mom! Big hug. (Originally posted February 22, 2025)
Dispatches from Home – Five Years Ago Today.
Mom, five years ago today, as I held your warm, frail hand, you slipped from this life into eternity. Each time I see the old camelia bush in the backyard awash with pink blossoms, I think of you. Whenever I sit in your old rocker by the window, I think of you. When I see […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Spring Always Follows Winter.
Around this time each year, I notice the silent changes that show Old Man Winter is releasing his grip on the Coast and that Miss Lovely Spring is not far away. My azaleas are overflowing with tiny specks of pink, a sign they’ll soon be in full bloom. Meanwhile, Mom’s sixty-year-old camelia bush is dropping […]
This and That – The Stained Glass of Life.
Thought for the day: People are like stained-glass windows. They glow and sparkle when the sun is shining on them. But when the sun goes down, their true beauty is revealed only if they have a light from within. Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted February 2021)
Dispatches from Home – Update on Mom.
She’s coming home tomorrow! After careful consideration and a long talk with Kare In Home and her GP, I’ve decided to bring Mom home. If and when she gets better physically–big IF–Kare In Home told me they can send out a physical therapist to help her. I’ve always lived by the mantra: Let peace be […]
The Friday Funnies- – What Was I Thinking!
Today’s snap was filed in a folder labeled WHAT WAS I THINKING! It was taken at a late-1990s SNACS performance. Remember those? Saturday Night at Center Stage? I was channeling Tom Cruise from “Risky Business” while singing a rousing rendition of “Oh! You Beautiful Doll.” A Dixieland Jazz recording of the song drowned out my […]
Dispatches from Home – Update on Mom.
Update on Mom: Unless things change tomorrow, Mom’s being transferred to Lake View Rehab Center. Her Memorial doctor said Mom was a pretty good candidate for some not-to-difficult rehab. Mom’s still very weak and still has a bad cough that is not viral, so it can’t be treated with drugs. It’s just gotta run its […]
