Greetings! Well, I’m waiting for Santa Baby to grant all my Christmas wishes. However, as a child, I don’t remember Santa being this wide. (LOL!) Later Christmas Gaters! (Originally posted December 1, 2021)
Anthony Kalberg
Dispatches from Home – The Flight into Egypt Changed the World.
Greetings! This is one of my favorite paintings: Rest on the Flight into Egypt, 1879, by Luc-Olivier Merson. “Fleeing persecution at the hands of Roman authorities, the Holy Family takes refuge in Egypt. Joseph dozes beside a dying campfire while his donkey grazes on sparse desert grass. At left sleep Mary and the infant Jesus, […]
The Friday Funnies – Bah, Humbug!
Merry Christmas indeed! Bah, Humbug! A word of warning! My minions are roaming the countryside, keeping a record of those running around buying bits and pieces to put under the Christmas tree. These records will be compiled and sent to the IRS Office. That office will, in turn, contact you, investigating the vast income you […]
Dispatches from Home – Chapel Hart and Mr. Scrooge!
Greetings! So mean ol’ Scrooge was minding his own business today at WLOX and look who he ran into—CHAPEL HART! So proud of these young Mississippi ladies!! They were SOOOO sweet, with hugs and kisses all around. May their stardom reach the heavens and stay there for a long, long time. Big hug, y’all! (Originally […]
This and That – 1974’s The Great Gatsby is the Best!
Greetings! This is my all-time favorite version of Fitzgerald’s timeless literary masterpiece about unrequited love. I saw it at the picture show in 1974 and still have the original movie poster, which I see each time I drive in and out of my garage. Tis true: “Gone is the romance that was so divine.” Here […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Shiny New Boots.
On a beach walk last week, I spotted a pair of rubber boots, their newness glistening in the afternoon sunshine. Peering inside them, I discovered some toothpaste, hand sanitizer, soap, and a spray can of deodorant. There was also a five-dollar bill tucked into the mix. Often on my walks, I see homeless people shuffling […]
The Friday Funnies – Overeating Not So Bad Afterall.
For those who ate too much yesterday, I guess maybe overeating isn’t such a bad thing after all. (LOL!) Enjoy this brisk, sun-shiny day as you glide into the weekend. Big hug, ya’ll!
This and That – The Dash of Life.
In this race called Life, we often find ourselves dashing about, hither and yon, in search of those things we think will make a difference in our lives. And in our mad dash, we often fail to remember that in the end, a dash of another kind will be the only thing that denotes our […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Rare like a Vermeer Painting.
Sincerity and truth, like a Vermeer painting, are rare in today’s culture. People smile bright Pepsodent smiles, but their smiles hide everything from lies to flattery and deception. Don’t be deceived. Look for sincerity and truth in those you love and call family and friends. Ponder this and go forth. (Originally posted November 27, 2022)
Thanksgiving Day 2025.
This Thanksgiving Day, we will come together, Through rain, snow, and inclement weather. Hearts will be full, spirits bright, We’ll gather together, what a happy delight. Many friends will join us; they’ve stood through thick and thin, They’ve shared our many losses and our many wins. With raucous laughter and delightful cheer, […]
Dispatches from Home – Thanksgiving 2020!
With the onslaught of a caustic election, coupled with a toxic virus, I’ve heard people say, “I have nothing to be thankful for.” Really? Let me tell you what I’m thankful for. After a good night’s sleep, I awoke this morning and planted my feet on the softness of a Persian rug. Thankfully, my feet, […]
The Friday Funnies – Ye ol’ Brick and Spoon!
Ah! Cheese grits and shrimp at ye ol’ Brick and Spoon, topped off with sparkling conversation and tasty mimosas. Life is good. I know what you’re thinking. Those are my pectorals, not old man…well, you know. (LOL!) Remember: Laughing with a friend is the best laughter of all. Later, Laughing Gaters! (Originally posted November 26, […]
Dispatches from Home – We Always Drove East.
When I was a child in the late 50s and early 60s, Thanksgiving was always a family affair. Mom, Dad, and I usually celebrated it alone, just the three of us enjoying a simple, pleasant time together. Mom cooked a traditional meal for lunch, I helped wash the dishes, and then we were off on […]
The Friday Funnies – A Boy and his Tractor.
Greetings! I found this snap in a box of old snaps in an antique shop. Wonder what happened to this little fellow? With his rakish Panama hat and snappy sandals, he’s the bee’s knees, to be sure. And that tractor! Perhaps he grew up to be a farmer. I bet his chest sprouted hair and […]
Dispatches from Home – The Real Reason for Thanksgiving.
Lest we forget the REAL reason for this day! May each of you have a blessed Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving Proclamation Issued by President George Washington, at the request of Congress, on October 3, 1789: By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation. “Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the […]
The Friday Funnies – Henry VIII Marriage Advice.
Mercy me! I thought June was the month to marry. I’ve received three December wedding invitations, along with three bachelor party invites as well. I thought this beautiful leatherbound book might make a good gift for the grooms. What say Ye? Have a good chuckle today; don’t lose your head in the process. (LOL!) Big […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Life’s a Cabaret, old Chum! Until…
As the sparkling chandelier dimmed in Biloxi’s Saenger Theater, I had no idea what the musical Cabaret was all about. Then, a slow syncopated musical vamp filled the theater, and suddenly the screen came alive with a misty montage of partying people. From one corner of the screen, a diminutive Master of Ceremonies, […]
This and That – Mean ol’ Mr. Scrooge and His Dancers.
The Friday Funnies – A Preppy Yuppy!
Greetings! I hear tell this preppy yuppy thought he had found a lucrative acting career in making commercials for Electric City and Baber’s Leasing. Alas, that was not to be. And he found himself reg-tagged, obsolete, and out of a job. Not daunted and quick on his feet, though, he found fame and fortune at […]
The Friday Funnies! The New Power Lift Ejecto Chair.
ATTENTION ALL SENIORS. To avoid major hip and back injuries, not to mention being suddenly catapulted into the air, please remember to read all the instructions for your new Power Lift Ejecto Chair with Heat and Massage, USB & Type-C Ports, and fancy Cup Holders. Failure to do so could result in lifelong problems and […]
This and That – Throwback Thursday,
Please speak up. What’s that you say? Could you repeat your foolish prognostications? I will what? Grow old? My face will age, lines and creases galore? The bags under my eyes will look like sloshing, encapsulated oysters? My hair will thin, and I’ll end up coloring it to make it look thicker? I’ll gain weight […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Are You a Lighthouse?
In the early days of sea travel, lighthouses guided ships to a safe harbor. Without them, those ships would have crashed onto the rocky shore. Have you ever thought of yourself as being a lighthouse? The painful events of your life, which you endured and that educated you, could serve as a lighthouse for your […]
The Friday Funnies – Yikes! Senior Alert!
Greetings! This old coot has escaped once again and is now on the prowl. He was last seen at Trixie and Homer’s 70th Wedding Anniversary, making mischief when he crashed the party in a most unusual way. If spotted, he’s easy to corral with promises of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, shots of banana whiskey, and […]
The Sunday Sermonette: Worthless Trash.
Throughout history, many things have been deemed worthless, only to be valued later. Some seemingly useless things helped change the world for the better, shed new light on the past, or fill our eyes with beauty. Let’s dig around in history’s trash bin for some worthless things. “Ha! Throw that worthless trash on the floor!” […]
The Friday Funnies – The Creativity of Mankind.
As the old-timers say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Wonder what this cute little girl is thinking? On this lovely, cold morning, please remember that it’s hard to smile sometimes, but never stop trying to do so. Laughter is still the best medicine. Big hug y’all! (Originally posted November 18, 2022)
Dispatches from Home – The Musical Oliver.
Greetings! Goodness grashus! Was this show really 16 years ago? Mercy me! Where oh where did the time go? Enjoy the “days of wine and roses,” my friends. How quickly they pass. Thank you, David Delk, for directing a great show! Y’all have a great week, y’all! Big hug.
The Friday Funnies – Fisticuffs at the D’Lo Garden Club!
Meanwhile, in other news! It appears a verbal altercation, with ensuing lacerations, resulted from a long-standing feud between Seraphina Snagsby and Daisy Rose Diddledumb. By mistake, Mrs. Snagsby received an invitation to join the club from Mrs. Diddledumb, who had said on numerous occasions that she’d drop dead before allowing Mrs. Snagsby to join the […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Communion Is Always A Special Time.
A Special Sunday – We took communion at church this morning. The observance was not much different than all the other observances of communion. But today, as in times past, it was – for me – a special time. It was a time to come before the Holy God of the universe – the same […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Puttin’ on the Posh.
I love a true story, and here’s one I hope you find of interest. It’s about a group of women, The Forty Thieves, who, swathed in sable and mink, wearing diamond rings as elegant brass knuckles and stylish hats to hide their stolen wares, earned the respect of London’s most feared underworld crime bosses […]
The Friday Funnies – Shop to you Drop.
Greetings! Tis the season, y’all, “To shop to you drop!” And this Walmart shopper personifies said phrase. (LOL!) In the weeks leading up to Christmas, please take the time to look your best. Sneaky cameras are everywhere. If you’re out shopping today, please jiggle when you giggle. Laughter is the best medicine. Big hug, y’all!
Dispatches from Home – Good for President Obama!
Greetings! Good for President Obama! “It’s not just sometimes folks who are mad that colleges are too liberal that have a problem. Sometimes there are folks on college campuses who are liberal, and maybe even agree with me on a bunch of issues, who sometimes aren’t listening to the other side, and that’s a problem […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Wisdom or Knowledge?
Knowledge is simply information you glean from the local library. Wisdom is the ability to discern the best knowledge and the strength of character to act upon it. Therefore, wisdom is the application of knowledge learned to make good decisions in life. Wisdom and knowledge are two essential character traits that we should all strive […]
Dispatches from Home – A Brisk Walk.
Greetings! A brisk, two-mile walk to the beach and back, the crisp wind dancing around me, as the late afternoon light glistens with a yellow-gold hue across the sand flats and the sun sets seductively below the horizon. Life is good. Thank you, Father God. Big hug, y’all!
The Friday Funnies – Life’s Important Papers.
Remember the great toilet paper shortage of 2020? Well, times ain’t a whole lot better. With that in mind, here’s a suggestion: start saving the various Holiday catalogs that come via the post. Remember, no job’s worth doing until the paperwork’s completed. Later, Trying-To-Get-The-Job-Completed Gaters! (Originally posted Novembe 12, 2021)
Dispatches from Home – Armistice Day Then and Now.
My Dad, the Marine, often shared a poignant memory with me. When he lived in Chicago in the 1930s, he recounted that on November 11th, if it coincided with a school day, he and his classmates, along with the entire school staff, would stand in the auditorium at 11:00 in solemn silence for two minutes. […]
This and that – All My Sons. A Review.
Greetings! “The audience sat in silence before the unwinding of “All My Sons” and gasped when they should have, and I tasted that power which is reserved, I imagine, for playwrights, which is to know that by one’s invention, a mass of strangers has been publicly transfixed.” These were Arthur Miller’s words concerning the audience’s […]
The Friday Funnies – A Dancing Diva’s Anxiety.
Meanwhile, In Other News: This little tome, hot off the presses, will make a great stocking stuffer for all those would-be little dance divas anxiously waiting to tread the boards. Soon to be released will be a young gentleman’s companion book titled: “The Little Gents Book on How To Successfully Pass Blame when Passing Gas […]
Dispatches from Home – Kristallnacht.
Greetings! Lest we forget. Smiles are so revealing. (Originally posted November 9, 2024)
The Sunday Sermonette – Hobbits and Lepers.
“In a hole in the ground, there lived a Hobbit.” Like any good writer, J.R.R. Tolkien knew that an eye-catching opening sentence is what captures a reader’s curiosity. In his “Lord of the Rings” saga, the reader instantly wonders what a Hobbit is, and why it lives in a hole in the ground. […]
This and That – On the D’Lo Subway.
Meanwhile, on the subway from D’Lo to Mendenhall, there’s this. It’s a classic case of who’s more worried about who they’re sitting by. The hairy Jewbaca-Wanna-Be, fearing a purse attack, or the lady with a Russian flair, contemplating a night on the town with him? Please remember to smile today, even on the subway back […]
This and That – Can’t Wait for Next Year.
Greetings! What a fun lunch today at Patio 44. I hear tell that other adventures are in the making. Auf Wiedersehen, my dears! Bonne journée, too. And don’t forget, Honey Child, we’ll take tea on the front porch come spring. 2026 can’t get her soon enough. Big hug, y’all!
The Friday Funnies – A Masterpiece!
It’s incredible what you can create when you take what you’ve got and make what you can. A mop, water, Dawn detergent, and an oozing preponderance of leaking steering wheel fluid – these are the perfect ingredients for an artist’s palette. And with these, I’ve crafted a masterpiece I call: “Mystic Creature from the D’Lo […]
This and That – Two Cathedrals.
Thought for the day: One cathedral of arches and stone is man’s gift to God. The other cathedral of golden leaves and towering trees is God’s gift to man. One shows our love for the Father. The other shows His love for us. Have you thanked Him today for His love? Will you share it […]
That and That – Fun Times with Old Friends.
Greetings! Succulent shrimp and corn bisque. Melt-in-your-mouth beef tenderloin. Luscious Italian green beans. Delicious Alice Spring Chicken. Grilled asparagus wrapped in tasty bacon. Buttery yeast rolls. Warm apple cake with caramel sauce. Hot, homemade pecan pie with ice cream. And vintage southern table wine…intoxicatingly sweet, sweet tea. Gulfport’s Chimneys Restaurant? Galatoire’s in New Orleans? Nope! […]
The Friday Funnies – Yikes and Double Yikes!
Yikes and double yikes! I’m horrified, mortified, and stupefied! How horrible is this? What is the world coming to? What was this young man thinking? He’s hoseless, and his pumps don’t match his purse and hat. (LOL!) In a world gone mad, sometimes you just have to shrug your shoulders, laugh, and ease on down […]
This and That – Yet Another Review of “A Chasing of the Wind.”
And yet another book review from Camilla Coolidge of Gulfport, Mississippi: “Andy, I am bereft – I have finished the book! It will go on the shelf next to my other 5 favorite books – Colleen McCullough’s “Thorn Birds”; James Clavell’s “Shogun”; M. M. Kaye’s “Shadow of the Moon”; Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander”; and Leon Uris’ […]
This and that – And The Reviews Keep Coming In!
And the reviews keep coming in! Here’s one from Barbara Blanchard of Gulfport, Mississippi: “Andy, I just stole some time for myself to finish your book. Bravo, my dear! You managed to sustain my interest and suspense till the final sentence! Your story did not disappoint! From beginning to end, well done! Congratulations! Thank you […]
This and That – A Review of “A Chasing of the Wind” by Heather Renee.
“I just finished this beautiful novel, of which I quite literally could not put down. Some books just leave you speechless – the end creates a void because you truly wish it would never end. (Even though you absolutely must have the closure you desperately seek) My heart is so full that someone I have […]
Dispatches from Home – Ripper! The Secret Life of Walter Sicker.
“Monday, August 6, 1888, was a bank holiday, and London was a carnival of wondrous things to do for as little as pennies if one could spare a few.” Thus begins one of my much-loved books about one of my favorite historical characters. I was 17 years old when I first checked out a book […]
The Friday Funnies – Channeling Cole Porter.
Oh! Woe is me! I’m so bored. I get no kick from champagne. Mere alcohol doesn’t thrill me at all. I get no kick from cocaine; it bores me just the same. I get no kick from an ocean cruise; it gives me the seasick blues. Alas, I get no kick from a standing ovation; […]
Dispatches from Home – Albert Camus and His Invincible Love.
“My dears, in the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love. In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm. I realized, through it all, that…In the midst of winter, I […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Firsts.
Many historic Firsts have cascaded down the corridors of time. Many were awe-inspiring. Many have improved mankind. And many were downright astonishing. Come, let’s take a walk down time’s dusty hallways. The first printed book was the Gutenberg Bible, printed in 1450. The first hourglass, instrumental in keeping time, was invented in the 8th century […]
This and That – The Passage of Time.
Greetings! What a fun, cold, windy day it was to be in New Orleans! It was quiet in the Quarter, but, alas, there was not seat one to be had at the Carousel Bar or the rooms around it. So, I took my place beside the great clock in the lobby of the Monteleone Hotel […]
The Friday Funnies – Watch Where You Sit.
Meanwhile, in other news, there’s this. Here’s the latest designer toilet seat from Architectural Digest’s Interior Designer’s Showcase. It’s for your guest bathroom and is for those guests you really don’t like but must invite to be polite. (LOL!) With the Holidays coming up, watch where you sit. Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted November 1, […]
The Friday Funnies! What a Night!
What a night! Two femme fatales, Count Dracula, and a lunatic. We fit right in with the Project’s regulars. (LOL!) As you traverse the day, please remember: Life’s not always easy. Sometimes, being silly with friends is the best therapy! Later, Silly Gaters! (Originally posted October 29, 2021)
The Sunday Sermonette – Blunders and Mistakes.
As a child, I loved playing with dragonflies! I’d see one buzzing around, wait for it to land, then grab it and hold it in my hand. I was fascinated by its bulging, yellow-green eyes, its tiny mouth viciously chewing my index finger, and its lavenderish, diaphanous wings, rapidly beating the air. With that in […]
Dispatches from Home – Ghosts Along The Mississippi.
In the Prologue of GHOSTS ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI, the book’s author, Clarence John Laughlin, writes: “This book will attempt to present the evolution of Louisiana plantation culture, in terms of the contrast, and the adhesion of two subtly related, unlike, elements—that which may roughly be called historico-architectural, and that which pulsates around poetic vision.” Mr. […]
The Friday Funnies! It’s Ooky Spooky in the Asylum at Night.
It’s ooky spooky in the asylum at night. Crazy ol’ Renfield might give you a fright. He’ll jump on your back, you’ll be in a bind. In the asylum’s dank halls, who knows what you’ll find? You might see things like hairy black bats, You might see things like silky black cats. At every quick […]
This and That – A Review of “A Chasing of the Wind,”
Another review of “A Chasing of the Wind,” by Carol Szymanski, Fine Arts Chairman, Duchesne Academy, Houston, TX. “This weekend I read A Chasing of the Wind. Move over Faulkner, Williams, Welty, and Grisham—Mississippi has a new Southern writer. I give it TWO thumbs up! When you finish, you will feel like you really know […]
The Anchor.
When doubts and fears arrive, and darkest shadows fall, When hope seems a mist, if even there at all. When my troubles, like demons, screech, when my bitter tears run free: Father God whispers, “Dearest Child, always stay close to Me.” When my life unravels, thread by thread, And my steps trudge forward, filled with […]
The Sunday Sermonette – The Anchor.
Dear Ones, please think of yourself when you read this. Father God gave me the words, and now I give them to all those who are struggling in these fascinating but frightening days. Big hug. When doubts and fears arrive, and darkest shadows fall, When hope seems a mist, if even there at all. When […]
The Friday Funnies! A Pie in the Face!
These boys have been creating Stooge-tacular comedy since the 1930s. Because why frown when you can nyuk-nyuk-nyuk your way through life’s absurdity? Life’s hard these days, my friends. Look for the funny side of it and stay away from that which ain’t…or…you might get a pie in your face. Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted October […]
This and That – Things that go Bump in the Night!
Greetings! Oh! By gosh! By golly! It’s not yet time for mistletoe and holly, but it is time for things that go bump in the night! What a fun time I had last night at Terror on the Coast. The cast and crew were out in force doing what they do best… scaring you to […]
The Friday Funnies – Death Became Him.
Note to self: When next you decorate a chandelier for a posh wedding, immediately after climbing up your 12-foot ladder, check out said light fixture. A shriveled-up, dead lizard, four paws in the air, can be a bit of a surprise. Whatever surprises come your way today, keep smiling. It’s good for the soul. Big […]
The Sunday Sermonette – A Gentle Whisper.
Expecting God and Jesus to speak to you during church rallies, meetings, and conventions is good. But the most uplifting moments spent with God and Jesus are when they speak to you in a gentle whisper, in the quietness of your humbled heart. Ponder this and go forth. Originally posted October 23, 2022)
The Friday Funnies! An Old-Fashioned Kind of Guy.
I’m an old-fashioned kind of guy–women and children first or ladies first–get the picture? But, when someone screams, “There’s a huge snake in the hallway just outside your office door!” It’s every fool for himself. (LOL!) Don’t be the snake in someone’s life. Remember what Oscar Wilde once said, “Some cause happiness wherever they go; […]
This and That – And Miles To Go Before You Sleep.
Greetings! So, how many promises do you need to keep, and how many miles do you have to go before you sleep? Make this day count. It won’t ever come your way again. Have a great day, my friends. Big hug. (Originally posted October 22, 2022)
Dispatches from Home – An Ancient Door and a Double Rainbow.
Wow! As they say…been here, done that! This venerable, 700-year-old door is even more impressive in person! Sam and I were in Westminster Abbey the day Queen Elizabeth passed away. We also saw the double rainbow over the abbey that day! A memory forever. Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted October 22, 2022)
The Sunday Sermonette- Beauty Born Of Pain.
The Sunday Sermonette- Beauty Born Of Pain. In the mid-sixties, I took art at the Gulfport Recreation Center. The building was located east of City Hall, where the current fire station is. The art classes were taught by a frail-looking dynamo of energy, Mrs. Effie Gridley. She taught hundreds of children and adults the art […]
This and That – A Wedding and Mistletoe.
Greetings! Three dapper gentlemen await the arrival of the beautiful bride and her beautiful mother. The gentleman with the stylish shades is wearing them because he always cries at weddings. If you pay close attention, you’ll notice the sprig of mistletoe in his coat pocket that he found lying on the ground. Boy! Howdy! Did […]
The Friday Funnies! Vitalis and my Fourth Birthday.
Yeah, I know! I’m cute. It’s my 4th birthday. I’ve got on a cool shirt and Vitalis in my hair. But I can’t hold it any longer…I think I’m gonna toot. (LOL!) Come on now, laugh with this cute little boy. Remember: As a birthday cake is to the body, so is laughter to the […]
Dispatches from Home – A Happy Wedding.
Greetings! What a busy, enjoyable weekend I’ve had. It’s always a delight to be a part of something special, and the wedding of two people who are totally in love with each other is…shall I say it…the icing on the cake. Congratulations to Alex and Will, and may Father God bless you both with many […]
The Friday Funnies – Miss Lucy and Renfield!
“Miss Lucy!” Renfield said with a doleful sigh. “I’ll never screech and scream again IF…” With demented eyes, he paused and looked around the room. “Dr. Seward, I’ll never eat flies and spiders again IF…” His heart tightening with fear, Renfield glared at young Harker. “You’ll never have to shoo away that evil bat again […]
Dispatches from Home – Acorns and Happy Memories.
Greetings! As a child back in the 50s, oftentimes after church, Mom, Dad, and I would eat lunch in the dining room of the elegant Edgewater Gulf Hotel. After lunch, they would sit in comfy lawn chairs while I romped and played under the cathedral of oaks that graced the manicured lawn. In the fall, […]
The Sunday Sermonette – The Beauty of Brokenness.
In the apocalyptic days that followed Hurricane Camille in 1969, I was thankful for many things. Thankfully, our little house in the College Park Subdivision was not damaged, although we had many downed trees. Most Coastal residents couldn’t say the same, though. Due to Camille’s tornadic winds, her tsunami-like waves of water—or combinations of […]
This and That – The Drive-In Funeral Home.
I always knew that Mississippi was 40 years ahead of its time! At least the folks in Hattiesburg, MS, back in the 70s, were. It took the folks in Michigan 40 years to come up with the same idea, as in this story from the Associated Press that I read in this morning’s local Fish […]
Dispatches from Home – Thanks for the Memories.
Good evening. One of my most enjoyable pleasures is dining with friends. Thank you, Ned, for the conversation, most of which should follow us to the grave. Mum’s the word. (LOL!) I include Colton in the mums department as well. He was most intrigued with our remembrances of times past and Coastal luminaries who are […]
This and That – Dear Friends!
Greetings! A fun time with two lovely ladies. When I count my blessings, I count y’all twice. Big hug, y’all.
The Friday Funnies – Though Your Vay Be Thorny.
Help and double Help! So last night I’m minding my own business and suddenly, my toes and fingers gnarled up. Hair started sprouting on my head. (No complaints about that! ) I started baying at the moon. And in the back of my mind, an old gypsy woman kept repeating, “The vay you valked vas […]
The Friday Funnies – They All Screamed from Ice Cream!
Ice cream, ice cream, they all screamed for ice cream! Then they screamed for me to open the door so they could get some. So vhat am I? Chopped liver. Oy Vey! Hopefully, eating ice cream today will put a smile on your face and bring joy to your heart. Big hug, y’all!
The Sunday Sermonette – A Song Composed Just for You.
Have you ever heard a song that sticks in your mind, and you go singing it throughout the day? Hopefully, it puts a smile on your face and a skip in your step. But there’s an inner song, deep within your soul, that God composed just for you. Today, ask Him to hum its tune […]
This and That – The Years Rush By So Quickly.
Greetings! Forty-six years ago! Where oh where did the time go? To my young friends, enjoy the golden days of your youth. Time races by. And one day, like me, you’ll wonder where it went. But as the days, months, and years pass, keep the memories of those golden days safe in an old trunk […]
This and That – Don’t Tell Our Wives!
While cleaning out an old trunk in the attic, I found this snap. In faded ink, these words were written: “Wow! What a Bachelor’s Party! Never tell our wives what fun we had. Always remember watering the flowers, the fire-ant dance, the “Lady’s Cake,” throwing up in the ice chest, and one wife’s famous last […]
The Friday Funnies – This Younger Generation and Bats.
This younger generation…I just don’t know. I showed my prissy boy, Louie, the bat from Gulfport Little Theater’s 1984 production of DRACULA, and he almost passed out. He’s such a wuss! But then he threw a rubber snake at me, and I peed in my pants. (LOL!) He agreed to hold the bat after I […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Famous Last Words.
The last words of people have always fascinated me. Sometimes, in the closing moments of our lives, we find the most clarity and say the things we most want to say. I’m sure “When the Roll is Called up Yonder,” we all wish to be surrounded by those we love, like old friends and dear […]
Dispatches from Home – Luxury, Steam, and a Pleasant Crossing.
Greetings! This Dispatch was part of my “First and Last” series, which incorporated the first and last paragraphs of books with my commentary in between. “It’s hard to believe they are gone. The piers are still there. The bon voyage baskets, piled high with impractical fruits and jellies, still line the shelves of the gourmet […]
THE FRIDAY FUNNIES – Where’s the Plunger!
When you’re up to your armpits in toilet paper, it’s hard to remember where you hid the toilet plunger. Don’t forget: to make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; but to be able to laugh at yourself, that’s maturity. How’s your maturity level? Giggle and laugh today. That’s an order! Later Gaters Who Follow […]
The Friday Funnies – Breaking Wind.
“And that, my friends, is one of my favorite stories about what happened the morning some old lady broke wind during my Uncle Charlie’s funeral at the D’Lo Baptist Church. By the way, this is good chicken.” Please remember: In the windy halls of life, a good laugh is good for the soul. Big hug, […]
Dispatches from Home – The Grim Reaper.
Greetings! One day…maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, maybe next year, or 20 or 30 years from now…but one day, the Grim Reaper will come calling. And when he does, may we all be able to say, “I did my best to care for those in need; I acted justly, loved mercy, and strove to walk […]
The Sunday Sermonette – The Evil of Beauty.
Tis the season for ghosties and ghoulies and things that go bump in the night. One of my many fond memories of my college days was the Haunted House in the creepy, cobweb-infested attic of Ross Hall on the campus of William Carey College, now a University. It was created via the Theater Department and […]
The Friday Funnies! Oops! Wrong Dream!
“Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” Oops! Wrong dream! () Last night, I dreamt I was flying; clocks and time meant nothing as I strove to become the wanna-be studly shadow that floated above me. Alas, disaster! During my imaginary flight, the bed collapsed due to my twisted contortions. I tumbled out […]
This and That – It’s a Wonderful World.
Greetings! What a fun time we had Saturday afternoon watching “A Wonderful World” at the Saenger in New Orleans. The music, costumes, set, and actors and actresses were all breathtaking. When they all went to tap dancing, I thought I was going to jump out of my seat and hit the stage with them. I […]
Dispatches from Home – A Train Full of Memories.
“Look, Mom, look! The train’s flying over the water!” As the Louisville and Nashville train, the Hummingbird, sprinted across the Bay St. Louis Bridge, a wide-eyed ten-year-old boy could see no land, only the early morning sunlight glistening across the waters of the Bay. To that imaginative child, the train was airborne, flying along toward […]
The Friday Funnies – Ma Bell’s on Her Death Bed.
Alas and alack! I knew this day would come. The demise of the home phone! Since home phones are but a distant memory for many of you, I’m sure it’s difficult to relate to my anguish. Where, oh where, did I put my Smoke Signals Handbook? Why oh why did I tell my carrier pigeon […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Bitterness and Rage and Anger!
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger,” says the Good Book. Bitterness and anger are a lethal concoction of human emotions. Like an out-of-control vine, they can wrap around your heart, squeezing the love out of it and plunging you into the depths of depression. They can also lurk, waiting for the right moment […]
This and That – Baldness Go Away!
ATTENTION: A NEW REMEDY FOR BALDNESS AND THINNING HAIR. Create a poultice comprised of these ingredients in equal parts: alum, vinegar, and lemon juice. Vigorously rub said mixture into your scalp three times daily. No, it doesn’t regrow your hair. But in reducing the circumference of your head, this mixture allows what little bit of […]
THROWBACK THURSDAY – “Family Reunion!”
Gulfport Little Theater’s production of “Family Reunion!” was a hilarious musical written by the amazingly talented Kitty and Neil Stallings. What a fun, fun show it was! And thanks to the equally amazing talents of the director, David Delk, and his sterling cast and crew, it was an audience pleaser — sold-out performances every night. […]
The Friday Funnies – Sitting and Minding Your Own Business.
Ain’t life unpredictable at times! There you are, sitting and minding your own business, when BOOM, something happens to take away your peaceful, enjoyable day. Don’t let that happen to you today. Remember: Life always offers you a second chance…it’s called tomorrow. Later Looking-Forward-To-A-Great-Day Gaters! (Originally posted October 8, 2021)
The Friday Funnies – You’re Under Arrest!
Greetings! Meanwhile, in other news, it appears this old coot has lost more than his meteorite. His mind, perhaps? Did he not have a hairbrush to brush that thinning mop before going on the air? As you go through the day, try to look your best…it will make you feel better about yourself. Later Looking-Good […]
This and That – A Lovely Fall Morning!
Greetings! My front door’s open, the coffee’s brewing, and the cool fall air is sashaying throughout my old house. Thank you, dear Father God, for this refreshing morning. Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted October 7, 2023)