“He had no servants, yet they called him Master. He had no university degree, yet they called him Teacher. He had no medical degree, yet they called him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He never fought any military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified […]
Anthony Kalberg
Dispatches from Home – 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 […]
The Friday Funnies – Miss Gertie Goat.
Mercy me! Miss Gertie Goat and her boyfriend, Bubba, are in a bit of a muddle. Ever been there? Sometimes in life, you ask yourself how you got where you are. Then, you look around a corner and wonder how you’re gonna get out of it. Life’s a muddle at times. Don’t forget to smile. […]
This and That – Total Eclipse of the Sun.
Greetings! Well, the only eclipse we experienced today was the total eclipse of our hearts because the sun decided to hide behind ominous, undulating clouds. However, the eclipse was a partial success. A chilled bottle of sweet wine, a delicious Subway sandwich, and delightful conversation between old friends was “sunshine” enough. Thank you, dear Rhonda! […]
This and That – Agony Begets Eternity.
His agony is part of the ecstasy of eternity, which our salvation assures us. However, that salvation comes only through Him. May this day bring you closer to the One who saves. Big hug. (Originally posted April 7, 2023)
That and That – Broadway Musicals in The Year of The Pox.
Theater friends, here’s today’s chuckle, compliments of my dear friend Carlton Perrett in Paris, France. Gotta love creative people. Enjoy! Later -Gareful-Gaters! (Originally posted April 6, 2021) P.S. Here are a few more: Hopeboat, Laberet, West Side Clinic, Into The Wards, Phantom of the Operation Room (with the Masked Ball), Les Misérables (no translation needed!); […]
This and That – 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. […]
The Sunday Sermonette – A New Beginning!
Spring! The cold, dark days of winter wither away as the warm days of Spring burst forth in a spectacular display of color and sweet smells. Spring, a season of unparalleled beauty, when all nature seemingly comes back to life. Flowers greet us with bouquets of lovely blossoms. Trees sport new, crisp, yellow-green leaves. And […]
This and That – Dear Wanda’s Gone Home.
Greetings! I start the day with sad news. A dear old friend, Wanda Brown Kahler, has been called Home. She fought the good fight with many health problems for a long, long time. She is now Home, free of this world with its misery and decay, resting peacefully in the loving arms of Jesus. One […]
This and That – A Bejeweled Book, a Naked Lady, and a Mummy’s Curse.
Deep within the submerged, rusting hulk of the Titanic rests one of the world’s rarest books, a monumental painting of a naked lady and a mysterious mummy’s curse. Because the Titanic was practically unsinkable, so said the White Star Line, she was considered a safe haven for everything from objets d’art to expensive touring cars. […]
Dispatches from Home – A Gaggle of Thespians!
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. […]
The Friday Funnies – Baptists and the Corona Beer Franchise.
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 […]
This and That – A New Book?
The Prologue for another book I’m thinking of writing: Looking at the bloody knife, the gypsy’s haunting prophecy oozed down the back alleys of Jamison’s mind, reminding him that all she had predicted had come true with a vengeance. She had warned him. Warned him that he would take a life in the heat of […]
This and That – Something Beautiful Remains.
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 in a sweet refrain. For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains.” Author unknown. Big hug, y’all.
This and That – Silly Me on a Ladder!
Moi painting on the Mamma Mia! set. A little kick and jazz hands help the hours go by!!— at The Friends of Mary C. (Originally posted April 2, 2019)
This and That – What Can Happen In 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 […]
The Sunday Sermonette – 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 also hounded by trouble. They often turned to God to help solve their problems, but it was too late. They […]
This and That – Satan Shoes.
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. Big smile.) Laugh, giggle, and guffaw today. It’s good for the heart and soul. Big hug. (Origianlly posted March 31, 2023)
The Sunday Sermonette – A Project of Titanic Proportions.
In the late 1960s, there were only three television stations along the Mississippi Coast—from New Orleans and the Coast’s WLOX. Now, from my easy chair, I have a myriad of stations from which to choose a night’s entertainment. YouTube is one, and Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration is one of its delights. Last week, […]
Dispatches from Home – Family Reunion.
Greetings! What a fun three days it’s been! I’ve not seen Cousin Alex Baridon in over 40 years. What a grand reunion it was! To add icing to the cake and some sweet sugar, too, were my other cousins: Peggy Gunter Stone, Billy Thornton, and his beautiful wife, Sylvia. We’re incredibly proud of Billy, and […]
This and That – Francis the Talking Mule and the Old Testament.
Greetings! In my quiet time, I’ve been reading the Old Testament, a strange and thought-provoking set of inspired writings with a timely message, even if one is delivered by a talking mule. (LOL.) Over and over in the Books of the Old Testament, we are warned about what happens when we reject God. Please take […]
Dispatches from Home – What Are You Reading?
Greetings! In the past year, I’ve read the following books—or tried to. I’m a slow reader and don’t always retain much of what I read. I wish my tiny brain was bigger and smarter. Have you read any of these books? Marcel Proust’s “Remembrance of Things Past” – Yikes! Tried wading through this tome, but […]
This and That – Battles Within.
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 battles are often fought alone, these are battles of the mind: depression, fear, panic, loneliness, and anger. However, the famous battles listed above […]
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 […]
This and That – The D’Lo Haute Couture Spring Fashion Show.
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 last week 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 […]
This and That – Hazmat Suit.
Good afternoon – I’m so excited! My Parisian, haute couture hazmat suit has arrived! I’m off to Rouses. Later Proactive Gaters! (Originally posted March 26, 2020, at the height of the “pox” pandemic.)
The Friday Funnies – Crazy Uncle Cuthbert.
Do you have a crazy uncle? I do, and his name is Cuthbert Alowishus Kalberg. When I visited him during Christmas as a child, 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 […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Maturity.
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 God to help you […]
This and That – The Morning Chuckle.
Snap one indicates what my hair color looks like after a visit to the village wig winder—waitress black. Snap two indicates what I’ll look like in a month, with no haircut or hair color, and a beard due to a shortage of razor blades. So, with all due respect, which do you prefer? Later Friendly […]
This and That – One Heart. One Kiss.
Good morning! Spring has sprung, and the sap has riz. To all my young friends, and perhaps some old ones too, as you look for love, please remember: You can’t judge the heart by just one kiss. Later Loving Gaters and Swans too! (Originally posted March 24, 2021)
Friday Funnies! Fagin and his Gang!
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 fantastic […]
Dispatches from Home – The Titanic and the Goodwin Family.
Greetings! Of all the many, poignant Titanic stories, to me, this is one of the saddest, the Goodwind Family. They were an entire family looking forward to a new life in the promised land, only to die screaming in the icy-cold waters of the North Atlantic. I can’t help but think of their final moments: […]
This and That – Weep and You Weep Alone.
Evening Gaters! This poem, “Solitude” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, is one of my favorites. Do you have a favorite? Later Poetry-Loving Gaters! “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, and the hills will […]
Dispatches from Home – My First Hymn.
Greetings family and friends! Question? What is the very first song–Hymn, Big Band, Opera or Operetta, Rock-In-Roll, Symphony, Musical, etc.–that you remember hearing. Me? It was the old hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” When I was a child, Dad, Mom, and I attended Biloxi’s Trinity Baptist Church. I couldn’t have been more than four or five […]
This and That – A Sweet Friend.
Greetings! 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)
This and That – Reflections On Turning Sixty-Five!
When I was a child in the late 50s, I often spent summers with my sweet Granny from D’Lo. Many a morning I’d hear moans and groans as she got out of bed. To my young mind, something was wrong. “Granny, are you okay?” To this good day, I still remember her answer: “Honey, when […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Endurance? Your Choice.
Endurance is as scarce as hen’s teeth these days. Most people lack the long-term commitment needed to stick with a challenging task. Learning to endure, to see the task come to fruition, is difficult, but once mastered, it is one of life’s greatest lessons. How well I know. Many years ago, I agreed to direct […]
This and That – A Few Thoughts on Prayer.
Greetings! This morning’s Open Windows devotional passage was about Jonah. Remember poor ol’ Jonah? He monkeyed around with God’s commands, and BAM! He got ate-up by a big fish. While in the fish’s stomach, he had a little time to think about what he’d done. And he began to pray. (So would I if I […]
This and That – Saying Goodbye to Blanche Dubois.
God, with His all-knowing wisdom, brings special people into your life. Juliana Nasekos Lewis is one of those special people. Loving. Kind. Talented. And most of all, my dear, dear friend. Love you! Big hug. Juliana Nasekos Lewis is with Anthony W. Kalberg. I said goodbye to Blanche last night. It was an honor to play the […]
This and That – Saying Goodbye.
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, nightly, you brought tears of joy to these old eyes. () And a huge thank you for helping take down the […]
The Friday Funnies! Hugh Hefner and the S.S. United States.
In other news, there’s this. A Hugh Hefner look-a-like 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-al-like, channeling Hefner began handing out Bunny applications for the online magazine. Husbands took offense and threw the Hefner […]
This and That – The S.S. United States and the Fab Four.
Greetings! What a spectacular day to revisit the S.S. United States for the last time. The Fab Four toured her via a river cruise in Mobile Harbor. The sunshine, the comradery, our lunch, and the ship itself were beyond fantastic. Thank you all for another fun day! Big hug.
Dispatches from Home – Dearest Molly. Gone but not Forgotten.
This fabulous snap of Molly Cox–portraying Cora Enochs White at the 2015 Old Biloxi Cemetery Holloween tour–reminds me of my favorite memory concerning this lovely, talented lady. It was winter, an unusually fridged winter long ago in the mid-1990s. I saw Molly enter the gilded lobby of Biloxi’s Saenger Theater. Her eyes sparkled; her radiant smile […]
The Friday Funnies! Applause! Applause! Applause!
For your consideration today, 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 Sunday Sermonette – Life’s Road Signs.
In life, it is not enough to avoid what is wrong—we must actively pursue what is right. Ponder this and go forth. (Originally posted March 19, 2023)
This and That – Who’s the Sunshine of your Life?
Greetings! At this time of year, I love how the afternoon sunlight shines through my living room’s stained glass windows. A thought: Who’s the sunshine of your life? Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted March 19, 2024)
Dispatches from Home – Be Thankful.
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 title it: “One chair. One bundle. One lamp. One table. Two children. One mother. And no place to go.” Did she find somewhere to live? Did her […]
This and That – Be Resourceful.
Meanwhile, in other news, there’s this: I was going to sell my vintage Sears And Roebuck catalogues on eBay. I have about twenty. But, times being what they are, I think I could make more money selling them as toilet tissue. 😂 NO reasonable offer will be refused. 😂 Later Resourceful Gaters! (Originally posted March […]
The Friday Funnies! Brush your Teeth.
In this crazy world, always remember to brush your teeth at night to keep them. However, you brush them in the morning to keep your friends! Have you brushed yours lately? Later, Brushing Gaters! (Originally posted March 18, 2022)
Dispatches from Home – Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Og.
Greetings! Og, the leprechaun, and I wish you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. It’s hard to believe he and I met in 1984, during the Mississippi Gulf Coast Opera’s production of “Finian’s Rainbow” at the Saenger Theater. Haven’t seen him since. I miss the old boy! But I don’t miss all that green makeup. Big […]
This and That – The Streetcar Has Passed.
WONDERFUL STREETCAR WEDNESDAYS! This will be my last post in this series. WATP’s production of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE winds down on March 20th, 2022, at the Mary C Cultural Center in Ocean Springs. It’s been almost three years since I first agreed to direct this show back in 2019. Holding it together has been […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Beautiful Wickedness?
In my seventh year, Dad said, “Come on, son. We’re gonna watch a movie…” Sitting on the floor in front of his Zenith TV, I watched the movie, which began with a flourish of sentimental music. I was quickly whisked away to a land filled with quirky characters, a vicious tornado, happy Munchkins, and a […]
The Friday Funnies – The Ides of March.
On this very special Idus Martiae, here’s a gift suggestion for those friends who like to say, “We’ve got your back!” What are friends for…right? () While strolling through the park today or in the Theatre of Pompey with Senators, please keep a sharp lookout for flying objects. Don’t forget: A good chuckle is good […]
This and That – An Easter Tree and a Dear Friend.
Greetings on this rainy, foggy morning! What a delightful time I had yesterday at the Fine Arts Club meeting at the Bayou Bluff Tennis Club. Janie Bertucci was kind enough to ask me to speak about my 49-year involvement with Coastal Theater and a few words about my book – A Chasing of the Wind […]
This and That – What’s He Thinking Now?
Mr. Hawking is quoted as saying: “I believe 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 that there probably is no heaven and no afterlife either. We have this one life to appreciate the grand design of […]
This and That – A Glass of Bubbly and Old Friends.
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! (Originally posted March 14, 2024)
The Friday Funnies – A Victorian Mullet.
Meanwhile, in other theatrical news, let me vent. Oh! These rank, amateurish productions of classics like “A Christmas Carol” are so exasperating. Does anyone check to see 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. […]
This and That – Panic in the Streets.
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 on […]
The Friday Funnies! Bellbottoms and The Music Man.
Today’s snap takes us back to Gulfport Little Theater’s 1976 production of “The Music Man.” Little moi was chorus member number 64. Because it was our country’s Bicentennial, many costumes were red, white, and blue. No problem for moi. I rushed to my closet and assembled this stunning little ensemble, compliments of Mississippi Britches on […]
The Sunday Sermonette – A Hard Lesson Learned.
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 – Sunset Boulevard, the Movie!
SUNSET BOULEVARD!! I’ve just returned from watching this great movie on the big screen. This was probably my 15th time seeing it ( I can almost quote the dialogue.), but it was my first time seeing the picture show on the big screen, as it was meant to be seen. I could only imagine what […]
This and That – Streetcar Rolls into the Mary C. Cultural Center.
After two years of waiting, at long last, I’m proud to say A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE is opening tonight at the Mary C. Cultural Center in Ocean Springs, Mississippi! Through shutdowns due to the pox, major cast changes at the last minute, and myriad other problems, I’m happy to report that the show, the cast […]
The Sunday Sermonette: Miserable Comforters.
You remember poor, old Job, don’t you? There, he was in the lap of luxury. Rich. Comfortable. His family large and successful. He was healthy, and life was good. He was righteous and faithful to God, too. He was truly blessed! Then, suddenly, his life took a turn, and Job lost it all. When all […]
The Sunday Sermonette – The “Kidney Stones” of Life.
On my way to work that morning, Spring 1993 announced its arrival with a wash of magenta azaleas, the spring green of new leaves, and the noisy chatter of blue jays. As I sat at my desk, the sweet morning air from my supervisor’s window across the hall drifted into my office. The strains of […]
Dispatches from Home – Rusty Grandeur. Bittersweet Memories.
As many of you know, my fascination with ocean liners began in the early 1960s when I was introduced to the R.M.S. Titanic via a book and a movie. This fascination was further fueled when I watched “Gentlemen Marry Brunettes” on the TV late show in the mid-70s. Released in 1955, the movie starred Jane […]
The Friday Funnies – A Good Laugh is Good to Repeat!
I originally posted this little funny six years ago. It appeared on my Facebook Memories. I re-read it and, once again, laughed out loud. Enjoy! “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. The conversation between us is limited to repeatedly […]
This and That – The Foreigner is Set.
This is an old post from Jay Lynn, the director of The Foreigner. “I love seeing ideas come to life. The top picture is my original concept design for the stage for The Foreigner at Gulfport Little Theatre. The bottom picture is the finished set. A huge THANK YOU to Anthony W. Kalberg and Cal […]
The Friday Funnies! The S.S. United States and New Tom’s.
Note to self: 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. More snaps later. Big hug, y’all!
This and That – 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!” Suddenly, up pops the Food Fairy (The Tooth Fairy’s fat sister) and sprinkles me with her magic dust. ( Sorry to my Evangelical friends for […]
This and That – Stellaaaaaaaaaa!
She may be Stanley’s wife for the run of the play, but she’s my dear friend for the rest of my life. Come see Stellaaaaaaaaaa! A Streetcar Named Desire opens on March 10, 2022, at the Mary C. Cultural Center in Ocean Springs. Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted March 6, 2022.)
This and That – A Streetcar Named Desire Rolls into Town.
Lovely Miss Blanche, who depends on the kindness of strangers, states that deliberate cruelty is unforgivable. Don’t miss Juliana in a role that she’s waited two years to portray. Later, Streetcar-loving Gaters! David Slatten is at The Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center. Folks, meet Julianna Lewis, who plays the iconic role of Blanche Dubois in Streetcar […]
The Sunday Sermonette: Oh! 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. They had to be reliable and honest about what they saw and what they reported to their commanders. And they had […]
The Friday Funnies – Dance in the Rain.
A ventilated straw hat, aviator glasses, a trendy shirt, a 27-inch waistline, and a posh umbrella to keep the hot sunlight at bay. Life was good in 1975. Life is good today! Life! It’s a choice! Choose to make it as positive as you can! Today, as you walk life’s pathway, please remember that it […]
This and That – A Streetcar Named Desire.
Mean, old Stanley. So tough, so manly, so good in this role! Come see the show! (Originally published March 4, 2022)
This and That – Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!
Happy Mardi Gras 2025, y’all! Be safe. Have fun. Big hug!
Dispatches from Home – Thank You for Attending.
Good evening. 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 […]
The Friday Funnies! Had a Bad Night Lately?
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. Just Thoughts.
In the chaotic months following Japan’s unconditional surrender on September 2nd, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri, there were thousands of people from all walks of life still living in horrific conditions in Japanese concentration camps in China. In an effort to return imprisoned American citizens to the United States as soon as possible, The U.S. […]
This and That – Mom and Beer-n-Cheese.
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 revolving around this: “Did it rain last night…” But at tonight’s supper, things were different. […]
The Friday Funnies – Grand Opera in D’Lo.
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 Friday Funnies! Tales from FBC’s Kitchen – Disaster!
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. A good sense […]
Dispatches from Home – Wisdom or Silver or Gold?
“Many live their lives in order to gain riches, which will not last. Some seek beauty, fame, and popularity, which will soon fade away. The world will tell us that we need many things in order to make our lives complete. But a person who receives wisdom gains the insight to prioritize his life according […]
This and That – What’s Your Favorite Book?
Greetings! Mr. L’Amour’s words are so true. Four books have stayed with me since the first time I read them: The Judeo-Christian Bible, The Great Gatsby, Anna Karenina, and To Kill a Mockingbird. What books have influenced your life? Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted February 28, 2024)
Dispatches from Home – I Am Mississippi!
I Am Mississippi I’m the land of the Choctaw The hills of Vicksburg, and a crosscut saw Dinner on the ground and a muscadine vine I’m a longleaf pine, and Mississippi’s on my mind I’m a banjo pickin’ and all night sings Azaleas a ‘bloomin’ in Ocean Springs I’m a Gospel Singer and the old […]
The Friday Funnies! Margie, the Snake, and Me.
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 circa 2014–when someone screams, “There’s a big snake in the hallway!!!” Snakes on a plane are one thing; outside your supervisor’s […]
The Friday Funnies – Pontchartrain Beach.
“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 go,” 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 […]
This and That – Icy Magnolias.
For all you Mississippi boys and girls in the far-flung corners of the earth, here’s something you don’t see every day in our dear old state – icy magnolias. I’m sure they rank right up there with those of steel. Later ‘Gaters! (Originally published February 24, 2015)
The Sunday Sermonette – Granny, Goebbels, and The Truth.
The misty, musty halls of history are filled with lies and liars. One of the most adroit liars of the 20th Century was Joseph Goebbels, who was the Reich Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. His title allowed Goebbels to control the arts, radio broadcasts, and newspapers. Through them, he inundated […]
The Friday Funnies! Drag on Sister.
As we 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.” But as we say down South, “Bless his/her/whatever heart.” Have a great weekend, y’all. Big hug. (P.S. […]
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 – 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. Thank everyone again for your prayers and kind words of encouragement! Big hug to you all! (Originally posted February 22, 2019)
Dispatches from Home: One Year Ago, Mom Was Called Home.
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 – Three years ago.
Mama’s been in Heaven for 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 God called her Home. I remembered Mama’s low, raspy breathing, how quiet and still she was, and how warm […]
Dispatches from Home – Camellias and an Old Rocker.
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 Friday Funnies! Friends Who Make You Laugh.
“Do you really expect us to believe that you…” Sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words. () What would life be without friends who make you laugh? Big hug, y’all!
This and That – Light from Within.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: People are like stained-glass windows. They glow and sparkle when the sun is shining on them. But, if the sun goes down, their true beauty is revealed only if they have a light from within. Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted February 20, 2021)
This and That – 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 is 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 […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Are You Different?
When I was a child in the late 50s, I often spent languid summers with my sweet Granny from D’Lo, who, at that time, lived in Jackson, Mississippi. Early mornings crackled with the smell of frying eggs and bacon, but the afternoons were awash in the sickly sweet smell of pink cotton candy and hot […]