Oh! How I loved this “gang” of kids. I especially loved it when they went to the haunted house. It was so funny! There’s something else that’s likable about this collection of movie shorts. In a segregated American, the Little Rascals went and did everything together. They ate together. They rode in cars and trucks […]
Dispatched from Home – Why We Say What We Say.
Those who know me know that I love an old saying. I think I got this from my sweet Granny from D”Lo, who had a saying for everything. Big hug, y’all! Did you know the saying “God willing and the Creek don’t rise” was about the Creek Indians and not a body of water? Benjamin […]
Dispatches from Home – My Aging Christmas Decorations.
A little Christmas cheer from the Kalberg’s house to yours! My sweet Mama made this little tree in a ceramics class. It, like so many of my aging Christmas decorations, is what helps make Christmas, Christmas. Each year, I unwrap them from yellowing tissue paper and place them in the same spot as the previous […]
The Friday Funnies – A Crazy Uncle and his Toilet Seat.
Go on, don’t lie. Like me, you know you had a crazy uncle who gave crazy Christmas gifts. Sometimes life gets crazy. Some folks may call you crazy. If they do, just tell them that you like this terminology: Happy with a twist. Later Twisting Gaters. (Originally published December 9, 2022)
This and That – The Story of the Unhappy Nail.
The Story of the Unhappy Nail. A cautionary tale penned by Anthony Wayne Kalberg (with apologies to the movie, “On The Waterfront.”) Once upon a time, the way all good stories begin, there was a nail. He did what nails do best – hold things together. Now this particular nail was unhappy doing what nails […]
This and That – The Christmas Book Tree.
Mornin’ on this rainy, bleak day. Why not brew a steaming hot cup of coffee or tea, curl up in an inviting chair before a cozy fire, and escape this old world by reading a good book? Don’t you just love creative people? This book tree is just too cute. Later Book-Loving Gaters! (Originally posted […]
The Friday Funnies – Senior Citizen Elf on the Shelf.
Good news, Christmas shoppers! Louis Vuitton is having a two-for-one sale. For every pair of their fashionable and most desirable sunglasses purchased, you’ll get another for free, plus your very own precious, limited edition, Senior Citizen Louis Vuitton Elf on the Shelf. Get ’em while they last! (Disclaimer: Older Elves are prone to breakage, especially […]
The Sunday Sermonette – The Real Reason?
If you know, you know. Perhaps someone needs to let Amazon know. Ponder this and go forth.
This and That – Fun at the Chimneys in Gulfport.
Greetings! Did your ears burn between 11:00 and 2:15? If so, your name was mentioned during lunch at the Chimneys in Gulfport. What a terrific time was had, over terrific food, with terrific old friends solving your problems and the problems of the world. Thank you all for a lovely time! And one other thing, […]
Dispatches from Home – A Young-Looking Mr. Scrooge.
The following Sound Off is in today’s fish wrapper: “I was in the Friday night audience at the Mary C. Cultural Center for their Mary Christmas Spectacular. And that it was! Kudos to the many great performers, the director, and his crew. The young man who played Scrooge was a hoot!” The YOUNG man who […]
This and That – Elizabeth Taylor and Maureen Stapleton.
Greetings! I had the privilege of seeing these two amazing ladies at the New Orleans Saenger Theater back in 1981. The set, the costumes, and the entire cast were impeccable. But Taylor and Stapleton were the jewels in the play’s crown. What a night it was for this ol’ country boy from Mississippi. Interesting factoid: […]
This and That – D’Lo Cousins and Mr. Scrooge.
Good morning on this dreary day! What a delight to take a curtain call at yesterday’s matinee and see my dear cousins in the audience. Especially since they journeyed all the way from D’Lo! The D’Lo Little Theater thanks you and so do I. This is one of my favorite characters to portray on stage. […]
This and That – A Cold, Dark Day.
Greetings! Cold, dark, rainy, gloomy days can be a downer. Aspire to be the sunshine in someone’s life today. Big hug. (Originally posted December 4, 2023)
THE FRIDAY FUNNIES – The Exhaust of Old Age.
Sometimes my old body’s like a raggedy, 1972 Gremlin. ‘Cause every time I cough or sneeze, my radiator leaks and my exhaust pipe backfires. Did I make you laugh? This old world can be a pretty unhappy place sometimes. With that in mind, lest we forget Victor Hugo’s uplifting words: Laughter is the sun that […]
This and That – A Fun Night!
What a fun night last night on stage and off. Cratchit, Scrooge, and one hot dish in magenta. Love y’all! Big hug. (Originally posted December 3, 2022)
Dispatched from Home – A Sad Sad Day.
December 2nd to the day. Two years ago at the Lady May. How could I know you’d go away? Forever goodbye, so you say? What a sad, sad day.
This and That – A Good Time was had by All!
Greetings! Goodness grashus! What a fun night it was! Delicious food, delightful banter, and delirious laughter! Thank you, Frank and Janie Bertucci, for opening up your lovely home to us all. Big hug. (P.S. – Some of my stories…to the grave, my friends…to the grave. ) (Originally posted December 2, 2023)
This and That – Where’s Santa Baby?
Well, I’m waiting for Santa Baby to grant all my Christmas wishes. As a child, I don’t remember Santa being this wide. Later Christmas Gaters! (Originally published December 1, 2021)
Dispatches from Home – Rest on the Flight into Egypt.
One of my favorite paintings is 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 infant Jesus crowned with a […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Kudzu, A Metaphor for Life.
One summer long ago, my sweet Granny and I piled into her old 1956 Buick Special and rode to Vossburg, Mississippi, to visit my Great-Great-Aunt Lucile. She lived on a vast farm with her husband and son, which I’ve written about in times past. During this little adventure, I was introduced to […]
Dispatches from Home – The Great Gatsby 1974 Movie.
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.” Big […]
Dispatches from Home – A “Chasing of the Wind” Review.
Greetings! And yet another review of my novel, “A Chasing of the Wind.” My dear friend, Janie Still Walters, an international speaker, sent me her thoughts and comments about my novel. If you need a great pick-me-up type of book, I highly recommend her delightful “The Garbage Truck Comes On Tuesdays and Fridays.” She goes […]
This and That – Chapel Hart and Mr. Scrooge.
Greetings! So ol’ Scrooge, dearest Mo, and the effervescent Mr. Delk were minding our own business today at WLOX, and look who we ran into—CHAPEL HART! So proud of these young Mississippi ladies!! They were SOOOO sweet. Hugs and kisses all round. May their stardom reach the heavens and stay there for a long, long […]
This and That -Russell and Lunch!
Greetings! I have good news and bad news! The good news is this: I had a delightful visit with one of my dearest friends, Russell Potter. The bad news is this: We laughed, howled, and giggled so much playing catch-up that we didn’t get to solve the world’s problems. Perhaps next time. “Lit’ Henry” – […]
This and That – A Day to be Thankful.
Greetings! I’m a bit under the weather today, so I’m staying close to home. Still, I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! What does this holiday mean to you? For me, it’s a day of profound gratitude, a day when I pause to thank Father God in Heaven for my dear parents, family, and […]
This and That – Happy Thanksgiving!
The Morning Question: It’s a glorious day here along the Mississippi Gulfport Coast. Earlier this morning, warm sunshine, a brisk Northern wind, and tallow trees resplendent in Fall’s glorious colors greeted me as I rode along Hwy 90! The wind had swept the Gulf’s tawny-brown water far out to sea. That exposed the sand flats, […]
Dispatches from Home – The Grieving Angel.
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 […]
This and That – My First Thanksgiving Alone.
Here’s wishing my family and friends a Happy Thanksgiving! For those you cherish this Thanksgiving, tell them that you love them. One day, the circle will be broken. It’s just me now, my first Thanksgiving without my Mom and Dad. On this Thanksgiving at the dinner table, I’ll see y’alls empty chair. And though life […]
Dispatches from Home – A Reflection of Thankfulness.
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 – A Western Flyer Tractor and Me!
I found this snap in an antique shop’s box of old snaps. 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 filled out, his […]
That and That – 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 providence […]
The Friday Funnies! Henry VIII and Marriage.
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; just don’t lose your head in the process. Big […]
The Sunday Sermonette – A Promise Broken. A Promise Kept.
Promises are delicate threads that weave our lives together with high-octane words. Promises kept are uplifting, filling us with a sense of love and hope. But broken promises are destructive, leaving behind shards of shattered dreams. History is filled with these shards. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson won re-election, promising to […]
This and That – A Lonely Mississippi Backroad.
While driving along a lonely Mississippi backroad, I heard the chilly, early morning wind whisper, “Be still and know that I am God.” Big hug, y’all! (Originally published November 22, 2022)
The Friday Funnies! Red Tag Days and Yuppies.
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 ye […]
This and That – Throwback Thursday, November 21, 2019.
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 and no longer […]
The Friday Funnies – Old Coot on the Prowl.
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 a […]
This and That – The New Orleans Saenger Theater Restoration.
The New Orleans Saenger Theater – one of the South’s most beautiful movie palaces. I’m so glad to see it’s on the mend after the great storm of ’05 flooded it, causing massive damage! Can’t wait to see the completed restoration. First saw the Saenger in 1965 where I enjoyed seeing “The Sound of Music.” […]
The Friday Funnies – Wonder what this cute little girl is thinking?
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, it’s hard to smile sometimes, but don’t ever stop trying to do so. Laughter is still the best medicine. Big hug y’all! (November 18, 2022)
The Sunday Sermonette – Where’s Weston? Where’s God?
In the Fall of 2005, my dear friends Fred and Jennifer Signs invited me to join them and their three-year-old son, Weston, for a respite from Hurricane Katrina’s catastrophic destruction. And what better place to do so than Disney’s Magic Kingdom! Seeing green trees and grass that were not beaten lifeless and brown by […]
This and That – Communion with Father God.
We took communion at church this morning. The observance was similar to 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 God who created the universe and everything in it—and stand before Him […]
The Friday Funnies – Norma Desmond Where Are You?
Alas and alack, woe is me! The phone rang late yesterday afternoon. I answered. Carolyn Martin said in a sweet voice, “Please call Brennan Prince. He wishes to speak to you.” I was elated and just knew he wanted me to audition for his next show. Imagine my dismay and crumpled feelings when I discovered […]
This and That – Help Me Win!
Greetings! For your perusal, I present my entry in a photo contest sponsored by the Bubba Bohunkus Shutterbug Institute of South Mississippi. The photo is titled: Icicles On Wilson Drive Via Nozzle And Rubber Hose. The first-place prize is a carefree weekend at the D’Lo Water Park! It includes a tent, sleeping bag, firewood, and […]
The Friday Funnies – The Toilet Paper Shortage.
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 published November 12, 2021)
Dispatches from Home – Veterans Day November 11 2024.
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. […]
The Friday Funnies – Passing Gas!
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 […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Two Ladies I Know.
My love of poetry began in the 1st grade at Biloxi’s Fernwood Elementary School. For a talent show, I ran around the stage in a boy’s nightgown and nightcap, holding a candle made from two toilet tissue rolls painted white and yellow. I recited this poem: “Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town, Upstairs and […]
Dispatches from Home – A Letter to President Trump.
Dear President Trump – Congratulations on your decisive win. Early this morning, I read a statement by NBC writer Jonathan Allen, who stated you are “The most polarizing figure in modern American politics…” He went on to say that you “now preside over a nation deeply driven by social, racial, cultural and economic hostilities,” […]
This and That – America Was Founded on Judeo-Christian Ideals.
My friend, Mr. Shropshire, wrote the following. Alas, those who need to read this won’t – ears/minds closed. Later ‘Gaters. “For those who would deny the Christian origins of our country: you must ignore the writings and the public statements of the Founders to do so. For example, The original U.S. revolution produced 13 distinct […]
This and That – A Chasing of the Wind Newspaper Article.
Greetings! Thank you, David Delk, for your shout-out: “Kalberg’s book was featured in Sun Herald’s fall book preview… If you haven’t gotten the book yet…you need to!” (Originally published November 9, 2014)
Dispatches from Home – Kristallnacht
About a week or so ago, Freddie Bentley, a reality star and instagrammer, stared that teaching history, particularly about WWII, is detrimental for Millenials’ mental health. Today, we remember Kristallnacht, the NIGHT OF BROKEN GLASS, which is one of the many reasons we SHOULD teach WWII history. If you don’t know what the Night of […]
Dispatches from Home – The Clown’s Lament.
The Clown’s Lament by AWK. Laugh, and the world laughs with me! Weep, and I weep alone. For this dying old earth laughs at my mirth, But cares little if I have struggles of my own. Sic vita est! (Originally published November 9, 2022)
Dispatches from Home – The Day Before the Election 2016.
I’ve heard my Democratic friends say, “If Mr. Trump wins, it’s the end of our country as we know it!” My Republican friends say, “If Mrs. Clinton wins, it will be a mini-Armageddon!” Doom and gloom are all around. Some might even say that the very pallbearers who carted away the ancient Roman Empire to […]
DISPATCHES FROM HOME: THE ELECTION 2020.
I am thankful that the elections are over. Now, we, as a country, can begin to heal. Let us put all rancor, hate, and violence behind us and move forward. Congratulations are in order. MR. BIDEN, a majority has elected you, and the Electoral College—a wounded nation looks to you for leadership. To the Republican-controlled […]
This and That – Two Cathedrals. Two Gifts.
Thought for the day: One cathedral is man’s gift to God. The other cathedral 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 today with someone who might need a word of encouragement, […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Suffering + Prayer = Friendship.
The Sunday Sermonette. Suffering + Prayer = Friendship. I was at the gym last week, running nowhere on the treadmill, lickety split! The telly was on, and as I raced along, I could not help but be saddened by the news reports coming out of Israel and the Gaza Strip. In war, children and the […]
This and That – Galatoires? The Chimneys Restaurant?
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! […]
This and That – An Invincible Summer!
“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 […]
This and That – 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 – Oh! Woe is me!
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; […]
The Sunday Sermonette – A Mansion Over The Hilltop.
In the spring of 1965, Dad, Mom, and I loaded up the family Comet, with its cat-eye taillights, and headed north to Jackson. We tuned left onto the Natchez Trace Parkway and motored west and back in time to Natchez, Mississippi. Its annual Spring Pilgrimage awaited us with its magnificent, anti-bellum mansions that lay ensconced […]
This and That – Tis the Season for Mr. Scrooge.
Meanwhile, in other news! It appears Center Stage is resurrecting this old chestnut, along with the old nut who portrays mean ol’ Mr. Scrooge. Rumor has it that this production is a bit avant-garde, with five actors portraying all the other characters in Dickens’ classic story. They portray other things too, like… well…you’ll just have […]
The Friday Funnies – The Latest Designer Toilet Seat.
In other news: Here’s the latest Designer Toilet Seat from the Paris 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. () With the Holidays coming up, watch where you sit. () Big hug, y’all!
This and That – The Clock in the Monteleone Hotel.
Greetings! What a fun, cold, windy day it was to be in the city. 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 […]
This and That – Happy Halloween from An Old Stiff.
Happy Halloween! For your perusal, I post a snap of moi in all my deathly splendor. The year was 1974. The place – the cobweb-infested attic of Ross Hall on the campus of William Carey University, back in the day before Baptists lost their sense of humor. (LOL!) My co-heart in horror was Mary Jane […]
THE FRIDAY FUNNIES – Fun Times at the Project Lounge.
What a night! Two femme fatales, Count Dracula, and a lunatic. We fit right in with the Project’s regulars. As you traverse the day, remember: life’s not always easy. Sometimes, being silly with friends is the best therapy! Later Silly Gaters! (Originally published October 29, 2021)
This and That – Shoney’s Big Boy and Russell “P” Potter.
Greetings! I just love eating at Shoney’s! And I love knowing famous people like Shoney’s Big Boy mascot. Big hug, y’all! (Originally published October 28, 2023)
The Sunday Sermonette – There’s Good News Tonight!
The first years of World War II went badly for the Allies. London was decimated by the Blitz. Singapore and the Philippines fell to the Japanese. One by one, European countries were crushed by the Nazi onslaught. And America was attacked at Pearl Harbor. The war’s death toll grew. The days looked dark. […]
The Friday Funnies – Renfield’s Halloween Poem.
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. If you’re not careful, 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 turn, […]
Dispatches from Home: The Coastal Theater Loses an Icon, but Heaven Gains One.
“I’m Hothouse Rose, from God knows where…” The opening lyrics to one of Cole Poter’s lesser-known songs drifted through the air. The song may not have been famous, but the lady singing it was. Over the years, she had entertained countless audiences at Gulfport Little Theater and was one of the theater’s favorite actresses, leaving […]
Dispatches from Home – A Chasing of the Wind Book Review.
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 […]
Dispatches from Home – I Hate Hamlet…Not Really!
Greetings! Need a good time filled with knee-slapping, belly-aching laughter, a hilarious script, and a fantastic cast? Then you don’t want to miss Biloxi Little Theatre’s production of “I Hate Hamlet!” I laughed ’til I was hoarse. Ryan Reinike and Boyce Deaton are a talented team. If they are paired in a drama, as in […]
This and That – A Hug a Day Keeps the Fears Away.
So, who are you going to hug today? Whoever it is, your hug will make them feel better. When I hug you, I love hearing your beating heart. Big hug, y’all! (Orginally published October 25, 023)
The Friday Funnies – A Pie in Your 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…I’ll throw a pie in your face. 😂 Big hug, y’all! 🥰
This and That – Terror on the Coast!
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…scarring you to death! The […]
This and That – Ten Years of Center Stage Shows.
(Originally published October 23, 2021)
The Friday Funnies – Oscar Wilde and Snakes!
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. Don’t be the snake in someone’s life. Remember what Oscar Wilde once said, “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, […]
This and That – Robert Frost and a Snowy Evening.
Good morning! 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 published October 22, 2022)
This and That – DRACULA Opens Tonight!
Greetings! It’s Opening Night for Center Stage’s DRACULA! Kudos to a great cast and crew, set designer, and director. Please make your reservations to see this show, which will entertain and send a chill or two down your spine. The guy playing Renfield is a bit out of control, but to quote Dracula, “Lunatics are […]
The Friday Funnies! A Hot Mess at Four!
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. Come on now, laugh with this cute little boy. Remember: As birthday cake is to the body, so is laughter to the soul. Later […]
This and That – The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Greetings! If you are my age or older, I highly suggest you watch “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” if you haven’t already. I just did. And what a delight it was! It’s most uplifting, too. As Sonny says, “Everything will be all right in the end…if it’s not all right, then it’s not yet the […]
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 […]
The Sunday Sermonette – A Tale of Two Plumbs.
While shopping at Rouses last week, I spotted plums in the Produce Department. They were the last of the summer plums and were ripening fast. I filled a bag with them, their sweet ripeness temping my senses. That sweetness triggered a memory from days gone by. I’ve often written about my summers spent in the […]
Dispatches from Home – Acorns and The Edgewater Gulf Hotel.
Greetings! As a child in the 1950s, Mom, Dad, and I frequently ate lunch in the dining room of the Edgewater Gulf Hotel after church. 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 grounds were […]
This and That – Dining at the Chimneys Restaurant in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Greetings! 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. 😉 I include Colton in the “mum’s department” as well. He was most intrigued with our remembrances of times past and Coastal luminaries who […]
This and That – Brunch with Two Lovely Ladies!
Greetings! A fun time with two lovely ladies during brunch at Biloxi’s Toasted Yoke! When I count my blessings, I count y’all twice. Big hug, y’all.
This and That – Fall Down South!
Fall! It is one of my favorite times of the year, especially down South! After the blistering, oven of summer, the crisp cool mornings and lush cool nights are a welcomed relief! It is also a time filled with the languorous beauty of brilliant-colored leaves, a sky of crystal blue, and Monarch butterflies that flutter […]
The Friday Funnies – The Full Moon and Me!
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 […]
Dispatches from Home – The New Orleans’ Saenger Theater Update.
Greetings! The Times-Picayune posted an article about the Hard Rock Casino collapse. It included this about the Saenger: “Impact of a possible fall: If the cranes fall, it would likely cause major destruction to the area near Rampart and Canal streets because of the size and weight of the cranes. Both cranes are about 270 […]
This and That – A Night Out With Dear Friends!
Boo! Got the privilege of having an evening snack and drinks at Mary Mahoney’s with Blanche DuBose of Laurel Mississippi and Stella Kowalski of New Orleans, along with The Chet Landry of WLOX, who is my Assitant Director for WATP’s upcoming production of Tennessee Williams’ classic Southern Gothic play, “A Streetcar Named Desire.” A Fun. […]
The Sunday Sermonette – God’s Song!
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 – Where Oh Where Did The Time Go?
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 – Throwback Thursday, The Bachelor Party!
While cleaning out an old trunk in the attic, I found this. 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, and throwing up in the ice chest.” It appears that everyone signed the back of […]
The Friday Funnies. – Bad-Boy Louie and the Bat!
This younger generation…I just don’t know what to think of them. I showed Bad-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. Don’t know who the bigger wuss […]
Dispatches from Home – Dear Lillian Gish.
Greetings! Dear Miss Gish lived to be 99. Apparently, her life’s philosophy worked. Smart lady from Hollywood’s Golden Age. Follies Of God · “I made a decision very early in my life that I was going to be happy and successful–a winner at things. I wasn’t going to be defeated by slights and trivialities. I have always […]
Dispatches from Home – Luxury, Steam, and a Pleasant Crossing.
“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 shops. In midtown Manhattan, there’s even a postcard still for sale, showing the Queen Elizabeth, Mauretania, a Sylvania-class Cunarder, the America and the Independence lying […]
THE FRIDAY FUNNIES – Where’s the Toilet 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 Sunday Sermonette – R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
R. – Reverse someone’s disrespect for you with respect for them. E. – Everyone deserves respect, whether in agreement or not. S. – Saying I respect you and doing so are two different things. P. – Persistently strive to be respectful of others. E. – Earning respect is more advantageous than demanding it. C. – […]
This and That – Thought for the Day…Details.
Many years ago, I coined a phrase that I often remind myself of: It is the attention to detail that sets one above mediocrity. Oft times, when I’ve finished a project, I reflect on just that—the details. Should I have added this or that? Should I have asked for help? Should I have accepted that […]
The Friday Funnies – A Nightmare and Louie!
“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 […]