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)
This and That – Another Opening! Another Show!
Greetings! What a fun night was had by all at the premiere of “EnterFear: The Next Wave” at Biloxi’s Premiere Lux Theater. Thanks to Tim Wall and Ryan Reinike for expanding my “movie career.” Strange seeing and hearing yourself on the silver screen. Mercy me! That’s all I needed…seeing my big nose get even bigger […]
The Friday Funnies – Hemingway and Classical Art.
Greetings! A good book and classical art. What more could a person ask for? Right? Remember: Try to laugh while walking along life’s bumpy pathway. You have a choice—either you laugh or you cry. But Honey! Crying gives me a headache, a runny nose, and bloodshot eyes. Makes me look like I’ve been on a […]
The Sunday Sermonette – A Lesson Not Learned.
Having lived off and on in the same house for over sixty years, its walls echo with memories—some make me laugh, others tug at my heart, and a few are burned (literally) into my mind. My childhood Sundays were wrapped around a peaceful routine. Mom, Dad, and I would come home from church, and upon […]
Dispatches from Home – Waiting for the Show to Begin.
“Just think, young man,” Mr. Scrooge said with a sparkle in his eyes. “In an hour, this old theater will be packed to the balcony. “I’m scared,” the young man said, fear evident in his eyes. “My child, don’t be,” Mr. Scrooge said. “We rehearsed; we know our songs and our blocking. Just do what […]
The Friday Funnies – A Walk Down Memory Lane.
While sifting through a stack of boxes filled with old papers and ring binders, I came across my old KNS Publicity Folder from the early 1990s. Its yellowing pages and envelopes packed with aging snaps brought a smile. Remembering all my friends who had entertained me over the years with their stage antics made me […]
The Friday Funnies! Who Are Your Friends.
Oi! Vey! Such a heartbreak! When your dearest friends push you out of the last lifeboat leaving the Titanic, it might be time to reconsider their friendly bond. Y’all have a great weekend and be safe. Big hug.
This and That – A Sudden Lost is Difficult.
Greetings! Ever endure a traumatic experience? Sudden loss of your job, home, or someone you love? Ever sat in the darkness of that loss, wondering where to go or who to turn to? Many will only turn to God when they are stumbling in the darkness, falling to their knees, begging for help and a […]
The Friday Funnies! A Boar and A Bore.
While talking with my friend, Billy the Boar, he yawned. “Am I boring you?” I asked, “You’ve yawned five times.” Billy the Boar, quick on his four hoofs, responded, “I wasn’t yawning. They were unsuccessful attempts to speak.” And there you have it. Laugh with vigor today; it will make you feel better. Later Don’t-Be-A- […]
Dispatches from Home – A Leap into Madness!
“This book explores the origins, manifestations, and treatment of Vaslav Nijinsky’s madness. The successful first half of his life has become legendary, but his breakdowns and terrible decline have never been fully described.” Thus begins Peter Ostwald’s powerfully evocative book about the life and times of one of the most successful performing artists of the […]
The Friday Funnies – Grandfather and Silvester.
For those of you who say I’m behind the times, let the record show the Kalbergs have always been on the cutting edge of technology. For evidence, I present a snap of my grandfather, Frank August Kalberg, Sr., and a lady friend of unknown origin. He told me the ostrich’s name was Silvester, who, on […]
The Sunday Sermonette – A Sure Foundation.
The Temple Mount’s Southern Wall, the Great Pyramid, the Parthenon, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Lincoln Memorial—what do these monuments have in common? They each began with a cornerstone. This stone guaranteed the alignment of the edifices of these magnificent buildings. Since the days of old, builders have used cornerstones in their building projects. It […]
What Do You See?
When I look out across the sprawling Gulf, Sometimes placid, sometimes rough. I often see billowing clouds of fluffy white, Splashed with dashes of dazzling light. They float in majesty across Heaven’s azure-blue sky, Where endless wonders meet my eye. Sometimes I spy a face, a ship, or a crown, As Father God, His glories […]
This and That – Old Times. Old Friends.
Greetings! What a fun time we had last night at Steve’s Marina in Long Beach! The camaraderie of old friends from FBC Gulfport never wanes. Happy times. Silly stories. And precious memories. These make our golden years golden. Thanks, y’all! Take care. Be safe. Big hug. (Originally posted September 28, 2024)
The Sunday Sermonette – What Do You See?
When I was a child riding in the back seat of Dad’s 1959 Nash Rambler, I often looked out the window at the mountainous clouds climbing upward toward Heaven. In my childlike mind, the clouds were my best friends, charming me with cloud pictures of fascinating creatures, flying ships, and laughing giants, all waving […]
The Friday Funnies – Guys and Dolls and Striped Suits.
“Hey, Sky Masterson!” said Nathan Detroit. “Why are your suit stripes bigger than mine?” “Because, Mr. Nathan Detroit,” said Sky Massterson, “My costume designer had a bigger paintbrush than yours did.” And that, dear friends, is the fashion news from the theatrical world of Off, Off, Off-Broadway. Big hug, y’all. (Originally posted September 27, 2024)
This and That – A Little Happy on a Fall Morning.
Greetings! My dear friend, Janie Still Walters, sent me this little happy via the morning post. As I age, I’ve found that a sense of humor, being able to laugh at yourself and your foibles, is worth its weight in gold. Gold may pass away, as will your youth, but the memory of a good […]
Dispatches from Home – A Man and His Dog.
Greetings! I love old cemeteries with their amazing tombstones. This touching, lifelike statue is located in the Crystal Springs Cemetery in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. It honors Benson Mott Lockwood. Without a doubt, dear Mr. Lockwood loved his old dog. If I were going to have a pet, it would be a dog. They love unconditionally…how […]
Dispatches from Home – Our Voyage Has Ended.
Greetings, Dear Ones! Thankfully, what took four weeks to create only took a mere three days to dismantle. The Ocean Liner Exhibition was a lifetime dream! A massive THANK YOU to those who made that dream come true. What would life be without dreams? Right? A big THANK YOU to all those who came to […]
The Friday Funnies – Don’t Lose Your Sense of Humor.
Father God, with the world in freefall, please don’t let us lose our sense of humor. Please give us the wisdom to laugh at a good joke, to glean humor from our everyday pratfalls, and to pass our sense of humor on to others. With this in mind, my friends, I post the following. Big […]
The Friday Funnies! The Same Old Bull.
Meanwhile, in other news…ain’t it the truth, ain’t it the truth. Just remember, boys and girls, “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” Who do you need to have a good laugh with today? Later Non-Bullish-Gaters! (Originally posted September 24, 2021)
The Sunday Sermonette – Old Lady Ramsey and the Dog Sled.
In the 1970s, Wednesday Night suppers at dear old First Baptist Church, Gulfport, were hot-ticket items. The Fellowship Hall was a bustling beehive of clattering restaurant china and well-worn stainless steel cutlery. The tempting aroma of fried chicken, cornbread, and turnip greens beckoned from the kitchen. The room echoed with high-pitched laughter and bubbling conversation. […]
This and That – The Women and Supper.
Greetings! Just returned from a delightful evening with dear friends and a jaunt to the theater. Center Stage’s The Woman is “the story of contented, kindly Mary Haines, a well-off woman living in 1930s New York City. She’s the envy of her friends, with a happy marriage, adorable children, and a comfortable home. Unfortunately, she […]
Dispatches from Home – Mississippi’s Many Extremes.
Mississippi – a place of extremes. Wealth and poverty. Knowledge and ignorance. Love and hate. Beauty and squalor. Famous and infamous. Divine and secular. But there’s nowhere else I’d rather live, and I thank God most every day that He allowed me to be born in this state of extremes, in which I learned how […]
This and That – Hello, hello, hello.
Greetings, on this cool, crisp day! Here’s a thought: When was the last time you took the time to call, write, or email an old friend, family member, or loved one to tell them how much they have meant to you over the years? What? You never have? Well, today’s the day to do so. […]
The Friday Funnies! Lost in a Van Gogh Painting.
Oh! My! Was it the stuffed bell peppers? That Sichuan spicy hot pot? Or was it the large bowl of shrimp creole? Whatever it was, I awoke last night from a horrible nightmare! I was trapped in a Van Gogh painting with no way out. Then I remembered the painting was a bedroom in an […]