As a child, I often went fishing with my sweet Granny from D’Lo. She taught me how to bait the hook, where best to fish, and how to wait patiently for the little red and white bobber to tantalizingly bob up and down. One day, the bobber went down and didn’t come up, but oh, […]
Dispatches from Home – Mom’s Update #2.
Here’s your daily update: Mom passed a good night last night, as the old-timers say, although she was still a bit groggy from all the meds they’ve given her. Today, she’s more herself, ate a good breakfast, a tad of lunch, and a great supper. I think she’ll be discharged tomorrow! I just dashed home […]
Dispatches from Home – Mom’s Update.
Evening update on Mom. She’s out of ICU and in her own room. The brain scans indicated the hemorrhage has dissipated, which is a good thing. She was very agitated and babbled a lot, which she does when she has a spell, as I call it. They gave her a dose of Ativan, and she’s […]
Dispatches from Home – Do you hear Whispers?
While reading Psalm 36 this morning, I couldn’t help but think about our beloved country. There are those who would destroy us from within, eviscerating all that Americans hold dear, caring not how they accomplish their goals or who is murdered, or injured, or humiliated in the process. Those “Americans” hear the whispers that the […]
The Sunday Sermonette – A Stranger’s Kindness.
To paraphrase the Bard, “February is the winter of my discontent.” It’s my birthday month—another year older. Then there’s Valentine’s Day—nothing special there. And lastly, it’s the month of Mother’s passing. So, you can imagine my joy when dear friends invited me to cruise with them aboard Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas in […]
This and That – Sunset Boulevard’s Final Curtain.
Norma and Joe are ensconced in her palatial mansion on Sunset Boulevard! The curtain’s going up on the Sunday matinee, the final performance of a great cast and crew! Thank you for the privilege of working with you all on this visually stunning, amazingly acted show. As they say, “Thanks for the memories…” (Originally posted […]
This and That – Dancing Rainbows.
Greetings on this cloudy morn! From our summer flower garden to yours, here’s wishing all my FB family and friends a peaceful, stress-free week. Remember, it takes both sunshine and rain to make a rainbow. Look for the rainbows of life and learn to dance in the rain. Later, Dancing Gaters! (Originally posted July 12, […]
The Friday Funnies – The Mice Will Play.
Ah! Yes! Dear ol’ William Carey College Days. Even if the King was present or away, these mice still found time to play. Please remember: Life’s harder if you forget how to laugh and play. Big hug, y’all!
Dispatches from Home – Mr. Poe and Annabel Lee.
Greetings, on this rainy, windy night. Dear Mr. Poe. A tortured soul, who, out of his torment, penned such beauty. Thank you! “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea, That a maiden there lived whom you may know By the name of […]
This and That – Butter and Concrete.
Thought for the Day – “The same sun that softens butter, hardens concrete.” Are you experiencing tragedy in your life? Only lemons, never lemonade? Have family or friends hurt you with their actions and words? You have a choice. Either you will soften your heart with forgiveness or harden it with anger and hate. Do […]
Dispatches from Home – Late Summery Afternoon Shadows.
Greetings! For those who’ve recently lost a loved one, a friend, or a special someone, I’ve written this little poem just for you. Big hug. Late summery afternoon shadows, On an antique chair of blue. Conjure memories of days gone by, That remind me of you. Peaceful walks along the beach, The sandy grit between […]
The Friday Funnies – Ridin’ in Style.
Meanwhile, in other Coastal automotive news, I present this gem for your perusal. I can hear the greasy, gold-toothed car salesman’s pitch now. “It’s a car for all budgets. Keep an open mind, embrace new thinking, and explore new possibilities. Don’t dream it…drive it. An everyday vehicle it isn’t. But for a car enthusiast like […]
This and That – A Hot Saturday Afternoon.
Saturday afternoon! Yard work is finally finished. Yay! But Baby, it’s hot! I’m drenched. Now, a relaxing bubble bath and then a big steak, along with a baked potato and a tall, cool glass of sweet wine. Since it’s just me, I’m pretty easy to please. Later, Staying Cool Gaters. (Originally posted July 9, 2022)
The Sunday Sermonette – Life is Hard.
What are the hardships in your life? Work? Family? Friends? Relationships? Your health? Unfortunately, hardships are an inescapable part of the process we call living. How we endure them, though, ah, therein lies the rub, as the Bard once wrote. One way to endure them is to moan, to groan, and to complain. Oftentimes, that […]
This and That – My Post Office Picture.
Greetings! My brilliantly talented friend, David Slatten, created this great picture of lit’ ol’ me. But with all due respect for his talent as an artist, and with all due deference, I must admit that my picture at our local Post Office is the better of the two likenesses. LOL! Thank you, David, for your […]
The Friday Funnies – Asleep at the Tattoo Parlor.
With pained remorse, I can hear him saying to his horrified mother, “But Mom, I was snockered and fell asleep. Don’t panic; it’s only temporary. It’s a phase I’m going through.” Please remember: In the Tattoo Parlors of Life, it’s always best to remain cognizant, sober, and awake. Big hug, y’all. (Originally posted July 8, […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Whatever, I can!
The last few days have been a tad trying. Lest we forget, Father God and Jesus are with us at all times, though. With us as we stand on exhilarating mountaintops and stumble through treacherous valleys. Always there, never leaving us to traverse life without confidence. Without security. Without the peace that surpasses all understanding. […]
The Friday Funnies – Excitement at the Popular Monet Exhibition.
Meanwhile, in other news, there was much excitement at the very popular Monet Exhibition! An elderly gentleman, there with his grandson, created quite the stir when, in a mental lapse, he attempted to “catch” one of the koi in the recreation of Monet’s famous fishpond, all of which were projected images. His unexpected fishing venture […]
The Friday Funnies! Granny Glasses, Sweater Vest, and Long Hair.
Just think, my young, ambitious tots: if you apply yourself, get a good education, and keep your nose clean, you, too, will be able to buy a cool pair of fashionable granny glasses, wear cool sweater vests, and let your hair grow luxuriously long. And then, late in life, you’ll ponder this eternal question…what was […]
Dispatches from Home – Exploration and a Walk Down Memory Lane.
Greetings! An impromptu lunch with The Fab Four at Biloxi’s Acropolis Greek Restaurant turned into a delightful shared adventure of exploration and a walk down theatrical memory lane. I highly recommend the Acropolis’ moussaka eggplant lasagna! Yum, yum! After a long lunch of high jinks, silly banter, and a glimmer of hope concerning a future […]
Dispatches from Home – Destroy History or Learn From It?
Greetings1 Thoughts on changing Mississippi’s state flag: I’m all for it–if and only if–those who are demanding its change will sign a document stating once it’s changed, the Confederate Witch Hunt will stop. But I don’t think that will be the case. The following things that will fall victim to the witch hunt will be […]
The Firday Funnies! I’m Leaving It All Up To You.
I love pithy idioms – a bee in your bonnet, ants in your pants, or bats in your belfry. However, the idiom that might accompany this picture…well…I’m gonna leave it up to the viewer. (LOL!) In life, whether it’s proverbial bees, ants, bats, or wasps, spray ’em all with Spectracide and keep on truckin’ down […]
Dispatches from Home – Ozymandias.
Greetings! Ozymandias is one of my favorite poems. Shelly’s last words are haunting: “Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Round the decay of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare. The lone and level sands stretch far away.” A quote from Sparknotes states: “Ozymandian symbolizes not only political power—the statue can […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Summertime Plums.
When I was a child, I spent many happy summers with my sweet Granny from D’Lo, who, at that time, lived in Jackson, Mississippi. Many a summer morning, I’d look out my bedroom window at her plum trees, hoping that by some mysterious alchemy in the night, the tart, yellow-green plums had turned a juicy […]
Dispatches from Home – Lovely Flowers Help Soften Summer’s Pain.
Winter is a fading memory, With its luscious, icy snow. We were all amazed to see it, And perhaps a bit sad to see it go. But now the oven of summer is upon us, With its humidity, sunshine, and rain. Let’s be thankful until Fall arrives, Lovely flowers help soften Summer’s pain. A few […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Costumes and a Flax Shirt.
What would my 50th Theatrical Anniversary be without some discussion concerning costumes? From evening tails to afternoon formal wear, from tattered Victorian dressing gowns to dapper 1930s golfing attire, and from long, flowing night shirts to just BVDs, I’ve worn a myriad of character costumes. One in particular stands out. In the winter […]
This and That – Parting is such sweet sorrow.
Greetings! The Bard said it so well: “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” My dear Heather Pinkston is moving to Cold Spring, Texas. Saying goodbye is bittersweet, but it is tempered by the anticipation of a future visit and the chance to revisit old times, days, and many happy memories. May God bless you, dearest friend, […]
The Friday Funnies – That Enlightened Moment!
That enlightened moment when Wayne asked, “Did we leave James at the dock?” Andy opined, “Yikes! He’s got our cab fare!” And dear Rhonda mumbled under her breath, “Never another vacation with these two bozos.” Please remember: “Laugh more. Worry less.” Big hug, y’all!
This and That – National Sunglasses Day!
Greetings! It’s National Sunglasses Day! Louie and I have already shown you our fashionable sunglasses. So, with that in mind, why not post a snap of YOU in your favorite sunglasses? Come on, dig deep in your phone. I know you’ve got one. Ready…set…go! Who’s 1st? Big hug. (Originally posted June 24, 2023)
This and That – My Lost Copy of A Night to Remember.
Greetings! Okay, Pat Pinson and Sarah Qarqish. Did y’all hide my copy of A Night to Remember? We open today, you know. Oh! Mercy me! Why did I lend my name to this production? () Even if I don’t find my book, please plan to attend the Mary C O’Keefe Cultural Center’s Grand Opening of […]
This and That – Stimulus Checks to the Dead.
Greetings! According to our local fish wrapper, “Almost $1.4 billion in coronavirus stimulus payments went to 1.1 million dead Americans, the Government Accountability Office said Thursday. The Internal Revenue Service typically uses Social Security death records to weed out fraudulent tax return claims. But the GAO said the IRS and the Treasury Department did not […]
The Friday Funnies – A Bimini Bruise.
NOTE TO SELF: Self, run away, don’t walk away the next time a friend says –“Oh! Andy! Stop being such a wuss! Jet skis are sooooo much fun. Flying atop the turquoise-blue water at 40mph… you’ll love it! Come on, get on! What’s the worst thing that can happen… you’ll fall off!” Ha! Famous last […]
This and That – A Lazy Summer’s Afternoon.
Greetings! I love a late summer afternoon. The sun, burning down through an orangy-yellow haze, fades into slumber. A warm breeze from the Gulf ruffles the leaves in the trees. And a cool glass of sweet wine conjures whimsical dreams in the mind. Life is good. Thank you, Father God, for it. Big hug. (Originally […]
Dispatches from Home – Faded Grandeur. Gilded Memories.
Greetings! Putting some finishing touches on the Ocean Liner Exhibition in the Duckett Gallery at the Mary C. Cultural Center in Ocean Springs! There are four more days until it opens on June 27th. Doors open at 5:30, and yours truly will give opening remarks in the auditorium at 5:45. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will […]
This and That – Giovanni Boldini at His Finest.
Here’s my latest Pretty Lady painting. Now all I have to do is find the proper theatrical stage set on which to present her to the world. Perhaps the play, Rebecca? “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” What say ye? Later Pretty-Lady-Loving Gaters! (Originally posted June 23, 2018)
Dispatches from Home – The Hunchback and Me.
Greetings! Because I’m confined to quarters due to a bit of surgery and bored to death, I decided to pull out my old theatrical makeup kit. Channeling dear ol’ Charles as the Hunchback, this is what I came up with. I think the left eye needs a little work. (LOL!) What say ye? Later Helpful […]
The Friday Funnies! The Bustling Suburbs of D’Lo, Mississippi.
Meanwhile, in other news: My cousin, Bubba Josephus Kalberg, who lives in the bustling suburbs of D’Lo, Mississippi, is doing what he can to stay cool in the sweltering heat of summertime down South. He personifies the old adage, “Takin’ what you got and makin’ what you can.” I applaud his creativity. His swimming companions […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Are You Safe?
Do you have a favorite chair? My mother did. It was more than a piece of furniture; it was her sanctuary. It sat by the window for years, its sturdy arms enveloping her in a cocoon of peace and security. That chair, her confidant and companion in the later stages of life, remained steadfast as […]
This and That – Mr. DeMille! Sorry, I’m Not Ready For My Close-up.
Greetings! Mr. DeMille! I’m sorry, I’m not ready for my close-up. But I’m planning on auditioning for Frankenstein. Alas, my agent has already called and informed me that my upcoming front-page layout for Gentlemen’s Quarterly magazine has been canceled. (LOL!) Later Understanding Gaters! (Originally posted June 22, 2021. Thankfully, the cancer was removed, and all’s […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Masks and Makeup.
Performing on Coastal Stages over the past fifty years, I’ve worn my share of theatrical masks and makeup. Portraying Camelot’s Merlin required a long white beard, a mane of white hair, and over-the-top eye makeup. Cabaret’s Emcee called for jet-black hair slicked back with hair oil, long fake eyelashes, ghostly white skin, a dash of […]
Dispatches from Home – The Cross and Humanism.
The Peace Cross has honored WWI heroes since 1925. Why is it now bothering the American Humanist Association? I responded to a dear friend’s comments on my post. Dawn, I went to the https://americanhumanist.org site, but could not take much of it. LOL. I have no problem with other people’s thoughts about God, or the […]
Dispatches from Home – Father’s Day Vacation 1956.
Greetings! Father’s Day Vacation. 1956. Silver Springs, Florida. Mom packed us a huge lunch, and off we went for a picnic. There’s Pop sporting some cool sunglasses while eating a delicious homemade bacon and tomato sandwich. And there’s me hugging a cold, Coke-A-Cola in a small bottle. Mom took the picture. Life was good! Pop, […]
Dispatches from Home – Frankenstein and Me.
Good morning! Well, today’s the day. I’m off to surgery to have some facial skin cancers removed. Prayers are appreciated. Yikes! I hope I don’t come back looking like dear old Frankenstein! Later Praying Gaters! UPDATE 06/21/2021 11:30 pm – All went well. Awaiting my biopsy report, which came back clean. (Originally posted June 21, […]
The Friday Funnies – Sometimes You Just Gotta Laugh.
Greetings! Flashback to June 21, 1984. I’ve forgotten how I managed to get my face color to match the rest of my ensemble. But you know me, I do love to match. Oh! Now I remember. I’d eaten beans the night before. Yikes! How embarrassing. Sometimes you just gotta laugh and keep on trucking. Big […]
This and That – Preachers, Bootleggers, and Bugs.
Greetings! For those who know me, you know that I love stores from the Great Depression! Here are some old-time preacher stories via The Simpson County News. In the 1930s, Preacher Blair met a bootlegger on the streets of Mize, Mississippi. The bootlegger waved a $100 bill in the preacher’s face and said, “I know […]
Dispatches from Home – No Easy Solutions to Growing Immigration.
Greetings! Perhaps my former pastor, Dean Register, says it best: “While there are no simple answers or easy solutions to the growing immigration problem, some facts must be embraced. John Adams, signer of the Declaration of Independence and second President of the United States, wrote, “Facts are stubborn things regardless of our wishes or inclinations.” […]
This and That – Take Time Today to Thank the Good Master.
Thought for the Day – In a world gone mad, in a country aflame with hate, destruction, and death, take time today to thank the Good Master for the simple beauty and joy of flowers. As the Good Book says, can any of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your life? We are […]
The Friday Funnies! I’m Officially Old!
Due to this morning’s little procedure, Bad Boy Louie has informed me that I’m officially old. Louie, what would I do without you? Please remember: If you laugh a lot, when you get old like me, all your wrinkles will be in the right place. Big hug, y’all!
Dispatches from Home – A Theatrical Bio of a Smalltown Boy.
Greetings! I’ve been asked to write a theatrical bio for myself. I dislike bios because they always seem like a person is bragging. That’s not my intent. The little grey cells aren’t what they used to be. Did I leave out something significant? Later, Helpful Gaters! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx By way of introduction, my name is Anthony […]
The Sunday Sermonette – NO!
Sometimes, accepting God’s NO requires more faith than His YES. Ponder this and go forth. (Originally posted June 19, 2022)
This and That – Oscar Wilde Is Spot On.
Greetings! I think dear ol’ Oscar is spot on when it comes to experience. We live and learn, die and forget it all. Have a great day, y’all! Big hug. (Originally posted June 19, 2024)
The Friday Funnies! The Smooth-Talking Gold Digger.
Greetings! As the servant listens to the smooth-talking gold digger wooing this old gal, he’s thinking: “Honey, don’t believe a word he’s saying…he only wants you for your money.” Don’t forget to laugh today. As Charlie Chaplin once said, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” Big hug, ya’ll! (Originally posted June 17, 2022)
That Summer Nevermore.
A Novela by Anthony Wayne Kalberg Prologue The bloodstains had faded. Their memories had not. As Carsten looked down at the worn, concrete sidewalk, the horrid memories of Lady Blanche’s crumpled body seeped forward from the dark recesses of his mind. The bell in the clock tower atop Ambrose Hall […]
Dispatches from Home – Father’s Day 2019.
For those who knew my father, you know how gregarious he was, never meeting a stranger. Boy! Pop could talk, but only when he had something to say. Otherwise, he was hidden behind the latest issue of the Daily Error, as we old-timers lovingly call our local fish wrapper. If not reading the paper, he […]
The Friday Funnies! Macho, Macho Man!
Ah! A summer’s day long ago with this Macho, Macho Man!! In his honor, we’ll now sing a rousing chorus of the Village People’s song of the same name, remembering these time-honored lyrics: “Every man wants to be a macho man. To have the kind of body always in demand. Joggin’ in the mornings, go […]
Dispatches from Home – William Faulkner Mississippi Born.
Greetings! Dear ol’ Will, a Mississippi boy who makes us proud. Profound words from a profound man! Pleasant dreams, my friends. Good night. Big hug. (Originally posted June 16, 2023)
This and That – Love the Soothing Salve.
Greetings! True words, my friends, true words. In the hardships and bitterness of this old world, love is like a soothing, healing salve on the open wounds of life. Big hug, y’all. (Originally posted June 15, 2024)
The Sunday Sermonette – Are You the Prodigal Child or the Father?
Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son is among the most touching in the New Testament. The son in the story represents a person living in rebellion against those who loved him. The son insisted on living his own life and demanded that his father give him his inheritance early. When his father […]
This and That – Emile Zola is Correct.
Greetings, dear friends. Monsieur Emile Zola is correct. “We are like books. Most people only see our cover, the minority only read the introduction, many people believe the critics. Few will know our content.” Let this not be said of us, my dears. What say ye? Big hug. (Originally posted June 14, 2023)
The Friday Funnies – Lickin’ the Spatula.
In life’s crazy whirlpool, for some, there’s mental therapy. For me, there’s chocolate! Now, I’m on a sugar high, but I ain’t as crazy as I was. Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted June 14, 2024)
The Friday Funnies – Don’t forget to Sparkle!
In life, always try to sparkle. Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle. Big hug, y’all!
The Sunday Sermonette: Forever in Amber.
One day, millions of years ago, our little friend in the snap was attracted by the smell of resin oozing from a tree, perhaps a prehistoric pine. Deciding to rest his weary wings, he came to rest in the resin and found himself trapped. As the resin fossilized, forming the amber, our little friend was […]
The Friday Funnies – Don’t Mess With Me!
Don’t mess with me, Bambi! I’m a mean, lean fightin’ machine! Laugh today, my friends! It’s good for the heart. Good for the soul. And good for the face. It takes fewer facial muscles to smile than to frown, so smiling causes fewer wrinkles. And ain’t none of y’all gettin’ any younger, and Botox is […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Auditions.
Fifty years ago this month, I was bitten by a bug. I was not the first to be bitten and certainly wasn’t the last. Fifty years later, though, that bug bite has not healed. The species of bug? The Theater Bug! And even after much theatrical water has flowed under many theatrical bridges, I […]
This and That – Kinard Fite ‘nough said.
Greetings! What a great snap of a troubled, but talented hometown genius! On warm summer evenings, I often think of many such evenings that Kinard and I spent sipping iced coffee on the veranda at Mary Mahoney’s, he waxing eloquent, and I absorbing his genius and acerbic wit. Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted June 7, […]
The Friday Funnies – My First Tattoo?
Well, I’m taking the plunge and getting a tattoo. When completed, it will cover my arms and chest with cupids and flowers. In a bold font, spread across my taut pectorals, will be the words, “I love D’Lo!” As you go through the day, don’t forget what dear ol’ Ben Franklin said: “Trouble knocked at […]
Dispatches from Home – Happy 92nd Birthday Mom!
Greetings! I want to thank everyone for their likes, loves, and comments concerning Mom’s 92nd birthday. As I’ve said before, I’m never sure what Mom does and does not understand. So this evening at the supper table, I told her it was her birthday. She smiled, but I knew that was not registering. So we […]
Dispatches from Home – Happy 93rd Birthday Mom!
Mom – today would have been your 93rd birthday. Words cannot express how much I miss you! Happy Birthday, Mom! (Originally posted June 6, 2019)
Dispatches from Home – Happy 98th Birthday Mom!
Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mom! You would be 98 today. As the years have rushed by since Father God called you Home, I’ve often pondered what the words “I miss you” really mean. The answer came one night when, in a dream, I reached for your frail, sweet hand, and it wasn’t there reaching back. Oh! […]
The Friday Funnies – Angery Birds.
Let the record show that I, the wise advisor, warned Ms. Weidner about the potential consequences of visiting a bird sanctuary with birdseed sprinkled on her chapeau. But did she listen? Of course not. And so, not long after we arrived, we found ourselves under attack by dive-bombing birds. It was like a scene straight […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Revenge.
When it comes to revenge, a good rule of life is this: don’t rejoice when those who hurt you suffer. Don’t take revenge on those who do. Seeking revenge only ruins your peace of mind and may increase the chances of future retaliation. The Book of Proverbs states: If your enemy is hungry, give him […]
This and That – Bucket Friends.
My former Pastor at the First Baptist Church of Gulfport posted this on Facebook on June 5, 2016. This is an uplifting book, and I highly recommend it. “In their best-selling book “How Full Is Your Bucket?” Rath and Clifton point out that people in your life are either bucket fillers or bucket drainers. Fillers […]
Dispatches from Home – Dead Swans.
Early this morning, I had the strangest dream I’ve had in recent memory. In it, I was sitting on the banks of a placid, indigo-blue lake. In front of me, a velvety carpet of verdant green grass, dappled by the sunlight shining through the trees, slowly sambaed its way to the water’s edge. Pairs of […]
The Friday Funnies – Mississippi State Employees Hard At Work.
For your perusal this morning, I present this picture of an old coot who’s napping on the taxpayer’s dime! Thankfully, not all Mississippi State Employees are this derelict in their duties! Due to his office’s officious decor, he most likely thinks he can take such liberties when and where he wishes. Of course, there’s always […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Tumbleweeds.
Growing up in the late 50s and early 60s, I watched many TV Westerns like Gunsmoke and Wagon Train. I was always fascinated when the camera panned the desert and tumbleweeds came rolling by. Like Cowboys, Indians, and buffalo, those dried-up tangles are icons of the Old West, and they amble along wherever the wind […]
Dispatches from Home – Demons!
Why are some of the most gifted, talented artists, writers, actors, and musicians – like Van Gogh, Hemingway, Robin Williams, and Mozart – seemingly possessed by “demons”? Could the demons in their minds be the very essence of their creativity, the driving force behind the beauty in their works of art, the power in their […]
The Friday Funnies – You Have Been Warned.
Meanwhile, in other news, while motoring down a lovely country lane, this signage greeted me with its fearsome warning. Let the record show, you HAVE been warned! Later Warned Gaters! (Originally posted June 3, 2022)
This and That – Summertime Memories.
Ah! Fun Summer Times with dear ol’ FBC Gulfport aboard the Francis Fayard yacht! Susan was one of my dearest friends in those carefree summer days of long ago. She had a wicked sense of humor that more often than not left me in stitches. We went on summer camps and choir tours with the […]
The Friday Funnies -With Apologies to Mr. Serling.
“You’re travelling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind; a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That’s the signpost up ahead – your next stop, the Twilight Zone!” And Honey, let me tell you!! What a Twilight Zone journey it was!! Remember this: […]
The Sunday Sermonette – An Old Hymn. A Timeless Message.
Life’s highway is not always lined with perfumed roses and sparkling sunlight. There are dark alleyways, treacherous curves, and ominous dead ends at every turn. These often lead to hurt, pain, and disappointment. Dreams are crushed, too. Or are they? Louisa Stead, born in Dover, England, in 1850, and immigrated to America in 1871, always […]
Dispatches from Home: The First Day of June.
I love this month—warm days, somewhat cool nights, a respite before the onslaught of a sticky-hot, south Mississippi summer! I also love lilies and caladiums. It gives me great pleasure to lovingly plant the bulbs in winter. Then, in early spring, one by one, their little, bushy-green haloes slowly emerge from God’s rich earth. As […]
This and That – Western Flyer Wagon and Me!
It’s June! I’ve got my straw hat on, Western Flyer tractor at the ready, and I’m off to work in my garden…flowers only. I think my leather sandals are very haute couture, and those muscular thighs and ripped chest are to die for. The biceps might need a little toning. What say ye? Later, Gardening […]
Dispatches from Home – June! Let Summer Begin!
Come sail away with me, The best is yet to be! Come dance away with me, And then we both shall see. The dying sun and feel its heat, And toast them both with champagne sweet. And when at last our summer’s done, When Fall eclipses our summer sun. Will laugh and sing of days […]
This and That – A Refreshing Walk.
As we rush through life, it’s refreshing to take a quiet walk along a winding path through the woods. Take time in June to refresh your soul with the beauty of God’s world. Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted June 1, 2024)
The Sunday Sermonette – A Lump of Clay.
In the summer of 1965, I was introduced to the Gulfport Recreational Center, which once stood where the downtown fire station now stands. I took art from Mrs. Effie Gridley and gymnastics from Mrs. Jackie Hinds. I loved painting and enjoyed doing backflips on the trampoline. However, wheel throwing, the art of shaping clay […]
Dispatches from Home – Death is Multifaceted.
Death is multifaceted. After a loved one passes away, first comes the pain of loss, the tears, the funeral, the closing of the casket, and the cemetery. Not long after, though, the business side of death comes calling. The wills, banks, and financial institutions are contacted, and death certificates are sent. After days, or weeks, […]
The Friday Funnies – Low-Recoil M-16 Rifle
Meanwhile, in other news, there’s this: In the early 1960s, the United States Air Force, the first service to adopt the M-16 rifle, enlisted young recruits to demonstrate the weapon’s low recoil. The judicious juxtaposition of the M-16 was only partially successful. However, the low-recoil test was a boon for local church choirs, who were […]
The Friday Funnies! A Doily for a Hat! Who Could be Witter Than That?
“Psst. Mr. Stevens. Don’t you think it’s a little early in the evening to be wearing a doily? The other guests are staring.” Even if nothing exciting happens to you today, at least end it with a good laugh. Remember: laughter is like masking tape. It fixes everything. Big hug, y’all!
Dispatches from Home – Bellingrath Gardens and The Lantern Festival.
Greetings! Last Thursday, May 22nd, the Fab Four motored to Bellingrath Gardens to view the Chinese Lantern Festival. We were not disappointed! The Lantern Festival is as grand as the gardens are at Christmas, but it does not incorporate the entire garden area. That is not a hindrance, though. The towering flowers, monumental dragons and […]
Dispatches from Home – Make ’em Laugh!
Greetings! When you read your local fish wrapper or watch the local and world news, what you read and see can be pretty frightening. In these days of chaos and uncertainty, it’s good to remember what the Good Book says: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” […]
The Friday Funnies – Mr. Glad Hand!
If you can’t put a smile on your face today, please do what Mr. Glad Hand does when he’s down in the dumps. He dons a funny hat and glasses and pins a bunch of fake flowers to his lapel. He then walks down the street with a whistle. Why a whistle, you ask? He […]
This and That – Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality.
Dr. Dean Rigister, Senior Pastor at CrossPoint Community Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Facebook post is spot on! “Listen carefully and do not drift blithely into an approaching darkness. The Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality (CRT/I) that is being readily embraced by secular progressives, widely broadcast by media outlets, and pushed into school systems is actually […]
The Sunday Sermonette – The Last Days?
These Bible verses from II Timothy 3 were written over two thousand years ago. Whether you believe in the Bible or not, you might agree that these predictions are spot on for the present-day world in which we live. When will Christ return and call his children home? That really doesn’t matter if you are […]
Dispatches from Home – Memorial Day! May 25, 2025.
Today, as you gorge yourself with barbecue and chug it down with beer, did you take time to remember their sacrifice? As you lounge peacefully on the beach, eating chilled cherries and sipping champagne, did you stop to remember those who died so that you might indulge in such merriment? As you shop for things […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Memorial Day 2024.
Some soldiers lie in hallowed ground, Beneath rows of crosses white. Death can no longer touch them, With his blackened wings of fright. Others lie in less hallowed ground, Beneath the hard, cold sod. Their final resting place unknown, Except by Holy God. Yet, soldiers are still called today, And by their duty bound, They […]
The Friday Funnies! Louis Vuitton Sunshades and Bad Boy Louie.
Bad Boy Louie and I went shopping for new sunglasses for an upcoming trip we’re taking…well…sorta. I, of course, chose a classic pair of polo sunshades, which are always fashionable and fashionable. However, true to form, Louie, the fashionista, chose the most expensive, stylish pair of Louis Vuitton sunshades in the shop. Driving home, he […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Blind But One Day I’ll See.
Have you ever thought how challenging blindness is? Once, in playful mood, I donned a sleep mask that tightly covered my eyes. I also tried a scarf around my eyes. I was thrown into utter darkness. Slowly, I carefully moved around the kitchen, into the living room, down the hallway, into my study, then back […]
The Friday Funnies! Ouch and Double Ouch!
Some days it just don’t pay to get up. (LOL!!!!!) Big hug, y’all!
Dispatches from Home – Memories of Damn Yankees and a Drag Queen.
Goodness grashus! I look like Hitler after a three-day drunk, in this snap! (Big smile!) I still have that crusty mustache in my makeup kit, and when I see it, it conjures a funny, fond memory. During the 1981 production of “Damn Yankees, ” at the Gulfport Little Theater, I learned a valuable lesson. My […]
The Friday Funnies! The You Know What Hits The Other You Know What.
Sometimes in life, you just gotta hope and pray you get to the end of the day before the you-know-what hits the other you-know-what. It’s Friday! The weekend awaiteth. Giggle and have fun! Big hug. (Originally posted May 19, 2023)