Category: This and That

This and That – Slow Down and Avoid Embarrassment!

This and That – Slow Down and Avoid Embarrassment!

NOTE TO SELF: Slow down and concentrate when getting dressed! Remember to put your clothes on in this order: underwear, short pants (in summer), shirt, and shoes. That way, when you dash off to Rouses for a bit of grocery shopping, you won’t get out of your car and realize you’re bereft of your short […]

This and That – A Cure for Baldness.

This and That – A Cure for Baldness.

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 […]

This and That – Family Reunion – The Musical.

This and That – Family Reunion – The Musical.

THROWBACK THURSDAY—”Family Reunion” was a hilarious musical written by the amazingly talented Kitty and Neil Stallings! What a fun show it was. Thanks to the amazing talents of the director, David Delk, and his sterling cast and crew, it was an audience pleaser—sold-out performances every night. As Bob Hope sings, ” Thanks for the memory…” […]

This and That – A New Morning of a New Week!

This and That – A New Morning of a New Week!

Good morning! As this new week unfolds before you, take time to take a quiet walk down a quiet path, if not literally, then figuratively. Take time to thank the Good Master for being your anchor in a world gone mad. Hold onto him…he’s holding on to you. Later Clutching Gaters! (Originally published October 8, […]

This and That – EnterFear: The Next Wave! A Movie Premiere!

This and That – EnterFear: The Next Wave! A Movie Premiere!

Good morning! 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 […]

This and That – Mississippi Gulf Coast Theater.

This and That – Mississippi Gulf Coast Theater.

The Coastal theater scene has been H-O-T HOT for several months now. First, it was Center Stages summer musical “Godspell.” Then it was “Xanadu,” produced by The Walter Anderson Theatre Project. Biloxi’s Little Theater’s production of “A Chorus Line” soon followed. And last, but certainly not least, was tonight’s production of “The Manchurian Candidate,” at […]

This and That – Old Cemeteries.

This and That – Old Cemeteries.

Good afternoon on this lovely Sunday afternoon – I love old cemeteries with their amazing tombstones. This touching, lifelike statue is located in the Crystal Springs Cemetery in Crystal Springs MS. It honors Benson Mott Lockwood. Without a doubt, dear Mr. Lockwood loved his old dog. If I was going to have a pet, it […]

Thank and That – Lend Me a Soprano!

Thank and That – Lend Me a Soprano!

Greetings! With apologies to Cole Porter, let me just say, “Another closin’, another show!” But what a show it was! Thank you, Center Stage, and the Cast, Crew, and Director of “Lend Me a Soprano” for a hilarious romp into the world of Grand Opera, with its bellowing sopranos, high-strung husbands, overbearing mothers, miscast lovers, […]

This and That – Good Afternoon From Edinburgh!

This and That – Good Afternoon From Edinburgh!

It’s a cold, blustery day, Christopher Robin.      The past and present swirl all around me. From ancient St. Giles Cathedral, where the Queen lay in state, to numerous woolen shops selling everything from cashmere scarves and men’s and women’s kilts to long johns in every color. (No, don’t ask. I didn’t purchase either of […]

This and that – Good Morning On The Train To Edinburgh.

This and that – Good Morning On The Train To Edinburgh.

As we bid farewell to Merry ole England, I can’t help but enjoy the journey through the picturesque countryside.     As the train whizzes through it, I’ve noticed one thing that both sides of the pond have in common: graffiti. Although most of it is gang-related, I can look past the gangs and enjoy the talent […]

This and that – Called out in Church!

This and that – Called out in Church!

Yikes! Called out in church this morning by my pastor, Dr. Jimmy Stewart. I was totally taken by surprise, to say the least. Someone asked me why I was not more “theatrical’? My reply? I’m not an improv actor. LOL! Sunday morning church…a good place to be. Some of y’all should try it sometime. (Big […]

This and That – Good morning on the train to Durham…I hope. 

This and That – Good morning on the train to Durham…I hope. 

There was some snafu with our tickets. As the train steamed out of the station, we discovered we were on the wrong train. The conductress was none too pleased when she radioed to the engineer to stop the train. She herded us out like cattle, almost pushing us and our luggage onto the platform. There […]

This and That – Good morning on the train to York!

This and That – Good morning on the train to York!

I’m sitting here in the gently rocking train carriage, watching the English countryside float by. In vast fields of new morn barley, wind turbines twirl. Flocks of blackbirds scratch the ground for their lunch, as fuzzy sheep meander in another field, also looking for their lunch. Overhead, cotton-candy clouds hold up the sky, the air […]

This and That – Good morning from Salisbury and the Isle of Wight!

This and That – Good morning from Salisbury and the Isle of Wight!

How glorious the last two days have been! Salisbury Cathedral is beyond belief. This magnificent House of God, with its soaring gothic arches held high by clumps of massive columns, their bases surrounded by wreaths of worn roses, boasts some of the most intricate stained glass in the world.The artist’s palate of colored glass takes […]

This and That – Good morning on the train to Salisbury!

This and That – Good morning on the train to Salisbury!

The lush English countryside is whizzing by at 95 miles an hour. The train’s packed with a cornucopia of different nationalities. It’s so cool to hear their different dialects and see their colorful clothing. As we race through the countryside, I can’t help but ponder what wonders await us in Salisbury. We’ll be pulling into […]

This and That – Good morning from London and Jack the Ripper!

This and That – Good morning from London and Jack the Ripper!

It’s a bright, sunny morning. I’m sitting in the dining room of our lovely, old hotel, The Tavistock, enjoying the passing parade of Londoners rushing off to work. I enjoyed my traditional English breakfast—minus the baked beans. (Big smile.) Yesterday, we went to the Palace to see the massive floral tributes to the Queen, which […]

This and That – Good evening from London and the Queen’s Flowers!

This and That – Good evening from London and the Queen’s Flowers!

When I think of England, I think of flowers. From the formal gardens of the aristocracy to simple WWII Victory gardens, dear old England is a garden all its own. And since the passing of the Queen, Buckingham Palace has become one massive floral display.     We hailed a taxi to the Palace, getting as close […]

This and That – Good morning from London and the Hotel Travistock and 911!

This and That – Good morning from London and the Hotel Travistock and 911!

The sun’s come out on this Sabbath day. Sam went to services this morning at St. Paul’s Cathedral. I decided to attend church in another “cathedral.” I’ve been sitting on a bench in the park across from our hotel. Watching the dappled sunlight drifting through the trees, I thought of God. Smiling at a laughing […]

This and That – Good Evening from London and The British Museum!

This and That – Good Evening from London and The British Museum!

Today I fulfilled another dream. I went to the British Museum and perused three things on my museum to-see list: the Parthenon’s Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone, and the Egyptian Gallery. Oh! Dear Gussy! I wandered for over 4 hours in awe at the ancient monuments and statues. Ropes that were over four thousand years […]

This and That – Bath, England.

This and That – Bath, England.

Good evening from London! Our day in Bath was over the top amazing. It was like walking back in time. The ancient Roman baths, Jane Austin’s house, the Royal Crescent, and the jewel in the crown, Bath Abbey. I sat in awe, looking at the centuries-old stained glass and the soaring columns supporting the ribbed […]

This and That – Greetings from London and Highclere Castle!

This and That – Greetings from London and Highclere Castle!

Four words say it all: Highclere Castle and Downton Abbey! The house and grounds in person are beyond words. Watching the series on the telly does not do the rooms justice when seen in the flesh, as it were. We were there for six hours! Ate there too. One bit of excitement, our train ride […]

This and That – Hurricane Dorian 2019.

This and That – Hurricane Dorian 2019.

As dawn broke across the dark, icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Titanic’s lucky survivors breathed a sigh of relief–the S.S. Carpathia was steaming toward them. Cheers filled the air, tears streamed down faces. I can’t help but believe that the victims of Hurricane Dorian would do the same if they saw a fleet […]

This and That – Sunday in London!

This and That – Sunday in London!

Good evening from Merry Ole England!!! At long last, I got my phone problem fixed. Yay!!! The plane rides over…long, trying but not too bad. Yet again, I was accused of being someone famous…more about that later. LOL! Big Ben is very big. Parliament is amazing, and The Mousetrap was delightful. Saw the Palace this […]

This and That – Thanks CNN!

This and That – Thanks CNN!

Twelve years after Katrina, according to the news, Mississippi was not even hit, although my dear state took a direct hit from the storm! This is a CNN weatherman’s statement: “August 29, 2005:Katrina made landfall in Louisiana after passing over south Florida and gaining power in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm topped the levees […]

This and That – King of the Fairies!

This and That – King of the Fairies!

Fall–cool Fall–come soon! This snap was taken for GLT’s 1999 production of “Celtic Secret.” It was a retelling of Finn McCool and his battle with the evil fairies of the fey. Jonathan Szymanski and Lacey Jones are in the snap, too. I portrayed the wily Finn McCool—King of the Fairies. Don’t go there! LOL! Later […]

This and That – Titanic Discovered!

This and That – Titanic Discovered!

Greetings, Y’all! Thirty-three years ago, we were battening down the hatches, awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Elena. She made landfall on September 2 as a Category 3 hurricane, sashaying up Gulfport’s 25th Avenue with pounding wind and heavy rain. Because the Coast had other things on its mind, we missed the announcement of one of […]

This and That – And He’s Off!

This and That – And He’s Off!

And he’s off! Dropped Mr. K at the airport this morning to start his England adventure. Please note it was 83 degrees outside but yet…his dad’s wool coat and his 1980s American Tourister carry-on were the perfect accessories for his TSA entrance. (Originally published September 1, 2022, by David Delk., as I boarded the plane […]

This and That – Watch out for Louie!

This and That – Watch out for Louie!

Greetings! Will someone please watch over my dear Louie in my absence? He’s been crying for days because he’s being left behind. Of course, in true Louie fashion, he’s been wiping those salty tears with a silk nose rag. (Oh! Vey! He’s such the prissy boy, but don’t tell him I said that. ( ) […]

This and That – Thank you, Mr. Director!

This and That – Thank you, Mr. Director!

Dear Director, I shall never forget the way you taught me a lesson about vanity and the value of a good role versus a big line load. I have played lots of good roles since we last met and have been directed by some excellent teachers. Let’s get on the boards again! (Originally published August […]

This and That – Hurricane Ida, Louie, and Me!

This and That – Hurricane Ida, Louie, and Me!

Greetings! I’m happy to report that Louie and I passed a good night. He fluttered around all night, worried about which velvet knee-britches, silk hair bows and lace cravats to pack in case we had to head north. He’s such a wuss. As of 9:23 a.m. the winds have died down, even the rain has […]

This and That – Not plaster, bricks, or pilasters!

This and That – Not plaster, bricks, or pilasters!

Dear family and friends: Katrina, fifteen years ago today! Lest we forget. In national news and papers, it seems First Baptist Church Gulfport was a favorite site for reporting. I was interviewed three times by roving news teams. Once by a Houston TV station, once by a CNN team, and finally by a team from […]

This and That – Just leave Mr. Kaepernick!

This and That – Just leave Mr. Kaepernick!

I’d “like” his expressed beliefs better if he’d put feet to his convictions, stop playing football, give away his hugely inflated salary to the poor, and go do community work in the ghetto of his choice. After that, leave this country that he so deplores and go live in another country of his choice. Just […]

This and That – Weston, Uncle Andy, and Disney World

This and That – Weston, Uncle Andy, and Disney World

Greetings! Weston and his Uncle Andy at Disney World in January 2006. The Signs were kind enough to invite me for a little R+R after the great storm of 2005. 13 years ago…hard to believe. The boy’s now taller than me, but true to form…I still have that sweater. Later Gaters! (Orginally published August 28, […]

This and That – Dracula Here I Come…Again!

This and That – Dracula Here I Come…Again!

Greetings! ! Yay! And double yay! It’s official, and I have permission to announce that I’ll be portraying over-the-top crazy Renfield in Center Stage’s upcoming production of “Dracula.” Renfield and I last played together on-stage during Gulfport Little Theater’s 1985 production, directed by Eddie Farnham. Getting to romp with him again on stage is the […]

This and That – A Passing Gulfport Icon, Helen Cranford.

This and That – A Passing Gulfport Icon, Helen Cranford.

I saw in today’s fish wrapper that Helen Cranford passed away on August 7, 2014. Her obituary was short, as was she, but it did not begin to express what she once meant to downtown Gulfport. Her café, Helen’s Café, was a local watering hole for the Gulfport breakfast and lunch crowd. It was located […]

This and That – The Edgewater Mall and Aviator Glasses.

This and That – The Edgewater Mall and Aviator Glasses.

Greetings Gaters! Who remembers when the Edgewater Mall looked like this? And Gene Warr’s? The only store at the mall where puny me could purchase a decent suit. I had other suits just like this one in black, French blue, and puke green. No…Mr. Warr did not sell aviator glasses. And Hobbyville…that’s another story for […]

This and That – Throwback Thursday!

This and That – Throwback Thursday!

THROWBACK THURSDAY – For all you High School graduates going off to college, know this. One day, you, too, will look back on your fifty-year-old college pictures and laugh about a silly, fond memory from long ago. These were some of my college chums making merry in my dorm room. Please note my state-of-the-art sound […]

This and That – Peter Pan Revisited.

This and That – Peter Pan Revisited.

Greetings! Well, what goes ’round comes ’round, as they say. Over twenty-five years ago, I was privileged to tread the boards with the Perk Players in Kathryn Lewis’ production of Peter Pan. She went against type and cast me as mean ol’ Captain Hook. Come November 13th of 2018, I’ll once again be in Peter […]

This and That – August 17th, 1969.

This and That – August 17th, 1969.

AUGUST 17TH 1969 – Lest We Forget. Thank you, Father, for saving Mom, Dad, and me during that terrifying night. Let us lift the memory of those who did perish to Heaven above. For those who survived that night and the horrific aftermath that followed, it is something acid-etched in our memories, never to be […]

This and That – Norman Rockwell and Gossip.

This and That – Norman Rockwell and Gossip.

I love me some Norman Rockwell paintings! They are as quintessentially American as Elvis, apple pie, and baseball. In 47 years with the Saturday Evening Post Magazine, he painted 323 Post covers. One of my favorite covers is simply titled “Gossip.” On the canvas, he painted many people gossiping away on the phone. Ever done […]

This and That – Kind Words and Wise People.

This and That – Kind Words and Wise People.

Thought for the day from Open Windows: “Kind words are good medicine, but deceitful words can really hurt.” Boy! Howdy! Do I need to remember Proverbs 15:4. It describes two different people – one wise and the other ignorant. “The wise person thinks before speaking, is open to advice and counsel, and encourages others. The […]

This and That – Absurd Person Singular.

This and That – Absurd Person Singular.

Throwback Thursday – Wow! In a theater long, long ago… Eddie is one of my all-time favorite directors! What fun times we had. And her able assistant, D. Delk, one of my oldest, dearest friends. Dear Chester…gone but not forgotten. For those of you who have directed, as you know, there’s always that one cast […]

This and That – Sunday Afternoon Nostalgia.

This and That – Sunday Afternoon Nostalgia.

Sunday Afternoon Nostalgia – In 1971, these snaps appeared on the front page of The Hattiesburg American. The headline read: “Dorm Life’s Not What It Once Was.” This was my private dorm room at William Carey College, Room 319, third floor of the “Bryan Hilton.” The color scheme…resplendent red, white, and blue…with a dash of […]

This and That – The Woman in Black!

This and That – The Woman in Black!

Greetings! One month from today, the lights will dim, the curtain will slowly rise, and a favorite book, movie, and now a play will unfold before me in all its scary, Victorian horror- THE WOMAN IN BLACK. If you hear a scream from across the pond, it’s probably me. Poor Sam, how embarrassed he will […]

This and That – Mom and the Cabbage Patch Doll.

This and That – Mom and the Cabbage Patch Doll.

Greetings – Well, it’s been one of those days…Mom’s not Mom. She got up around 4:30 this morning–agitated and restless–and has been going strong every since. But Rachael Gabrich Hatten save the day! She graced us with a visit and said, “Have you tried giving her a doll to hold?” No was my answer. When […]

This and That – What Decade Fits Your Personality Best?

This and That – What Decade Fits Your Personality Best?

The 1930s!!!! My favorite decade of the 20th Century! Brother can you spare a dime? If you can, you’re the cream in my coffee! And even as the years roll by, let me say with love…thanks for the memory…of rainy afternoons…liting dance bands tunes…and prunes! Big hug, y’all! (Originally Published August 5, 2009)

This and That – The Demon of Depression!

This and That – The Demon of Depression!

Greetings! On a friend’s FB page, Professor Charles Davis, a beloved, local history teacher, posted the following statements concerning depression: “I often asked my students if they could go back in time, where would they go and in what time period? One student said the womb…and never come out. There is so much depression among […]

This and That – Dear Friends and the Beach!

This and That – Dear Friends and the Beach!

Greeting! Just returned from a long, delightful weekend at Perdido Beach. Nothing like a few days of sun, fun, and great food! All of which was augmented by the company of dear friends! I’m happy to report that moi found a grand total of three puzzle pieces. Life is good! Later Happy Gaters! (Originally published […]

This and That – Swimming in Fridge Cold Waters!

This and That – Swimming in Fridge Cold Waters!

Greetings! This is one of my favorite TITANIC stories, a semi-frozen Phoenix that rises from the fridge cold waters of the dark Atlantic. My friends, times are frightful, the world a scary place. But with grit and determination, and God’s help, we’ll survive our own “fridge cold waters” of this dark world. Never give up, […]

This and That – Theater’s Alive and Well on the Mississippi Gulf Coast!

This and That – Theater’s Alive and Well on the Mississippi Gulf Coast!

     Greetings! A few weeks ago, I sat in the peeling splendor of our dear old Saenger Theater and was mesmerized by Broadway South’s production of “Sunset Boulevard.” The cast and crew did an amazing job with the show! Terese Garguilo Evans, Jacqueline Coale, David Delk, Cliff Thompson, and Sean Maurer were stand outs in […]

This and That – The Morning Sunshine!

This and That – The Morning Sunshine!

Good morning! Here’s your “Thought for the Day” from Coach Lou Holtz. I know…you’re shocked that I know a little about baseball, or is it soccer, or… Have a great week and don’t waste the days you have left. Big hug. “This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day […]

This and That – Tully Rhodes.

This and That – Tully Rhodes.

Cancer! It is one stupid disease. It devourers the very thing that gives it life. And now, this evil, pain-racking disease has taken the life of a dear, dear friend: Tully Rhodes. He was a faithful member of Gulfport’s First Baptist Church and one of my favorite Sunday School teachers. I so enjoyed his incorporation […]

This and That – Music of the Night!

This and That – Music of the Night!

Greetings! Went to the afternoon performance of Center Stage’s MUSIC OF THE NIGHT, The Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Some songs, I knew every word. Some songs I’d never heard. But all the songs were amazingly sung by an amazingly talented ensemble of notable Coastal singing talents. In a world gone mad, sitting in the […]

This and That – The Signpost Up Ahead.

This and That – The Signpost Up Ahead.

It’s midsummer, muggy and hot! The new school year’s just around the corner and these languid summer days will soon be a thing of the past. So too will be that most ubiquitous of all summer delights–the family vacation. Where did you go this summer? Europe, on a slow cruise down the River Danube? Alaska, […]

This and That – Racism Alive and Well in Mississippi.

This and That – Racism Alive and Well in Mississippi.

     In church this morning at FBC Gulfport, I was shocked (but not surprised) to hear of your decision to deny a black couple’s marriage in your sanctuary.  Was it due to their color?  Is it somehow related to church politics?  Or a power struggle to rid the church of some member or staff member?  […]

This and That – Supper with the Ladies!

This and That – Supper with the Ladies!

Good morning! What a splendid evening we had last night. Thank you, Constance, for the lovely dinner. Your delicious food was augmented by the sparkling conversation under your sparkling chandelier. Surrounded by these lovely ladies, I felt like a bramble among the roses. Of course, our dear Pam Meinzinger gobbled down more food than all […]

This and That – Tom and Huckleberry.

This and That – Tom and Huckleberry.

Mornin’ Book Lovers! Here’s another Famous Last Line from Twain’s novel, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” — “I got to light out for the territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can’t stand it. I been there before.” Twain’s 1884 novel is contentious to […]

This and That – Where the Crawdads Sing.

This and That – Where the Crawdads Sing.

Went to the picture show yesterday afternoon to see WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING. This isn’t your picture if you’re looking for blood and guts, sex and violence. But if you wish to see a sweet, romantic movie with a few dramatic twists and a surprise ending, I recommend you see it. Leaving the theater, as […]

This and That – The Sting of Death.

This and That – The Sting of Death.

Funerals are never easy. The grieving family stands before the open casket, their loved one seemingly asleep but lifeless to the eye and cold to the touch. Friends and loved ones gather. Handshakes and hugs abound. The Pastor gives a touching eulogy. Loving remembrances are heard. Soaring songs are sung. Tears flow. Sobs resound. Then […]

This and That – The Andrea Doria. Terror in the Night.

This and That – The Andrea Doria. Terror in the Night.

At 10:09 a.m. on the misty, foggy morning of July 26, 1956, the sleek and beautiful Andrea Doria, the pride of the Italian Steamship Line, sank off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, into the cold, black waters of the North Atlantic. The loss of such an elegant and majestic vessel was a tragedy that reverberated […]

This and That – My England Trip September 13, 2022.

This and That – My England Trip September 13, 2022.

  Good morning on the train to Salisbury. The lush English countryside is whizzing by at 95 miles an hour. The train’s packed with a cornucopia of different nationalities. So cool to hear their different dialects and see their colorful clothing. As we race through the countryside, I can’t help but ponder what wonders await […]

This and That – Pappy Yokum.

This and That – Pappy Yokum.

Greertings! Does anyone know what happened to this old coot? If memory serves, he was privileged to have been a part of KNS’s rib-tickling production of “Lit’ Abner,” which opened twenty-six years ago tonight. The cast and crew were amazing! A fond memory, to be sure! Later Dogpatch Gaters! (Originally published July 23, 2019)

This and That – Gulfport Historical Society.

This and That – Gulfport Historical Society.

Greetings! What a fun time I had at the old depot in downtown Gulfport for the Historical Society’s raffle. Interesting historical exhibits, paintings, and memorabilia. I felt right at home with all that old stuff. For those who know me, you know how much I love history! Later History-Loving Gaters! (Originally published July 23, 2022)

This and That – England Trip September 22, 2022.

This and That – England Trip September 22, 2022.

       Good afternoon from Edinburgh! It’s a cold, blustery day, Christopher Robin.      The past and present swirl all around me. From ancient St. Giles Cathedral, where the Queen lay in state, to numerous woolen shops selling everything from cashmere scarves and men’s and women’s kilts, as well as long johns in every color–(No, […]

This and That – Wuthering Heights.

This and That – Wuthering Heights.

Greetings! I’ve decided to switch from Hollywood trivia to something more literary: First and last lines from famous novels. I started with a personal favorite: “The Great Gatsby.” Here’s another. Enjoy your memories of reading these famous novels for the first time. “I lingered round them, under that benign sky; watched the moths fluttering among […]

This and That – Stalin and Cancel Culture.

This and That – Stalin and Cancel Culture.

Greetings! My former pastor, Dean Register, has some enlighten words concerning the “cancel culture” madness that seems to be sweeping the country.He wrote: “The current demand for “posthumous perfection” is insane. It’s popular today for news anchors, social activists, and historical revisionist to vehemently denounce the flaws of America’s founders. Indeed they were flawed. But […]

This and That – TV Royalty and Moi!

This and That – TV Royalty and Moi!

Good afternoon! Wow! What a fun lunch we had! I’m always humbled to find myself lunching with WLOX Retired Royalty at my favorite watering hole, The Chimneys. Great food. Great drinks. Great service. And great conversation! Y’all can sleep peacefully tonight; we solved the problems of the world. Big hug Rhonda, my dear. Big hug […]