Southern Thing Columns

Some poor guy got aches on a plane and United got a black eye

(This column originates on AL.com. Clicking to continue reading will take you to a new page.) Look, United, if you wanted to scare passengers off your planes, just drop down those oxygen masks from time-to-time with no warning. Or maybe light a small fire on a wing. There's no need to get physical. Click to… Continue reading Some poor guy got aches on a plane and United got a black eye

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Oh, the indignities of parenthood

(A little something I wrote when Baby Girl turned 16. From "Fairly Odd Mother: Musings of a Slightly Off Southern Mom") July 2009 -- The tiny injustices of parenthood are too many to count — wearing formula stains to work, refereeing tantrums in Walmart, fielding the you’re-to-stupid-to-breathe-my-air eye rolls and having to eat the gummed, lint-covered vanilla… Continue reading Oh, the indignities of parenthood

(ODD)yssey

The legend of haint blue: Does a painted porch keep spirits, bugs away?

(Following is a feature I wrote for AL.com. Unlike with my blog posts, you'll be required to click a link to see the rest of the story and photos) Have you ever passed a beautiful mansion or cozy cottage and wondered why the porch ceiling was painted blue? It’s a southern tradition based on folklore but… Continue reading The legend of haint blue: Does a painted porch keep spirits, bugs away?

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Death of a mall: From the ‘Eighth Wonder’ to rubble in 33 years

When I graduated from high school in Huntsville, AL, in 1983, my dad had accepted a new job about 30 miles away in Athens. The drive from our old home to the new one took us through a rural portion of western Madison County, which was dotted with cotton fields and a few businesses. But… Continue reading Death of a mall: From the ‘Eighth Wonder’ to rubble in 33 years

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Groceries cost money, people. Have it ready: A shopping PSA

Y’all, I have an important, and quite urgent, question: When you go to the grocery store and fill a cart with food items – and maybe a bottle of peach Arbor Mist, some Ibuprofen and some Poise pads. Just sayin’ – do you realize that the reason you go through the line is not only… Continue reading Groceries cost money, people. Have it ready: A shopping PSA