Author: Kelly Kazek

(ODD)yssey, Blog Post

Our visit to the World’s Largest Toy Museum

Kelly Kazek

When Sweetums and I went to Branson, Mo., last summer, the first place he wanted to stop was the World's Largest Toy Museum. Is anyone surprised? The museum was open with pandemic rules: masks, a limited number of people inside, and six feet of separation from other visitors. Because of that, the museum only had… Continue reading Our visit to the World’s Largest Toy Museum

Southern Thing Column

Here’s why Southerners say ‘fixin’ to’

Kelly Kazek

Below is an excerpt from a column that appeared on It's a Southern Thing (SoutherThing.com). To be immediately directed to the full column, click here. When I was at Auburn University, I went out with a guy in a fraternity for a couple of weeks. (The brothers put a hose through a window and –… Continue reading Here’s why Southerners say ‘fixin’ to’

(ODD)yssey, Blog Post

This Tennessee town has two sculptures of Minnie Pearl, but the chicken-wire statue stole my heart

Kelly Kazek

After writing for It’s a Southern Thing about an amazing statue of Minnie Pearl, the country comedian who was a Grand Ole Opry favorite, I decided to visit it in person. (Click here to read my original story on SouthernThing.com). The statue was originally placed in downtown Centerville, Tenn., the birthplace of Minnie Pearl, whose… Continue reading This Tennessee town has two sculptures of Minnie Pearl, but the chicken-wire statue stole my heart

(ODD)yssey, Blog Post

Is Barbie Beach the tackiest roadside attraction ever? See for yourselves

Kelly Kazek

On a recent trip through Georgia, I was driving along Highway 16 when I spotted a sign that said “Barbie Beach Parking.” I did a double take and looked for a place to turn around, exclaiming “I didn’t realize Barbie Beach was on our route.” I told Rebekah, my friend and fellow traveler, that I’d… Continue reading Is Barbie Beach the tackiest roadside attraction ever? See for yourselves