(ODD)yssey, Blog Post

These tab-and-slot tombs are unique to the South. Have you seen them?

It’s rare to come across a type of grave Sweetums and I haven’t seen before but we found some unique ones on our trip to Dahlonega, Ga., in December. It was rainy and cold for most of our trip but we had read about “slot-and-tab” or “box” tombs unique to the area and decided to… Continue reading These tab-and-slot tombs are unique to the South. Have you seen them?

(ODD)yssey, Blog Post

We learn something new in every city – in Dalton, Ga., the lesson was about peacocks and chenille

Sweetums and I do learn something new almost every day, but with us, the preferred saying is, “You learn something new in every city.” It’s what makes travel such fun. We don’t have to go to cities with theme parks or entertainment venues or museums. Sometimes the main attraction in a city we visit is… Continue reading We learn something new in every city – in Dalton, Ga., the lesson was about peacocks and chenille

Blog Post

Lane Cake is a true southern welcome

This history of Lane Cake, including a recipe, was excerpted from my book, "Forgotten Tales of Alabama. It was in 1960 that one of Alabama's most famous residents, Nelle Harper Lee, immortalized a lesser known woman from the state's past: Emma Rylander Lane. In Harper Lee's only novel, the Pulitzer Prize-winning To Kill a Mockingbird,… Continue reading Lane Cake is a true southern welcome

Southern Thing Columns

‘Twas the Southern Night Before Christmas

Below is an excerpt from this week's column on It's a Southern Thing (southernthing.com). Click here to read it in its entirety, or click the link at the bottom. ’Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, The AC was running 'cuz this is the South; It was turned down low since Mama… Continue reading ‘Twas the Southern Night Before Christmas

Blog Post

The tale of Harrison the cat & a really cool old store

Have you ever met Harrison the cat? He's an animatronic kitty who moves his head as he watches over Harrison Brothers Hardware in downtown Huntsville. The hardware store is not really a hardware story anymore, but a museum and gift shop. Visitors who purchase items in the store can watch as the sale is rung up… Continue reading The tale of Harrison the cat & a really cool old store