Small Town News

BC (Before Children) I dreamed of all the marvelous things I’d teach my unborn progeny. We’d share happy moments learning ABC’s, counting, skipping stones—all the storybook ideals every future parent has. Then reality...

Recently I received the most delightful email from a fan. The subject line read, “Glad to read your article.” The From line said Marian Bartlett, the mother of one of my high school classmates. High school was, uh, well let’s just...

When my second child came along, I worried I wouldn’t love him as much as my first. Of course I did, and I expected to love them the same.  I thought having two boys meant I could repeat everything for Cameron—he could wear...

Is it football season already? I just can’t even! I don’t like sports, at all. I know we’ve covered my dislike of sports, so I’ll be brief. I want to mention a particular incident that cemented my dislike. Cameron played...

A few weeks ago, John and I (along with twenty other people) took a trip to Wasilla, Alaska. We spent five days on a mission trip, which changed our lives. But definitely not in the ways we expected. Our mission was unclear, an unusual turn of...

It’s been a while since I’ve talked about my dogs, most specifically our chocolate Labrador Retriever, Rebel. She’s still around, and we still love her, but she is our problem child. I’d like to have her intelligence tested...

I think I’ve delved into the history of practically every Southern staple. If not, please let me know! But one dish, one of my favorites, I’m tackling today. Cornbread, a staple of Southern comfort food, is a delectable...

John and I visited the coffee one Saturday and sat down with his cousins. Keep in mind that in small towns, that word has a broader definition. Jim is actually John’s mother’s first cousin, and Donna is his wife. But we just call them...

When my mother retired, she took up quilting. She was already a fabulous seamstress, so it was a natural progression. She found a club, and then a mentor. She gained a stash of fat quarters, patterns, friends, and memories. But she never found...