Welcome to my blog. Here are some true tales about growing up Southern and some stories about how everyday things are sometimes more meaningful than they seem.
It Happened Like This & Other Stuff
Elvis, Johnny, and Mrs. Tucker
This trio came to mind after a bunch of recent Facebook posts referenced several former classmates and students who excelled at music. You probably think you know where I’m headed here, and you could be [...]
Ruminating about What to Say, or Not, on Social Media
Several times in recent days I’ve been asked why, as a historian, I haven’t had more to say on social media about current social and political issues and events, particularly as they relate to the [...]
Rusty Cars, Old Wallets, and Idle Hands
One of the things that those of us who’ve been around for a while love to do most is remember and talk about the “good old days.” There’s even a bi-monthly magazine that bears that [...]
Scuppernongs and Doodlebugs
Regarding memories being where you find them, did you ever wonder what scuppernongs, doodlebugs, chinquapins, hully gully, and mumblety-peg have in common? No? Well, I sort of assumed you didn’t. And I didn’t wonder about [...]
The Christmas Chaw, the Pony, and the Paddle
What happens when chewing tobacco, a Christmas tree, a pony, and a paddle with holes in it cross paths? It’s not pretty, I can tell you.
But it’s what came to mind right off the [...]
Will We Get It Right This Time?
In late 2018, when the first edition of South of Little Rock was nearing publication, a friend asked why, after a career in history museums and historical writing and editing, I had taken up writing [...]