Christmas is days away and I am sure that by now most youngsters have Googled their gift choices, sent Santa a text or a private message and he has placed their order online. I am not a grumpy old man and I will be the first to admit that online shopping is a beautiful thing. But long before Amazon, eBay… Read moreThe Wish Book | Gone But Not Forgotten
The temperature here in the Atlanta area is probably not going to crack fifty today. It’s wet and rainy. And that’s okay. I actually love days like today. They are days to stay indoors, get projects done, cook comfort food, enjoy a hot beverage, a warm toddy, or just stay by the fire. Unless you are out there in it,… Read moreSpring Forward | Fall Back
As I sit here early this morning, listening to the rain outside, I realize that I am again at a crossroads. Jackie purchased a print of the painting shown above at a gallery while we were in Asheville last year. It is by Jonas Gerard and is titled ‘Crossroads #1.’ “I think it is representative of where you are now,”… Read moreCrossroads | Then And Now
Recently, the Walker High School reunion committee sponsored an alumni golf outing at Mystery Valley Golf Club in Lithonia. The weather was perfect and it was a great time, a wonderful gathering of old friends. I saw a quote recently stating that, “the best way to feel young is to be around people you were young with.” And that is… Read moreWHS Golf Reunion | Old Friends And Great Times
Throughout my daughter’s childhood, we had Georgia Bulldogs season tickets. She had grown up going to the games. She understood football and was not above spewing profanities and throwing things at the TV when the Bulldogs made a boneheaded play. I have no idea where she learned that kind of behavior. She had grown up watching football but had never… Read moreThe Powderpuff Bowl | A Proud And Happy Poppy
Tomorrow is Labor Day, the day of celebration of the American worker. Summer may begin June 21st and end September 23rd, but the unofficial beginning is Memorial Day and the unofficial end is Labor Day. The school year used to begin right after Memorial Day and start back right before Labor Day but that, like so many things that seem… Read moreLabor Day | On The Horizon
Being a Grandson of the Southland, I love barbecue joints. Notice, I did not say “barbecue restaurants.” In this corner of the world, establishments that serve barbecue are not “restaurants.” They are “joints.” I always preferred the small, hole in the wall places, usually located in rural settings and small towns. This is where you will find the best barbecue…. Read moreOld Hickory House | Put Some South In Your Mouth
Since we are slap in the middle of the Dog Days, I’d like to talk about two things that hold fond memories of my youth and, like most things that are fun to do outdoors, have for the most part sadly gone the way of the dodo. I am talking about rope swings and swimming holes. I love rope swings…. Read moreRope Swings And Swimming Holes
I got a set of golf clubs when I was fifteen. They were Spalding Par Plays from Woolworth’s at South DeKalb Mall. I played a couple of times at Clifton Springs, stuck them in my closet and didn’t pick them up again for twelve years. Mary Jane’s dad played golf and often talked about the game. That kind of piqued… Read moreIdlewood
Well, it is that time of year again and listed below are recipes for several tropical “Boat Drinks”. Enjoy and embellish, if you are so inclined… –J. Daiquiri It never ceases to amaze me that 99.9% of bartenders do not know how to make this simple classic cocktail, especially in Florida. I’ve ordered them before and got a look like… Read moreBoat Drinks | Sittin’, Sippin’, Sailin’
