I tend to say all good things come from the South, and that includes me. Home is Mississippi. My family has deep roots in Panola County (literal translation = Cotton County), and that's where I learned all of the important things - walking, talking and dancing. It's also where I first discovered my love for books.
There's usually a negative or puzzled reaction when I mention I'm from Mississippi. Yes, the state is the only state that still has the Confederate flag as part of its state flag design, and its reputation for slow as molasses civil rights adoption and recognition is well-deserved.
Still, I'm part of the community, and it's a community where you make eye contact and greet everyone that passes. I was back in town last week to celebrate my grandmother's 85th birthday. As usual, I ate a whole lot including Big Mama's famous fried pies and caramel cake, and I visited Wal-Mart about 50-11 times.
On this trip, I also discovered LivLoveYoga, which is on the town square in Batesville. My sister and I made multiple trips and immediately felt welcomed by Liv and the center's regulars. We also made a trip to Oxford to visit a young fellow by the name of William Faulkner.
I wasn't expecting this to be a vacation, but I ended up refreshed and wasn't ready to return my routine.
My birthday girl who still goes to the gym at least twice per week and has the bones of a 17-year-old.
Mmmmm...my favorite peach pies. I only had 3.
Liv and Zeus, the owners of LivLoveYoga, are bringing health, wellness and an overall glow to the community.
Neither I nor my sister are dog people. Zeus didn't care.
Most of the fam. Those 14 and up tried to act right. The young ones just acted up.
I still love me a good book store. With signed releases from authors such as Roxane Gay AND a section dedicated to William Faulkner, Square Books is an Oxford landmark.
When you show up dressed exactly like the star of the book, you buy the book. About to dive into The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas, a writer based in Jackson.
Me and my pal, William. He turned away after I mentioned the need for commas and periods in prose.