Opinions

Is it me or is this country just clueless? Let me try to put this in terms we can all understand. [Full Story »] 

I turned on the television last night to watch the news. That was my first mistake. I should have mopped the floor or brushed the dog’s teeth. I fast-forwarded through the fiscal cliff reporting. I refuse to listen. My worrying will not make Congress and the President more efficient, so I won’t bother. Next, a reporter told me that milk will go to $7.00 a gallon if Congress doesn’t do something about the Farm Bill. Congress again! I do know that the Ellis household will be drinking a lot less milk if that happens. Next, a report on a new method of drilling for oil called fracking really excited me. [Full Story »] 

I have a chocolate Lab, Fox, and I trained him to retrieve with the thought we might go bird hunting, but during the last two years of bird seasons the birds have been scarce. The early season this year was hot and, there being no invitations, we stayed home where it was cool, but on the last afternoon of the second season this year, a friend called and invited us over to shoot doves. The house came alive as I tried to find all my gear. When the camo came out and Fox smelled gun oil he was beside himself with excitement and so was I what with this being the first hunt this year. Finally prepared, Fox and I struck out for the dove field. [Full Story »] 

The recent massacre at Sandy Hook school in Newtown, Connecticut, has aroused, as expected, a rush of concern and heated debate revolving around gun control. As the sensationalism of Sandy Hook ebbs like the tide, so will our righteous rage, that is, until the next such tragedy comes to the fore. [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor,

The following is letter of appreciation and a tribute to my husband, Jeremy Smith, 1980-2012. [Full Story »] 

I guess the Mayans had it pegged wrong. The year of doom 2012 has come and gone. Guess what? We are still here. [Full Story »] 

A brand-new year—2013—is upon us, and as responsible Southerners, we must be sure that we ring it in judiciously by following all the important traditions (superstitions?). If you choose to party or stay up and watch the ball drop in New York, so be it, but be sure to eat the proper foods on New Year’s Day to insure a prosperous year. Whether you like those foods or not is beside the point. We are forced to do many unpleasant things during the course of our lives as we pursue happiness. I admit that it’s easier if you really like black eyed peas, greens, hog jowl, and corn bread. All the members of my household do. Well, except Stuart, that is. He’s a junk food junkie. [Full Story »] 

It is always good to have someone give you a compliment and this past Saturday before Christmas I got a basketful. [Full Story »] 

Living out a romantic fantasy in the place of your dreams is the yearning of many. To be full of thoughts, feelings, and attitudes characteristic of and conducive to passionate and adventurous romance is the fervent desire of numerous romantic zealots. [Full Story »] 

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. [Full Story »] 

Friday morning, my cousin Max Newham called and invited me to go with him to put flowers in the cemeteries where our parents and our grandparents are buried. I hesitated only a minute before agreeing. I mentally cleared my calendar for part of the day and agreed to meet him in Hazlehurst. [Full Story »] 

I will never forget when President Johnson instituted daylight savings time. My Grandmother, Jane Lott Vickers, who taught me to hate damnyankees and how to grow a garden, when asked what time it was, would say, “You want Kennedy time or Johnson time?” The first Sunday after the time changed, some people were at church an hour early, and some an hour late and some, like our family, were there at the right time. It was mass confusion. [Full Story »]