Tag: Mississippi

  • Oh, Eudora!

    Oh, Eudora!

    Eudora Welty is an iconic Southern writer who brought life to every single word she ever wrote.

    Eudora Welty Pretty Southern writer

    When many of us think of Eudora Welty, we probably picture an older lady with silver hair and endless words of wisdom. However, just like us, Welty was once a child too. Her insight was gained through life experiences and influenced by the culture of the Mississippi Delta.

    Her words became almost tangible to readers when there was only text, and they often instilled hope and humor during eras of great despair.

    The Beginnings of Eudora Welty 

    Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, on North Congress Street, Eudora Welty was the oldest of three children and a prominent insurance executive’s daughter. Perhaps her love of reading and writing began at an early age, as it has been said that her Mother once risked her life to save her collection of Dickens novels from a house fire!

    “I cannot remember a time when I was not in love with them–with the books themselves, cover and binding and the paper they were printed on, with their smell and their weight and with their possession in my arms, captured and carried off to myself.” — Eudora on her work

    Unlike many iconic writers, Welty was not a tortured artist; her childhood was pretty ideal. After attending college at the Mississippi State College for Women, The University of Wisconsin at Madison, and Columbia University, Welty finally returned home to her beloved Mississippi.

    Young Eudora Welty

     

    The Great Documentarian 

    Returning to Jackson brought challenges as she struggled to find solid job prospects in 1931. She worked in radio and newspaper before signing on as a publicity agent for the Works Progress Administration. This position required her to travel the back roads of rural Mississippi, taking pictures and writing press releases. She might have taken this job out of necessity at first; however, these trips connected her with the same people who would soon shape her short stories and novels and developed her deep love for photography.

    Welty’s longtime friend and fellow writer William Maxwell once said: “It obliged her to go where she would not otherwise have gone and see people and places she might not ever have seen. A writer’s material derives nearly always from experience. Because of this job, she came to know the state of Mississippi by heart and could never come to the end of what she might want to write about.”

    It has been said that even if Welty never published a single word, she would have likely secured her legacy as a gifted documentarian of the Great Depression through her photographs of that time.

    Jackson MS, State Fair, Photographed by Eudora Welty

    Passion & Heart

    Eudora Welty had a tremendous heart. Her observation skills and ability to connect with people were unmatched. Welty attributes much of this to observing her parents as a young child simply because she loved them.

    “Long before I wrote stories, I listened for stories. Listening for them is something more acute than listening to them. I suppose it’s an early form of participation in what goes on. Listening children know stories are there. When their elders sit and begin, children are just waiting and hoping for one to come out, like a mouse from its hole.” ― Eudora Welty, One Writer’s Beginnings

    Much like real life, all of Welty’s characters are flawed. Aren’t we all? However, despite their flaws, she still wanted the best for them. You can feel the passion and belief she instills in her characters in almost all of her stories.

    Welty was not a Civil Rights activist during the 1960s, and she took quite a bit of criticism for being too quiet during the earlier years of the Civil Rights Movement. However, Welty’s power and voice came from her pen when she wrote: “Where is the Voice Coming From?” Welty wrote this piece overnight in June of 1963 after hearing the tragic news that Medgar Evers had been assassinated in Jackson, Mississippi.

    “Where is the Voice Coming From?” is a story narrated by the man who had killed Evers. Welty wrote this, of course, before Byron de la Beckwith had been identified and charged with the crime.

    Her imaginative portrayal of the murderer was so accurate that before she published it, she revised it to move the setting from Jackson. The title of her story asks readers where that voice, this voice of hatred and prejudice…where does it come from?

    Mississippi Made 

    Mississippi’s geography, history, culture, and politics are a powerful presence throughout Welty’s writing career. The novel Delta Wedding (1946) and the story “Powerhouse” are set in the Mississippi Delta. Her best-selling book, Losing Battles (1970), is set in the kudzu-covered hills of northeast Mississippi.

    Welty was known as one of America’s greatest writers. This title earned Eudora many national and international honors, including a Pulitzer Prize for fiction for her novel, “The Optimist’s Daughter.”

    “Colleges keep inviting me because I’m so well behaved,” Welty once remarked in explaining her popularity at the podium. “I’m always on time, and I don’t get drunk or hole up in a hotel with my lover.” That type of dry wit and modesty was a trademark of Ms. Welty’s!

    Eudora Welty’s words are her legacy.

    Welty never married or had children and was often mocked for her quiet and simple life. Welty didn’t fit the stereotype of a literary genius as she was not the tortured artist type, nor did she live that kind of lifestyle. Welty was quiet, humble, and did not seek fame, status, or riches. She lived in the same house for more than 70 years! And spoke with anyone who wanted to talk with her; in fact, it was not uncommon for her to invite them in for a chat.

    Eudora Welty's Home in Jackson, MS

    These recollections of Eudora’s social graces are not surprising! She was a woman and a writer who connected so well with not only Mississippi but also the world around her! How else could she write about people and relationships in such a beautiful and authentic manner if she wasn’t truly connecting with people herself?

    “As you have seen, I am a writer who came of a sheltered life, a sheltered life can be a daring life as well. For all serious daring starts from within.”

    In one of her final interviews before her death in 2001, Eudora Welty was at her home and made a profound comment about her garden in proper Eudora form. “The garden is gone. It makes me ill to look at it. But I’m not complaining. It’s just the state of things.” Welty adored gardening, and mentions over 150 different kinds of plants in her writings.

    What a blessing it is to have the words of this wise and wonderful woman to inspire us in our relationships with people and our gardens of life.

    eudora_welty_southern_writer_legacy

     

  • Why I Love Tupelo!

    Why I Love Tupelo!

    Tupelo, Mississippi?!

    Never in my life did I think I’d live in the northeastern pocket of Mississippi, in the hometown of Elvis. This “microtropolis,” with its rolling hills, local culture, and large Magnolia trees, now holds an extraordinary place in my heart.

    My family and I never planned on living in Tupelo. We were “Hattiesburgers” through and through. However, a few years ago, a recruiter from North Mississippi called my husband with a job opportunity, and it was just perfect for him! Suddenly, we felt a strong push towards the state’s northern region.

    Since I am not originally from Mississippi, I ignorantly thought Tupelo would be like Hattiesburg, and I quickly learned that my assumption was wrong. South Mississippi and North Mississippi are different, but some things remain the same, hospitality and tradition.

    tupelo mississippi sign TVA

    Time For Change

    Change is hard—especially unplanned change. So, to be one hundred percent honest with you, it took me about a year to adjust to living in North Mississippi. I missed our family, friends, and living close to the beach, plus a million other minor details. I often wondered if we made the right decision. I often expressed my concern about making the right decision too. Bless my sweet husband for his patience during this time. Fast forward a little bit…and I’m so glad we made this decision!

    Life likes to shake things up a bit sometimes, doesn’t it? Now that we’ve been here for a few years, there is no doubt in my mind that Tupelo was part of a greater plan for my family and me as an individual.

    I can say out loud and confidently that I love Tupelo!

    Let’s Talk About T-town

    Nestled up in the northeastern part of the state, Tupelo is the only city in the southern United States to be named an “All America City.” Not once, but five times! With good reason too! With local charm and history, there’s a reason why Southern Living selected it as Mississippi’s town for “The South’s Most Storied Streets.”

    _tupelo_

    One of the things I love the most about Tupelo is the incredible local morale and support. Much of our city and the surrounding areas consist of local businesses, and not only do the people who live here support them but so do other surrounding companies. You don’t have to remind people to shop locally here; they already do.
    The Tupelo area is full of rolling hills covered with oak trees, pine trees, magnolia trees, and the ever-growing, beautifully green kudzu vines. Cotton fields are in full bloom during the fall, and speaking of fall, we have a little bit of Autumn here! Translation: I can still live in the south and enjoy sweater weather too! In the deep south, a cool breeze is as common as a bagel, but here in Tupelo, the leaves change, and the air gets crispy for a little while.

    Most folks know Tupelo is the birthplace of Elvis Presley. On just about any given day, you can visit the small, two-room home that the King of Rock and Roll grew up in. Swing on his front porch swing, and see the neighboring museum. You can also stop by Tupelo Hardware and stand in the very spot where Gladys Presley bought her son’s first guitar. Good choice, Mrs. Presley, good choice!

    _fairpark_elvis_
    Main Street, Tupelo is a visual representation of love, loyalty, pride, hard work, and determination. The downtown area of Tupelo has become the heart of the city. It didn’t use to be that way, and so while I love to shop, eat, and walk around downtown, it’s the relentless dedication and effort that’s continuously put into buoying up this city that I love the most.

    Downtown Tupelo

    Our downtown is a place where everyone is welcome. Diversity, imagination, and faith in a positive present and even brighter future lives within every historic brick and stone that lines these streets. I’m genuinely proud to raise my children in the Tupelo area.

    There is something to see on every square foot of Tupelo’s charming downtown. Hand-painted murals can be found on several buildings, while guitar silhouettes line the main street. You can even follow the path of Elvis’s blue suede shoes by looking for blue footprints on the sidewalks.

    _walk_downtown_

    Pre-Covid, Tupelo hosted several events and festivals that included live music, delicious local food, and great family fun. Its dedication towards enriching personal and family experiences at the local level is simply top-notch.
    The Bancorp South Arena hosts several big-name concerts and events, providing opportunities for locals to attend while also inviting tourism and building a more robust economy. These events have slowly but surely been coming back, and it makes my heart sing to see the streets alive again!

    Tupelo is genuinely a little-known cultural oasis.

    Family, Food, and Fun

    My family and I are total Tupelo foodies! The local restaurant scene is fabulous here! There’s something for everyone’s pallet, and you’ll surely be served with a smile. Forbes Magazine named Tupelo as one of the “next big food destinations” in 2019. It seems we’re not the only ones that enjoy the local food here!

    My kids and I love to “Park Hop.” There is plenty to do at each park, with duck ponds, splash pads, and disc golf courses too! Tupelo has several beautiful parks to visit that promote beauty, history, and an active and healthy lifestyle.

    The Natchez Trace is a national landmark here, and it is gorgeous! Tree tunnels for miles, and you can drive on it from Tupelo to Nashville! You can also walk, hike, or bike the beautiful Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. Hence, those who are planning to purchase an e-bike may visit this page https://www.aventon.com/collections/step-through-electric-bike-aventon and use the bike for a leisurely ride in these scenic bike trails.

    Why Tupelo?

    It’s not uncommon for people to ask, “Tupelo? How did you end up there?” I could give a million long-winded explanations as to why or how we ended up in Tupelo. Instead, I much prefer the response of…

    “It’s where we are supposed to be.”

    Southern charm, mixed with innovation and modern repurposing, makes Tupelo the perfect blend of tradition, culture, and progress. It’s also the ideal place for me and my family to call home.

    _downtown_tupelo_

  • Southern Girl Song #2

    Defining a Southern Girl is as easy or tricky as y’all want it to be. Technically, a Southerner is any denizen below the Mason Dixon line. Where it gets complicated is attributing all the lovely qualities that make a Southern girl the best in the world.

    Amos Lee does a fantastic job in his song “Southern Girl”. He doesn’t go into specifics, but when he sings the chorus we all feel his emotions — love, adoration, and humility — in the presence of his lady.

    If you try to search “southern girl definition” in Google, you’ll get results from Urban Dictionary which appear to have been written by a Carolinian. There’s references to qualities inherent in Carolina girls, but these few sentences are ubiquitous for all ladies in waiting:

    “Southern hospitality runs in the family. Southern households are the most generous of them all, which makes Southern girls, the sweetest.” Amos Lee, would you agree?

    “Somethin’ about a Southern Girl, makes me feel right. In a Mississippi morning she’s an angel in flight.” At PrettySouthern, we believe all states below the Mason Dixon line are created equal. What state are you from, dear reader, and what do you love most about Southern girls?

    Editor’s note: photo contributed by our favorite Florida girl, Heather McCole Williams. To view more of her art or book her for photographic work, check out Heather’s blog or their Facebook page.