Tag: #PrettySouthern

  • Scarlett O’Hara, Southern Belle & Modern Woman

    Scarlett O’Hara, Southern Belle & Modern Woman

    Scarlett O’Hara, we all know her and love her.

    She’s the green-eyed Southern belle full of grit and grace, and who only has eyes for Ashley Wilkes and her beloved Tara.

    O’Hara is one of the most iconic female fictional characters of all time and is the main protagonist in Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 novel Gone With The Wind. The lovely Vivien Leigh portrays her character in the 1939 film adaptation of the novel.

    Scarlett O'Hara

    As the oldest living child of Gerald and Ellen O Hara, Scarlett learned how to take her life by the reigns. Initially, a vain, snobbish, and spoiled woman, Scarlett’s character grows through the trials and tribulations that life puts her through and has her heart deeply rooted in her hometown, Tara, her birthplace.

    “There was nothing else she did have, nothing but this red land, this land she had been willing to throw away like a torn handkerchief only a few minutes before. Now, it was dear to her again, and she wondered dully what madness had possessed her to hold it so lightly.”

    -Scarlett O’Hara

    Many people are familiar with Gone With The Wind, the film adaptation. In many ways, O’Hara symbolizes the stereotypical Old South. However, she also very much represents the modern woman. Still, in the original text, Margaret Mitchell creates a character within Scarlett full of gumption and ambition.

    (Katie) Scarlett O’Hara Hamilton Kennedy Butler was 16 when she first got married and had three children with three different husbands—something that Hollywood scrapped from the film because of the way society would judge her.

    “Marriage, fun? Fiddle-dee-dee. Fun for men, you mean.”

    -Scarlett O’Hara

    IMG_4969

    O’Hara started her own business, drove her own buggy, and always found a way to rise above the challenges she faced during a very turbulent time in American history in the south.

    For women in 2022, this doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but in the 1860s, this was a huge deal! Keep in mind that Margaret Mitchell wrote this novel in 1936, only 16 years after women were given the right to vote.

    Margaret Mitchell also won a Pulitzer Prize for Gone With The Wind in 1937, and rightfully so! However, the first Pulitzer Prize given to a woman was in 1921, so again, this is all happening during pivotal moments in women’s rights history.

    It is all too fitting that the fictional character that would best represent women’s strength and capability would be Scarlett O’Hara. Mitchell’s novel was released during the height of the Great Depression, a time in history when women needed to find work and with a sense of urgency as thousands of men who were once family breadwinners lost their jobs or were called off to war.

    Cotton Fields

    Society and the federal government placed greater value on women’s roles during the Depression. Women actively participated in growing bureaucracies and held leadership positions at the highest levels of government. From managing the home to organizing protests, women worked tirelessly throughout the Depression to ensure daily life continued, and Americans received their fair share.

    Women of the Great Depression could relate to Scarlett and her strength as she did whatever it took to support and provide for her family. From farming to making a dress out of curtains, she was determined to succeed, and succeed, she did.

    American women, all women, have always fought for their place throughout history. A woman’s journey to social justice has been, and is, quite different than their counterpart. Equity, access, participation, and rights have not come easily and there are countless women to thank throughout history for their grit and gumption to stand for what’s right.

    The fictional character of Scarlett O’Hara is one representation of how a female role can exemplify the tenacity needed at that time for survival. That same tenacity is still needed as we continue to make strides to break through glass ceilings, still weighted by a dark history and social injustice.

    “As God is my witness, as God is my witness, they are not going to lick me. I’m going to live through this, and when it’s all over, I’ll never be hungry again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat, or kill, as God is my witness, I’ll never be hungry again.”

    -Scarlett O’Hara

    "As God as my Witness"

    After the war, most women returned home as they were let go from their jobs. Their jobs, again, belonged to men. However, there were lasting effects. Women had proven that they could do these jobs exceptionally well, so, within a few decades, women in the workforce became a common sight.

    An immediate effect of this time in history is often overlooked: these women had saved much of their wages since there was little to buy during the war. This money helped serve as a down payment for a new home and helped launch the prosperity of the 1950s. Translation: Women helped purchase their family homes, during the era where most folks perceived women as Stepford wives who vacuumed in high heels.

    “Great balls of fire. Don’t bother me anymore, and don’t call me sugar.”

    -Scarlett O’Hara

    Many women find Scarlett O’Hara, at best irritating and at worst, despicable. After all, many believe Miss Scarlett to be a character who embodies all of the negative stereotypes attributed to women throughout history.

    Is she selfish, shallow, dishonest, manipulative, and amoral? Sure, sometimes. Even Margaret Mitchell, who did not much care for the character she created, often made disparaging remarks about Scarlett. Mitchell claimed that she set out to write about Melanie as the protagonist (can you imagine) and that Scarlett just took over the story. My response to this is, well, of course, she did!

    “Scarlett: Sir, you are no gentleman.

    Rhett Butler: And you, Miss, are no lady.”

    Scarlett O’Hara’s character is multidimensional and complex at best, but she is strong in every sense of the word. Her character demands attention, and it is this character that unintentionally sets a standard for women that they can overcome obstacles and accomplish their goals. She teaches other lessons of importance throughout her character development, such as your “dream man” might not be the right person for you. Be true to your friends, and in the classic curtain scene that we all know and love.. here’s the lesson, things are not always what they seem.

    Gorgeous green velvet dress? Or the living room curtains? Don’t judge others by their appearances. Don’t judge, period. The other lesson from those curtains: use what you have, be creative and be innovative. Be bold.

    Iconic Green Dress

    Fast forward several decades, and Scarlett O’Hara’s authenticity still lives on today. Scarlett was a young woman who did whatever it took to survive as her world was literally burning down around her. Did she have her faults? Absolutely. Was she a product of her environment? Very much so. However, there are great life lessons we as women can learn from Scarlett O’Hara. In short, never give up.

    Scarlett O’Hara will always be legendary. Yes, we still have a great deal of work to do to create an equitable world, but Scarlett O’Hara will always be an icon of southern female strength for countless people, myself included.

    “After all, tomorrow is another day!”

    -Scarlett O’Hara,

  • Nutrition and Southern Hospitality Shine at Jo’s Cafe

    Nutrition and Southern Hospitality Shine at Jo’s Cafe

    Jo’s Cafe embodies the theme song from the iconic television show Cheers.

    You remember the tune “Where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.” Over the last year or so, my husband and I have found some of our favorite people, food, and “our table” at Jo’s Cafe.

    Jo's Billboard Sign

    Named after “Aunt Jo” (Jo Moore) of Tupelo. Inside the historic, cream colored home in the heart of Tupelo, this Cafe and its owners have found their way into the hearts, homes, and taste buds of locals and visitors alike. The restaurant offers catering, meal prep, and food truck options, in addition to traditional dining. There is something for everyone at Jo’s!

    Four years ago, Jennifer Brignac and her husband, Johnny Cook, started Jo’s Cafe, a food truck designed to travel to disaster sites and feed first responders and victims.

    In 2020, they opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant at Crosstown, but they’ve never forgotten their original mission.

    Jo’s Cafe is also a faith-based organization focused on providing disaster relief to those whose lives have been affected across the United States. Leveraging their expertise in cooking to serve meals for victims, volunteers, and first responders in national emergencies and disasters, they are committed to using our resources to meet the needs of others. Their team and staff are prepared to respond by providing compassion and offering hope and friendship in the form of hot meals.

    Recently, Johnny, Jennifer, and their crew spent Christmas Day in Kentucky. After watching TV news coverage of the deadly tornadoes, they knew what they had to do. They fed more than 500 people that holiday, helping the victims and clean-up crews of the violent Kentucky tornadoes that ravaged much of the state.

    “We saw aerial footage of the damage, and I told Johnny it was weighing heavy on my heart,” Brignac said. “And he agreed.”

    HOSPITALITY AT ITS FINEST

    In the Magnolia State, not only do we know the devastation that can occur from a tornado, but we also understand the importance of helping our neighbors. Tupelo locals rallied around Jo’s Cafe and donated items to Kentucky, such as gift cards, candy, and frozen turkeys. Loyal customers wanted to help their beloved Cafe and their owners, as this was a mission that Mississippians understand all too well.

    On Christmas Eve, along with fellow employee Kristin Buse, the couple piled into a pickup and drove Jo’s Cafe’s mobile food trailer 250 miles to Murray, Kentucky, where they spent the night with some missionaries from another local disaster response group, Eight Days of Hope.

    “This is a total God thing,” Brignac said. “We’re just using the resources He gave us.”

    jos_cafe_owner_mississippi

    As New Orlean natives and Hurricane Katrina survivors, it is important to Johnny and Jennifer to help and serve others, with the motto “You cannot do everything, but you can refuse to do nothing.”

    “We were living on the Gulf Coast when Katrina came through, so it’s kind of our background,” Brignac said. “We’ve been on both sides of a disaster, first as victims and how as helpers.”

    MAKING LEMONS OUT OF LEMONADE
    Dietary restrictions, or not, Jo’s is a place where everyone can eat natural, whole foods, and eat them together! A dozen years or so ago, Jennifer discovered she was gluten intolerant. She took this challenge as an opportunity to learn how to cook gluten-free food.

    Are you gluten intolerant? Diabetic? On a keto diet? Or, do you simply enjoy fresh, whole foods? Jo’s Cafe has a FULL low carb, keto, no to low sugar menu that is always available. Plus, everything tastes amazing!

    It’s impossible to list all of my favorite menu items, so here are a few: Chicken Philly Waffle, Crack Chicken, Mexican Casserole, Bacon Cheese Biscuits, Jo’s Signature Ribeye over Greens, and Fat Boy fries. They also make their own keto coffee and loaded teas! There are several dessert options as well. Currently, Jo’s offers “Keto King Cake bites!” So you can “let the good times roll” and stay on your diet too! “Laissez les bons temps rouler”!

    IMG_3756

    Jennifer and Johnny put their hearts and souls into Jo’s. This kind of care is shown not only through their number of returning customers but also through their relationships both inside and outside the Tupelo community.

    THE FIRST INGREDIENT IS LOVE

    Johnny loves to cook and wants everyone to get a plate of food fit for every friend and family member. Many ask Johnny what his special ingredients are. His answer is always the same, “I start with love!”

    COOKED FRESH TO ORDER
    Because Jo’s wants everyone to receive hot, freshly prepared to order food, they don’t typically use heat lamps. They don’t believe in pre-cooked food sitting under lamps before ordering. You order. They cook. Fresh, whole foods, and oh my…are they delicious!

    ONLY THE BEST
    Jo’s shops daily to get the freshest ingredients for their dishes. They don’t believe in pre-battered and/or pre-packaged ingredients.

    LIFTING WHERE THEY STAND
    Jo’s Cafe is not just a business trying to make a living. Jo’s Cafe is an organization that wants to make a difference. Not only do they provide healthy, delicious food for each customer, they also utilize their talents and cooking skills to help others in their time of need, although if you’re looking to keep yourself healthy products like Juice Buff can help a lot with this.

    CUSTOMERS ARE FAMILY
    The Cafe has allowed Jen, Johnny, and their talented staff to make invaluable connections. “Our patrons are no longer customers after their first visit; they are our friends. The support and encouragement we receive from them is priceless!”

    jos_cafe_mississippi

    If you’re in the Tupelo area, just drive down Gloster Street and look for the billboard sign that says “Jo’s Cafe, Located Over Yonder.” Once you find this local gem, you’ll never forget it! It is indeed a place “Where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.” A place where nutrition and hospitality are of the utmost importance and the southern tradition of gathering together around good food is maintained.

    Welcome to Jo’s Cafe, y’all! I promise you will not be disappointed!

  • Huntsville, Alabama = America’s New Tech Hub

    Huntsville, Alabama = America’s New Tech Hub

    Huntsville, Alabama, was once a sleepy, farming town that you drove through on your way to Nashville.

    Well, folks, stand back because the Rocket City is on the move! Last year, Huntsville officially took the lead as Alabama’s largest city by the population at 215,006, edging out Birmingham for the top spot by just over 14,000 people.

    When you think of Huntsville, what comes to mind? Probably a rocket, right? Rightfully so, as Huntsville is also known as Rocket City! Why? It is the site of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command.

    Huntsville Alabama Space Center

    Why Rocket City?

    Huntsville earned national recognition during the Space Race of the 1960s. During this time, the U.S. government relocated a team of German rocket scientists to the area. It opened a NASA center that would design the Saturn V. This rocket sent Apollo astronauts to the moon!

    A landmark rocket now commemorates this historical event at U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Did you know that Huntsville, Alabama is home to the most significant space museum in the world?!

    Education is Key

    Huntsville residents pride themselves on being the most educated population in the state. They’d have to be, as a large portion of the population works in engineering thanks to the significant presence of NASA and the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal.

    The city has a strong tech industry that dominates the area’s local economy. Meaning, highly educated people are moving to Huntsville from all over the United States and the World! Wallethub recently ranked Huntsville among the Top 25 Most Educated Cities in America, and Forbes Magazine named Huntsville one of The World’s Smartest Cities.

    Reinvention Done Right

    Preserving Southern traditions while building a positive community and infrastructure is what the Rocket City has done. Huntsville’s city center has undergone a major renovation in recent years. An outbreak of new construction downtown means more shopping, dining, and housing options are available. Just west of downtown, an old cotton mill became a bustling arts center, and craft breweries and bars have sprung up in a renovated old middle school.

    How cool is that?!

    Welcome to the Final Frontier!

    Space is the true core of Huntsville’s identity. To get a better understanding of the area’s ties to all things outer space, visitors and residents alike can spend a day touring the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Here, they can learn about the history of space exploration. Also, The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is home to every kid’s bucket-list experience (and maybe some adults too), Space Camp!

    Space Camp

    Famous author and astronomer Mike Brown, a Huntsville native, has even said:

    “I grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, a thoroughly dedicated rocket town. The father of everyone I knew—mine included—was some sort of engineer working to build the Apollo rockets to send men to the moon.” ~ How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming

    Textiles, Art, & History

    If space doesn’t interest you, several other cultural attractions might! For example, the Alabama Constitution Hall Park gives visitors an inside perspective of life in Alabama in the 1800s. You can also visit The North Alabama Railroad Museum and the Historic Huntsville Depot, which highlight the history of train travel in north Alabama.
    Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment is a renovated textile mill, the largest privately-owned arts center in the southern United States. That alone is reason enough to go! The Mill House artists work in various media, featuring live music and theater, and it also serves as Huntsville’s unofficial fine arts headquarters.

    The Huntsville Museum of Art also offers visitors a wide range of pieces across various permanent and traveling exhibits. The multipurpose Von Braun Center downtown hosts concerts, comedy tours, and dance performances, as well as games for the city’s minor league professional hockey team, the Huntsville Havoc.

    Diversity in the Deep South

    Huntsville has a significant international population, thanks to its high-tech sector. With such great diversity comes a fantastic culinary scene that offers everything from Vietnamese to German to Indian cuisine. In addition to superb international food, the city also provides a plethora of fabulous Southern cuisine, including delicious barbeque and several farm-to-table concept restaurants.

    Huntsville Alabama City Scene

    Music & Vitamin-D Vibes

    Who doesn’t love sunshine and music? Because the climate in Huntsville is warm most of the year, outdoor concerts and events are easy to come by. The downtown area hosts outdoor shows, movies, and food truck rallies almost every weekend (except in winter). Monte Sano State Park is a favorite with hikers and mountain bikers. Are you a water enthusiast? They have something for you too! Boaters often head to the beautiful, nearby Tennessee River for a day out on the water.

    Who Lives in Huntsville?

    There’s housing and entertainment for young professionals and suburbs with affordable housing and great schools for families. The city has been dubbed an up-and-coming tech hub, bringing people from all over the world for job opportunities.

    Due to the extensive defense and technology sector, it’s also a popular place for military retirees. Higher education institutions in the area – including Alabama A&M University and the University of Alabama–Huntsville – make Rocket City a great college scene as well!

    Why is Huntsville Growing?

    The Huntsville area was, and is, very resilient to the pandemic and the challenges that have come with it. Since the city is such a large tech hub, many people could work from home and still do so today. Because of this, there wasn’t significant job loss, and many people took telework positions out of Huntsville during the pandemic and later relocated there. It appears that Huntsville is doing something—many things—right!

    Whether you’re looking for a new place to call home or a just fun weekend trip, “Sweet Home Alabama” has something for everyone in Huntsville!

  • 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_

  • Dolly Parton, Queen of Country Music and Good Deeds

    Dolly Parton, Queen of Country Music and Good Deeds

    Two words. One fabulous lady. Dolly Parton!

    Young-Dolly-Parton

    To know her is to love her.

    Although I don’t know her personally, I wish I did, and I’ve been a lifelong fan ever since I was old enough to bee-bop along to “9-5” in the back of my grandparent’s silver Lincoln.

    A genuine rag to riches story, Dolly embodies strength, determination, and joy which she bestows on us all, as it’s her personal mission statement

    “My dream was to make as many people happy as I could in this life.”

    Dolly is a superstar, yet she remains humble and grounded in the things that matter most: faith and family. The little country girl who made the world her stage is also a woman of great intention.

    The Early Life of Dolly Parton

    From the hills of Tennessee, singing barefoot on the front porch, to owning the stage in six-inch heels and jewels, Dolly Parton is a larger-than-life living legend with a heart that’s just as big as her dreams.

    Dolly grew up in Locust Ridge, a small mountain town nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains. She is the fourth of twelve children with a large extended family as well. Many of her loved ones played essential roles in her success, but she credits her Uncle Bill Owens for helping her launch her music career.

    Dolly’s talent launched her to super-stardom, as she wrote her first song at the age of five and played her first show at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry at 13! Dolly took the stage at “The Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour” in Knoxville, Tenn., and landed a spot on “The Porter Wagoner Show.”

    Young Dolly Parton iconic

    From Rags to Rhinestones

    Sometimes I think people look at Dolly and misjudge her because of her iconic image and style. The truth is, aside from her tremendous talent, many people vastly underestimate where Dolly came from and the amount of GOOD she does for people daily.

    Did you know that the Parton home didn’t have electricity or running water while Dolly grew up in the 1940s and ’50s? The winters, especially, were brutal. The country legend has shared what it was like living through the harsh mountainous winters as a little girl. Expressing that it was so cold that, most nights, the only bit of warmth she and her siblings would experience was when one of her younger siblings would wet the bed.

    Fast forward to 2021, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sends books to children all over the country. She has multiple scholarships in place encouraging students to graduate high school. She most recently donated 1 million dollars to Vanderbilt University for COVID-19 vaccine research. And, I’m only scratching the surface of the many incredible “Dolly deeds.”

    Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

    Full of grit, dreams, and plans, Dolly, like the rest of us, is primarily made up of where she came from. Many of her songs tell the stories of her childhood, such as “Coat of Many Colors.”

    Dolly thought about becoming a preacher, like her Father, in addition to being a singer. In my opinion, Dolly is already a preacher of wisdom and love through her music. Her song “Little Sparrow” brings me to tears every time I hear it and is an unofficial hymn in my book.

    Dolly + Carl

    Dolly is happily married to her husband, Carl Dean, and has been for 55 years! She married the love of her life at 20 years old. A marriage of this caliber is impressive no matter what, but with the pressures of Hollywood, I think this is amazing.

    Although Dolly and Carl never had children of their own, Dolly considers her songs to be like her children, and you know what? Her songs will live on for generations to come and continue to touch lives, just like posterity does.

    Dolly, and her husband, Carl Dean.

    The Secret Song

    2045 seems like a long time away, doesn’t it? Well, it just so happens that this is the year that a “secret song” of Dolly’s will be released. She will be 100 years old and claims she will be long gone by then, but I wouldn’t be so sure about that!

    Reportedly, Dolly wrote this song 30 years in advance, can you imagine?

    So I wrote this song, and I can’t say what it is. It’s just burning me up inside that I have to leave it in there,” she wrote. “I put a CD player in the box, too. Because the song is on a CD, and there’s no telling what music is going to be by then. Hopefully, it will play, and the whole thing ain’t rotted.” ~Dolly Parton

    The box containing the secret song won’t be in just any old box. It’s inside of a chestnut wood box made by her beloved Uncle Bill. If anyone can live to 100, Dolly can, and she’ll look fabulous doing it, I’m sure of that! I don’t know about you, but I hope I’m around to hear this secret song, and I hope Dolly is too!

    Dolly at the 2021 Super Bowl

    Be a Dolly!

    If you follow Dolly on Instagram, she shares a positive message with followers nearly every day. There has been a Dolly comeback lately, although I know many of us have always loved her. Younger generations are learning about Dolly now too, and some of her older music is touching new hearts and souls.

    My favorite t-shirt of all time is light pink, with an outline of Dolly’s face and her big blonde hair.  The shirt says “Tease it to Jesus” and I love it!  I have all sons, and when they get older, this might embarrass them, but I don’t care. We all know “the higher the hair, the closer you are to heaven,” right? Not really, but it’s just another Dolly-ism to love!

    Dolly Parton is a musician, an actress, a philanthropist, a businesswoman, a wife, a daughter, and a sister. She’s not unlike you and me. She loves her family and cares about the well-being of others; she just does it with a little more glitz and glam. And, honestly, what’s wrong with that? Absolutely nothing. If you are going to be starting a career in the music industry then having the best gear at your studios is a must, Click here to see reviews of some of the best gear on the market today.

    In a world that often seems so negative, accentuate the positive. Be a Dolly!