By Tom Poland, A Southern Writer TomPoland.net I hadn’t seen him in 10 years. Him would be the preacher who buried dad and mom. He was preaching down South Georgia way in Sylvania. An early Sunday morning journey was in order. My family in Georgia and I would rendezvous notContinue Reading

By Tom Poland, A Southern Writer Another Shady Grove cemetery that transports me to Alabama in July 1936. On a sultry August Sunday I drove up on Shady Grove Methodist Church. Seeing it resurrected James Agee’s “Shady Grove, Alabama, July 1936,” his description of a cemetery in Let Us Now PraiseContinue Reading

Seems a cowboy could hitch his horse and get a shot of whiskey here. By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net June 29, 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Interstate Act. Nigh 70 years later a grid of steel, cement, and asphalt makes it impossible to see little of interest. DespairContinue Reading

Tree bark’s “tattoos” age more gracefully than human tattoos.  By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net Young with her whole life in front of her, her complexion was flawless. On her left shoulder in forever flight was the blue outline of a butterfly. Ought to be a story there I thought. “TellContinue Reading

Before the dejection set in. By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net May 2011. Jennifer’s email cut to the chase “We want you to write a play for Georgia’s Official Folk Life Play, Swamp Gravy.” “Me, write a play,” I replied. “I don’t even go to plays.” “That’s okay. We loveContinue Reading

By Radley West I failed a client whose goal was to lose weight. Unfortunately, in my world this is not a new or unique event. However, there’s more to this story and why it is important. My client planned to get to the gym three times per week and trackContinue Reading

By Mike DuBose I read a good bit and often come across interesting facts that might be helpful: Top Tier 1 high-quality gasoline contains detergents which extend a car engine’s life, increases miles-per-gallon, and improves performance. Suppliers include Costco (exceptionally low prices), Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell. Check tire pressures everyContinue Reading

By: Lisa Hostetler Brown, Managing Attorney, LawyerLisa Expert Answer: (Hint: It might not be Johnny!)Setting up an irrevocable trust is often a smart and effective way to protect your assets from long-term care costs, especially when pre-planning for Medicaid eligibility. However, this strategy works only if you choose the rightContinue Reading

By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net Besides the solitary confinement of writing, I cut myself off from the world in two places. Hard-to-reach wilderness areas and forgotten churches where a haunting takes over when I see pews, a pulpit, and the occasional piano. A hymnal now and then too. MyContinue Reading