Summer Sandwich Staples South Mississippi has four seasons— almost summer, summer, still summer, and Christmas. However, early summer has an entirely different “feel” than late summer. During the early days of summer, school is out. The entire season lies ahead. No more early mornings, no last minute cramming for exams, and no arguments over school [...]

When my wife meets people at one of my book signings or speeches, they say things such as, “Your husband is so funny, I’ll bet he keeps the whole family in stiches.” To which she replies, “Yeah, he’s a real hoot,” swallowing her sarcasm. My wife is my toughest audience, she’s seen it, heard it, [...]

This column might be the longest thank-you note I have ever written, but it is one that I was eager to pen. Two weeks ago I wrote a plea on behalf of the non-profit, Extra Table, soliciting donations for the victims of the F5 tornado in Smithville, Miss. The April 29th tornado left a three-mile [...]

“We are in the middle of the flow.” That is what Roy the Beekeeper told me last spring. I didn’t know what “the flow” was, but, being a brand new apiarist, I just went with it and faked my way through the rest of the conversation. I learned later that “the flow” is beekeeper shorthand [...]

If one had been watching the national news recently, he or she would have seen hour upon hour of coverage about the terrible tornado devastation that blew through the state of Alabama. The damage was catastrophic and our hopes and prayers are with all of the citizens of Alabama and the other states that were [...]

My friends and I are always comparing lists. I throw out questions such as, “What are your three favorite Beatles songs?” Or “What are your three favorite restaurants in New York?” Occasionally the questions become more specific, such as, “What is the best fish dish you have ever eaten?” Those types of queries are easy [...]

Last week I learned that the United States Department of Agriculture had revised their food pyramid. I grew up with the 1970s version of the food pyramid, and have always been intrigued by the chart— mainly because my diet has never been anywhere close to what Uncle Sam recommended. Actually, it’s not even a food [...]

The first time I sat at a communal table— other than at a family or school function— was also the first time I ever ate at K-Paul’s restaurant in New Orleans. I didn’t really like the concept initially, but in that restaurant, back then, one had no choice. It was one of the first times [...]

“Cats look down on us, dogs look up to us, and pigs are our equals.” –Winston Churchill I am about to become a pig farmer. There will be some who read that sentence— my literary agent in New York, my editor on the Upper West Side, and others, from Peoria to Portland, who find this [...]

Purple Parrot Café gardener, Micah Pogue, just placed 96 Roma tomato plants in the ground. Several weeks ago we planted potatoes, onions, carrots, and cucumbers. Pretty soon we’ll plant sweet corn, watermelon, okra, peppers, zucchini, and lots of other fresh vegetables and herbs for our restaurants. Last year was our first year to grow a [...]