Author Archives: Robert

Cartoon by Marshall Ramsey If I were to make a list of my favorite fruits, it would be extensive. Peaches would top the list. The remaining players would vacillate by mood or season. Blackberries and blueberries are plentiful in these parts this time of year. I’ve loved bananas since I was a kid and ateContinue reading “Watermelon 2023”

“The best things in life come from patience.” – Author Unknown As a kid I grew up across the street from a house on a lake. It was in the middle of town and the property sat on 40 acres. I thought it was cool that someone could live in a neighborhood on a lake.Continue reading “Good Things Come to Those Who Wait”

If I were asked to rank the holidays my family and I celebrate, Christmas would go down as an easy number one. I have such fond memories of childhood Christmases. Today, along with the reason for the season, it’s the time my family gets together in a more meaningful way than the other times ofContinue reading “Happy Birthday, America”

Texans are often recognized for the pride that they have in their home state. I get that. Not because I think Texas is that much better than other states in our country, but because I take great pride in my home state of Mississippi. Six years ago, I wrote an introduction to the book, “AContinue reading “Mississippi”

Some people judge towns by their population. Others judge them by amenities such as parks and playgrounds. Many consider school systems and tax policies when evaluating municipalities. Still others prioritize water and air quality. I judge towns by the excellence and longevity of their small independent diners and cafes. For 100 years, the Coney IslandContinue reading “A Former Fruit Cart at A Century”

“No one trusts a skinny chef.” In my business— if you posess the body style I walk around with every day— that comment is often heard. I think most times it comes from a place of love. But when broken down to its raw meaning, it’s someone saying, “Dude, you’re fat.” I’ve heard that commentContinue reading “It’s A Tough Job but Somebody’s Got To Chew It”

Everyone has “that” friend. He or she is the friend that doesn’t sugarcoat his or her comments. It’s a straight-talking friend who will tell you exactly what he or she thinks. Tact is sometimes involved, but other times not. I rank my straight-talking friends by degrees. A level one straight-talking friend is a basic friend.Continue reading “Friends On the Level and Restaurants Off the Track”

“I cannot forget from where it is that I come from Cannot forget the people who love me Well, I can be myself here in this small town And people let me be just what I wanna be” — John Mellencamp I’m a small town guy. I have good friends who live in New York,Continue reading “Small Town Guy”

CHICAGO— I have been coming to this city almost every May for the past 35 years. This time of year is a perfect time to be in Chicago because the weather is brisk, the throng of summer vacationers have yet to arrive, and the restaurants and bars are jamming. The reason they’re so busy isContinue reading “Windy City Rendezvous”