More than 54,000 Americans died in the Korean War, or “conflict,” as it was referred to, from 1950 through 1953. Or died of their injuries later. Half a million South Koreans and other United Nations troops fell, and more than 1 million GIs and their allies brought home wounds and nightmares and other terrible souvenirs […]
Whither the American Dream?
Posted March 23rd, 2012 at 6:16 pm (UTC-4)
America is, or has been, one big Horatio Alger Story. If you’re under 85 years old, you may never have heard of Horatio. He was a real person — an author, who is often confused with his characters: teenage boys, mostly, who overcome poverty and other obstacles to lead happy and productive lives. Alger wrote […]
Guiding Lights
Posted March 14th, 2012 at 3:10 pm (UTC-4)
It has been said that lighthouses, casting a glow over the dark, mysterious sea, are to America what castles are to Europe — treasured landmarks — although there are lighthouses dating to Roman antiquity there, too. In the Western Hemisphere, remains of crude lighthouses built by Central American Mayan people date to the 13th Century. […]
Good Livin’ in the Alabama Black Belt
Posted March 9th, 2012 at 8:22 pm (UTC-4)
How’d a nice big piece of black-bottom pie taste right about now? I’m talking crunchy ginger-snap crust, thin layer of dark chocolate, whipped rum-cream custard filling, shaved chocolate topping, and mounds of real whipped cream. It’s an Alabama Black Belt specialty, along with steam-fried okra, fresh catfish, banana pudding, and so many other succulent treats […]
Save the Gin (Not the Drink or Card Game!) Factory
Posted March 1st, 2012 at 6:53 pm (UTC-4)
I’m not much of a drinker, but I must admit that my ears perked up when Carol asked me to join her on a trip to Prattville, Alabama, where the town of 36,000 was fighting to save its gin factory. Not a gin mill — which is slang for a low-class tavern. An enormous factory. […]
