Ask Rufus: Stand Fast Mississippians

The other evening I was asked by friends to join a dinner with Bertram Hayes-Davis, the great-grandson of Jefferson Davis. Naturally, a fascinating conversation about history ensued.

Birney Imes: On the road with Louie and Sprocket

On March 1 Louie Little left Germantown, Tenn., on a bicycle pulling a trailer filled with musical equipment and a Jack Russell terrier named Sprocket.

Slimantics: Skin in the game

February was a big month for me. On Feb. 3, I became a grandfather. Lily Elaine Smith weighed just four-pounds, four-ounces. She came three weeks early. If she were a fish, we probably would have released her.

Ask Rufus: The magnolia flag

Last week a magnolia flag was posted on a Columbus Facebook page with a question about its history. Several people commented on what an attractive flag it was but knew nothing about it. What is the Magnolia Flag?

Possumhaw: Crushing cracker boxes

The first time we met I was mesmerized by the whiteness of his hair and the blueness of his eyes. The corners of his eyes drifted into tiny lines that caused his eyes to sparkle, though no more so than his smile.

Birney Imes: To wake a sleeping bear

Not everyday do you run up on someone who has crawled into a bear's den, roused its hibernating inhabitant, jabbed him with a sharp stick ... and lived to tell about it. Craig Jamison is one such person, and if you were among the 800 or so folks at the wild game dinner at Fairview Baptist Thursday night, you heard his story.

Lynn Spruill: Stepping up to the plate

I have discovered the world of MSU college baseball. It took a spur of the moment trip to the ballpark last season, and I was at least partially hooked. I confess I had never even been to Dudy Noble Field until the latter part of the season last year.

Slimantics: The snake-handlers in the Capitol are at it again

Some people never learn. Three days after the pastor of a small Kentucky church died from a rattlesnake bite during a church service, church members mourned his passing by, you guessed it, going to church and handling rattlesnakes.

Shannon Bardwell: It all started with the Boston butt

It's strange how in five minutes you may experience an event that, at least on some level, changes your life. It happened not a mile from the house.

Ask Rufus: A terrifying night

On those warm, rainy days and nights in February when the temperature suddenly drops 30 or 40 degrees and a wintry blast comes roaring out of the Delta, I think of the Eliza Battle.

Slim Smith: The book on Aunt Tatie

During our semi-regular phone conversations, my brother, Fred, always starts the conversation with the same question: "What is your book going to be about?" I always respond, "Oh, I don't know" and move on to some other topic.

Lynn Spruill: Politics vs. government

"I hate government" is an oft-repeated refrain. We hear it more and more as Washington becomes ever more dysfunctional. It is sad to hear because I really don't believe it's government people hate, it's the politicians who are the source of the unrequited anger and frustration.

Possumhaw: Birding from the skybox

Dressed in all our outdoor gear, we watched a bird soar over the sage field and lake. "It's a small hawk or maybe an owl. The head looks like an owl," Sam said.

Birney Imes: Random notes

As Jeff Shepherd was pulling out of the parking lot of Columbus Inn and Suites Friday, he stopped his red Ford F-150, rolled down the window and shook his head. "You better be careful what you ask for," he said. "I told Lou Anne I wanted a red-hot Valentine, and I got this."

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