Articles by Shannon Bardwell
Possumhaw: A crazy mixed-up world
Sixteen years ago, my 10 faith-based articles for Adams Media were published in the “Cup of Comfort” series. A few copies remain in the treasure chest that sits at the foot of my bed.
Possumhaw: Something to talk about
“I wake up in the morning and my mind starts making sentences and I have to get rid of them fast — talk them or
Possumhaw: A stranger in the reeds
Looking out the window through the light mist I saw him, a stalker.
Possumhaw: Woodchucks, whistle pigs, land beavers
A little over a week ago I was headed to town when I spied a funny creature sitting on his hind legs beside a road running along the Tombigbee River.
Possumhaw: Change is inevitable
Most of the time I find technology a little scary. I reviewed George Orwell’s 1964 futuristic book “1984” for its possibilities. Electronic screens were located in public places — I imagine like restaurants, waiting rooms, dentists’ chairs, airports and along highways.
Possumhaw: Hoy, hoypoo, koillee
“The feathers were of many hues of glistening greens and blues and purples, and it had a yellow head with a red plume, and pink,
Possumhaw: Nothing with a face
Blue Zones are calling my name. The magazine Worthwhile arrived in the mail with an article on Blue Zones. The Parade insert in the Sunday Dispatch (Jan. 12) ran an article on Blue Zones. By then I was intrigued and continued reading at their website (bluezones.com).
Possumhaw: A good day for somebody
Once I lived where there were four distinct seasons all within their proper boundaries. It was quite predictable, though the winter seemed long and ice and snow turned to brown slush lasting well into spring. There’s a certain advantage to growing up and living in the South. Very often all four seasons come within the same week.
Possumhaw: Time is not on my side
Some of the suggestions from A. J. Jacobs’ book “Drop Dead Healthy” bear repeating since it’s January and we’ve all overindulged a bit — and a lot of the gyms were closed for the holidays and, even if they were open, we weren’t able to go because we had all the holiday festivities and guests to attend to.
Possumhaw: Something has got to go
Another Christmas is behind us, and soon another year. All the wrappings, boxes, bags, ribbons, and bows lay strewn across the floor, crammed into garbage bags, or neatly hand-pressed and folded for another year.
Possumhaw: Accoutrements of Christmas
If Santa Claus was inspired by the generous bishop of Myra, then where did the reindeer and sleigh, the wreath and the tree, the lights and the cheery little poinsettia come from?
Possumhaw: Jolly ole Saint Nicholas
“Always winter but never Christmas. How awful, said Lucy.” From “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” by C.S. Lewis It’s beginning to look at
Possumhaw: Memories of the Christmas tree
We don’t quite have our Christmas decorations up yet, but we’re thinking about it. Some years we cut a native cedar and other years we stop by a box store that sells Christmas trees. The store-bought trees are easier to decorate with their slender limbs and smooth needles. It’s possible they are dyed. I’ve hauled them to the woods, and by spring they are still green.
Possumhaw: Home is where the hearth is
Thanksgiving has come and gone, as have pre-Black Friday and Black Friday sales, along with the family members who graced our home for the Thanksgiving celebration. We had many things to give thanks for: reasonably good health, plenty of warmth and sunshine, and more good food than should be legal.
Possumhaw: Let’s get personal here
Many of us are preparing for our holiday feasting and perhaps how to manage our consumption for the least amount of damage. Last year I gain several pounds, and well into spring they were still hanging around. So, this year I am trying to do better and help my guests to do better as well. It’s not as easy as you may think.
Possumhaw: Early preparations for winter
Just when I was busy flipping closets from summer to fall, hanging the door wreath and pinning orange, red and yellow silk leaves to the cedar lapboards, all in an effort to welcome in the autumn season, winter hit overnight. Temperatures plummeted to 15 degrees by morning.
Possumhaw: What a wonderful day
Fall has been particularly lovely this year, perhaps because it came so quickly as a much-needed break from scorching temperatures. Now it appears fall is “leaving” just as fast as chilling temperatures arrive early.
Possumhaw: Just me and Willie
Lately I’ve spent a lot of time driving back and forth along Highway 82 and Highway 45 between Columbus, Starkville and West Point. From West Point, traveling south toward Highway 82, on the crest of a hill I could see a fair distance to the next rise. Along that stretch I counted 12 large trucks — 18 wheelers.
Possumhaw: Posted keep out
“I’ve been hunting with my father ever since I was a young boy. He taught me how to hunt and shoot, firearm safety, and have
Possumhaw: Tumbling into a fall
You might remember a column a couple of weeks back. Momma said when the State Fair comes the weather will turn cooler. Before the fair had ended and practically overnight, temperatures plummeted into the 40s.
