Articles by Shannon Bardwell
Possumhaw: Two men and a ladder
You know, I saw a meme once depicting a man straddled across a stairway with one foot on a ladder and the other braced on the wall. The caption said, “Why women live longer than men.”
Possumhaw: Do you see what I see?
Two weeks into fall and walking across the yard feels like walking on potato chips.
Possumhaw: Old dogs, children and watermelon wine
It was 1992 when a friend asked me to a Tim McGraw concert at the MSU Coliseum with free tickets. I said “Yes,” having no idea who Tim McGraw was. By the time we were on our way to the concert I was outfitted in cowboy boots, jeans and a plaid shirt. When Garth Brooks came in 1992 as County Music Entertainer of the Year, I was there.
Possumhaw: Take the sting out of fall
It was midday and only 79 degrees; the wind was slightly blowing while clouds covered the sky. Hallelujah, a little break in the weather, though the earth was still dry and desert-like.
Possumhaw: Season of abscission
Leaves are starting to flutter across the yard onto the porches. A massive number are falling from the ash tree down to the deck. Sweeping may last a day, and then the surface is covered again.
Possumhaw: Alligator looking for a home
Standing on the porch overlooking the small pond I see reeds on the far side lying on the surface of the water. At least I think they’re reeds; I go inside and get the binoculars.
Possumhaw: Honey, it’s God’s country
“I had to say, ‘Honey, this is fine. This is their (critters) world and it’s all part of being in the country.” — Anna Gunn,
Possumhaw: Go ahead and book it
After watering the plants and feeding the animals, it’s time to delve into a good book. It’s hot as blue blazes outside, often over 100 degrees in the “feels like” category — and it’s not even noon.
Possumhaw: Big-eyed bugs and black-bellied birds
“Each day has a story to-deserves to be told, because we are all made of stories. I mean, scientists say that humans are made of
Possumhaw: Amid the noise and haste
Way back then there was no caller ID or hitting a button to decline calls, so I answered the phone. It was a representative from Nielsen Media Research. She asked if I’d be interested in joining the Nielsen TV family. The TV family are people chosen to allow Nielsen to measure their TV viewing and radio listening. While I was flattered, I responded, “The only problem is I don’t own a TV.”
Possumhaw: Way back when
R.C. White’s book “Ten Million Kisses” turned over in my hands. If ever a cover attracted my attention this one did. A handsome soldier embraces his girl. The cover is done in deep sepia like photographs stored in boxes and albums from my mom and dad of the same era.
Possumhaw: Rain gardens, barrels and bioswales
Here’s a little follow-up from last week’s Possumhaw on rain and how you might conserve water to make it work for you.
Possumhaw: It’s an Uncle Bunky world
Kat was a young woman when we met. Fresh out of college and living in a small rental house just out from Starkville. I had furniture needing a new home and gave it to Kat to incorporate into her home. We became friends, and then not long after, Kat moved away.
Possumhaw: It’s a wild world out there
The Prairie has been unusually wild in the past week. A full-grown doe feeds in the middle of the sedge field in broad daylight. Her red hide shines in the sunlight. She ambles and nibbles, raising her head now and then as she stares with doe eyes.
Possumhaw: In every day there’s magic
It’s a beautiful time to be in the Prairie. There have been days of cool breezes, warm sunshine and spotty rain showers.
Possumhaw: Music of the morning
Sam walked in the door asking, “What happened on the porch? It looks like a gale force wind swept through.”
Possumhaw: Travel slow, travel light
Sitting on the front porch drinking my morning coffee, I noticed a tremendous number of pollinators.
Possumhaw: A carefully watched garden
The rains have subsided so the plants require watering every morning, and most evenings, having barely survived the heat of the day. And every morning on my rounds, I examine which plants have been plucked by the innocent-looking deer that bedded down in the field the night before.
Possumhaw; Made in the U.S.A., revisited
The jean jacket label said Bangladesh. Prairie skirts made in the U.S.A. Old Navy jacket made in China, as was the Longleaf camo jacket, as was the Ralph Lauren skirt. Really? Ralph Lauren made in China? Ann Taylor, Hong Kong; MSU baseball hat, Taiwan R.O.C. Shoes were a mix of Brazil, Mexico and China.
Possumhaw: The wonder-filled world
Another month of spring lay before us. Many years it feels like there is no spring at all; the days change quickly from winter to summer.
