Steve Mullen: Hang on to your butts: Where there’s smokes, there’s fire

There’s gonna be a huge warehouse sale in Tupelo next week — and it ain’t on furniture.

The state Tax Commission seized an estimated $20 million worth of smokes in a tax raid in April, and on Oct. 27, it plans to auction off its contraband to the highest bidders.

Steve Mullen: Caught in the middle

There comes a time for all of us when we finally feel our age.

I turned 39 a few weeks ago. This is a birthday no one wants to celebrate. It’s much like 29, but 10 years worse. I recall, incredulously, that once, I actually wished to be older. Now, I want the clock to turn back, or at least slow down for a precious minute or two.

Steve Mullen: It takes a village … of two

A new Census report out this week shows that Mississippi remains the poorest state in the nation, which comes as little surprise to anyone, especially those either without a job or cashing a meager paycheck each week. (We’re also the lowest-wage state in the nation.)

Steve Mullen: Water, and lots of it

I’m starting to understand how people in Seattle must feel.

The rain is here, and it won’t go away. When is the last time we had a clear day, sunup to sunup? At this point, it seems days like that never existed. Somewhere, children are gathered around a rocking chair as Grandpa spins a tall tale about how he once left his car sunroof open overnight, and nothing happened.

Steve Mullen: All apologies

I’m sorry to say it, but I miss the good ol’ days when nobody apologized.

“Carry the battle to them,” Harry Truman famously said. “Don’t let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive. And don’t ever apologize for anything.”

Steve Mullen: Ulysses Grant, Frankenberry, and me

I’m engaged in a project which is requiring me to take a personality test.

If you’ve had access to the Internet for more than five minutes, then you’ve probably taken a baker’s dozen of tests and quizzes. Some are serious, like those that gauge healthy habits or depression. Online IQ tests are rampant and common.

Steve Mullen: Along our bumpy, shovel-ready roads

We were driving through West Point toward Columbus last weekend when I had the bright idea to make a detour past Old Waverley, which we’d never explored before.

Steve Mullen: Keeping the teeth in line

The 7-year-old walked too close to the swing set at school, and got clocked by a swinging kid — right in the teeth. I didn’t see the immediate aftermath, but it must have looked like a scene from “Carrie.” Somehow she managed to bleed on her socks.

Steve Mullen: Squeaky wheels — or worst of the cart?

One thing can be said about the health care debate: Watching it makes me ill.

While I’ve tried to read up, I’m no expert. Another disclaimer: I’m a middle-of-the-road guy as far as politics are concerned — I tend to like things that politicians in each party say from time to time.

Steve Mullen: A big First Day

We’re neck deep in the First Day of School. The kids are outfitted, supplies have been bought and delivered, and I’m helping them out of the car to join the throngs of new classmates. All that remains is the completing of ten months of this until we get a few weeks’ rest, then do it all over again.

Steve Mullen: On catfish

My uncle has a lake on his land near Canton, stocked with bass and bluegill; he loves to fish, and my kids, in turn, are learning to love it too.

Steve Mullen: Tax holiday not perfect, but it’s a start

Happy holiday!

The Second Most Wonderful Time of the Year — the Legislature-imposed sales tax holiday — will be upon us in nine short days, and yes, like an eager little kid, I’m counting the days. From 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 31, to midnight on Saturday, Aug. 1, I’ll be able to waltz into any five-and-dime or mega-mart in the state and buy some school supplies without having to pony up a single penny to the state Tax Commission.

Steve Mullen: For MUW, a Sallie Reneau-sized task

Where’s Sallie Reneau when you need her?

Reneau was possibly the most persuasive woman Mississippian of her day. In 1856, at age 18, she convinced Mississippi’s governor and legislature to charter a state university for women — never mind that such a thing had never been done before, in any state.

Now, Reneau’s own name is on a very short list of proposed new names for the Mississippi University for Women.

Steve Mullen: The Incredible Shrinking Columbus

The Golden Triangle has a new big brother. Starkville is now more populous than Columbus, according to Census figures released last week.

Steve Mullen: The reason for the season

Another Fourth of July is almost upon us. A majority of us know how we’ll mark the occasion — probably with fireworks, beer and barbecue. Unfortunately, fewer than half of us have a good idea of why we’re celebrating.

Steve Mullen: Ugly babies have it tough

I came across news of a new medical study that compared mothers’ reactions to pictures of attractive babies vs. ugly ones. It turns out that unconditional love isn’t all it’s cracked up to be: Moms are quick to drop ugly babies in favor of pretty ones.

Unconditional love, it seems, comes with conditions, especially if you have a face only Mom can love — or at least one you thought she did.

Steve Mullen: Mississippi’s energy future

When one thinks of energy-producing states, Texas, Alaska and California come to mind, for their oil and gas.

Steve Mullen: Taking the long way home

It’s tough to decide who is happier — me or the grandparents.

It’s me, of course. Try being apart from your family for five months, a decision we made when I was hired by The Dispatch. I moved over, while Lee and the girls stayed behind to finish school in California.

Good news for Starkville: The Dispatch brings new, free newspaper to Bulldog Country

Hello, Starkville.

The Starkville Dispatch begins publication today, offering a free news source to readers in Bulldog Country.

The new paper is a publication of The Commercial Dispatch in Columbus, and replaces The Commercial Dispatch in racks around town. The new paper will also be available in many more locations than the old Dispatch, and will be in the racks sooner.

Steve Mullen: No phone calls, please

They muscle their way in — uninvited, unwelcome, and downright annoying.

They’re the unending cascade of automated phone calls — in particular, those that play a recording warning you that your car warranty is about to expire.