Dang Y'all Archives - Page 4 of 16 - Embrace Southern States

Of Murals & Men, in Missouri

May 31, 2023 by angelchatt

You do know by now how much I love road trips, RIGHT? I am still waiting on some of y’all to comment on my previous article found here https://embracesouthernstates.com/nature-in-missouri/ … in the meantime let’s take a look at just a few “of murals & men, in Missouri” . This includes just a tiny fraction of the many inspiring historical figures, and amazing folks who are actively doing positive things there today.

Are you comfortable and ready to explore? Okay, we are fixin’ to have a bunch of fun! So grab a glass of sweet tea and come along with me!

George Washington Carver

The George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond, Missouri, is full, free, and fascinating! It is open from 9am until 5pm every day except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. You will learn new facts about this remarkable and resilient man.

While touring this first National Park to honor an African-American, you will enjoy monuments, photos, murals, multimedia, as well as the pleasure of exploring the 240-acre site at your own pace. I can pretty much guarantee that you will gain a deeper admiration of the plant lover who overcame many hardships to become a respected humanitarian, man of faith, scientist, and teacher.

Ampersand Sculpture

This eight foot tall ampersand (symbol for “and”) gives a nod to history and is located at 3434 S. Rangeline Road in Joplin.

When you study it up close and personal, you will see info on art, music, mining, and landmarks along Route 66. Also noted is the duo Bonnie & Clyde who hid out in a local building near 34th Street & Oak Ridge Drive. Dang, y’all, this is pretty cool.

Quilt Town, USA

Quilters already know that Hamilton is the town for every shop, gadget, and fabric that any quilt maker could ever need.

Others may know that it was the birthplace of left fielder Zack Wheat who was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1959.

Still others may be aware that J. C. Penney was born on a farm just outside of Hamilton. He later became famous for founding a department store that bears his name.

Who Invented Sliced Bread?

The small town of Chillicothe, Missouri ,celebrates being the home of sliced bread and the unofficial holiday “Sliced Bread Day” is July 7th. Next time you reach for sliced bread to pop into your toaster, be sure to thank Otto Rohwedder and Frank Bench! Their names may not be familiar, but what they accomplished certainly is!

When you get to view this inspiring mural in person, you will probably agree that it is one of the greatest things since sliced bread!

Two Civil War Historical Sites

On the western edge of Missouri is a small town named Republic, where you can visit Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. This site of the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River has lots of educational information that includes exhibits, books, and a film. Two cannons rest on the hillside just outside the visitor center and museum.

About a three and a half hour drive to the eastern edge of the state will bring you to the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site just south of St. Louis. There you can watch a film, take a tour, or browse through the museum.

More Than Just A Library

The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library first opened its door in 1957 and continues to expand and impress to this day. Here you can spend hours exploring the various sections, enjoying multimedia presentations, and viewing the murals and other artwork.

Inside you can find a replica of the Oval Office or browse through the Museum Store (gift shop). Outside you can walk around the courtyard to view a freedom flame and the final resting place of Truman, his wife, and their daughter. Dang, y’all, this place rocks!

Of Mice & Men & Marceline

Whenever you think of Disney, do you first think of the man (Walt) or the mouse (Mickey) or the theme parks? After visiting the Walt Disney Hometown Museum, you may just change your answer to “Marceline, Missouri”! This place is awesome!

Whether you are age three or ninety-three, your experience in Marceline will stay in your heart. As a baby boomer, I was reminded of both Davy Crockett and the Mickey Mouse Club. And, yes, I can remember all the words to both theme songs! Oh, you can also buy t-shirts with the quotes mentioned in the above photo.

Meet a Ranger in Van Buren

Shaun Heise grew up in Missouri and has worked for the National Park Service for eight years. His official title is Lower Current District Interpretive Ranger. Shaun loves sharing facts about the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, which includes Big Spring and Alley Spring.

Shaun says these waters are always cool, have existed since prehistoric times, and are fascinating from a geological perspective. He is one friendly ranger who is eager to pass along knowledge about Missouri and the Ozark culture. I sure hope you get to meet him soon.

Meet A Riverboat Captain

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take a short cruise on the Mississippi River? A great way to achieve that goal is to climb aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat in Hannibal, Missouri, and meet Captain Steve.

He shares great info about life on the river both now and in the past. His wife Sandy works in the gift shop and his sister is often found working the galley. Captain Steve is a well-known local celebrity in Hannibal and a walking encyclopedia of deep details and riverboat realities.

Meet This Wonderful Waiter

When you are ready to wet your whistle with homemade root beer, go to the Mark Twain Dinette in Hannibal. Be sure to ask for Bobby as your server. He is one of the kindest and most helpful people in town. Bobby listens closely to his customers, then takes time to thoughtfully answer even their strangest questions.

I love to ask folks what travel destinations are on their bucket list. Bobby said New Zealand tops his list. For great conversation, just ask how he feels about the St. Louis Cardinals! I am so thrilled to have met Bobby on my travels, because he really touched my heart.

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Now that you’ve seen the photos of murals and men in Missouri…and a tiny bit about each story, PLEASE take a minute to tell me which impressed YOU the most. Remember that leaving a COMMENT here makes it easier for me to keep giving YOU more people, places, and photos to help plan your travels!

Here are links for more info: (1.) https://www.nps.gov/places/george-washington-carver-national-monument.htm (2.) https://www.visitjoplinmo.com/ (3.)https://visithamiltonmo.com/ (4.) https://visitchillicothe.com/ (5a.) https://www.nps.gov/wicr/index.htm (5b.) https://www.nps.gov/ulsg/index.htm (6.) https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/ (7.)https://www.waltdisneymuseum.org/ (8.)https://www.nps.gov/ozar/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm (9.)https://marktwainriverboat.com/ (10.)https://www.marktwaindinette.com/

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Let me know if you need ANY help planning your next Southern road trip…I would love to negotiate with you as you embrace the best trip ever!

Nature In Missouri

May 20, 2023 by angelchatt

Recently I enjoyed a wonderful 10-day road trip in Missouri. I’ve decided to do a few articles about that, starting with NATURE! So this one, a wistful photo documentary, is for all the nature lovers. Check out these photos, then PLEASE leave a Comment letting me know which ones you like best. Nature in Missouri …rivers, springs, mountains, caves, and so much more!

Big Spring…Place & Thing & Spring & Beauty

The largest freshwater spring in Missouri, “Big Spring”, can be found near the southeastern town of Van Buren. Find highway 60 and then head south on highway 103 and you will enter the park. It is part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways that protects over 130 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. Once you have found it, you may never want to leave. This place of quiet beauty is a fine example of soothing natural splendor at its best.

Alley Spring Could Make Your Heart Sing

Alley Spring and the Alley Mill were featured on a quarter in 2017 as part of celebrating America the Beautiful. After you leave Big Spring, take highway 60 to Winona then 19 to Eminence and finally 106 to Alley Spring. The extremely friendly park rangers there will gladly and patiently answer all your questions about the blue water and all fascinating local natural resources. See the one room schoolhouse and the general store before you depart.

Be Brave & Rave About This Cave

In the charming and nostalgic town of Hannibal, Missouri, you can prove that you are brave by touring Mark Twain Cave. Of course, later you will rave about all you learned inside. The narrow passages are dimly lit and chilly. You can experience total darkness and see a hideout used by Jesse James. Enjoy tales about the fictional characters Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher as you search for signatures written on the walls.

Fun Of Driving In The Mountains

Dang, y’all, this writer lives in a fairly flat section of Florida. So I was thrilled to take a drive early one morning in the misty mountains of Missouri. Every twist and hairpin turn was a total joy. Pockets of thick mist are so enchanting and tiny hints of blue sky simply seem to promise that more adventure will be around every curve. Traffic was very light that day and, of course, so was my spirit.

Abundant Colors Along The Riverbanks And Bluffs

Tiny white clouds in the blue sky fade into the background as the give and take of yellow sunshine and brown shadow play among the green and purple trees. The multiple tones of brown and gray rocks give way to yellow foliage in the foreground. Why do such colors thrill me so? I don’t rightly know. They are a playful and peaceful party in my mind.

This Color Is Called Stellar Pink

What do you think of the stellar pink shade of flower found on this dogwood? I spied this gorgeous young specimen on the grounds of White Haven (part of U.S.Grant historic site) just ten or so miles south of downtown St. Louis, Missouri. The bush was only four feet high and should grow into a lovely tree.

Oh Cow, How Art Thou?

Usually cows run away when a stranger approaches. But these adorable bovines stood stoically still and studied me just as I studied them in their meadow. Then the little darlings once again quietly chewed their cud and contemplated the cosmos. After my own brief cow admiration and self-deliberation, I decided upon salad in lieu of hamburger.

Happy Diamond Dew On Rising Ground

Has the sight of grass ever inspired you to recite a poem? When I found this mound of rising ground wet with dew that shined like diamonds, I recalled a haiku I had written years before. “Grass in the morning is wet with tears of angels, maybe tears for me.” These dewdrops do seem like happy tears.

Whether Or Not Nature Is Weather

Have you ever experienced weird weather in Missouri? In that span of 10 days I saw torrential rain, flooding, a rock slide, and two tornadoes. A dear friend and I were forced to cut short our photo shoot and sit in her car for about an hour due to a sudden hail storm. On the positive side, I did see a rainbow and a double rainbow. I just had to wonder how much powerful and weird weather this old barn has survived…and how much longer it may stand.

Does nature take back or reclaim her own…quickly or slowly? We may say slowly if we watch growth creep up weekly or monthly. This once beautiful house could take decades to deteriorate and become uninhabitable. Just the thought makes me eerily pensive, perhaps wistful…and oh the stories it inspires.

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Plan your Missouri road trip with great info https://www.visitmo.com/ Riverways info can be found here https://www.nps.gov/ozar/learn/index.htm Mark Twain Cave info website is https://www.marktwaincave.com/ Grant site is https://www.nps.gov/ulsg/index.htm

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Thanks for stopping by and I do hope you left a kind Comment! Which photo did you love?

Best Gluten Free Road Trip Snacks

April 10, 2023 by angelchatt

As final preparations are underway for a ten-day road trip, I wanted to share with you my favorite and best gluten free road trip snacks. They are loosely categorized as fruit, grain, protein, sweets, or some combination of the same.

FRUIT

My favorite fresh fruit for travel is banana. I mean, come on y’all, a ripe banana in its own pretty yellow peel is just so dang happy-looking and cute. I find a banana to be delicious and almost impossible to resist. I can pat myself on the back for eating healthy, while gleefully giggling since a banana is so sweet and yummy.

GRAIN

For grains, I prefer the General Mills Apple and Cinnamon Cheerios, which are oats. https://www.generalmillscf.com/products/category/cereal/box/apple-cinnamon-box-large-14-2-oz They are so convenient and can easily be packed into any size container. Plus, this is another snack that satisfies my sweet tooth.

PROTEIN

Proteins are the most versatile group and can include meats, beans, and nuts. My go-to meat is Old Wisconsin turkey sausage sticks. https://www.oldwisconsin.com/snacks/snack-sticks/turkey Each pack normally contains from ten to twelve sticks and each one is about one-half ounce.

The best bean choice for me is edamame, and The Only Bean company based in Las Vegas https://theonlybean.com/ has crunchy roasted edamame that I dearly love.

As far as nuts go, I like to take any small jar of peanut butter or peanut and honey spread because it is smooth. This can easily be put on cookies.

Sometimes I will grab several varieties of trail mix, take out the bits I don’t like, and create my own special blend. This usually includes stuff like chocolate, mango, raisins, and yogurt.

SWEETS

Sweets… yes, I’ve already mentioned items that may be sweet, but have saved my three best gluten free road trip snacks in the sweet category for last. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I love sweets!

Even though I am not Italian, I happen to enjoy the heck out of biscotti. There are many good brands of these wonderful gluten free biscuit cookies. Most include small slivers of almonds, and the ones I like add cranberry. They are awesome for dipping into my morning coffee.

The top choice for cookies goes to Mi-Del Swedish Style ginger snaps. https://midelcookies.com/category/products/gluten-free/ As a wordsmith, I admit that it is hard to put into words just how great they are or why I crave them so much. I mean, ginger and molasses, so so so awesome! In my opinion there is only one sweet treat in the universe that could be any better than that.

By now you are probably hungry for the best gluten free road trip snacks. And you are wondering what my absolute favorite could be, right? Here it is! Take some shredded and sweetened coconut, then cover it with decadently delicious dark chocolate. What you have there is a Mounds candy bar! https://www.hersheyland.com/mounds THIS is my all-time number one sweet treat.

Please share a kind COMMENT about your own favorites! Remember to look us up on our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/embracesouthernstates and also on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/embracesouthernstates/ . THANK YOU.

St. Paddy’s with a New Orleans Flair

March 17, 2023 by angelchatt

Lanky leprechaun loving his lucky beads?

OK, sure, when folks think about St. Patrick’s Day it brings to mind green shamrocks, green hats, or green beer! And of course… dear old Ireland. While ’tis true that I’d love to once again visit Ireland, sometimes I celebrate St. Paddy’s with a New Orleans flair.

Is that a French horse? Today it’s Irish, of course!

Not to worry, though, if you didn’t make it to Ireland this year, or… ever, you probably already know that you can celebrate the wearing of the green anywhere. (Another great place…in the South…would be Savannah, Georgia, where the parade lasts for hours.) Do you have a special place where you love to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Do they have great food, great music, or a great parade? Tell us about that in your comments.

Plenty of “what is that” while people pass by.

Today I am sharing with you a variety of adorable photos taken on St. Paddy’s Day around Jackson Square in New Orleans, Louisiana. Think of it as putting a French Quarter twist or a Cajun accent on the beloved Irish celebration.

Kilt & bagpipe to celebrate the Gaelic heritage.

My hope is that you will read this article out loud with your best Irish accent, then have a good laugh! THEN be a dear one to leave a Comment your favorite photo about St. Paddy’s with a New Orleans flair! That’s not really asking too much, is it? Now I wish you TOP O’ THE MORNING and MAY THE LUCK OF THE IRISH BE WITH YOU!

Good friends & good photos make GREAT memories!

Now remember to leave a nice comment, and you can find EmbraceSouthernStates on either our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/embracesouthernstates or over on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/embracesouthernstates/ …THANKS FOR BEING YOU!

TRAVEL & CONNECTIONS

March 9, 2023 by angelchatt

Travel to new destinations DOES build communication skills!

Maintain Meaningful Personal Connections

After leaving the 9-to-5 work world and becoming a wandering freelance travel writer, I have often questioned my own ability to maintain meaningful connections with other people. The thrill of a solo road trip and exploring unfamiliar places tickles my senses, but the desire to stay in good relations with other human beings tugs at my heart. Travel and connections, personal connections, there must be healthy ways to do both.

This is a situation that has created inner conflict and self-questioning in multitudes of deep-thinking individuals. Those of us who are over 50 and even over 60 look back fondly on large family holidays, weddings, annual family reunions, and even high school reunions. We tend to get sentimental and nostalgic, often wondering why we lost touch with relatives and other cherished folks who had once seemed so precious.

Personal connection implies a certainty of celebrating a kinship or friendship and knowing we value one another. In knowing we can talk, laugh, cry, and share intimate details of one another’s joy and pain, we look forward to seeing each other again.

Once Familiar Yet Now Strangers

You are probably a bit puzzled, thinking that this blog does not seem like my typical joyfully upbeat buzz on some fabulous recent travel experience. And you are exactly right.

I was at home doing research for my next big trip. Then came the phone call informing me that my cousin had died. The details were so sad and disturbing that they shook me to my core. I sobbed and agonized as the grief set in.

Let’s reconnect with friends & family…before the next funeral.

At the funeral, I gazed into faces of people who had once been familiar and important in my life. Sadly, now we are strangers. This is a painful truth that I deeply dislike…and wish to correct…before the next funeral.

Travel Helps in Several Ways

Here are the two points I’m attempting to make. I need to improve my ways of connecting with other humans. And I want to look at ways in which travel can be a positive part of that process. Travel and connections, I am choosing to reexamine and reframe my perspectives. As I offer the following tips, it is very much for others and for myself.

Be a Healthy Communicator

Active listening means staying present and engaged in a warm and respectful conversation. This is best when it includes asking questions, as well as showing encouragement and appreciation. This is a great skill to practice while enjoying travel.

Be Genuine and Kind

All people in every possible travel destination want to be seen, heard, and valued. Positive energy insists on no fakeness and no harsh judgements. This is complimentary and builds high regard and trust.

Trust, kindness, and confidence lead to great conversations.

Be Bold

Reconnecting with the best of intentions and motivations manifests the confidence to have great conversations. Once the momentum is achieved, it is time to ask for feedback, advice, help, and mutual support.

Be Focused on a Positive Future

Healthy connections include letting go of all past hurts and grudges. This is a wonderful fresh start that can lead to making exciting plans for the future.

Be Focused on Freedom and Well-being

Travel helps us communicate with better perspectives, empathy, and a regenerative mindset. That means we are more thoughtful toward new friends, old friends, and to the planet. We leave things, including relationships, better than we found them. Reconnecting to our own playful inner child allows us to have the freedom to love others. The result is often better mental and physical health and happiness.

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO LEAVE YOUR KIND COMMENTS. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU LIKED ABOUT THIS ARTICLE. YOU ARE IMPORTANT AND I CARE WHAT YOU THINK.

Here are links to other helpful articles on travel and connections:

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-reconnect-with-an-old-friend-without-making-it-awkward-5225930 https://www.healthline.com/health-news/reconnecting-with-old-friends-may-boost-your-mental-health-and-theirs https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-traveling-increases-connection-helps-us-succeed-rachel-mcgehee/#:~:text=Travel%20increases%20our%20ability%20to%20connect%20with%20others%2C,like%20us%20than%20they%20are%20different%20from%20us. https://www.fodors.com/news/news/what-is-regenerative-travel-and-what-does-it-mean

HOW TO GROW A TRAVEL BLOG

February 7, 2023 by angelchatt

Advice from Travel Writers

Recently I asked a few of my favorite travel writers for advice on how to grow a travel blog or website. Here is the question which I asked; “What is your BEST advice for new bloggers on how to get more readers, and work toward blogging success?”

The little nuggets of wisdom which follow are from good people who are out there doing the hard work. They are kind enough to offer encouragement for those of us who are coming along behind them.They genuinely wish us well even while knowing that someday we may end up pitching the same story ideas.

Anna Cook

Anna Cook is an active adventurer from North Carolina, in https://www.stuckonthego.com/ she proves that travel is good for the soul. Her biggest piece of advice for new bloggers who want to grow their blog is to invest in an SEO course from the beginning.

“SEO takes time to work but it is the best way to drive consistent traffic to your website. For a long time, I thought I knew what I was doing when it came to SEO, but it wasn’t until I took a course on it that I found so many things I was doing incorrectly or could have been doing better.”

Apryl Chapman Thomas

Apryl Chapman Thomas is a feature writer at https://www.southernhospitalitymagazine.com/ who offers this down-to-earth thought, “I wish I had a formula, but all I can say is keep on plugging, creating a brand and building numbers and then reach out to potential advertisers.”

Bill Clevlen

Bill Clevlen shares positive stories at https://billontheroad.com/ in a most exciting and entertaining way.

He says, “Best advice? Be authentic and grateful. Don’t be afraid to admit when things don’t go as planned or afraid to show a less than perfect side of you.”

Chere Dastugue Coen

Chere Dastugue Coen has been there and done that on so many levels as an award-winning author, editor, travel and food writer. Her delightfully wacky and wild travel blog is https://www.weirdsouth.com/ and a must-read!

Her advice, “I would suggest building SEO so that readers will find you and make sure to use keywords for every story. Post links on social media but make it all conversational since social media is, well social. Bottom line, however, is always write the best blog posts and showcase both your talents and your passion. The readers will follow.”

Kathleen Walls

Kathleen Walls is the owner and publisher of AmericanRoadsandGlobalHighways which is best found here https://americanroads.net/ . She is also a prolific author and, like me, a proud Floridian. Here is just some of her sage advice.

“Getting new readers is persistence. I post on social media and join in several retweet and re-instagram posts we do on my favorite travel writer group. Part of the success factor lies in getting good press trips. I put together a media sheet with my stats, social media links, and several of my recent published stories. Yes, for your own blog to succeed, I strongly advise freelancing along with it. To get invited on press trips, be courteous, not demanding on trips. Always let the hosts and PR people know when you publish or a story you sold goes online that’s related to the trip.”

Kristi Valentini

Kristi Valentini helps folks make their travel adventure more fun and joyful and can be found at https://readymadetravelplans.com/ . Here are her thoughts and ideas.

“Showing up in search engines can really make a big difference in your traffic levels. Prioritize learning about SEO – it’s actually pretty simple – and then apply what you learn to your content. Also, if you have some bloggy friends, see if they want to form a group to help promote each other’s content. Each person in the group shares the other person’s latest blog post with their audience on social media or via email.”

Melody Pittman

Melody Pittman of https://www.whereverimayroamblog.com/ is one of the sweetest and busiest travel writers I’ve ever met. Her thoughtful advice below is priceless.

“My advice is to really know HOW to blog starting out. What you put into an article is only part of knowing the correct sizing of pictures, spacing, keywords, link backs, etc. Even when I started 8 years ago, it was way more than just a good story. If Google and the rest don’t like you or you don’t hit their marks, success is doubtful. And lastly, be authentic. Don’t try to be someone or somebody you aren’t. There is an audience for you somewhere, just as you are.”

Roy Stevenson

Roy Stevenson at https://www.pitchtravelwrite.com/ is dedicated to writing great travel articles and helping others do the same. He and his wife, Linda Popovich, travel the world and offer fabulous workshops. I am thrilled to count them amount my writer friends.

Per Roy, “Make sure your content is unique & riveting to capture the reader’s attention. There is so much online competition these days, that your posts must be interesting. Use quality photographs with every blog post. Create a captivating headline & lead sentence to draw your readers in. Write print articles & place a link to your blog in your byline. Attract & create your audience. This means you must find people who would be interested in your blog. You won’t create an audience by just starting up a blog. Make sure you have a niche for your blog; general blogs won’t work anymore.”

Reading, Writing, and Research

Let me highly encourage you to read all of the great sites mentioned above. And, yes, also my own https://embracesouthernstates.com/ where I highlight the fabulous folks, food, and fun in the Southeastern USA.

Good travel writers become even better by reading the works of others. This is followed by tons of research, travel, and writing.

Please take a moment to leave a kind COMMENT. I wish you much success as you follow your own travel dreams, whatever they may be.

Joyful 2022 Photos

January 3, 2023 by angelchatt

JOY is the theme! Which joyful 2022 photos do YOU like best? Which ones make you feel most joyful, and why? Your Comment would certainly be most welcomed and appreciated!

It is true…every picture does tell a story. As I looked back over hundreds of photos and tried to decide on just 12, these kept jumping out at me…jumping for joy! After you study each, then consider the (greatly condensed) story behind it…what are your gut reactions?

Does the photo alone cause you to feel joy, or does that come along after you know more of the details? What do you think of this style of simple photography with little or no extra processing? Have you been to any of these locations? How do you find examples of joy during your travels?

Embracing the Moment

The expression of complete joy on this man’s face is precious! Despite the February chill, he fully embraced the moment during a jazz festival in Bainbridge, Georgia. Watching him dance with so much enthusiasm warmed my heart and lifted my spirit several notches.

Food is a frequent topic of my articles and photos. While at that same jazz festival, I happily embraced the moment to enjoy barbecue and potato salad. Do you have a favorite BBQ story that makes you smile?

During a Florida art festival, I helped kids choose free art projects. This young man eagerly chose sidewalk chalk art. He tuned out the world and diligently created art, bringing joy to everyone. When he thanked me, I cried… and thanked God for talented youngsters.

Embracing Simple Pleasures

The early morning sun can make this simple tree bottle glimmer and gleam. Every time I visit Ocean Springs, Mississippi, I make a special point to go see it. I honestly can’t explain why an old ‘haint tree brings me so much pleasure. Can you?

Life is good! Two best friends (Angela & Nina) await hot coffee and beignets at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans, Louisiana. Have you and your best friend ever shared this simple and delicious pleasure? (Tell me in “Comments” below.)

Somewhere around Mobile, Alabama, I got off the main roads…on purpose. Murals seem to call out to me, waiting to be discovered and appreciated. They always (YES ALWAYS) bring me right back to that sense of childlike wonder! Do you love murals?

Maddie is my beautiful calico cat. I just love how the April morning light bounced around the room and highlighted her so perfectly. I strongly prefer these simple photos without extra processing… easy shots that evoke profound emotions.

Embracing a Destination’s Diversity

Charleston, South Carolina is an award-winning city… a kaleidoscope of colors and cultures. Areas of unexpected energy and excitement mix with others of serenity and charm. I marvel at how one place can be so beautiful…and so very eclectic!

Bright costumes like this one represent Caribbean heritage as the parade kicks off Charleston Carifest each June. The parade is followed by music, dancing, food, and fun. Don’t you think her joyful smile is just as lovely as her costume?

I was (very unexpectedly) invited to attend and photograph an LGBT Pride pool party. Rainbow cups, flags, swimsuits, and headbands were everywhere. Folks were friendly and conversant, but a few did avoid the camera. An eye-opening event on multiple levels!

Walking in the historic district brings to view stately homes with lush landscapes behind walls of wrought iron or stone. Charleston is called “the Holy City” because of the numerous church steeples usually present in the background.

Embracing Honeymoon Memories

On our October honeymoon, Tony and I loved exploring the historic Windsor Hotel in Americus, Georgia. This view from the 3rd floor veranda looks across to the circular tower where we occupied the Carter Presidential Suite! Dang, y’all, talk about SWEET !!

Art is joy, joy is art!!! Every art lover needs to visit Georgia’s “Pasaquan”, to be surrounded by acres of vibrant art. Every building, wall, stairway, and post is a one-of-a-kind delight. One man’s obsession has become a treasure for the world, in my artistic opinion!!

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Dang, y’all… there you have it. These 12 photos bring out the best memories of my 2022 travels. While they may not win awards for expert skills or techniques, they do give you a clear view of what I value in a photo.

How do you relate to this? What are you first reactions? YOUR KINDEST AND MOST SINCERE COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS ENCOURAGED !!! Ask me a question or leave a comment, I really do long to hear from you. Please remember that you can also join the conversation in the Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/embracesouthernstates … THANK YOU and may we all take joyful photos in this joyful new year !!!