Author Archives: averyellk

Averyell A. Kessler  Kate Beacham was still fuming. Her untimely exit from the horse show party at our house was a hot topic for weeks.  Belhaven gossips worked overtime. Sadly, no photo existed of me modeling Kate’s rubberized girdle and heavily decorated brassier, but the scene was still as vivid in everyone’s mind. My motherContinue reading “Horse Show Floor Show – Part 2©”

Averyell A. Kessler. Edna Hart knew all about the south. How could she not? She’d seen Gone with the Wind on a wide screen in Detroit’s Majestic Theatre and watched Bette Davis toss her curls in Jezebel.  As a result, she learned a lot about southern women, how they spoke, dressed, and practiced the basicContinue reading “Carry On©”

May the God of heaven’s vault bless you May the God of shimmering moonlight love you May the God of sparkling stars lead you May the God of haunting songs cheer you May the God of strange shadows clam your nerves May the God of straight roads bring you home May God be watching fromContinue reading “Here’s an Irish American blessing from Andrew Greeley in his novel St. Valentine’s Night”

By Averyell A. Kessler Saturday reprise – I wrote this in 2019 In the fall of 1954, Mama was on the hot seat. The Mississippi State Horse Show was only a week away.  My grandfather WG was president of the organization and he talked my parents into hosting a cocktail party on opening night. AtContinue reading “Horse Show Floor Show©”

Averyell A. Kessler  I grew up in distant days when the only electronic devices in our home were kitchen appliances, table lamps, and a Philco floor model radio. In a wild moment of splurge, Daddy bought a second radio for our kitchen windowsill so Mama could listen to The Romance of Helen Trent and BackstageContinue reading “Unplugged©”

Averyell A. Kessler I learned a lot about life behind the garage.  Deep, dark and oily, it was a place of intrigue. Our garage was a typical two car, wooden behemoth, nesting behind our Laurel street home and a good 15 yards from our back door. Spare bicycle chains and clothes line rope hung fromContinue reading “Behind the Garage©”

Averyell A. Kessler During my senior year at Murrah, I was editor of Hoofbeat, the school’s monthly newspaper. The good, the bad and the ugly surfaced immediately. The good was missing a day or two of school when I drove to Keith Press in Raymond, MS, to proofread the galleys and make final edits. Yippee!Continue reading “Serpentine Attack©”

Averyell A. Kessler Saturday Reprise –Last week, I was trapped. We all were, held prisoner by ice clogged streets, lethal, foot-long icicles, a dwindling or non-existent supply of water, iceberg temperatures and no way to get to the grocery store. In the midst of my captivity, what did I long for?  Spring of course. HoursContinue reading “Tomatoes©”

Averyell A. Kessler During last week’s ice storm misery, I thought a lot about my southern upbringing and the good things I’ve received from my small, poor state with a jagged past and uncertain future. I received many of these gifts from loving parents, my scamp of a grandfather, and friends, but also from enthusiasticContinue reading “Power School Wisdom©”

Averyell A. Kessler Last week, I woke early, snapped on the tv, and learned that Billy Graham had died.  As prepared obits blared on TV, I read one on the ABC news app.  True to his habit, Rev. Graham had already attracted a crowd. A plethora of loving comments flowed in as well as personalContinue reading “Extraordinary Circumstances©”