Author Archives: averyellk

Averyell A. Kessler Saturday reprise I’d been warned for weeks; spinach was coming to the Power School cafeteria. I didn’t know what was going on behind the scenes or who decided Popeye’s life altering vegetable was a critical addition to my lunch tray, but Mrs. Mills, my teacher, touted it benefits for days. She remindedContinue reading “Cafeteria Combat”

The Best Medicine© Averyell A. Kessler The TV is blaring and it’s time for the evening news. I wonder which new miracle drug will be advertised tonight. As always, it will feature the final three letters of the alphabet, as well a few Q’s and V’s tossed in. During the first commercial break, it occurs.Continue reading “I’m posting two items today, one for laughter, the other is a prayer. Here’s the first.”

Averyell A. Kessler Father, I pray for all who suffer in the cold, For those who know you, and for those who do not, For those whose eyes are open, and those who have closed theirs and walked away, I pray for those who are called by your name, and those who will never knowContinue reading “In the Cold©”

Over the River© Averyell A. Kessler Saturday Reprise – I posted this last year. I saw it this morning, a dilapidated bait shop that once housed my father’s bootlegger of choice. I was surprised it’s still standing; but there it was, a leftover relic from Mississippi’s dry years.  I’m not sure how one selected aContinue reading “Over the River”

Averyell A. Kessler At this point in life, I’m not sure what to call my generation. Baby boomers emeritus? Retired beatniks? Over the hill hippies? The Stop in the Name of Love dancing club? Jagger’s Jagettes? Who knows? Senior Citizen is a kinder-gentler term especially for those folks selling wrinkle cream, hair restorers, emergency callContinue reading “Chilly Words©”

Averyell A. Kessler I read this piece to the Jackson Writers Guild a year ago. Since then, we’ve not been able to meet. Here it is again. A southern writer can collect more stories from a back-porch conversation than from hours of creative writing instruction or a ten-day cruise through the Panama Canal. It’s especiallyContinue reading “I Listen©”

Averyell A. Kessler I couldn’t believe my mother was letting me go downtown by myself. My friend, Martha and I had been planning it for weeks, but here we were, giggling and giddy with excitement. On Saturday afternoon, Mama loaded us into her Chevy Bel Air and headed downtown. I had two dollars in myContinue reading “Downtown Malady©”

Tiny Scissors© Averyell A. Kessler They start with tiny scissors. They always do. Just a snip here, an erasure there, the elimination a questionable adjective or an unacceptable word not in sync with careful vanilla vocabulary. Once begun, there is more to come. Soon sewing shears emerge, then knives.  Censorship has been going on sinceContinue reading “Tiny Scissors”

Fear in D Major© Averyell A. Kessler Army Brown’s music store on Capital Street, was across from the federal courthouse and a few doors away from Deposit Guaranty Bank. Its huge display window featured a concert grand piano as well as various brass instruments, all for sale. It was an important element in Jackson’s onceContinue reading “Fear in D Major”

Madam Editor© Averyell A. Kessler In the olden, golden days at Murrah High School, I was editor the Hoofbeat during my senior year. Sadly, I was forced to choose between prancing across the football field in a short white skirt, boots, and cowboy hat and editing the school newspaper. Words won, as they always doContinue reading “Madam Editor”