Author Archives: averyellk

Averyell A. Kessler Every year my grandfather WG treated Mama and me to a weekend of Christmas shopping at Marshall Fields, Chicago’s famous department store. Shortly after Thanksgiving, the store donned its holiday attire and housed an eight story Christmas tree covered with glittering lights and miles of sparking tinsel. I was nine and wildlyContinue reading “Chicago or Bust©“

Saturday Reprise Averyell A. Kessler I live in a house that is older than I am. It is not on the historic register and does not include a barn for the horse and buggy. Water comes from a faucet not a pump out back.  George Washington did not sleep here, and my house is notContinue reading “ Home   ©“

Averyell A. Kessler I couldn’t believe my mother was letting me go downtown by myself. My friend, Martha, was coming too. On Saturday afternoon, Mama loaded us into her Chevy Bel Air and headed downtown. I had two dollars in my pocket; Martha had three. We already knew what our first stop would be –Continue reading “Downtown Malady©”

Saturday Reprise Averyell A. Kessler During last week’s omicron misery, I thought a lot about my southern upbringing and the blessings I’ve received from my small, poor state of Mississippi. These gifts came from loving parents, my scamp of a grandfather, and friends, also from enthusiastic Sunday School folks, teachers, and pearls of Power SchoolContinue reading “Power School Lessons©”

Averyell A. Kessler Another Saturday morning; another unwelcome visit from a government snoop. My grandfather, WG, was not happy. This time, it was the middle of July, when Mississippi’s blast furnace summer sucked the breath out of every living thing and clouds of steam seemed to rise from the sidewalks. Again his office was empty,Continue reading “Fooling the Feds – Part 2©”

Averyell A. Kessler Saturday Reprise Saturday was apple pie day at our Laurel Street house.  It was an essential part of my parents’ weekend traditions and welcomed little variation. On Friday night they played bridge with our neighbors, passing around bowls of mixed nuts, nibbling multicolored mints, and sipping Jack Daniels and coke in tallContinue reading “Raisin Pie©”

Averyell A. Kessler  On a sunny Saturday morning in April, my mother asked me to take my grandfather WG a sack of freshly baked sugar cookies, his favorites. I was a fledgling driver with a new  license and a passion for going anywhere at any time for any reason. I hopped in Mama’s car, leftContinue reading “Fooling the Feds©”

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 Part Two – Kate Strikes Out©”

Averyell A. Kessler 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. At that time, Mississippi was a dry state, but there’sContinue reading “Horse Show Floor Show©”

Averyell A. Kessler During a long-ago December, I lived in limbo as a halfway child. The best part of me was still a dedicated Santa Claus devotee, but as I edged toward double digit years, I began to doubt.  For weeks, I’d heard my Power School classmates dissecting Santa, some whispering behind their hands, someContinue reading “The Secret of Christmas©”