New South Essays

Around our house we’re celebrating the one and only Carla Barron Wallace this week. Her wisdom increases with each passing year. See what she said recently that led to the best birthday gift I could possibly give her in this all-new New South Essays post:
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Has DoorDash ever let you down? You may be entitled to commiseration. This week's post is a cautionary tale of lemon pepper wings, honey chipotle crispers and SEC officiating gone wrong. newsouthessays.com/2025/11/08/h...

When was the last time you ate at a "Meat and Three?" I doubled up on that pleasure this week, and while my pants are fitting a little more snugly, New South Essays includes the non-nutritional benefits of eating Southern. newsouthessays.com/2025/11/01/g...

Last weekend, I said "yes" when my first instinct was to say "no." I'm grateful for time spent with family. Here's this week's reminder from New South Essays to embrace opportunities and make memories. newsouthessays.com/2025/10/25/s...

Have you always wondered what kind of person you are? Wonder no longer. We're here to help with the New South Essays Mexican Restaurant Personality Type Indicator. Gain deep insights into what makes you you and get a hankerin' for carnitas. Buenas dias! newsouthessays.com/2025/10/18/m...

Customer service is dead. What happened when a rental car company's automated shake down resulted in a $566 bill being turned over to collections? This week's post: The sinister side of technology-driven customer service and Caveat Emptor. newsouthessays.com/2025/10/11/t...

It's the annual fall spider offensive in the Arachnid vs Human War. Will they take the bridge and nab the dorky, middle-aged dude in a chartreuse windbreaker? This week's New South Essay tells all. newsouthessays.com/2025/10/04/w...

Would you rather continue doomscrolling or spend five minutes laughing hysterically at the latest post from your favorite influencer? This week's all new New South Essay delves into "This or That?" and "Would You Rather..." newsouthessays.com/2025/09/27/g...

"Who is your team?" can be a difficult question during College Football Season. What's my answer when I have so many allegiances? Read this week's New South Essay to find out: newsouthessays.com/2025/09/20/w...

How did I become a possible candidate for skin cancer treatment spokesmodel? Years of ignoring sunscreen. This week's all new, special cautionary New South Essay reveals what happened at my latest dermatology check up. newsouthessays.com/2025/09/13/s...

In the immortal words of Britney Spears, "Oops!... I did it again." Back in 2023 I brough a summer cold home from vacation and infected the office. As I fight off a post-Labor Day, end-of-summer cold, let's revisit the lessons I obviously failed to learn: newsouthessays.com/2023/07/15/s...

I'm back in Lake Wales this Labor Day to help Mom and Dad with projects and bask in the lovely Central Florida humidity. It reminded me of this New South Essays post from 2024 that revealed most of my "projects" were actually just "piddlin'." See if you can relate. newsouthessays.com/2024/09/14/p...

What's in my journal? That's for me to know and no one to find out. This week's all-new, special New South Essays post reveals how and why I journal. newsouthessays.com/2025/08/23/t...

Never reveal a woman's age. On 8/18 Mom celebrates 8 decades (Do the math... as a retired math teacher she would want it that way!) This week's New South Essay is my birthday wishes for Mom. Love you, Mom, and have a great 80th! (Ooops, I gave it away). newsouthessays.com/2025/08/16/8...

Nothing beats a Dusty Slay birthday party! (Well, seeing Dusty live tonight at Atlanta Symphony Hall might!) Read how my family pulled off another great surprise birthday in this week's New South Essays newsouthessays.com/2025/08/09/a...

Solstices, equinoxes and back to school... New South Essays explains what happened to summer in this season of back to school. newsouthessays.com/2025/08/02/s...

With the passing of my Uncle Neal on July 2, I have been thinking a lot about my cousins. This week's post decries the distance between cousins in the New South and how a funeral gave us a chance to connect even as we grieved. newsouthessays.com/2025/07/26/c...

After indulging in an at-home Wes Anderson film festival, I ranked his movies according to my own arbitrary system. See how they stacked up in this week's all new, New South Essays post newsouthessays.com/2025/07/19/a...

How did this innocent looking chair almost kill me? This week's all new New South Essay explains newsouthessays.com/2025/07/12/f...

Who came to the rescue when Lance couldn't get the passcode to work on the beach access to the condo in a driving rainstorm? Dive into this week's all new, special vacation edition of New South Essays and find out. newsouthessays.com/2025/07/05/u...

Looking back at old pics like this is a great way to anticipate vacation. This week’s all-new New South Essay offers 5 ways to increase your joy even before you arrive at your destination. newsouthessays.com/2025/06/28/v...

What's on your summer reading list? Whether you are reading for pleasure or trying to earn a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut, summer is a great time to read. New South Essays reveals my summer list in an all new, special post at newsouthessays.com/2025/06/21/m...

I have been accused of having a personality of "peak dad." So what do peak dad types do on Father's Day? I reveal my ideal Father's Day in this week's all new, special New South Essays post. Spoiler alert: It does include a nap. Happy Father's Day! newsouthessays.com/2025/06/14/a...

Who's that with the world renown Petey the Petrel? This week's all new, special New South Essay looks behind the scenes to uncover why I left a great job at Oglethorpe University to pursue a new opportunity at GSFC. Thanks for all the love! newsouthessays.com/2025/06/07/e...

I vaguely recall what summers were like when our boys were young and screen time was something we could manage. This New South Essays post from way back in 2012 shows some signs of age but overall the principle holds up: let your kids be bored! newsouthessays.com/2012/05/25/n...

Books, lip balm and reading glasses are all over my house for some reason. A special New South Essays investigation reveals all, including the discovery of a disgusting habit that undermined my case. newsouthessays.com/2025/05/24/b...

Is it just me or has your house also recently been taken over by an invasion of lamps? An all new, New South Essays' investigation delves into the rampant lamp infestations afflicting well-appointed homes. newsouthessays.com/2025/05/17/s...

Word to the wise: If you are clueless about what to do for the mothers in your life TOMORROW, New South Essays is here to help... help, not rescue. See if you agree with the best Mother's Day gift: newsouthessays.com/2025/05/10/t...

Word to the wise: Don't get married in May. Too much happens in Maycember to celebrate your anniversary each year. Especially don't have a kid at that time. Really crowds the calendar. newsouthessays.com/2025/05/03/c...

What more indignities must a coffee bean suffer before it becomes a delicious boost of energy? Read the tragic tale of the mistreated Maud's Pods in this week's special, gripping, all-new New South Essay. newsouthessays.com/2025/04/26/s...