Rich: Fried baloney sandwiches

It happened in Kentucky a while back.Perhaps 13 years. I don't know the name of the small town where we stopped. It escapes me completely, but that does not matter in the story.I was on a three-day, three-town speaking tour with Kentucky’s first female governor, Martha Layne Collins.

Rich: Sad happenings in a small town

Hemingway, South Carolina, is a tiny town of less than 500 people.There, one of my favorite people was born. She called Hemingway her hometown until college beckoned, followed by the state capitol and other glorious adventures.The joyous Mary Eaddy has the merriest of laughs.

Rich: It’s time for 2025

Know this upfront: This story won’t make me look like a saint, but God knows I’m not anyway, so I might as well tell the truth.Years before Tink and I married, I bought a three-acre parcel of land that adjoins the Rondarosa.

Rich: Memories of mistletoe and more

I remember and cherish the Christmases of my childhood. They were simple and humble, with no fancy frills or garland.I often stood in the windows of the stores downtown, longingly dreaming of a Christmas tree with expensive decorations and giant bows made of red velvet ribbon.And the angel on top?

Rich: The good publisher

In today’s newspaper world, one person works for two or three.They sleep less, drink much coffee, and rarely have time to fellowship with co-workers.I used to say that I believed one of the hardest jobs is that of a manicurist -- slumping over a small, white table and working relentlessly.

Rich: The homemade dress

One of the privileges of our blessed life is the interesting people we meet, from carpenters to old-timey moonshiners to movie stars and country music legends.A beautiful woman who recently crossed our path is the daughter of Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman. Notice that I listed Ms. Woodward first.

Rich: Taking chances and learning

Every family leaves a legacy of some worth that lasts three or four generations. Sometimes, one good man rises to see the need and wisely chooses his cases. If the man is strong enough in his teaching, then it most likely carries on for a few generations.

Rich: Brian’s tears

That evening, I remember distinctly.Mama, worn out from a day of sewing to make extra money for bills, had gone to bed. Daddy had gone to a funeral home to visit a church member who had left this mortal coil to meet his just reward.

Rich: All the upset

In 23 years of writing books, I have never encountered such a situation. The new book in my Stella Bankwell series will be released on Oct. 29th.It’s a light-hearted, blue-skies mystery.The problem? Life’s not very light-hearted lately.Mercer University Press and I set the release date months ago.

Rich: The possum

Of all the animals on the Rondarosa, perhaps the most unusual is a possum I raised from a baby. His name is Pokey.Tink was out of town that summer, shooting a television series.