Warning: amazing recipes ahead. With the warmer weather’s arrival comes the flavorful fruit, vegetable, and flower stand on the corner right outside my neighborhood. It’s actually right across the street from where I found the yard sale furs if you read last week’s story. As the multiple folding tables and large tent make an appearance at Easter’s end, I get as excited about what’s in store as a kid on Christmas. For me personally, it means I can start buying fresh watermelon, peaches, and tomatoes from local farmers. What a delicious gift!

Fair warning to anyone reading this Sunday short story: If you are completely against fur or are an avid PETA supporter, this may not be the read for you. I fully support other people’s beliefs, and I think everyone has a right to their opinion, but you just may want to skip ahead to next week’s tale if faux fur is more up your alley. To each his own!

We all have those funny stories we replay from our younger years that make us laugh each time, no matter how long ago it may have occurred. One of my absolute favorite stories that still gets me tickled after all these years has to do with my dear friend, Cindy. Obviously, her name has been changed to save any embarrassment, but rest assured this story was approved by the main players.

Prayer: in my personal opinion, prayer is universal and is for everyone. Whether it is prayer in times of desperation or fear, prayer in gratitude, prayer in mourning, prayer in joy, it is something we all have in common, no matter who or what you pray to. And the power of prayer is real. Trust me, I’ve seen it in my personal life and certainly seen it in my professional life as a nurse.

It’s officially a week away from my all-time favorite holiday- Easter. Sometimes people question me as to why it is my favorite, and it’s an easy response. Little signs of life are coming back everywhere after the dreary and doldrum filled winter. Warm sunshine is finally peeking through the spotty clouds as days finally start ending after six o’clock. Sure, allergies may be more abundant and sneezing more prevalent, but how gorgeous are the tulips and the dogwoods in bloom? I love everything about Easter- the old hymns at church, the fragrant lilies, the egg hunts, and the delicious brunch or lunch spread filled with deviled eggs and traditional favorites on a beautifully set table with fine china and crystal glasses.

Spring in the South means many things: blooming dogwoods, azaleas in lush pinks and whites, seasonal allergies, weather ranging from a frigid frost to a sunny eighty-five degrees, afternoon storms with the slight chance of a pop-up tornado, and of course… youth baseball. Is there anything more American than a spring baseball game between eager kids scrambling to catch a grounder or a pop fly while nervous parents hold their breath? With the longer days comes harder-to-clean grass stains, the lingering smell of stale popcorn from a cinder block concession stand, a frantic, last minute search for new cleats, and my continuous love/ hate relationship with America’s favorite pastime.

I was recently at my beloved hair dresser’s getting my routine highlights and self- care maintenance when a casual story came up regarding candlelights and college engagements when I was in school. Eric about fell out in disbelief as I told this story of a very southern engagement tradition. And he truly about fell out when I told him that twenty years later, this tradition still stands.

Everyone who is anyone knows that Southerners have a specific way of talking. It’s slow as molasses and so drawn out, you may catch a cat nap before a sentence is complete. Some may find it annoying or strange, but most people I know can find a comfort in the relaxed way we annunciate our words.