Shellie Rushing Tomlinson's Blog: Shellie Rushing Tomlinson's Blog, page 43

Sometimes you gotta go along to get along…HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I was a new mother, trying to do everything by the book. My sisters-in-law, all three of them, were knee deep in motherhood with elementary aged school children. They had long since figured out how durable the wee ones really are. Our perspectives met head on that fateful Thanksgiving. As we gathered in their mother's dining room with our respective broods, my in-laws announced that as the youngest member of the clan, it was my daughter Jessica Ann's turn to pose for the traditional picture g...

Counting Ruby, the Elderly Belle as a Blessing Tonight

This from my inbox…

Dear Shellie, I just had to tell you…your 2 sweet ladies from 1st Baptist Crowville– the one that couldn't hear and the other that couldn't see… Well, Marianna the deaf one, has gone on to her heavenly reward. Her buddy Ruby, the blind one, continues to amaze me. She celebrated her 90th birthday last summer and still lives alone, keeping a spotless house and yard. She has so much energy. Anyway, she was in the hospital a couple of days last week with a urinary tract...

The Book Club that doesn't read books

Hey y'all! I greet you from our vehicle, speeding towards Houston. It's going to be a quick trip; we'll be getting some Grant Thomas sugar from the Baby Beau Czar and laying eyes on our beautiful daughter who is getting oh-so-near to giving birth to Connor Maher, our fourth grandchild! Wait– did I say speeding? That was just a figure of speech. Beloved Hubby, he who doesn't suffer from the heavy foot syndrome, (unlike others we could mention but we won't in case any of those precious...

A People Trick that May Change Your Life or Someone Who Crosses It

There's a little people trick I do on a regular basis. It's not a big deal. Many of y'all may already do this, or something similar, but I can't shake the urge to blog about it, so here's the thing. I look into your face and I try to see the little you. I do it in all sorts of situations but mostly if you are frustrating me in some way.  (How's that for total honesty?) There's something about trying to see the little you that softens my heart. I remember precisely when I started doing this.

I ...

Yo, Cats and Dogs– It's all good

My friend River Jordan sent me a great picture yesterday. I only have to open my phone and look at it to get a good laugh. Of course, that means I must share it with y'all. I hope it lightens someone's load.

First, some back story. If you've been around All Things Southern long you may have heard me refer to River as Cat, and myself as Dog. Those nicknames came about during a very long book tour we took together across the South in the summer of '09. While River and I share many common...

One Belle's Response to the NYT's — Frankly, We Do Give a Rip

Yes, yes, and yes. I saw the piece in the New York Times, the one that suggested southern chivalry is dead, or at least wounded, and manners are on the decline. It did ruffle my southern feathers and I have decided to opine. I took a few days to consider whether or not anything good could be gained by my wading into the conversation, but when you're known as The Belle of All Things Southern, it can be difficult to remain in the background during this sort of melee.

I will, however, begin my...

Author Friends, WannaBe Writers– You'll Want to See This! #MYwana

Hey y'all, this is a quick post to my published author buddies and wannabe/gonnabe writer friends. Early Warning: I may not be very articulate seeing as how my mind is consumed with the BIG GAME that is mere hours away and it's hard not to say GEAUX TIGERS every other breath, but I'm going to try for the greater good and all.

Last night I started reading Kristen Lamb's best seller We Are Not Alone.  Serious recoomendation, all jokes aside. Read it. Read it soon.

Yes, I know, that you know...

Friday Foolishness Anyone?

Wow. I don't know about y'all but it has been one hard work week on this side of the screen! It surprised me, too, because there wasn't any traveling in it, meaning I thought I was going to be able to kick back a little. HA!

That said, I've wrapped all the pressing deadlines and I'm feeling a little giddy, so how about a round of the Caption Game? I'll go first…

"Of course I'm embarrassed, but he keeps telling me that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…"

YOUR TURN

Can I Say Here What I Was Too Chicken to Say There?

Dear friend,

My heart broke this afternoon as I listened to your story and tried to understand even a fraction of the horror you've lived through. I knew bits and pieces from the brief notes you've sent me before, but those messages came across many miles and through a computer screen. I couldn't see your eyes or hear your voice like I did today across the small round table that separated us. I wonder if my face said what I couldn't find my voice to express. I'm pretty sure it didn't so, as...

Southern Americana, Louisiana Book Festival & Tricia Goyer, all tomorrow on ATS LIVE!

How about a piece of Southern Americana? This is Mammy's Resturant. She stands south of Natchez, MS on Highway 61, and yes, she's open. I snapped her picture on the way home from the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge, LA. What an icon, that Mammy. I remember the first time I heard my own Mother say that Mammy had been a popular hangout for her high school friends. It was hard picturing Mama as a young girl, chatting with friends and snacking on french fries inside Mammy's petticoat...