The winter issue of Walker Magazine went to the printer this week. more

When talking with a friend recently, I mentioned that coming up with fresh ideas for this column was sometimes a struggle. When the muse is on vacay, I use a wacky toolkit to help me get through it. … more

I live in Alabama, and I went to the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., last weekend. And I’m not just a woman who happens to live in Alabama — I’m an Alabamian. I grew up with season tickets … more

I wonder what happened to UFOs? When I was younger, people around the world reported seeing them in the sky. Those living in Alabama and Mississippi trailer parks had a front row seat. Maybe the crafts used magnets for propulsion and metal … more

Let’s clean out the notebook... • It has been a wild few days on the political front, and I need to be cloned to write all I need to. One afternoon I wrote four stories and I covered two … more

During our time living in Mississippi, the Phillips family fell in love with the Mardi Gras holiday. Even though Mardi Gras started in Mobile, it is much more prevalent as a holiday and celebration in Louisiana and Mississippi than it is in most … more

A festive sign featuring the word “PEACE” in large letters is in a prominent location at the center of our family Christmas tree. Unfortunately, the tree has been a source of unrest and strife in our home since we chopped it down and brought it home a little over a week ago. more

It was in October 1966 when I first saw her sitting near the stage of the Sumiton Middle School. She was in an antique dress and bonnet playing gospel songs on a pump organ that looked as if it came over on the Mayflower. Her teacher was a history buff and persuaded her to play for the fall history fair. She was thin as a reed and sat straight on the organ bench, pumping the air pedals with all the strength her small frame could muster. Her cousin introduced us. Her name was Jilda. We talked after her set, and I could tell there was something special about her. more

Let’s clean out the notebook ... • Carbon Hill Main Street Committee is still being active. After last week’s Carbon Hill City Council meeting, District 1 Councilman McClain Burrough had … more

Valentine’s Day 1996 is a day that I will never forget. A few months earlier, I had started dating the girl of my dreams. Before I knew it, Valentine’s Day was upon us. As a boyfriend, I was … more