January 7, 2011
Darrell Huckaby
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HUCKABY: Private conversations a thing of the past
What this country needs is not a good 5-cent cigar, but a return to the days of the telephone booth.
Darrell Huckaby: Time flies when a wedding is on the horizon
I suppose I knew this day would come sometime, but not this soon.
HUCKABY: Are we willing to take up the torch of freedom?
Are we the people still willing to take up the torch for those who have given their last full measure on behalf of liberty and freedom?
HUCKABY: Choosing a line of work now that I'm retired
Now that I am a retired educator I guess I have to decide what to tell people when they ask me what I do for a living.
HUCKABY: We've lost a lot of color from the words we use
Words. We all have the same ones at our disposal but many of us seem determined to use the same ones over and over.
HUCKABY: Special Collections Library houses Georgia treasures
Last week I stumbled across a place I had never been -- and it is a place so filled with the types of treasures that are near and dear to my heart that I will have to keep going back.
HUCKABY: Nothing could be finer than watching reruns and eating TV dinners
Sometimes Southern sandwiches made frozen TV dinners look good.
HUCKABY: My youngest asks: "Where's God in these tragedies?"
When I learned of the attacks in Boston on Monday, I sat down and pounded out a column full of anger and belligerence. The next day, my youngest child, Jenna -- after taking time to reflect -- sat down and penned the following words.
HUCKABY: Farewell to the first love of my life
I had a girlfriend in 1957 — an older woman who was 15. Her name was Annette Funicello.
HUCKABY: I enjoy a cup of Joe — despite the risks
My youngest daughter --the one called Danger -- was having a conversation with her boyfriend, Jonathan. Perhaps it was a discussion, rather than a conversation. Maybe even a debate. I think argument might be a bit too strong.. I wasn't eavesdropping. This debate was right out in the open --around
HUCKABY: This Easter a milestone in a fruitful journey
What a difference a year can make. On the last Sunday in March in 2012 my lovely wife Lisa and I checked into a room in the Rotary House hotel at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
HUCKABY: Enough wasteful spending to drive taxpayers batty
My daddy used to have a saying about rats. He would get people to ask him what he thought about rats and he would invariably answer, "I'm rough on rats!" I never knew what, exactly, he meant by
HUCKABY: Sunday driving was its own destination
Whatever happened to getting in the family car and going for a ride? Other than $4 a gallon gas, I mean.
HUCKABY: The actors change, but the show goes on in Washington
Just when you thought politics couldn't be fun anymore, Kentucky's Rand Paul stands up and puts on a show in the Senate that rivaled Strom Thurmond at his best.
HUCKABY: Family travels set to country music
Country music brings back memories of our family travels.
HUCKABY: Time to retire some annoying verbal habits
It is way past time to put a few worn out words and phrases to rest.
HUCKABY: Not having a beard may grow on me
People are constantly asking me why I decided to grow a beard.
HUCKABY: Only-half-serious 'Mayday!' call brings me unexpected response
A half-serious "mayday" call on Facebook showed me my great circle of caring friends.
HUCKABY: Culinary tour of Athens works up an appetite
I wouldn't say I travel to Athens all that frequently, but when I crank my car, I have a hard time steering it in another direction.
HUCKABY: Retelling the tales of one of Georgia's best coaches
Hugh Durham is and always has been one of the funniest men I have ever heard speak in public.
HUCKABY: Better think twice before stomping on Old Glory
You'd think someone from South Carolina would know better.
HUCKABY: Bringing in the New Year with football and a few old friends
The holidays wore me to a frazzle. When's the last time you heard that expression?
HUCKABY: The real Christmas gift
I never wanted to be one of those parents who tried to relive their lives through their kids.
HUCKABY: We are losing the good fight in America
Schools are supposed to be safe havens, especially for little bitty children. ... Schools are never supposed to be where children go to die.
HUCKABY: These are the things that mean Christmas
When Christmas has come and gone this year I will not have missed one moment of its magic.
HUCKABY: Solving the gift-giving conundrum
We have all been on both ends of the Christmas gift conundrum.
HUCKABY: Scouting experience builds lifetime of connections
A hundred years ago I earned my Eagle Scout Award.
HUCKABY: When the road gets rough, a show tune can help you along
The revelation I am about to make is not as earth-shattering as the one John received in that dream 2,000 years ago, but it might catch a few of you off guard. I love show tunes.
HUCKABY: Search for Soap Sally turns up rich memories
I got an unusual call a couple of weeks ago, from a reporter from the big city newspaper in Atlanta.
Darrell Huckaby: Search for Soap Sally turns up rich memories
I got an unusual call a couple of weeks ago, from a reporter from the big city newspaper in Atlanta.
HUCKABY: Strange folks, strange times
These are strange times we’re living in, and they get stranger every day. Being in Jacksonville on the Wednesday before the Georgia-Florida game showed me that.
HUCKABY: Forget Big Bird, Popeye has what it takes for political success
Poor old Big Bird. He has become a talking point in the soon-to-be-over presidential campaign and the big fellow doesn't like it one bit.
HUCKABY: Staying connected can be harder than you think
Modern technology is absolutely wonderful -- until it's not.
HUCKABY: Car poor and running out of luck
I was painfully reminded this week of a long-standing truth that I had all but forgotten. Cars break down.
HUCKABY: Politics and food a natural combination
I have watched a lot of politics over the years and I have observed that you shouldn't trust a man who eats too high in the hog
HUCKABY: Of all of the treasures in Texas, one is closest to my heart
Ever since I was a small child watching shoot 'em up cowboy movies on television, Texas has been a mystical sort of place for me.
HUCKABY: A little advice for a new member of the SEC
Ever since the news broke last winter that Missouri and Texas A&M would be joining the SEC, I have been determined to be a part of the welcoming party.
HUCKABY: Reverent Taps the least we can do for fallen soldiers
Taps. I don't know anyone who isn't affected emotionally by that haunting melody.
HUCKABY: Remembering one of the great ones
Darrell Huckaby remembers a great writer, the likes of which hasn't been seen lately.
HUCKABY: Too many bound by the chains of government entitlements
I think the ties that are binding the people in today's society are that a greater and greater percentage of Americans are now depending on the government for their livelihood.
HUCKABY: Buick sighting brings back good old days
Huckaby laments that they don't make cars like they used to, especially the 1968 Buick with seats that recliine and an 8-track player.
Darrell Huckaby: Saying good-bye to a friend who inspired with joy
All of us have touchstones in our lives. We have people, places and things that remind of who we are and who we are meant to be.
HUCKABY: Even in South Rockdale the critters are running wild
Why in the world do I feel like I am living at Lion Country Safari?
HUCKABY: Simple solutions never fly
Remember blue laws? They are laws that often, when compared to the nuances of modern day society, make people shake their heads and wonder what group of lawmakers ever thought that we needed such regulations.
HUCKABY: A high honor to be asked to speak at homecoming
Jerry Varnado has bestowed upon me a high honor. He has invited me to deliver this Sunday morning's message at his church, Rays United Methodist, in Bishop.
HUCKABY: A farewell to Andy
Everybody has said just about everything there is to say about the passing of Andy Griffith and the huge impact he has made on American culture. That doesn't mean I am not going to say my piece, too.
HUCKABY: Sometimes it's all in the numbers
I have a brand new favorite number and I think it will remain my favorite number for a long, long time.
HUCKABY: The traditions of Easter
One of my favorite Easter stories comes from that great theologian, Lewis Grizzard. Since it is, in fact, Easter, I thought I would share it. You may have been lucky enough to have heard Lewis tell it — either in person or on one of his albums. Since he has been gone 17 years now and since he stole the story from someone else, I don’t mind retelling it.
HUCKABY: A day I won't forget for reasons good and bad
I was flipping channels Wednesday evening, trying to avoid the bad vibes that permeate the news these days, when I saw a clip of Ronald Reagan being shot. A glance at the calendar told me why they were running the story, It was March 30 and on March 30, 1981 — 30 years ago that very day — John Hinkley Jr. attempted to assassinate the president.
HUCKABY: Conflict abroad and its impact
In a former life I was a high school girls basketball coach. I was a pretty good one, too — especially during years when I had really good players. Andy Landers even took my calls. So did Pat Summitt. Actually, Pat still does, but that’s another story for another day.
HUCKABY: Thanks, but that's enough snow
Miracle of miracles! We had a white Christmas in north Georgia. Now it wasn’t a blizzard and the folks who have moved here from Boston and Buffalo and Kalamazoo weren’t impressed, but it was a significant snowfall — at least from I-20 northward. The ground was covered, for the most part. If you don’t believe me, just wait until next Christmas and see how many of your friends feature their homes, adorned in Christmas finery, wearing a blanket of snow.
HUCKABY: Sometimes you need to run with scissors
Remember when you were little and believed everything your mama and ’em told you? Sure you do. So do I. If your mama said it, it was gospel. Now each and every one of us had an aunt or an uncle who might be bad to lie — and they were the ones who were always fun to hang out with — but what your mama said you could take to the bank.
HUCKABY: Let's eat, drink and be scary
It is the Season of the Witch! I’m not talking about election day in Delaware, I am talking about Halloween. Halloween is when most people start thinking about ghosts and goblins and carving pumpkins and dressing up in scary costumes and doing all the things people do on Halloween these days. (I am old enough to remember when it was holiday for kids.)
HUCKABY: Be wary of Thought Police
The public should beware the Thought Police are out in full force. If you don’t believe me, just ask Juan Williams.
HUCKABY: A great day in Georgia thanks to those far away
I had a great day Wednesday. I woke up at about 5:30, before the alarm went off and felt refreshed and rejuvenated after a good night’s sleep. I turned on the coffee pot and our dog, Rachel, took me for a walk. It was a beautiful morning. Not a cloud in the sky and a distinct feeling of fall in the air. Both papers were in the driveway and the garbage men had emptied our big green container. I had hit the trifecta!
HUCKABY: Times may change, but is that really good?
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a kid these days? It has been a long time since I’ve had a little one in my house. It has been even longer since I’ve been one. Oh, for the simple joys of childhood — but are they really so simple? Or joyful?
HUCKABY: It's easy to cast blame if you're anonymous
Folks used to refer to Athens as a football town with a drinking problem. Now I suppose it is fair to say that Athens — with more than 50 bars and night clubs — is a drinking town with a football problem. And for all you non-sports fans out there, don’t toss the paper aside without continuing because this column really and truly isn’t about football or sports, but about a greater phenomenon that has slowly taken over our culture since the onset of the Internet age — the anonymous blog.
HUCKABY: My how things have changed since 1789
While that brave band of rebellious radicals that created this country were still embroiled in a fight for their very lives against the military forces of Great Britain, their political representatives in Philadelphia were piecing together a semblance of a national government that they called the Articles of Confederation. It served its purpose for a while but was, in reality, as weak as pond water.
HUCKABY: Take time to remember Sept. 11
Sept. 11 — nine years later. Where were you? What were you doing when you heard? How did it make you feel? Angry? Sad? Afraid? All of the above?
HUCKABY: Smart, critical thinkers at the root of great inventions
I remember that when I was real little — which is what we in the South say when we actually mean when I was “really young” — hearing about the Smithsonian Institute in Washington.
HUCKABY: Troubled athletes need to shape up or ship out
When is enough enough? I mean seriously. When?
HUCKABY: Ice cream truck a great symbol of simpler times
So let’s see. Iran is about to go online with its very own nuclear reactor. Israel may or may not drop a bomb on it before they do. The economy still stinks. Two-thirds of Americans oppose a proposed mosque near Ground Zero in New York City and the speaker of the House says those people should be investigated. Our court system can’t seem to decide whether gay marriage is a go or a no-go in California. The U.S. is suing Arizona and Virginia is suing the U.S.
HUCKABY: Let's keep giving kids the HOPE they deserve
God bless Zell Miller. Now there was a governor.
HUCKABY: All your memories will last forever, B.C.
My world is not as bright as it was when I went to bed Thursday evening. B.C. Crowell died Friday morning.
HUCKABY: Everybody has a story worth telling
I have said many times that one of the best things about writing a newspaper column is all of the letters and e-mails I get from my readers — plus the occasional phone call. And I have said many times that one of the worst things about writing a newspaper column is all of the letters and e-mails I get from my readers — plus the occasional phone call.
HUCKABY: Cosby did more than tread comedy water
I love Mark Twain. He was an astute observer of the human condition. He once noted that "Man is the only animal that blushes — or needs to." He also said, "God made school boards for practice, and then made idiots."
HUCKABY: Be a survivor like Michelle
Michelle Darr is tiny. She claims to be 5 feet tall. I don't think she's even close.
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