Come on down and sit a spell.......let us talk the talk......many of a world problem has been settled right here on the front porch.

My creative writing work includes several award-winning one act dramas portraying the woe-be-gone characters, Big Momma Burnett and her baby boy, Sonny.  Both are lovable characters who live on the edge of....well, NOTHING! So when little things happen in their world....it's BIG STUFF!

"Hoo-Ray for the Chitterlings" - will be presented at The Neshoba County Fair, Philadelphia, Mississippi, July 26 @ 11:00 AM directly following Governor Haily Barbour's address.

"Friday Morning at the First National Bank" - was staged by The Neshoba County Arts Council and the Rocy Theatre Company, Newton, Mississippi, April, 2007.

"Big Momma and Sonny in the Political Trail" - to be announced.

Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers

Mississippi Public Broadcasting

Commentaries Program, Nov 2004

Ole Red and Me

     We have a new riding lawn mower and it’s a beaut!  I loved it at first sight.  My discerning eye appreciated the bumblebee yellow fenders with black detailed edging.  The lovely lines of the front hood coordinates perfectly with the over-sized tires glistening in all their blackness.  I just couldn’t wait to get my hands on it!

     Come Saturday morning I was hopping up and down with glee. “ I get to cut grass today!  I get to cut grass!”  My husband and I made our way into our barn – well, we call it a barn.  It’s really a separate garage with two-car parking and special room for a travel trailer that we sold years ago.  But sitting in the place of honor now is the brand spanking new riding lawn mower!  My “Ole Red” mower has been moved to the rear.  After many years of faithful service “Ole Red” deserves a rest.  Now, “Ole Red” has still got some life left, no doubt.  My husband said that we could use it for the rough areas of the lawn.  Of course, my husband claims that I have used “Ole Red” roughly the whole time making it my personal bush hog.  I must admit that I do feel so powerful and in control riding atop of “Ole Red”.  Why if I see something I don’t like I just roll right over it (poor thing!) and “Ole Red” will gobble it right up!

     As we entered the barn I went straight for the new mower.  My husband called my name and as I jerked my head around to answer him I noticed him motion toward “Ole Red”.  I was totally stunned!  “You mean you want me to use “Ole Red”, I asked.  My husband answered, “Yes, use it today until you get the hang of the new mower.”  The hang of the new mower, I thought as I walked to the back of the barn.  Now what could that mean?

     As I approached “Ole Red” I declare the mower actually grinned at me!  Gave me the “Willie’s” – now I know that a mechanical object cannot grin but there is was (the grin, that is) and did I see the wink of an eye?  That’s going too far I decided as I rolled “Ole Red” out to fill up with gas.  I decided to keep “Ole Red’s” friendliness to myself- didn’t need any jaw-dropping from my husband this morning – although I do it to him regularly.

     By then my husband had cranked up the bright glossy new mower and it sat purring as he took a cloth to shine up the already shiny bright yellow fenders.  I picked up the gas can and filled “Ole Red’s” tank to the brim and cranked it up as it shook and shimmied spouting smoke all around the barn.  But after a few minutes “Ole Red” had it’s gruff purr a-going and was ready for action.

      My husband and I both left the barn in a dead heat.  I headed for the high grass all along the rough area of the lawn and he headed for the smooth silky grass of the main yard.  “Ole Red” attacked the tall grass and weeds with a vengeance and great force.  As I headed for the intimidating and always spiteful kudzu patch “Ole Red” kicked into turbo with skill and grace over running the enemy.  Oh, how sweet is victory!

     As “Ole Red” and I coasted along the nut grass and briars I happened to notice that my husband had stopped to take a water hose and wash off the oversized tires on the new mower.  “What a wimp”, I thought – that new mower just can’t take it!  I reached down and patted “Ole Red” on her (notice I said “her”) scratchy faded hood.  My girl and I are survivors!  We don’t need that special pansy attention!

     Just about that time my husband motioned to me and I rode over to see what he needed.  You see, “Ole Red” and I are dependable.  We can be counted on (she and I).  She understands me and I understand her. We have many, many years of companionship all over the lawn.  Who needs that new fancy, smancy mower anyways?

     As I reached my husband and his “pet” he said, “Are you ready to swap out?  I thought you might want to give a turn around the lawn on this new mower?”

     I answered with an air of well, I suppose arrogance.  “What makes you think I need to “take a turn around the lawn” on that fancy new mower of yours anyway?  “Ole Red” and me are doing just fine”, I yelled as I rode off into the sunset on my old friend back into the muck and the mire of “real” grass cutting.

     There it went again.  The jaw dropping that is as my husband stared after “Ole Red and me.  But I probably won’t share “Ole Red’s” grin and wink with him – not today anyway.

                               Meet

Miss Sarah Belle Wilkerson

 Photo by Melanie Calvert

Miss Sarah Belle (Annie McKee) is a literary patron and supporter of the wonderful authors of Mississippi. She is the MC and lemonade maker (sometimes with a little more than lemons)........for writers such as Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Richard Wright, Shelby Fooye, Margaret Walker, Jim Henson, and others. All are historic Mississippi writers.

Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers is a vastly popular event introducing the rich legacy of the written word as a creative art. The pride of Mississippi is deep in the soul of the creative writer. It is presented as a repertoire performance event throughout the state.

Annie McKee is the originator and creator of Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers.