From the Editor

On Southern Culture

We Southerners are a unique breed. Pride of place, manners bred into us from birth, the foods we eat, our bond with the land and our relationship with our family and friends make us who we are. Most practice true religion. For most of us football is nearly a religious experience.

Southern-style began as a genealogy website. It expanded to become a general interest website (generally anything I am interested in). Those interests evolved with the discovery that not only did this born and bred southerner have ancestors on the Mayflower and in Jamestown, but among those Native Americans who originally inhabited these lands.

You will see that history intrigues me, particularly the people and area in which I grew up, Southeast Alabama. Folks greet each other asking, "How's your mom an 'em?" Wondering how all those folks were related led me to doing lots of genealogy which many of you may find interesting. The same was true for Wilcox county, Alabama, my father's old stomping grounds and Escambia County, Alabama, where my mother was born. Of course all of that took me back many generations and into the history and founding of this nation and those from which those ancestors came. This tapestry has threads that lead to fascinating people and their stories.

I grew up in a privileged home, the daughter of a small town doctor and a stay at home mother who met my father after a World War in which my father served in the Phillippines and my mother served as a nurse and earned a battle ribbon at the Battle of the Bulge. Mattie Martin, the black housekeeper who helped them raise their children did much more than cook and keep house. She supported our parents in teaching us manners, morals and values and our place in the world. She was also the very best cook in town. The profound impact she made on me influenced my view of the world and the books I have written.

If you have a wedding coming up you might enjoy reading about our daughter Brooke's home spun wedding. The Wedding Raising was a lot of fun! The "how to" might give you some ideas. I also share the Mother of the Groom perspective on a wedding as well.

As I write this, my kitchen is getting bedazzled with new Jenn Air appliances just in time for my renewed efforts toward writing a cookbook. I hope to share with you more recipes and menus from my own Southern experience.

I also threw in a few short stories you might enjoy.

Welcome to this very personal view of the South. I hope you enjoy your visit.

Sharman Ramsey
Roll Tide!

 

By the way, my novels Swimming with Serpents and In Pursuit are available through Independent Book Stores, Barnes and Noble, Mercer University Press, and Amazon.

Speaking Engagements

Blog

Scheduled Events

Saturday, December 7, 2013 "Indian Genealogy" Fennel Hall in Eufaula 10 AM

Thursday, January 23, Book Launch for In Pursuit, Cultural Arts Center, Dothan, Alabama

Wednesday, January 20, Fine Arts Club,Dothan, Alabama.

Saturday, February 1, Books Alive, Panama City, Florida

Saturday, March 15, Bay County Genealogical Society, Bay County, Library, 1 PM.

Wednesday, April 16, Dothan Ladies Club, at Friend Bank, 10 till noon.