Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia
Patricia Neely-Dorsey

I was introduced to Patricia and her book through an interview she was doing with Ella Curry for Black Authors Network, on Blogtalk radio. She was absolutely charming and in discussing her book, she brought back so many memories of spending my summers, in the south with family. Just hearing her accent, took me back to being a carefree kid enjoying the simple ease of southern living. Great food, uncomplicated life, unsophisticated, easy, and running through grass with no shoes on. Being a “Big City Girl”, this laid back country life at first was unnerving. I am a New Yorker. So this was a whole new world that I learned to embrace, and appreciate, over time.

When I got Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia, I started reading her “reflections” I fell in love with southern living all over again. Patricia speaks of everything from food to family, and all between. Her poems were a pleasant trip down memory lane.

It later dawned on me that maybe that’s where my affection for Magnolia bushes came from.


Celebrate the South Blog Tour
Patricia Neely-Dorsey's fascinating book of poetry, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia, is a true celebration of the south and things southern. Using childhood memories, personal thoughts and dreams, the author offers a positive glimpse into the southern way of life.

The author states, "There are so many negative connotations associated with Mississippi and the south in general. I want to show a flip side of the coin. There is much to love about this much maligned and misunderstood part of our country."

MISSISSIPPI MORNING
I love a Mississippi morning,
On a summer's day;
Everything's so glorious
In the most delightful way.
The sun is peaking upward,
The earth begins to warm;
Magnificent works of nature,
Are simply just the norm.
There is a sense of wonderment
At how all things look so new;
The flowers glow with freshness,
From the past night's dew.
The beauty all around you,
Would take away your breath;
You'd feel you'd like to soak it in
Until there's nothing left.
There's nothing like a Mississippi morning,
On a summer's day;
It's such a grand production,
It seems we all should pay.
Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey

Recommended Southern Dish of the Day

CANDIED YAMS

Ingredients
• 3 medium yams
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions (Makes 4 servings)

• Scrub yams. Place in a large pot. Cover with boiling water.
• Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes,until tender but still firm.
• Drain yams and rinse in cold. Peel yams and slice crosswise.
• Arrange in a large iron skillet. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.
• In a saucepan, bring water to a gentle boil. Add sugar.
• Boil gently for 3 minutes. Add butter, vanilla extract and remaining 1/4
• teaspoon nutmeg. Spoon half of the mixture over the yams and simmer slowly on top of the stove for 5 minutes.
• Baste with the remaining syrup and simmer until yams absorb most of the syrup, about 20 minutes
• Remove from heat and let stand until ready to serve


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Visit Patricia Neely-Dorsey online at http://www.patricianeelydorsey.webs.com/.

http://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Mississippi-Magnolia-Life-Poems/dp/097962942X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237409520&sr=8-1