My Cozie Corner: Guest Post by Patricia Neely-Dorsey, Author of "Re...

My Cozie Corner: Guest Post by Patricia Neely-Dorsey, Author of "Re...: Poetry Month: Celebrating Poetry ...and the South by Patricia Neely-Dorsey  I am very passionate about celebrating the south and p...

Confessions of an Inner Aspen: Author Interview - Patricia Neely-Dorsey

Confessions of an Inner Aspen: Author Interview - Patricia Neely-Dorsey: Today on Inner Aspen, we have poet Patricia Neely-Dorsey here to answer some questions and tell us about her poetry collections titled Re...

Rachelle's Window: #BookReview REFLECTIONS OF A MISSISSIPPI MAGNOLIA ...

Rachelle's Window: #BookReview REFLECTIONS OF A MISSISSIPPI MAGNOLIA ...: Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems by Patricia Neely-Dorsey My rating: 5 of 5 stars This delightful book brings m...

I'M MISSISSIPPI PROUD: A Mississippian has been named on Time magazine's list of 100 Most Influential People 2013

I'M MISSISSIPPI PROUD: A Mississippian 
has been named on Time magazine's list of 
100 Most Influential People 2013

Time Magazine has recently unveiled it's Time 100 issue, featuring Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. For the first time, the issue, out on news stands this past Friday, features seven separate covers, each featuring a member of the list. Jennifer Lawrence, Jay-Z, Elon Musk (CEO and founder, SpaceX; co-founder, Tesla Motors and PayPal), Sen. Rand Paul and teen activist Malala Yousafzai each appear solo on the five domestic split covers. Internationally, Li Na and Aamir Khan are also featured along with some of the U.S. covers.

This year Mississippian, Dr. Hannah Gay, a pediatrician at the University of Mississippi Medical Center who recently functionally cured an HIV-positive infant, has been honored by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
  

Dr. Hannah Gay

This year's list includes 35 women.   President Obama is on the list for the eighth time, more than any other person on the list.
•Other repeats on the list: Joe Biden, Chris Christie, Mario Draghi, Gabrielle Giffords, LeBron James, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un, Kate Middleton, Elon Musk, Michelle Obama, Shonda Rhimes, Sheryl Sandberg, Aung San Suu Kyi, Justin Timberlake, Jay Z and Ren Zhengfei.
•Stars on the list  include Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, Bryan Cranston, Lena Dunham, Daniel Day-Lewis, Jimmy Fallon, Jay-Z, Jennifer Lawrence, Miguel and Justin Timberlake.

 I am more than proud that a
Mississippian has made the list this year!
This is just one more thing that I can add to the long list of proud moments I can associate with our great state, as I go about my usual business of Always, Always Celebrating the South and Promoting a Positive Mississippi. 
 

 LINKS TO BOOKS ON AMAZON:

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems


My Magnolia Memories and Musings- In Poems




Other Notable Mississippi Medical Accomplishments

The VERY FIRST heart transplant and the VERY FIRST lung transplant, 
in the world, were performed by Dr. James Hardy at the University Medical Center 
in JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.

Dr. James Hardy

 
























 


In 1936, Dr. Leslie Vaughn Rush performed the first bone pinning in the United States at Rush Hospital in Meridian, Mississippi and later developed the "Rush Pin" still in use today.

Dr. Arthur Guyton wrote the Textbook of Medical Physiology, used by medical students around the world since 1956. The best-selling physiology book ever published, this textbook may very well ...be the best-selling medical textbook of any kind. UMC physiologist, Dr. John Hall, assisted Dr. Guyton with the ninth and tenth editions of the textbook. Upon Dr. Guyton’s death in 2003, Dr. Hall took over the textbook, thus continuing to help educate the finest future physicians in the world

Dr. Arthur Guyton

THIS MISSISSIPPI GIRL KNOWS...Northern weather is Too Cold For ( her ) Comfort

Spring is here ! I am loving the weather!
We are already having our t-shirt and bare-foot days.
It's not necessarily like that in other parts of the country.
It's still very, very cold in some areas!


Southerners are always making note of and commenting on how fast Northerners walk and talk. We think it’s rather humorous..and somewhat sad, because we love our slow, leisurely, “molasses” pace and believe that you should always take time to stop and smell the roses. We southerners are always commenting on the fast pace of Northerners…but never really think about the reason behind it.  We just kind of think that they are always in a hurry, don't like to socialize, don't really appreciate the world around them, and just totally caught up in a rush, rush dog -eat -dog kind of lifestyle.
Well, I found the REAL reason, first hand when I went off to school in Boston. (Boston University - Boston, Massachusetts)

My brother, Brian, was already at BU and I was preparing to go to BU.
I would always ask him questions about Boston or the school. Every conversation turned into a discussion about the weather. I thought that was very odd..because he would repeatedly tell me how cold it was. I would think “O.K. O.K already, I know what cold is… And, I was thinking... really how cold could it be?” Well, little did I know, I DIDN’T know what cold was and it could be a lot colder than I thought..MUCH MUCH COLDER!!
All of my trips up North (Chicago, New York,ect) had always been in the summertime 
(vacations, of course).

So I was referencing cold to Mississippi winters and basing all of my assumptions on that .
I WAS SO WRONG!!!   In the Mississippi, they say we have four seasons : almost summer, summer, still summer and Christmas. (LOL) It might sound funny .. but it is pretty much the truth . I remember one Fall in high school, the temperatures were still hitting 90 degrees well into November.  That has happened a few times in recent years, here in Mississippi,lately.

When I got to school in September 1982, there was already a little chill in the air. I thought that was odd, but totally shrugged it off.  In a few weeks, I was pulling out my heavy coat, Everyone kept telling me that I shouldn't do that, because I would freeze when it really got cold.  Ummm..IT WAS ALREADY REALLY COLD, to me !!! By winter, they were reporting temperatures of zero and below zero with a foot or so of snow (mind you, we let out schools in Mississippi with the mere FORECAST of snow! This was insane!  In all of this, they still expected you to function….I DIDN’T!! (LOL) I didn't freeze, because I stayed inside !!!

Now…. I know all about the Northerner’s pace..It is all for GOOD reason. When that wind is blowing , your nose is running like a faucet and your breath is practically freezing right in front of you…You ain’t got no time (excuse the French) (LOL) to stop and chat or do anything but nod and get where you’re going.  Folks, Northerners are always rushing here and there…”Cause the weather’s just ..TOO COLD!! ”
Northerners, God Bless you all ! You can have it!

OMG!!! I am so glad that somebody besides me talks about the difference in the way Southerners and Northerners perceive weather. Michael Strahan and Kelly Ripa were recently talking on their show about how some people will break out in bikinis and lay out ...almost anywhere when the temperature in the Northeast hits above 59 degrees!!! !  
So True !!!
When I was in college at Boston University ...the spot was the football field ..we called it BU Beach ...,At 60 degrees on the dot ...folks would have their towels laid out ..bikinis on....and all of that...totally covering the field !
Of course...YOU KNOW ...Yours Truly was STILL wearing the winter coat...PROUDLY !!!!
In the south ...60 degrees is dead -of- winter weather !!!

"A celebration of the south and things southern" 

 
BOOKS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON:
http://tinyurl.com/reflections-pnd
http://tinyurl.com/magnolia-mem-pnd

April is National Poetry Month ! POETRY MATTERS !!!

I am so happy to know that my "little books of southern poems" have been able
to reach, touch and affect so many people, in more ways that I could ever have imagined.
This Mississippi poet has truly been touched and humbled by that !

Recently, a dear Facebook friend made some beautiful comments on an interview
that I did on author Carl Purdon's blog for Poetry Month.
I am rarely left speechless, but the words that she shared really got me !
As the old folks would say: I was "full"!
As you know "fullness " often spills over ...in tears. It did !

Here are her comments:


"I have really loved getting to know the heart of Patricia via her poetry, Facebook activity and personal correspondence. I have the utmost respect for her. This an excellent interview and have loved reading this experiencing it as a walk with her in a garden with the fragrance of her well loved Magnolias in the air, the Sun shining just for us and the lovely sounds of nature in the background.
When her books were deposited into my life I was daily a Caregiver for a lovely Southern Belle herself. In her day she was an avid reader and while mystery novels were her voice she loved poetry. I read the books to her with her often asking "go back and read that again" over and over. Then she'd ask to see, meaning 'hold' the book. There are so many selections that took net back to her childhood in Alabama, while not Mississippi, still 'The South' with many of the same experiences.
Early Monday morning, March 25th our Lord reached His hand out to her and she reached out to take it. When her daughter-in law walked by her door around 1:00 AM, there was no more breath in her. Since then I've thought about how she would lovingly hold Patricia's book to her chest with the most wonderful far away look on her face that truly lit up her countenance.
These are just some of the moments I've spent enjoying Patricia's writings. I am looking forward to a 3rd edition.
Thanks again for this great interview."
Jennie Heberg

I must say, you never know how much/how often/how deeply you can/might affect people around you with just being you ..and doing what you do. I am so glad and feel so privileged and blessed that I can have a positive effect on so many people by doing what I love ...Celebrating the South and Promoting a Positive Mississippi through my poems. I love doing what I do. I love shining a light on the positive side of my state and region.
My message to all is.... Be You ! Do You ! Shine !
You never know who you will touch !


LINK TO INTERVIEW -  Author Carl Purdon

http://www.carlpurdon.blogspot.com/2013/04/10-questions-patricia-dorsey.html



I, also, recently received a note from a Facebook friend who had just received her books in the mail. She wrote:

"Thank you for these lovely gifts to pass down to my Children's, Children someday of their Momma's Roots. I appreciate your Gift of writing such vivaciously of our Rich Heritage and Homeland."

~*~ LINKS TO MY BOOKS ON AMAZON ~*~  ........

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems

 

My Magnolia Memories and Musings- In Poems

 

POETRY MONTH! Have you met this MISSISSIPPI POET?

APRIL is NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April, when schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets throughout the United States band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. Thousands of organizations participate through readings, festivals, book displays, workshops, and other events.
The goals of National Poetry Month (from the Academy of American Poets)
Highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets
Introduce more Americans to the pleasures of reading poetry
Bring poets and poetry to the public in immediate and innovative ways
Make poetry a more important part of the school curriculum
Increase the attention paid to poetry by national and local media
Encourage increased publication, distribution, and sales of poetry books
Increase public and private philanthropic support for poets and poetry.

Some ideas on how you might celebrate National Poetry Month

* Try writing an original poem
-Memorize a poem
-Attend a poetry reading
-Organize a poetry reading
* Read poetry to your children or grandchildren
* Recite some poetry to family and friends
* Read a biography of a famous poet..see what made them tick
*Send a poem to a friend or loved one
*Support/Promote the work of a local poet
*Buy a wonderful book of poetry (preferably one of mine ) (smile)



LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF...
 and my little books of southern poems

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON:

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems

  My Magnolia Memories and Musings- In Poems

EASTER TIME AT GRANNY'S- Easter Memories in Mississippi

Growing up, Easter time for my family was almost like Christmas .
I think that the family celebration was just as big.
We would always gather at my grandparent's house in West, Point. (MS).
It was both of my grandparent's house...but we would always say Granny's house.
 
Now that I am older, it seems almost like an inside joke.
Our family is KNOWN for having some VERY strong-minded, strong-willed, domineering, out-spoken women...  So, naturally it would be her house ! (Laugh)
Now, that I think of it, whenever we went to my aunt's houses. We would say their names.
 
Anyway, our family always made a very big deal about Easter.
We knew that we would be going to Granny's house and we knew that we would be seeing all of our cousins.  We knew that we would have lots to eat ...which always included chicken and potato salad...and of course, sweet tea.

After lunch, there would be the BIG Easter egg hunt all around my Granny's house.  There were SO many places to hide those eggs!

Many times, we would spend the whole weekend at at Granny's house.
So, the Easter bunny got to visit us there. We would be so excited about going to bed just like at Christmas, because in the morning we would have lots of goodies laid out all over the floor in the living room.
We always got huge baskets stuffed with all kinds of things. We of course got candy, but there were toys and, of course, the customary book. Our family believed in giving books on every special occasion'

Attending church at "Granny's church" was a MUST, which meant getting dressed in our Easter finery.  There was much activity in the house on Sunday morning getting ourselves all together with ribbons and bows, hats and bonnets.

Our Easter celebration was an all day affair with LOTS of eating , joking laughing, and storytelling At the end of the day we were all tuckered out , STUFFED and headed back to Tupelo.

In Loving Memory of my Granny,
 ~*~ Martha Ann Missouri Neely ~*~

MY POEMS ARE ON THE JOB...Always, Always Celebrating the South and Promoting A Positive Mississippi

EXCITING NEWS!!
 
I might just be able to add the title of songwriter 
to my resume, soon!
I recently received this wonderful e-mail:

.........................................................................

My name is...........
I am a songwriter in South Florida.
My writing partner, ............., lives in Mississippi. .
We have some pretty cool things happening right now.
I am working on a song titled ............. which talks about all the amazing things about Mississippi.
While writing this song I googled things relating to Mississippi and I stumbled upon your site and was captivated by your poetry. Really loved your style, timing, rhyming schemes, etc. You paint a beautiful picture!
There were several phrases that I saw that I think could fit quite well into this song, that we have brewing.
I wanted to reach out to you to see if you'd be interested in allowing us to use some of your phrases into the song. In exchange we would share co-writing credits between you, my partner and myself. It could be fun! And perhaps we can create a great song that will move some people and do Mississippi proud!
If this sounds interesting to you, I'd love to hear back.
Thanks Patricia! Keep writing!

............................................................................

Almost every day amazing things come 
my way concerning my books and poems. 
I feel truly blessed !
Of course, I would love being a part of 
anything promoting a Positive Mississippi!
It's what I (and my poems) try to do !
I'll keep you posted and share more 
details when I can !
Stay Tuned !

Who's Your Favorite MISSISSIPPI POET??? I hope it's ME!!!

TODAY is World Poetry Day !

World Poetry Day was declared by UNESCO in 1999. 

The purpose of the day is to promote the reading, writing, 

publishing and teaching of poetry throughout the world.

 My first book of poetry: Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia- A Life In Poems *Link to book on Amazon.com*
Published  February, 2008 

 
My second book of poetry: My Magnolia Memories and Musings -In Poems *Link to book on Amazon.com*
Published  February 2012
I call both books a
"celebration of the south and things southern". 

 Using childhood memories, personal thoughts and dreams, I attempt to give a positive glimpse into the southern way of life. 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 maligned and misunderstood part of our country.
I would really love for you to get to KNOW Mississippi 

(and the south) in a different light.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

* * * SPRING HAS SPRUNG!  * * *
*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
*(¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ ¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)   .................

Today is the first day of Spring ! Enjoy !

¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

 





















¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
*(¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ ¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

Spring begins with the vernal equinox at 7:02 A.M. (EDT) 
on March 20, 2013 in the Northern Hemisphere.

*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
*(¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ ¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)  *´¨)¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

A One And A Two And A Three...LAWRENCE WELK , GRANDDADDY AND ME

A One And A Two And A Three...
LAWRENCE WELK , GRANDDADDY AND ME


Recently, I posted on my Facebook page :

Hubby is always trying to get me mad or make me say crazy stuff
by turning the television to something he thinks will irritate me.
It seems to be very amusing to him !
How MANY times do I have to tell him that he cannot phase me by trying to hold the tv hostage on Lawrence Welk.  I was raised on Lawrence Welk!
Lawrence Welk was MANDATORY viewing if you were at my Granddaddy's house on a Saturday night.
We couldn't make a move or even breathe too hard while the "tap dancing 'colored' man" was on !!! 

PND: Please, James..You gonna have to do better than that !

Lawrence Welk - (March 11, 1903 – May 17, 1992)

DID YOU KNOW...
There was a singer from Tupelo on the Lawrence Welk Show
Guy Lee Hovis, Jr. (born September 24, 1941), along with his former wife, Ralna English of West Texas, was one of the featured acts of television's The Lawrence Welk Show.Born and reared in Tupelo, Mississippi, he was the son of an officer from the Mississippi Highway Patrol. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Mississippi at Oxford. After a two-year stint in the Army, Hovis decided to try a career as a musical performer in Hollywood.
On his days off, Hovis still continues to perform, at the Lawrence Welk Resort in Branson, Missouri, for pledge specials on PBS, or with Ralna at state fairs, concert halls and casinos.

Ralna & Guy

Commenting on my Lawrence Welk post, one of my dear Facebook friends wrote :
"Patricia, thank you for stirring up this old memory machine...How we looked forward to that too. Our Sat nights were filled with smell of yeast from cinnamon rolls rising...and then baking, Lawrence Welk, and the biggy was  wrestling at 10:00pm...beautiful thing to think about."

I have a poem about my Granddaddy that mentions his love for The Lawrence Welk Show that I plan to put in my next book. I think that is the true beauty and real attraction of my books/poems.
They bring back so many of the readers' own wonderful memories of days gone by.

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia - A Life in Poems - Link to Amazon

Magnolia Memories and Musings - In Poems - Link to Amazon