There's nothing like growing up in Mississippi with a "Southern Man" Dad !

Today is Father's Day!

I feel like I have been blessed with the most wonderful Dad in he world (for me).
Of course, as a southern girl, he has always been and always will be "Daddy".
I always joke that I didn't even know that I had a mother until I was 15 years old.
The truth of the matter is that I had and still have a more -than- fabulous, truly southern belle mother who is the hostess -with -the mostest ! Martha Stewart has nothing on her!  It's just that, until I was in my teens, my whole world absolutely revolved around my Daddy! He was my world ..and I absolutely just KNEW that he hung the moon !
My Dad has shaped so much of who I am ...and what I do!
I love my Daddy ! You can see that in SO many of my poems!
Happy Father's Day, Daddy! 

   

Dr. James H. Neely received his Bachelor's degree in 1955 from Kentucky State University, formerly Kentucky State College with a major in chemistry and a minor in math and French. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Meharry Medical College (Nashville, TN) in 1960


You can find these poems and many more in my "little books of southern poems"
 

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

ONE OF MY "MISSISSIPPI" POEMS WILL BE PROUDLY "REPRESENTING" IN A U.S. REPRESENTATIVE'S OFFICE

Last week, the wife of one of Mississippi's U.S. Congressional Representative's saw my poem, "Meet My Mississippi" posted on Facebook.  She contacted me to say that she really LOVED the poem and wanted to get a print of it to put on her husband's office wall.

WOO HOO!!! HOW EXCITING!!!

I thanked her immensely for her interest and support and directed her to a site where framed and unframed prints of many of my poems can be purchased.
I must say, framed prints of the poems make excellent gifts! 

CHECK IT OUT HERE:
Fine Art America - Patricia Neely-Dorsey
http://patricia-neelydorsey.fineartamerica.com

She selected the poem to be framed on canvas.
I am hoping that she will send me a picture of the poem on the wall ...with the Congressman of course!
I will keep you posted!

As Always...Celebrating the South and Promoting A Positive Mississippi! 

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

CELEBRATING ELVIS IN HIS (MY) HOMETOWN

Tupelo is all is abuzz with excitement about the upcoming Elvis Festival. It is one of the most anticipated events in the city each year.  People come from all over the world to enjoy the festivities.  The festival is a musical celebration designed to honor Elvis Presley, Tupelo’s native son, and the impact that his music has on the world. In addition to all of the great music, the festival features a number of local food vendors, a carnival midway, pet parade, beauty pageant, 5k run, disc golf, movie poster exhibit, an Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and much more.             Elvis Festival Schedule:   Thursday, June 6th - 3 pm Elvis Driving Tour Marker Unveiling Music Bend Nature Trail - 99 North Veterans Boulevard Tupelo's Elvis Presley Driving Tour marks significant sites in the life of Elvis Presley while he lived in Tupelo. This event marks the addition of a 11th site on the trail. 7 pm Concert with: Sonny Burgess and The Pacers with DJ Fontana Victor Trevino, Jr. Bill Cherry With The EAS Band (Lyric Theatre) Sold Out - Call 662-841-6598 for Simulcast Tickets Late Night: Elvis Tribute Artist Open Mic FREE Broadway Outdoor Stage Friday, June 7th-   9:30 am Round 1 of UETA Preliminary Competition with The EAS Band (Lyric Theatre) Sold Out 6:00 pm Gates open @ Fairpark - Get Tickets Here or buy at the Gate for $10 6:30 pm Elvis Tribute Artist Brandon Bennett 7:15 pm Kirk Chism and The Lost Highway 8:30 pm The Cadillac Three 10:00 pm Headliner - Cowboy Mouth (Fairpark Outdoor Music Festival) 7 pm Concert with: Kevin Mills Brandon Bennett with The EAS Band (Lyric Theatre) Sold Out - Call 662-841-6598 for Simulcast Tickets Late Night: Big Jim and Argo Dance Party FREE Broadway Outdoor Stage   Saturday, June 8th - 7:30 am Running with the King 5K Veteran's Park 9:00 am Pet Parade and Pageant Onsite Registration 8:00 - 8:45 am Broadway Outdoor Stage 10 am Conversations on The Ultimate with Tom Brown Brandon Bennett, Ultimate 2008 Bill Cherry, Ultimate 2009 Cody Slaughter, Ultimate 2011 Sold Out 1 pm Round 2 of UETA Preliminary Competition with The EAS Band (Lyric Theatre) Sold Out   6:00 pm Gates open @ Fairpark - Get Tickets Here or buy at the Gate for $20 6:30 pm Elvis Tribute Artist Cody Slaughter 7:15 pm Surviving Allison 8:30 pm Skylar Laine 10:00 pm Headliner - Montgomery Gentry (Fairpark Outdoor Music Festival) 7 pm Concert with: Finals of UETA Preliminary Competition Tyler Hunter David Lee Cody Slaughter with The EAS Band (Lyric Theatre) Sold Out - Call 662-841-6598 for Simulcast Tickets      Sunday, June 9th - 10 am "Ultimate Gospel for the Soul" Brunch Elvis Presley Enterprises "First Ever" UETA, Shawn Klush The Blackwood Quartet Joe Moscheo of The Imperials The Landmarks Tupelo Unity Choir with The EAS Band (Lyric Theatre) Get Tickets Here or buy at the Lyric for $25 *Each Event Requires a Separate Ticket* for more information check out the Elvis Festival website : http://tupeloelvisfestival.com/                                                                                                                                                                             Poems found in My Magnolia Memories and Musings -In Poems                                                                                                 (CLICK LINK TO AMAZON.COM)

WELCOME TO THE "LOVE BLOOMS" BLOG HOP! I am showing some SOUTHERN LOVE!

WELCOME TO THE   "LOVE BLOOMS" BLOG HOP!  I am showing some SOUTHERN LOVE!  We love to talk about love. We love to read about love. What is a better time than in May, when the scent of new grass and flowers are in the air?  I write  A LOT about love ! My poetry writing started in full  bloom with a love poem. My first dozen or so poems were all love poems.  I wrote my very first poem "Our Place" February 14, 2007. I woke up out of my sleep with that poem swirling around in my head. I, quickly, got up and scribbled it down. After that the poems just started to flow and flow .  Actually, all of the poems that I write could be categorized as love poems, of sorts.  Most of the poems that I write , are about my deep love for the people , culture and lifestyle of the South. One reviewer dubbed my first collection of poetry, Reflections of Mississippi Magnolia , a "love letter to the south". I, wholeheartedly,  agree with that description. In my second book, My Magnolia Memories and Musings, the love affair continues. My Very First Poem:  The Love Affair Continues: Mississippi Love:  AVAILABLE ON AMAZON: http://tinyurl.com/reflections-pnd http://tinyurl.com/magnolia-mem-pnd Go to - Candlelight Reads - to Register for a Prize  DROP BY and see the other bloggers on the tour.... 1.    Gloria Harchars Steampunk Audacity! 2.    Bonnie Blythes Pure Romance 3.    RuthRobertsRomance.wordpress.com 4.    Amber Gilchrist: Glitch {A Comedy of Errors} 5.    Cause Everyone Needs Romance 6.    Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia 7.    Pauline Creeden, Author 8.    Elaine Cantrell 9.    Word Obsession 10.  Spirit Driven Fiction 11.  The Readers Realm

THE NATCHEZ TRACE...History In My Own Back Yard

This weekend Hubby, our son Henry and I attended the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Natchez Trace.  It was held at the Tupelo Visitor Center, which is located less than a mile from our home.  There were children's activities, classic cars exhibits representing 1938-today, live music, history reenactments AND hot dogs & drinks at 1938 prices (5 cents for sodas and 10 cents for hotdogs )! Special guest speakers included US Representative Alan Nunnelee, US Senator Roger Wicker and US Senator Thad Cochran.
The opening greetings and welcome were delivered by Tupelo Mayor, Jack Reed, Jr. 

The Natchez Trace, also known as the "Old Natchez Trace", is a historical path that extends roughly 440 miles (710 km) from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, linking the Cumberland, Tennessee and Mississippi rivers. 
It was created and used for centuries by Native Americans, and was later used by early European and American explorers, traders and emigrants in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.  Native Americans used many early footpaths created by the foraging of bison, deer and other large game that could break paths through the dense undergrowth.  Bison traveled north to find salt licks in the Nashville area. 
After Native Americans first began to settle the land, they began to blaze the trail further, until it became a relatively well-worn path.   Later, The "Kaintucks", or boatmen from the Ohio River Valley, would walk approximately 500 miles from Natchez to Nashville along the Natchez Trace in about 30 days. Today, the trail is commemorated by the 444-mile (715 km) Natchez Trace Parkway, which follows the approximate path of the Trace.  Maintained and administered by the National Park Service, the Parkway is headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi. 
The Natchez Trace Parkway was seventh on the Top 10 Most Visited Places of the National Park System in 2012.


The Natchez Trace has been a close part of my life, almost all of my life.
I drive down this beautiful parkway at LEAST once a week.

A FEW INTERESTING NATCHEZ TRACE FACTS:

-Meriwether Lewis, of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, was governor of the Upper Louisiana Territory when he died on the Natchez Trace in 1809, at Grinder's Stand in Tennessee. A monument was erected in his honor in 1848 and can be seen along the Natchez Trace Parkway today.

-Andrew Jackson traveled on the Trace with his troops during the War of 1812.

 

The Natchez Trace poem is found in My Magnolia Memories and Musings -In Poems book

 

My Magnolia Memories and Musings - In Poems           Link to Amazon

My Little Books Of Southern Poems Are Absolutely ...DREAMY!!!

I always tell the same story over and over about how my poetry writing and first poem came into existence.  On February 14, 2007, I wrote my very first poem.
I woke up out of my sleep, with this poem swirling around in my head.
I got up out of the bed and quickly scribbled it down.
After that the poems just started to flow and flow . Many of my poems have come just as I am drifting off to sleep, waking up or in the middle of the night.
Early on, after the publishing of my first collection of poems, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia, I would often get an odd response ( I thought ) to me telling the story, in interviews. The "academic literary types" would tell me that I might not want to say that this was the way that my poems came about. They indicated that it might take away from the validity of my "craft". They said that it might somehow diminish the respect that people would have for my work. I thought it very odd because I was thinking ...What OTHER way could I or should I say that they came about ... other than the way they ACTUALLY DID come about ??!!! Were they suggesting that I make something up ??!!! To me that idea was totally absurd. I totally ignored that "marketing " advise and kept on telling my story...over and over and over again.
I am very proud to tell the story of how my poems come/came. Of course, there was/is no hiding it, anyway! 
In the foreword of Reflections I wrote: I always hesitate to call myself a poet. I feel more like a vessel or conduit through which the poems flow. I never intentionally sat down to write any of them. They all came to be fully complete and neatly packaged, title and all. I just put them down on paper. (I consider them gifts from God )
Actually, as far as "creative dreaming" goes, I think that I am in very good company !
Consider this :

On May 7, 1965, in a motel room in Clearwater, Florida, a bleary-eyed Keith Richards awoke, grabbed a tape recorder and laid down one of the greatest pop hooks of all time: The opening riff of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." He then promptly ...fell back to sleep.

"When I woke up in the morning, the tape had run out," Richards recalled many years later. "I put it back on, and there's this, maybe, 30 seconds of 'Satisfaction,' in a very drowsy sort of rendition. And then it suddenly—the guitar goes 'CLANG," and then there's like 45 minutes of snoring." It wasn't much to go on, but he played it for Mick Jagger later that same day. "He only had the first bit, and then he had the riff," Jagger recalls. "It sounded like a country sort of thing on acoustic guitar—it didn't sound like rock. But he didn't really like it, he thought it was a joke... He really didn't think it was single material, and we all said 'You're off your head.' Which he was, of course."

Yesterday was written by Paul McCartney. He says that he literally woke up out of a dream with the song in his head, and went right to the piano. The working title was "Scrambled Eggs", in G, until he came up with "Yesterday".
In 1965, Paul McCartney, famous singer/songwriter then with The Beatles, was staying at his parent’s home in London. McCartney stated:
"I woke up with a lovely tune in my head. I thought, 'That's great, I wonder what that is?' There was an upright piano next to me, to the right of the bed by the window. I got out of bed, sat at the piano, found G, found F sharp minor 7th -- and that leads you through then to B to E minor, and finally back to E. It all leads forward logically. I liked the melody a lot, but because I'd dreamed it, I couldn't believe I'd written it. I thought, 'No, I've never written anything like this before.' But I had the tune, which was the most magic thing!"
The tune McCartney was speaking about was the arrangement to the gigantic hit “Yesterday” (from The Beatles album “Help!” (1965).
In 1997, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 1999, the song was voted by BBC Radio 2 listeners as the best song of the 20th century.
In 2000, “Yesterday” was voted the number one pop song of all time by MTV and Rolling Stone Magazine.
Furthermore, The Guinness Book of Records holds that “Yesterday” is the most covered song ever with over 3000 versions recorded, and Broadcast Music Incorporated asserts the song was performed over seven million times in the 20th century alone... all from a dream.


                                      MY VERY FIRST POEM
                            Written February 14, 2007

"When the mind rests, the subconscious whispers"

Interview information and more on amazing dreams here:

Famous Dreams - Paul McCartney

http://www.dreaminterpretation-dictionary.com/famous-dreams-paul-mccartney.html

.

Happy Mother's Day ... from the daughter of a (VERY) Southern Mother !

Mother’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914.  
While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day most commonly falls on the second Sunday in May and traditionally involves presenting mothers with flowers, cards and other gifts. 

One of the greatest gifts that I have

 received in my life, besides my son, 

is being blessed with a  

most wonderful southern mother!

THE BIG (Hat) REVEAL

Here's a perfect post for the Monday after the incredible

 "Hat Parade" of the Kentucky Derby this past weekend.

About two months ago, dear friend Jo McDivitt gifted me this ULTRA FAB hat. 
It's identical to one of her own! She is a real hat lady! She had TWO...because it's so fabulous !
I had planned to reveal it on the first day of Spring ..but the time and weather just weren't quite right !  But, recently on a glorious day in the Sip, I showcased my Diva Hat in the yard !! I absolutely still don't feel "Big Girl" enough to wear big hats like this one, in public ......although I can wear a cap like nobodies business!!
It takes a special something and someone to be a real "Hat Lady".  It's an art !
I know it's in me ! I LOVE, love, love hats !

I have been collecting them for years.  Every time I see a super fab hat ..I feel like I just have to have it ! On a trip to Atlanta when I was in high school, I bought a smoklin', very feminine, gray wool fedora style hat.  I think it was about $60 or $70 dollars . I tried and tried to get into wearing it without feeling like I was playing dress-up.
I finally passed it on to a real Hat Lady and she wore it like a Pro !
For YEARS, I have been telling friends that I am going to be a full-fledged Hat Lady when I turn 50 ! I feel that I will FINALLY be ready !!!
Until then, I'm steadily building my hat collection.

With every new hat purchase, Hubby is always asking me ..."Why are you buying
that..You're not gonna wear it??!!"
He just doesn't understand...Yet !
He will see !
February 2014 ...It's On !!!!!

Jo McDivitt (Hattiesburg, MS) in her MATCHING hat

Friends want to see Mississippi Poet Patricia Neely-Dorsey as an OFFICIAL Goodwill Ambassador for Mississippi !

A friend recently suggested a Write- In Petition/Request/Campaign for OFFICIAL Goodwill Ambassador for Mississippi.
Here is the beautiful letter he sent to Mississippi Governor, Phil Bryant.

May 4, 2013

The Honorable Phil Bryant

Office of the Governor

330 High Street

Jackson, Mississippi

Dear Governor Bryant::

This letter is in reference to Patricia Neely-Dorsey, a resident of Tupelo, Mississippi.

I write to nominate Patricia for the position of “Good Will Ambassador” for

the State of Mississippi. This non-political and salary-free position will allow Patricia a platform so that she can continue to promote the rich and diverse culture of the State of Mississippi.

Patricia is the daughter of Dr. James H. Neely, MD, also a resident of Tupelo, Mississippi. She studied psychology at Boston University. Patricia has effectively projected positive inspiring images and original writings about the environment of Mississippi that allows for wholesome family living and continued economic development via the social networks (http://www.patricianeely-dorsey.webs.com), including Facebook.

Her books of poetry display her affection for the people and the landscape of Mississippi. She relishes the role of interacting with people of different cultures and languages and can work within their cultural framework. Through her public speaking, Patricia has proved to be an effective and clear communicator, with a stand for the State of Mississippi.

In addition, she understands the environment she represents and is willing to take the time to learn what is necessary. Patricia knows the culture and how to

integrate into the social framework of those she represents and serves.

After meeting with Patricia, and her family, I believe, with enthusiasm, you will appoint Patricia to the position, “Good Will Ambassador” for the State of Mississippi. She will prove to be a dedicated and effective Ambassador.

Best wishes for our cooperation.

Jerry Boyd Jones

Consultant, International Education 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Bad Review for Reflections...NOT!

As you know, April is National Poetry Month.
 
On a recent blog tour as a featured guest on various blogs across the country ,to celebrate poetry ...and the south, I received a review for Reflections of 2.5 Stars (out of 5) from a reviewer in New Mexico.
This is the lowest ranking review that I have received, since I first published in 2008.
Actually, out of 70 reviews on Amazon, I have an overall 4.8 star ranking
with all of them being 4 and 5 star ratings..and ONE 3 rating.
THAT'S NOT BAD!

The blog tour organizers, have a policy of not posting reviews that are below a 3 .
Anything below a 3 is considered a negative review.
In my eyes, this review is not negative/bad at all !
Actually, I agree with almost everything in the review...with a positive slant.
I will break the review down point by point to let you know why, in my opinion, it's a great review !

Here is the Amazon review :

Point 1: In Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia we are treated to a virtual tour of the south through the words of author Patricia Neely Dorsey.

PND: Yes ! Sounds good to me ! That is exactly what I hope to do !
I want to give readers an up close and personal view/tour of this beautiful place that I call home.

Point 2: Through the youthful voice of her musings, we are given a simple idea of what life is like in the south.

PND:The poems are definitely written from a youthful voice and a childlike point of view! I still have a very childlike wonder and awe of the world around us. I am still amazed at a beautiful sunset or full moon , as though it were the first time that I had every seen it. I love that sense of wonderment at the world around us. I got it from my Dad and I appreciate it SO much ! it is a gift that I hope I never lose !
Yes, my poems are VERY simple. I love it that way !
I don't talk in complicated, flowery language using long , complicated hard to understand words,and I don't write that way either .
On my website I write :
I believe that poetry should be assessable,readable,and enjoyable for all ages. I think that Reflections fits that description. With it's simple language and relatable themes, it can be read ,enjoyed and understood by readers of all ages 8 to 80 (and beyond). There is definitely something in Reflections for everyone.
I also write
I must admit an affinity for the familiar, the common, the everyday, the ordinary and the simple things of life. Reflections is essentially "shapshots' from my life in written form of people, places, events and lessons learned.
The reviewer says that I definitely DO give an idea about what life is like in the south.
THAT'S A GOOD THING !

Point 3: We are given poems about all aspects of southern living and it is very easy to envision some of the things that the author describes.
 
PND: I LOVE the fact that the reviewer says that my book gives poems that cover all aspects of southern life. I believe that it is a poets job/goal is to paint clear ,pictures with words .The reviewer says that it is VERY EASY to envision the things that I describe. I must have painted some very clear pictures !
THAT'S A GOOD THING!

Point 4: The poems though youthful and often whimsical some seemed to be written for the sake of writing them. As I read through Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia I couldn’t help but feel that the words felt forced.
 
PND: This is the only point in the review that I really disagree with .She might have meant that the rhyme schemes seemed forced, but that is the they came to me
They were not forced at all. I really don't understand what she meant when she says that they seemed to be just for the sake of writing them, Again, I wrote them down, because they came to me. They were given to me to write. So, maybe they were written just because .
In the Preface of Reflections I wrote: I always hesitate to call myself a poet. I feel more like a vessel or conduit through which the poems flow. I never intentionally sat down to write any of them. They all came to be fully complete and neatly packaged, title and all. I just put them down on paper.
I wrote my very first poem in February 2007. I woke up on Valentine's Day 2007 with the words of "Our Place" forcefully dancing around in my head. I quickly got up and scribbled it down. To this day, it remains one of my favorites along with "Let's" and "Mississippi Man".

Point 5: There were many poems that I think barely touched the surface of the topic approached and I would have loved to have seen the author dig a little deeper.
 
PND: The reason why I see this as a positive statement is that it seems to indicate that the reader wanted to know more about what she was reading .
She did say: "I would have LOVED to have seen the author dig a little deeper."
If you are not interested in something , you definitely don't want to know any more.
So, it certainly seems to indicate that her curiosity and interest were peaked.
THAT'S A GOOD THING!

Summary:Overall, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia was just not something that I could get into, with almost every poem rhyming I often felt like the poems were childlike, leaving a lot to be desired. I think that this book would appeal to those that are looking for fun poems that do not deal in the deeper or darker sides of life.

PND:The poems are definitely not the deep type of verse that make you have to sit and ponder what they mean. They don't delve into the mysteries of the universe. They are plain, upfront and simple.  I do not focus or dwell on the darker side of things or negative things in life or in my poetry.  I make it very clear that in my poems, I attempt to give a POSITIVE glimpse into the southern way of life.
I had a wonderfully FUN, simple, country, southern upbringing.  I love the simple things in life and my poems reflect that.
THAT'S A GOOD THING!
P.S. Actually, there is a lot of deeper meaning beneath the simple words of many of my poems, if you do want to DIG for it


WOO HOO !! To a GREAT (in my opinion) REVIEW for Reflections
P.S. The review was very short and SIMPLE.
It left me thinking that I would have LOVED to have seen the reviewer dig a little deeper." (smile) 

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems