Well, we’re back. We apologize for the absence last week, but we just had too much hay to get out of the barn, (lots of work in other words).

As to what our time was devoted to, look for copies of Camellia Magazine circulating around the Camellia City. Hot off the presses and 48 pages of full color. Good stuff inside. Local musician Rock Killough is the cover man.

If you can’t find one out in town, come by our office here and we’ll hand deliver you an issue.

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The Okra Festival was in full swing in Burkville this weekend. Lots to see. Lots to eat. Lots to do. Including a camel ride for $5.

Friendly neighborhood staffers Michael Rodgers and Eason Franklin took a twirl on one of the two humped animals event organizers had on site. Our man Eason even sat in on the drums with Blues man Sunny Boy King. We had some butter pecan ice cream and it was delectable to the capital “D.”

We observed an interesting sign: “What to do in Lowndes County.” Where it was written, “gambling at White Hall casino,” a line was scribbled across with the balloon caption over it, “Thanks Gov. Riley.”

We purchased a bottle of pepper sauce packaged in a Seagram’s gin bottle. We told the merchant she was appealing to two types of people, those that liked to drink and those that liked a liberal amount of fire spread across their produce.

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An author you need to read if you like mystery thrillers: John D. MacDonald.

The late MacDonald created the Florida thrill seeker Travis McGee, the central character in 21 novels from the mid-60s to early 1980s. A good imaginative mixture of exotic intrigue. In between all this, McGee (who makes his home on a houseboat in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. when he’s not out adventuring) philosophizes about everything from the urban sprawl creeping slowly across the Sunshine State to the wily ways of both men and women.

MacDonald also wrote “The Executioners” (upon which the movie Cape Fear was based) and some may remember a one-shot television movie called “Condominium” from 1980, (MacDonald’s book was way, way better, we’ve heard, but haven’t had the pleasure of reading yet). Mary Higgins Clark, Stephen King and Dean Koontz have all acknowledged their debt to MacDonald.

We’ve read that Oliver Stone is prepping a film version of the first McGee novel, “The Deep Blue Good-by.” Leonardo DiCaprio will supposedly fill McGee’s shoes.

It’s been a long time coming.

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Andy Bowen, local firefighter and strength and conditioning coach for Alabama Christian, spent last Saturday in Florida pushing iron at the Emerald Coast Power Expo. Bowen squatted 800 pounds then followed that with a 550 bench press.

The Northwest Florida Daily News was there and saw it go down.

Bowen said he’s always been fascinated by strength and lifting weights to get stronger. We’re fascinated just witnessing in writing the poundage he hefted.

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Ode to football: Oh laced pigskin. We are drawn to you on Saturdays like cats to milk, like flies to honey, like deer to bait. The stoic casualness of your bounce affects our weeks, months and years. We both adore and hate you. You are callous and kind, cruel and generous, beautiful and ugly. In the hands of an expert, you are a dagger into the hearts of our enemies. In the hands of a fool, a child’s useless plaything. Wicked football. How we honor you.

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As we write this, another Gulf of Mexico oil rig has exploded. The wait begins again.

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Fans of country music can be dipped in the honey waters of the past on Monday night. Sept. 13 at the Ritz Theatre.

Patsy Cline and Hank Williams will walk the stage.

Of course, not the real Hank and Patsy, but from the pictures we’ve seen, the duo are reasonable facsimiles. Jason Petty plays Hank. Carolyn Martin plays Patsy.

Tickets, $20 for adult, $15 for students.

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Homewood of Greenville is celebrating National Assisted Living Wee from Sept. 12-10. Open House is Thursday, Sept. 14, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with an old fashioned Ice Cream Supper on the grounds, sponsored by resident families. Call Pat Wilson at 382-6507 for information.

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Don’t forget Old Time Farm Day! Saturday, Oct. 30. Same place. Same times (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Take your children. It’s something they’re sure to remember.