God Winks ;)

ALWAYS, ALWAYS Celebrating the South and Promoting a Positive Mississippi !

I'm so excited for the first time EVER to have a guest author on my blog ....





 
  Patricia Neely-Dorsey
   

My name is Patricia Neely-Dorsey. I am a 1982 graduate of Tupelo High School
in Tupelo, Mississippi... located in the beautiful red clay "Hills" of Mississippi..and
yes, the birthplace of Elvis Presley.

I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Boston University in
Boston, Massachusetts. After living for almost 20 years in Memphis, Tennessee,
working in the mental health field, I returned to my hometown in August 2007.

My first book of poetry,
Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia- A Life In Poems
   *link to book on Amazon.com*
was published in February, 2008 (Grant House Publishers).

My second book ,
My Magnolia Memories and Musings -In Poems was published
   *link to book on Amazon.com*
in 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 much 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 and I want to introduce you.

I currently live in Tupelo with my husband James,son Henry,and Miniature
Schnauzer, Happy. I am ,an avid reader and passionate writer.

I have always considered myself a "Goodwill Ambassador" for Mississippi and
the south.
In college my nicknames were Tupelo and Mississippi. Whenever my friends
saw me coming, they knew that there would be some type of discourse
about Mississippi and the south soon to follow...hoping to clear up their many
misconceptions and preconceived notions. ...

"Yes, we DO have shoes in Mississippi.
We might not wear them all of the time...but we do have them!(LOL)"

I believe that we can bridge many gaps of misunderstanding across
regional, racial, cutural, generational and economic lines by simply
telling/sharing our stories.

Miguel Algarin said....
"When I see what you see, the distance between us disappears."

I travel all around my state speaking at schools, churches, libraries and
various civic organizations, delivering the message of a positive Mississippi
|and a positive southern experience....
According to me, one of the best places to live in ALL of the world is
POSITIVELY MISSISSIPPI !!! (smile)

With my book, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems
you are sure to chuckle and laugh outloud ,at times, and maybe
even shed a crocodile tear or two. But, you are most certain to relive, if
only in your mind, some of your own most beautiful childhood memories.

Whether from North, East, South or West you will be able to relate to some
of the simple joys of times past.

PATRICIA NEELY-DORSEY
Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems

" a celebration of the south and things southern"
"Meet Mississippi Through Poetry, Prose and The Written Word"
www.patricianeelydorsey.webs.com

"Be You ! Do You ! SHINE !" ...  by Patricia Neely-Dorsey



I would love to tell you that I have known Patricia for YEARS, but the honest
to God's truth is that we have known one another for only weeks.
Yet, we have come to feel a sisterhood and bond that speaks way beyond
the time we've known each other, and the distance between her beloved,
MISSISSIPPI and my home state of O-H-I-O. 

We were introduced through a mutual friend and author Cyrus Webb.
From there, I have lovingly illustrated Patricia's beautiful poetry.

Just as she sets out to do in her passion of spreading the positives
of MISSISSIPPI, Patricia and I have positively bridged a gap !!!!  
It crosses a racial line AND EVEN
The Mason-Dixon Line !!!!


You too can connect up with Patricia on her BLOG and her Facebook page.

And... one last place, I have her poems listed at my Pinterest board ....
http://pinterest.com/afmomdeb/patricia-neely-dorsey-author-magnolia/

I am so thrilled and proud to have her as my FIRST Guest Blogger !!!
Thank you...   'Sistah' friend !!!!!

 

 

A Message in the *Twinkle*

 

A Message in the *Twinkle*

Child of mine
Out of the reach of this mama's hugs.
Look up to the stars at night.
I've beamed a message of
love there.

On the nights when the starsare hidden behind clouds
I'm still reminded of you.
You are hidden from my view,
yet I trust in the beating of your heart.
We shared heartbeats for nine months
and became forever bonded.

The twinkle of the stars

are a comfort to me from
God above.
Child, see the stars and feel my hugs.

Love Always,

Mama

Debra Estep        @ 2-28-03

My son Vincent entered the USAF on October 17, 2002. 
When I wrote this poem, he was in Tech School.
Later on in 2003, he volunteered for a mission in Iraq. 
He arrived on Thanksgiving of 2003.   My own words
were a HUGE comfort to me during his deployment.