RONDA RICH: The art of storytelling from the very best
Out of the blue one day, I got an email from an old, beloved friend from my NASCAR days. In the days when first I met him, Jim Freeman was the public relations director at the Talladega track. That was when the publicity at all the tracks was run by men, some college educated, some not, who were amicable, back-slapping and well-liked.They worked hard to beg attention for a sport that few media outlets cared about so when the reporters did show up, they made them feel at home, almost smothering them with Southern hospitality. They inched their way, little by little, to big papers like USA Today, the Washington Post and the New York Times sending out reporters. USA Today was the first to step up and commit, sending Jerry Potter, a good friend of mine, to cover the beat on a regular basis. The others mostly visited only for the Daytona 500.
RONDA RICH: Fine china, silver shouldn't be saved for special occasions
When Miss Virgie, my beloved mentor on all things Southern proper, came to visit with her husband, Bill, she lovingly lectured me whenever I fell short.
RONDA RICH: Fine china, silver shouldn't be saved for special occasions
When Miss Virgie, my beloved mentor on all things Southern proper, came to visit with her husband, Bill, she lovingly lectured me whenever I fell short. "Oh my goodness, what a cook you are," she said, smiling approvingly as I set a platter of country fried steak on the table then pulled a pan of homemade biscuits from the oven. "Those are the prettiest biscuits I ever saw."
RONDA RICH: Men aren't nosy enough, so women must ferret out the juicy details
A couple of years ago, I was in Fayetteville, Ark., having dinner with a few folks including two of the loveliest people I know -- Gen and Frank Broyles.Now, if you're a college football fan, you'll know whom the legendary Frank Broyles is. For those of you who don't, he was a titan of football while reigning as head coach for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks for 40 years and leading them to a national championship.
RONDA RICH: Men aren't nosy enough, so women must ferret out the juicy details
A couple of years ago, I was in Fayetteville, Ark., having dinner with a few folks including two of the loveliest people I know -- Gen and Frank Broyles.Now, if you're a college football fan, you'll know whom the legendary Frank Broyles is. For those of you who don't, he was a titan of football while reigning as head coach for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks for 40 years and leading them to a national championship.
RONDA RICH: Looks aren't everything, but they sure do help
"Who is it?" I asked with a great deal of wariness in my voice. Long ago, I stopped being hopeful when folks call up with someone they'd like to fix me up. Men outnumber women so all the good ones are snatched up and gone.
RONDA RICH: Looks aren't everything, but they sure do help
My brother-in-law, Rodney, called me up one day. He's one of my favorite people and even when I should get mad at him, I never can. He's so charming and funny.
RONDA RICH: Don't listen to critics — find your peace
When word filtered out that she was gone, just packed up and disappeared like a vapor in the broad, bright light of day, I found no surprise in it.There was a substantial part of me that had expected it all along.. A woman who is restless with her serving of
RONDA RICH: Being single can be an enormous blessing
A while back, after a speaking engagement, I was signing books when a woman, somewhere in her 40s, I suppose, came through the line. We exchanged courtesies then I handed her books back to her.But she didn't walk away, despite the long line of folks waiting behind her. She looked
RONDA RICH: Hard times made easier with love
As bad as it might sound, I have a couple of friends for whom I pray that they will outlive their spouses. The reason is simple: I want to see them have peace and happiness on this earth.. All long-term marriages have ups and downs because that's the way
RONDA RICH: Don't be afraid to speak your mind
"This is none of my business," I said aloud to myself in a valiant, noble effort to mind my own business.. But has that ever stopped me. Nope.. "I am not getting into the middle of this mess," I continued.. Do I ever listen to myself in these
RONDA RICH: Steer clear of crazy when dating
Ronda Rich is the best-selling author of What Southern Women Know (That Every Woman Should). Visit www.rondarich.com to sign up for her weekly newsletter.
RICH: A trip that brought my destiny to me
There is a seaside village on the coast of Georgia that my heart, in fact my entire being, is summoned to at fairly regular intervals. It is as much home to me as the red clay hills of north Georgia.
RICH: Daddy had faith in God
When I or anyone else thinks of Daddy, it is his faith that defined him over and above all else. The man and his faith were inseparable. To know his faith, was to know him. To know him, was to come face-to-face with a bullet-proof faith.
RICH: Power of duct tape
In digging through the material remains of what I consider to be my heart's one and only home, I have smiled repeatedly, even chuckled out loud on occasion, at Mama's thriftiness.
RICH: Breaking my deal with God
In my life, I've done some crazy things, things that defy reason and in retrospect lead even me to say, "What was I thinking?"
RICH: The sweet sound of a screen door
There is something about the banging of a screen door -- soft, sweet and low -- that warms the innards of my being.
Ronda Rich - Family singing
A while back, Mama, Louise, Rodney and I visited with some good friends of ours up in the mountains.
Ronda Rich - Of beauty and the heart of the beholder
Sophie Rose was not, in the assessment of other women, what you would call "pretty."
Ronda Rich - Continuing an Easter tradition
Two rather disturbing things happened during our family Easter last year, both of which I hope can be corrected this year.
Ronda Rich - Great Southern characters never die
After early church and Sunday School, Mama and I had hurried to the grocery store. An older friend was ailing badly with the flu, so I told Mama I'd made him some quick homemade chicken soup and she could make the cornbread muffins. Then, I'd run it over to him.
Ronda Rich - Romance by committee
It would behoove all you men to thoroughly understand one thing: we women normally conduct our romances by committee.
A mission for heroes Rockdale Relay for Life gets in gear with team sign-ups, fundraisers
Since 1996, Debbie Stewart, a cancer survivor, has participated 11 times in Relay for Life, and 2008 will make No. 12. Her mother, Betty Collins, who lost a four-year battle with the disease in January 2007, wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
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