All posts tagged: MISSISSIPPI

A story about a restaurant called Babalu that features images of their food.

Babalu Tacos & Tapas brings retro vibes and Latin flavor to Jackson’s Fondren district

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If you’re an “I Love Lucy” fan, the word “Babalu” might ring a bell. It was Ricky Ricardo’s signature song — an Afro-Caribbean tune that now lends its name to one of Fondren’s hottest new restaurants.

Babalu Tacos & Tapas, located inside the old Duling School at 622 Duling Ave., opened with a retro-urban vibe that fits right in with Fondren’s artsy energy. Walk inside and you’ll see vintage Lucy clips projected on the wall, a nostalgic touch dreamed up by co-owner Al Roberts after seeing something similar in another restaurant.

Lifecasts of blues musicians created by a Delta artist.

Blind artist preserves Mississippi blues legends through powerful face casts

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When Sharon McConnell-Dickerson began to lose her vision in 1995, she faced a difficult truth: her life would never be the same. But in the darkness, she discovered something unexpected — art.

That discovery eventually led her from New England to the Mississippi Delta, where she would spend more than a decade capturing the soul of the blues, not through sound, but through sculpture.

Kermit the Frog

Exclusive Interview with Kermit the Frog: Mississippi roots, new projects, and life lessons from the legendary Muppet

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I recently had the unique opportunity to interview the legendary Kermit the Frog for “The Clarion-Ledger.” Known worldwide and deeply connected to Mississippi through his creator Jim Henson — born in Greenville — Kermit shared insights into his roots, career, and views on fame.

Kermit was delighted to learn his swamp home was identified as Deer Creek in Leland, Mississippi, describing his upbringing fondly despite his small size. He humbly compared himself to other Mississippi icons like Elvis and Oprah, crediting their “regular folks” charm to growing up in the state. When asked about current projects, Kermit highlighted holiday specials, a viral Queen cover, and a potential movie.

A news article about the popularity of bottle trees featuring a multicolored bottle tree.

Why bottle trees are making a colorful comeback in Southern gardens

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Rick Griffin, a Jackson landscape architect, grew up seeing bottle trees on trips between Ocean Springs and Vicksburg. Fascinated by their charm, he built a 10-foot bottle tree in his own yard, calling it a symbol of fun and individuality. “It’s about being a nonconformist,” he says.

Once dismissed as kitschy folk art, bottle trees are now booming in popularity across the South, especially in neighborhoods like Fondren, where urban horticulture expert Felder Rushing has documented a sharp rise in their numbers. Rushing believes this trend reflects a cultural shift toward more relaxed, expressive outdoor spaces. “For a long time, lawns had to be perfect. Now, people feel freer to add personality and history to their yards,” he explains.

The black dog

The Black Dog and the Breeze: A simple moment that reminded me to embrace the present

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Today, as I drove home from the Japanese restaurant over the Reservoir, I noticed a black lab in the back of a black Chevrolet Silverado wearing an orange collar. As his owner drove, he ran back and forth on each side of the truck, stepping up and sticking his head out on each side to feel the cool breeze.

His movement was repetitive. Over and over again, he moved to the left, then to the right. I guess he thought the wind felt better hitting his face the first time, so instead of standing still, he ran from side to side, creating a pause, before sticking his neck out into the air again.

The mysterious wizard.

The mysterious wizard

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As I was driving home from work the other day, I saw a wizard on the side of the road.

Well, maybe he wasn’t a wizard. I’m not exactly sure. Perhaps he was Father Time. I’m just not positive. But he was wearing a long purple robe, a pointy matching hat and a long white beard.

A story about ghost hunters in Mississippi featuring one of them.

Do You Believe in Ghosts? Mississippi’s paranormal groups say they’re real

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Do you believe in ghosts? You’re not alone. Mississippi is home to at least 10 paranormal research groups made up of people who definitely do — and they’re part of a much larger trend.

Across the U.S. and U.K., more than 300 groups are actively investigating unexplained phenomena, often inspired by popular television shows like “Ghost Hunters,” “Medium,” “Ghost Whisperer,” and “Haunting Evidence.”

The unicycle-riding banana

Unicycling banana spotted in Mississippi suburb: A delightfully unexpected sight

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I generally write about popular culture, so this is a little off-topic. But as I was driving home from the bookstore today, I saw something yellow coming down the sidewalk near my apartment complex.

As I got closer, I realized that among the walkers and bikers out enjoying a beautiful, sunny Mississippi day was — believe it or not — a banana on a unicycle. Yes, a banana. On a unicycle.

A spooky picture of a ghost lady.

A Psychological Thriller Rooted in Folklore: ‘An American Haunting’ and the Bell Witch legend

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Intrigued by the notion that someone had created a horror film based on the Southern ghost story of the Bell Witch — a tale I’ve heard whispers of growing up near Tennessee — I recently rented “An American Haunting” hoping to uncover more about this mysterious legend. To my surprise, the film is one of the few horror movies I’ve seen that explores supernatural torment and possession through the lens of psychological trauma.

Set in early 1800s Tennessee, the movie tells the haunting story of young Betsy Bell, a once-lively, flirtatious teenager who abruptly transforms into a withdrawn, exhausted version of herself. She confesses to her teacher that she’s unable to sleep, haunted by a terrifying presence that visits her at night. Her sudden decline sets off a series of terrifying events.

The film poster for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."

What Is Mendacity? Watch ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ and find out

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If you’ve never heard the word mendacity before, you’ll walk away from “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” with a full understanding of what it means — and why it matters.

In this emotionally-charged drama adapted from the Tennessee Williams play, lies, half-truths, and buried secrets swirl through a wealthy Mississippi family as they prepare for the inevitable death of their patriarch.