Mississippi Poetry from my Italian Nonna

In 1990, my Texas-born and Mississippi-raised grandfather and Italian-born grandmother left Naples, Italy, where they had lived since the mid-1950s, to retire in Mississippi. It was not their first time to live in Mississippi as a couple -- they moved to Meridian for a few years after the war, and they welcomed my father into the world during their time there. Coincidentally, today is his birthday (Happy Birthday, Dad!).

One would imagine that life in rural Mississippi would have been quite the culture shock for my Nonna, as she spent so much time in urban Naples. Instead, she welcomed the change of pace -- quickly making friends, joining a church and building new memories. After my Nonno's death in 2002, she returned in Naples to live next door to her daughter. Now 90 years old, she continues to speak fondly of their years in the South.

Written shortly before her move back to Naples, this poem is her love letter to Mississippi.

MISSISSIPPI

You are not there yet But you soon will see The dogwood blossoms And tall magnolia trees.

 The grounds are green On the side of the road, With some red clover That with amazing power, Will soon spread all over.

Wide open spaces And white cotton fields Much corn, pines, maples Holly bushes and huge oak trees.

The maple leaves will turn in the fall, To a deep golden yellow Admired by all.

… and finally, the Mansions, That great columns support, But no more their owners, On a long, shady porch.

The homes are so beautiful With all they contain, Antiques, marble, china, And portraits in lovely gold frames, Tell of the “Ole Southern Charm”, A war and the family’s name.

The war is long gone, But its traces still seen, With monuments, cannons, And battleground scenes.

No more slaves, this is good, Yet remember that here Much history was written Not to disappear.

It’s my husband’s country, My second one, too And in this I take pride And love it, I do.

Remembering our past, Corinth, Meridian, And Booneville at last.

I treasure all memories, From far and from near, No matter where I’ll be… Half of my heart Will always be here!

Lucy Cannon Booneville, Mississippi July 2002

Giving Back

Seven years ago, I graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in print journalism with an emphasis in public relations. I had just completed an internship at the Lafayette County Literacy Council, where I had created a brochure, written award-winning copy for PSAs and helped plan their first fundraiser. Over the course of the internship, a lightbulb had gone off in my head. I loved helping people, and I had a real passion for the nonprofit world. Finding that perfect job was a different story. After three months of intense searching (and lots of crying that I would never find a job), I landed a job at a Memphis-based advertising agency. While it didn't sound like a great fit at first, my first clients were nonprofits. I was back in my element. A year and a half later, the agency began cost-cutting measures, and my position was eliminated. This happened two weeks before Jonathan and I tied the knot (yes, more crying ensued). I was devastated at first, but two weeks after our honeymoon, I had an interview for a communications and event coordinator position at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis. Although they didn't write the job description for me, it was my dream job and a perfect fit for my qualifications and personality. Before I knew it, I was supporting a wonderful cause, working with incredible staff members and volunteers and doing what I loved. The team praised my work -- photography, writing, graphic design, event planning and youth mentoring, while also encouraging me push my creative limits and set higher goals for myself. Four years later, I left my job having gained so much both personally and professionally. It was a truly life-changing experience, one I knew I would carry with me for the rest of my life.

When Jonathan and I started talking about Gerald & Joan, we knew charitable work would tie into our mission in some way. While our work schedule is always subject to change, we are currently welcoming projects that allow us to touch the work that has been such an important part of our lives for so many years.

For our first in-kind project, we created a flyer for a Peer Power volunteer who was organizing a jump roping contest at an area school:

She had limited photos and a short turnaround time, but she was really happy with the results. Better yet, the event was a huge success!

Our top areas of expertise are branding, graphic design (marketing materials, posters, invitations, stationery, signage and t-shirts), writing/editing content for print or web, and event planning. If you know of an organization who could benefit from our support, please share this post with them. We'd love to help if we can!

On the road to Water Valley, Mississippi

Just down the road from Oxford, Mississippi is Water Valley, a quaint railroad town that takes visitors back to simpler times. Water Valley's heyday was from the late 1800s to the 1920s, and most of the homes and buildings are from that period. When the railroad stopped running through Water Valley, the area became somewhat of a ghost town, but it has seen a revival in recent years thanks to a mix of resourceful locals and transplants. You can read a little more about that in this recent New York Times article. In addition to two quirky art galleries, Yalo Studio and Bozart's Gallery, downtown Water Valley offers gems such as Turnage Drug Store, which has been serving customers since 1905 and still whips up  delicious sandwiches, ice cream and milkshakes from its soda fountain. Sartain's Hardware Store is another old-timey favorite where locals can pick up tools and supplies as well as the type of genuine customer service that can be hard to find in today's world.

A new addition that feels as though it has been there for decades is the B.T.C. Grocery, which offers "small-town food with a big-city feel." The store carries everything from local produce to hoop cheese to quinoa (hard to find in most small Mississippi towns). It also boasts a cafe that serves some really yummy sandwiches, soups and desserts. To see their mouthwatering daily menus, like them on Facebook.

Downtown Water Valley is an inspiring place that reminds visitors of the potential in small-town America and why we should invest in our history and our heritage.

It is definitely worth a visit, perhaps during the first weekend of August for the Watermelon Carnival?

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Our Journey to Palos Verdes, California

It is no secret that we're big fans of the West Coast. It is a huge part of my family's heritage. Both Joan and my great-grandmother Elsie lived there most of their lives, my mother grew up there and my sister and I spent almost every childhood vacation there. Jonathan and I first visited California together three years into our relationship in 2006, and we've been back at least once a year every year since then with the exception of 2007, the year we got married (and were pretty broke). I'm fortunate he loves it as much as I do and can understand my need to reconnect with my roots.

Of all the places we love in Southern California (there are many), Palos Verdes is near the top of the list. My family lived there from 1960 to 1973, and although I no longer have relatives there, a sense of peace comes over me when I'm high up on those cliffs. There are only a few places in the world that have that effect on me. It's an incredible, awe-inspiring feeling.

Our last trip to California was in late October 2012. During that vacation, we walked along the beach from Hermosa Beach to PV, which is about 11 miles. It was quite an exhausting hike, but it seemed like something we were supposed to do. At the end of it, our minds felt very clear and open. The next day, while I was sitting on our hotel balcony facing Palos Verdes and the Pacific Ocean, the idea for Gerald and Joan came to me. At the time I didn't think much of it, but when I look back at the notes I made that day, it's clear that our story began where four generations of my family walked before me.

How's that for a cool feeling?

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