May 1, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
Louise Bryan currently serves as Vice Mayor of the City of Belle Meade (BAM!) and makes a mean Shrimp and Grits. Her husband, John Bryan, is Hushpuppy King of Savannah Classics (CEO). Today, they share their Bacon Wisdom… Hi Louise and John! It’s so great to spend some time with you today! John, the last time I saw you was a few months ago when …
April 29, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
Jeff Balser, President and CEO of Vanderbilt Medical Center and Dean of the Vanderbilt Medical School, has a front row seat to some of the most terrifying – and hopeful – things that are going on right now. I’m delighted for him and his wife Melinda – a radiant community leader – to share their impressions at Bacon today…
April 28, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
Hi Emily and Jim! Thank you so much for your candid and entertaining interview! You are both big readers so I’d love to start there. Then we can proceed to the deeply personal questions and your excellent advice…
April 27, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
I’m having trouble reading much of anything other than the news. But I am moved, comforted, distracted, entertained, and even provoked in good ways by stories told on the screen. My husband and I watched a couple of Clint Eastwood movies last week that were almost unbearably good, “Richard Jewell” (2019) and “The Mule” (2018)…
April 25, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
Hi Melissa and Dave! Thank you so much for spending some time in Bacon Town tonight! I hope you’re enjoying a cocktail right now…
April 24, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
Book Title: Redhead by the Side of the Road
Most mornings I feel some flavor of this, despite a very decent morning routine with my dog and the paper and breakfast… I have to work my way towards a better mood. Maybe I should rethink my routine, at least for now? Beth Alexander stops in at Bacon today with an intriguing recommendation…
April 22, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
“I’m not sure I will choose my old pace on the other side,” says Tricia. “I’m surprised by how easily we gave up some of our personal freedoms, like freedom of assembly, though there’s nothing like a pandemic to get one’s attention,” says Jerry. “We won’t ‘unshelter’ perfectly, but overall I like what I see,” says Tricia. “Well, I’m in awe of Dr. Birx’s scarves,” …
April 21, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
Yesterday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that the state’s Safer at Home order will be lifted April 30th. Nashville’s may last longer. We’ll all have a lot to figure out, and soon. More on that in days to come. In the meanwhile, my friend Roger Moore, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Science and Principal Senior Lecturer in the English department at Vanderbilt …
April 18, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
Gratitude is sometimes like tending a garden. You can cultivate it, for sure, with regular attention and care. But sometimes it’s more like playing in the ocean when you were a kid. A big wave sneaks up on you, washes over you, almost drowns you. It comes unbidden, it knocks you down, it leaves you drenched and – also – thrilled. You feel that the …
April 17, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
Book Title: Bricktop's Paris
Oak Hill is a bucolic suburban neighborhood – stable but always refreshing itself, well-tended, plenty of room to breathe. And dream. Play, if you’re a kid – run, if you’re a dog. But even – especially? – pretty suburban neighborhoods have their issues. My friend Stacy Widelitz has been serving as a City Commissioner since 2016 and he’s seen a heated conflict or two. Stacy’s …