Never in my life did I dream I would be in the magazine business. But here I am. And why you may ask? Because Mama said.
Mama told us to start a magazine, and so we did. My mother loves this place we call the South. She loves the people, the culture, the food, the art, the language. And she saw it slowly disappearing. She wanted us to help tell these stories and preserve these traditions so they are not lost forever.
My sister and I were skeptical as we began this journey (to put it mildly). We knew nothing of putting together a magazine. But when Mama says to do something, we usually comply. And here we are, more than 2 years in, learning as we go, and having so much fun.
I am so grateful for all the people I’ve gotten to meet and the stories we’ve gotten to share. We’ve visited with Parelli horse trainers and the wild Cracker Horses in Florida; the glow worms of the Dismals Canyon; the Wonderland Christmas tree farm in Pea Ridge, Arkansas; crab pushers in Louisiana; just to name a few. I have learned so much, and I hope I have done a small part in sharing and preserving these stories for future generations.
But mostly, my heart is so full that I get to walk this journey with my family — three generations — my mother and sister, and now my daughter.
Weeks ago, I had the opportunity to take my daughter with me to interview and photograph the Cowley family with their birds of prey for the Winter 2024 edition of Magnolia and Moonshine. The love and care they showed for the powerful birds and each other as a family was so beautiful.
My daughter was with me, and we saw the beauty of God’s design. We learned how God designed even the slightest detail — the pattern of their feathers to help them blend with their surroundings — even the divine order in which the birds drop their feathers during molting season to allow them to continue to fly and hunt. Watching the relationship between falcon and hunter as they worked together to hunt prey, was amazing.
My six-year-old daughter absorbed these lessons as we worked to capture them on film for our readers. She was a real trooper as the day wore on, finally settling into the itchy grass of the training field and watching as the Cowleys worked with the birds. When a crew member asked how she was so patient, she was lying on her stomach, hands propping up her chin and watching the raptors and handlers work, and she said, “I like watching birds. Birds make me feel peaceful.”
It was a beautiful sentiment. She patiently waited for her chance to meet Klinger, the red-tailed hawk, up close and personal. And she held out the oversized glove without hesitation, eager for the bird of prey to settle on her arm. Her boldness inspires me every day. My cup was so full.
In what other job would I get to share experiences like this with my daughter and with you all? Thank you for allowing us to continue this important work. And it is important work. We’re telling the stories that make this region so incredibly special. We hope you feel the same.
Thank you.
