No Blue Monday, This One

Today is the birthday of my dear friend Penny of Seattle, WA and LaQuinta, CA. A native of her beloved Billings, MT, Penny in some ways is a Native Daughter of the South. How? Through maternal ties to the Mississippi Delta--ties that rest beautifully in Penny's character and personality. She is a woman of graciousness, beauty and accomplishment personally and professionally. I greatly admire her and happily raise a glass...to Penny, the Birthday Girl--and the best friend HER best friends could ever have!

Another toast...this one to Eli Manning and the New York Giants. We Mississippians love our Mannings: Archie, Olivia, Cooper, Peyton and Eli. Today, Eli is crowned. We watched every move on the Super Bowl yesterday and marveled at how it all came down to less than one minute, a few miracle plays and a lot of great coaching and teamwide talent. Congratulations to Eli, the Giants and the whole Manning family. Too bad we can't bottle successes like that. If we could, there'd be no more need for Budweiser!