AI Grok Overview of Wrestling with Wisdom at the Crossroads: Billy Howell Reflects
AI Grok Overview of Wrestling with Wisdom at the Crossroads Wrestling with Wisdom at the Crossroads: The Aphorisms and Poems of Malachi Montroy, published in December 2025 by Rose & Pearl Publishing, LLC, is a self-reflective collection authored by Chilly Billy Howell under his pen name, Malachi Montroy. Illustrated by Madge Marley Howell, the book compiles original aphorisms (short, insightful sayings) and poems that emerged from Howell’s personal musings, often shared initially on the Delta Bohemian platform. Described as a “devotional companion” in promotional materials, it blends introspection, faith, and humor to guide readers through life’s pivotal moments—or “crossroads.” With its roots in the Mississippi Delta’s cultural and spiritual landscape, the … [Read More...]
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Mornings with Tolstoy – Day Five
By WILLIAM PRENTISS My mind is a merciless jailor, more so than my motionless frame. I haven’t moved a leg, limb or eyelash for two years; my thoughts hold more of me hostage than does my inert body. … [Read More...]
A couple of Bohemians get the Media Award!
By Guest Bohemians JOHN RUSKEY and DANIEL VASSEL Email from John to Madge, September 30, 2014 … [Read More...]
Time on the Mississippi River with Huck and Jim
By POOR WILLIAM Clarksdale, Mississippi (VIDEOS with PHOTOS) “Is it necessary to cut rope and are your only true and trustworthy companions castaways?” John Ruskey, guiding a seminar discussion about Huckleberry Finn Well? This known rope cutter believes this is a mighty fine question for above-and-beyond ruminations. … [Read More...]
An Encounter with Emily Renee – Nuance
By MAGICAL MADGE New Orleans, LA A recent trip to New Orleans found Billy and me wandering in an outdoor art market during the early evening hours. It was a magical place, a wonderland of light displaying artists and their unique creations. … [Read More...]
Poor William Loves Water – Hot or Cold
By POOR WILLIAM Clarksdale, Mississippi (VIDEO!!) Hey Man, I just can’t seem to get enough water. Must be the Delta boy in me, or maybe it’s just the inherent need to be baptized, often. I ain’ real sure! My Mama always said when I was taking extra-long showers that I was washin’ away my sins. Wish it were that easy! … [Read More...]
Mornings with Tolstoy – Day Four: Pilgrims
By WILLIAM PRENTISS I had already begun contemplating death prior to my present state. When younger, healthy and virtually free of scars and the tissue that remains, death was something far into an unknown, never-to-be-reached future. Death was an occasional thought, sadly affecting others. At some point in my early forties, after life had begun its weathering rub, the possibility or rather … [Read More...]
GROUND ZERO CARE FEST 2014 GONNA ROCK
CLARKSDALE, Mississippi VIDEO and PHOTO SLIDESHOW Attend this year's popular annual event CARE FEST 2014 to benefit the Clarksdale Care Station. Head to Ground Zero Blues Club, Thursday, September 25 at 7pm. Suggested Donation is $10. Featured Musicians … [Read More...]
Yazoo Pass Emails Crack Me Up
By MAGICAL MADGE CLARKSDALE, Mississippi PHOTOS Emails are bombarding my inbox. Thankfully I have learned the iPhone trick that allows me to mark all new mail as "read" in one simple step. But there is one email I get regularly and I relish reading it. My childhood friend Jack Bobo, fellow Sumnerite and Tallahatchian, manages Yazoo Pass. One of his many tasks at the popular Downtown … [Read More...]
Don’t Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down
By POOR WILLIAM CLARKSDALE, Mississippi VIDEOS INCLUDED Spirit draggers, I can’t stand ‘em and yet I “are” one! My lovely wife Madge Marley Howell sang a powerful bluesy song during the offertory at church on Sunday. Padre Bill Gleason accompanied on guitar and Alice Hasen played violin. “Don’t Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down” by Eric Bibb speaks to the sanctified, the … [Read More...]
Association of Food Journalists lap up Clarksdale
By POOR WILLIAM CLARKSDALE, Mississippi - INCLUDES PHOTO SLIDESHOW Known for blues, good eats and Southern hospitality, Clarksdale provided a heaping helping of all three last Friday night at downtown Oxbow Restaurant. The Association of Food Journalists (AFJ) held its annual meeting in Memphis last week with an optional side trip to Clarksdale, heart of the Mississippi Delta. Attendees … [Read More...]
Westrock Coffee in Helena for month long pop-up
By MAGICAL MADGE Helena, Arkansas (PHOTO SLIDESHOW) Clarksdale and Helena. Helena and Clarksdale. I like the sound of that. Our two cities are finding ways to connect and cooperate, helping our worlds, separated by the Mississippi River, come closer together. Both locals and tourists benefit from collaborations like this. Artists from Helena and Clarksdale will be jointly featured in … [Read More...]
Mornings with Tolstoy – Day Three
By WILLIAM PRENTISS Clarksdale, Mississippi Rough day. I feel no physical pain, but I still deal with and feel mental anguish. This angst is usually a result of painful memories or frustration with being able to do nothing but “be.” … [Read More...]
MOHEAD
By POOR WILLIAM Clarksdale, Mississippi (VIDEOS and PHOTOS) Hey man, what kind of title is “Mohead?” Well, I am just following suite. The Telluride Blues & Brews Festival (September 12-14, 2014) lists the Mississippi Deltan as such. When artists get billed by last name only, then they have likely arrived…somewhere! Somewhere for Moon Lake native John Mohead is in the … [Read More...]
Adventurous Food Journalists Dip Down in the Delta
By POOR WILLIAM Clarksdale, Mississippi “Clarksdale is truly one of the most inspiring places ever for a writer to get the creative juices flowing—especially if the topic happens to be food. And the music is surely a major bonus.” -- Susan Puckett The Association of Food Journalists (AFJ), an organization passionate about perpetuating responsible food journalism, is holding its annual … [Read More...]
Mornings with Tolstoy – Day Two
By WILLIAM PRENTISS Clarksdale, Mississippi I don’t always understand or agree with what Sis reads to me from Leo Tolstoy’s A Calendar of Wisdom, but it sure does make me think. Thinking is about all I can do. I am in a coma: I can’t see, move, blink, or feel pain, nothing. But I can hear, and pray. … [Read More...]
Photographer Rory Doyle home in the Delta
By POOR WILLIAM Clarksdale, Mississippi (PHOTOS) On a serendipitous night in the Mississippi Delta, The Real Delta (TRD) hosted a “get-together” event at its office located at 216 Third Street in Clarksdale featuring photographs by Rory Doyle from Cleveland, MS. Rory Doyle is a gifted photographer with an obvious flare for capturing the essence of a Delta landscape or scene. His … [Read More...]
Matagorda Dringling
By POOR WILLIAM Clarksdale, Mississippi Recently, I had the privilege of taking a covey of local ladies, superbly seasoned with intellect, on a Delta Bohemian® Back Road Excursion. Identities can’t be revealed as they might eviscerate me with a literary quill, and I hate when that happens! These grand dames must and will remain anonymous! … [Read More...]
Music on the Lawn at Cutrer Concert Series
Clarksdale, Mississippi Wanna stretch out on some green grass and listen to cicadas, crickets and the oh-so-smooth Alphonso Sanders and no telling what other musicians he will have with him? Then plan to attend the Cutrer Concert Series this Saturday, September 6, 2014, from 6 - 8pm, featuring the popular Mississippi Delta jazz musician Dr. Alphonso Sanders and friends. … [Read More...]
Ray Proetto covers Juke Joint Festival 2014
Ray Proetto is an avid photographer who enjoys documenting blues musicians. Ray has been a featured writer for the DELTA BOHEMIAN®. Visit his website BLUES POWER PHOTO and his shop on Etsy. By GUEST BOHEMIAN RAY PROETTO Clarksdale, Mississippi The 2014 Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale MS had its share of amazing highlights… … [Read More...]
Mornings with Tolstoy – The Beginning
By WILLIAM PRENTISS Clarksdale, Mississippi He is God. Why didn’t He protect me? I blamed Him. It wasn’t His fault. Life ain’t fair. That’s that. No more pleas for them to hear. They can’t. Two years, and only Sis hears. Well, she really doesn’t hear. I talk to God about it. Guess you would call it prayer. He passes on what He will. … [Read More...]
Take a Jeep Tour with Chilly Billy
Abe’s Bar-B-Q
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