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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The Hope of Zihuatanejo
By PONTIFICUS MINIMUS Pronounced (Zee-wah-tah-nay-hoe), this real-life vacation destination on the Pacific coast of Mexico is where Morgan Freeman’s character Red in The Shawshank Redemption found his friend Andy Dufresne, years after Andy escaped from a wrongly convicted 20-year stint in prison. Categorically, some of Pontificus’s favorite quotes come from this heart-wrenching, … [Read More...]
What Matters Most?
YOUNG & FREE: What Matters Most? By CORINNE VANCE How can something so simple bring me such joy? As I write down just one of the many thoughts that fill up my mind I am overwhelmed with a feeling of ecstasy. As the emotions flow from my spirit through the tips of my fingers its weight is released from me. Being completely exposed, I cry, but I cry because I am happy. … [Read More...]
Guess What Goes With Vodka?
POOR WILLIAM'S WHIMS & YOU CAN'T GET THIS S*@$ IN NEW YORK CITY: Guess what goes with Vodka? By POOR WILLIAM (VIDEO INCLUDED) “I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade…And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party.” -- Ron White Vodka was not a “big thing” during Poor William’s youth. Non-Deltans … [Read More...]
Watcha Gonna Do? Posted 4-20-11
WATCHA GONNA DO? Posted 4-20-11 What’s going on in and around Clarksdale and/or Coahoma County…and beyond this coming week? My, oh, my, but didn't we all have a partying good time in Clarksdale last week during the Juke Joint Festival including the days leading up to it as well as Sunday? Thank you Roger Stolle, Nan Hughes and Goldie Hirsberg! The … [Read More...]
Juke Joint Love
By WILLIAM PRENTISS It had been over a year to no avail. Simone and Darryl never met, even then. She had been on stage and he had been hungrily eyeing her-- not a morality-leaching hunger, but one of expectancy laced with awe--from behind the fellow in the crazy-ass hat. Simone had never been stopped dead in her tracks by a single glance, not until then. The fiery, diminutive red-haired … [Read More...]
Some Dogs Got to be Walked!?!
By POOR WILLIAM Poor, Poor William has been insanely busy with his three jobs as of late and preparing for the awesome 8th Annual Clarksdale Juke Joint Festival being held right here in Sunflower River City. As a result, he has been behind the curve writing the last two weeks and is forced to amend yet another article from his brief days as a Gothic City reporter for the Clarksdale Press … [Read More...]
God is in Gardens
By PONTIFICUS MINIMUS Gardens and gardening reflect God’s creative and redemptive power. Many a pastoral life’s non-encumbrances include outside air, sunshine, the smell of soil, time for reflection, and the greatest gift of all--watching a tiny green plant with a leaf or two and a limp stem grow into whatever God designed during its ancestral creation some 6,000 odd years ago. God is in … [Read More...]
Watcha Gonna Do? Posted 4-13-11
Watcha Gonna Do? Posted 4-13-11 PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE!! What’s going on in and around Clarksdale and/or Coahoma County…and beyond! (VIDEO WITH POST!) Juke Joint Festival 2011 has finally arrived! There is great anticipation for this multi-faceted event in Clarksdale. The festival coordinators describe the festival as "Half Blues Fest, Half Small-Town Fair and All About The Delta!." … [Read More...]
Physical Training versus Godliness
By PONTIFICUS MINIMUS In the Apostle Paul’s first epistle to his protégé Timothy, he writes: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” Godliness and the pursuit of the spiritual trump humanity’s concern with the physical body. However, scripture does not say physical exercise is of no … [Read More...]
Poor William’s Mind is a Terrible Thing to Follow
POOR WILLIAM'S WHIMS: Poor William's Mind is a Terrible Thing to Follow By POOR WILLIAM Poor William’s Mind is a Terrible Thing to Follow: Part of the problem with being Poor William is that he seriously lacks focus. He begins with incredible focus, but is easily distracted down little known and seldom valued “bunny trails.” In fact, this opening sentence popped into his head … [Read More...]
The Hidden Whim Hidden Whim Hidden Whim Hidden Whim Years
What in the world are Hidden Whims? What say ye Poor William? If for some posthumous reason, Poor William would ever garner notoriety outside of his small circle of readers and detractors, he has often recorded late at night--usually with the Magical One in attendance--a bevy of funny stuff that Martha Jane (that would be Poor William’s Very Southern Mother) would likely prefer her son wait until … [Read More...]
Watcha Gonna Do? Posted 4-7-11
Watcha Gonna Do? Posted 4-7-11 What's going on in and around Clarksdale and/or Coahoma County...and beyond! With the advent of Spring comes lots of choices for things to do. As our weather improves, more folks are headin' out of their homes and into the community. Check out some upcoming events below. ALSO, you will want to check out the BOHEMIAN SCENES and see some photos taken … [Read More...]
Fearing the Delta Freebird
POOR WILLIAM'S WHIMS Fearing the Delta Freebird By POOR WILLIAM Enemy forces will never invade the Mississippi Delta; if they did, they would quickly find out the futility of attempting to control, harness, and subdue its obdurate occupants--black or white. Deltans don’t play when it comes to our God-given, Constitution-confirming freedoms. Poor William believes blacks … [Read More...]
The Shack Up Inn ranked Number 4 in the World
Trip Advisor has a new Top Ten. This time it's the TOP TEN MOST UTTERLY UNFORGETTABLE HOTEL ROOMS IN THE WORLD. Guess who is #4? Clarksdale's own SHACK UP INN. This unique and wildly popular destination spot for lovers of the Mississippi Delta worldwide was the only, I say THE ONLY, spot in the entire U. S. of A. to make it in the TOP TEN list. Here! Here! Bill and Guy. Doin' it your … [Read More...]
Kathryn’s Crossroads
PONTIFICUS MINIMUS OPINES: Kathryn's Crossroads By PONTIFICUS MINIMUS This tribute to Kathryn Grace Levingston first ran in the Clarksdale Press Register immediately after she became a Bat Mitzvah this past June, 2010. The deeply spiritual and well-ordered service was categorically one of the most meaningful religious ceremonies Pontificus has ever had the privilege of … [Read More...]
I am at Peace
YOUNG & FREE: Peace By Corinne Vance The sweet taste of pineapple and rum kisses my lips Wind from the waves sends chills down my back I dig my toes deeper to find the cold sand that’s been hidden from the heat The sun warms me up and makes my skin feel rich and silky I am lost in a completely different world … [Read More...]
Langdon Clay – A new website for this Mississippi Delta photographer
By MAGICAL MADGE No one ever said Langdon Clay, a long-time transplant to the Mississippi Delta, Tallahatchie County to be exact, moved quickly or finished anything with lightening speed. Just ask his lovely bride, Maude Schuyler Clay, about the red guest bathroom project Lang so lovingly planned, developed and finally finished. He's a perfectionist. What can you say. … [Read More...]
Watcha Gonna Do? Posted 3-31-11
Watcha Gonna Do? Posted 3-31-11 Watcha Gonna Do in Clarksdale/Coahoma County this week? … [Read More...]
Come Out To Play!
CLARKSDALE, Mississippi Inspired by the 1979 cult classic movie The Warriors, The Delta Bohemians, Magical Madge and Poor William, have created a 45-second radio spot for play on the West Coast. This radio spot will first be aired on … [Read More...]
Delta Delusions: Faces
By WILLIAM PRENTISS CLARKSDALE, Mississippi I see faces everywhere and in everything, always have, but I had never seen them in second story windows--not until recently. I doubt I am alone in fearing hollow faces peering out from lonely windows! I see faces in clouds, trees, rock formations, paintings, and just about any collection of found objects. I even see faces in oriental rugs … [Read More...]
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Abe’s Bar-B-Q
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