Corinth, Mississippi

Long-term readers of NewMexiKen (both of them) will, I hope, recognize that through all the wisdom, whimsy and half-witted nonsense there are actually some consistent themes — a great love for America, its cultures, history, music and people. Those themes all seemed to come together for me in an emotional way this balmy evening in Corinth, Mississippi.

First, at the Cross City Grille in downtown Corinth, it was the incredible catfish cakes and fried green tomatoes (and the not half-bad Blue Heron wheat beer from Lazy Magnolia Brewing). Then it was the amateur bluegrass concert in the parking lot of South Bank across the street. Finally it was the freight train moving through Corinth (as the musicians played). It was Corinth’s role as the rail crossing (hence, Cross City, its first name) that marked it for the Union Army in 1862 and that led to the Civil War’s first great battle, the Battle of Shiloh.

Is this a great country, or what?

That’s the group Heartland in the downtown Corinth South Bank parking lot.