Free Lovesick by James Driggers Page B

truly.
    As we have noted in previous columns, festivities begin on Thursday afternoon at a tea and fashion show where each contestant will model a white hat of her own design. I am looking forward to seeing how each woman will customize this “crowning” accessory as a reflection of her personality. Members of our own chapter of the DOC will serve as honorary ambassadors for the event, and I will be on hand to interview the ladies about their menus ( Weekend Breakfast, Sunday Dinner, and Ladies’ Luncheon ) and their ideas on what makes a successful and gracious hostess.
    And did I tell you, faithful readers, the colonel has also asked me to be one of the esteemed panel of judges? That is an honor, indeed, considering that the other two members of the judging competition will be the Plantation House’s renowned Chef Roland and the colonel himself. The way to a man’s heart may be through his appetite, but I imagine they may welcome a bit of feminine insight to help them in their considerations.
    The ladies are traveling from all regions of Dixie—from as far north as Richmond and from deep in the heart of Texas—to be here. Their interests and profiles show what an exemplary field of competitors has been chosen:
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    Muriel Sallis lives in Richmond, Virginia, and devotes her free time to maintaining gravesites of the fallen Confederate heroes.
    Jubal Hart, from Abilene, Texas, says that her grandchildren are her pride and joy, and her favorite people to cook for.
    Virginia Yeager hails from Fayetteville, North Carolina, where the war widow devotes her days to charity.
    Cornelia “Neelie” Bryson, a native of Mobile, Alabama, tells us that she enjoys cooking for church socials where her squash casserole is always a favorite.
    Inez Honeycutt has traveled from Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she works as a third-grade teacher. Inez also teaches Sunday school and sings in the choir at church.
    Wadena Chastain represents our own fair state and hails from Savannah. Not a surprise that she says peach pie is her favorite.
    Patricia “Patsy” Smith resides in Walterboro, South Carolina, where she tends her garden and raises prize-winning flowers. She is also an avid cake decorator.
    Martha Humphrey comes from Meridian, Mississippi, and is a gold-star mother. Her chocolate pound cake recipe was the one her son always requested.
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    Good luck to all these extraordinary women, and remember . . .
    Jocelyn will be your eyes and ears for this momentous and historic event, just as she is for all things of social importance in Atlanta.

    Virginia dropped the clipping on the table and swept the whole bunch of them to the floor with her hand. She picked up her tea.
    â€œAren’t you going to read the rest of them?” asked Mona.
    â€œWhy bother,” said Virginia. “They’re all the same. These bitches or the ones back in Fayetteville. They all think that just because their daddy or granddaddy fought and died for the Confederacy that they deserve some special attention. They make me sick to my stomach. Why don’t you draw a hot bath for me? I want to rest before the reception this afternoon.”
    Virginia closed her eyes and could hear the water running in the bath. What a bunch of dolts, she thought to herself. A bunch of stuck-up society bags with dreams of grandeur. She would wipe the floor with them. It would be almost as easy as making a batch of Butcher’s popovers. He had been right about those. They were so simple, she could now probably make them blindfolded. And they were perfect every time—the shell would pull apart gently only to melt in your mouth when it had cooled a bit. Yes, easy as Butcher’s popovers. No, not Butcher’s, she corrected herself. My popovers. Miss Virginia’s popovers.

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    Lane cake . . .
    The reception was scheduled to begin at three, but Virginia knew some would want to be late to create interest. Virginia thought it