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Sean Dietrich Articles

Sean of the South

What I did this summer OPINION — Lake Martin is busy, the rich scent of smoked meat fills the air, and my LDL cholesterol count is already rising.Pontoon boats are everywhere. Happy children ride in tubes, pulled behind fast outboards. The kids are screaming as they...
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Sean of the South

A Memorial Day in the park OPINION — Sunset. There must be a million people gathered in Railroad Park tonight. Downtown Birmingham is crazy. There are no parking spots left. People are parking cars as far away as Milwaukee.The Alabama Symphony Orchestra is playing a...
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Sean of the South

Dumplings OPINION — I’m 5 years old. On Mama’s stove is a steaming stock pot, filling the world with the essence of chicken and dumplings.I’m watching her use her fists to mercilessly beat a lump of flour that will become dumplings. She punches the dough, making loud...
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Sean of the South | May 9, 2024

A mother's love OPINION — “I am a little old woman who lives in an assisted living facility…” her email began.Her following message was about the length of “War and Peace.” She is a woman who is as sweet as Karo syrup. But—and I mean this respectfully—brevity is not...
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The Little Girl

The Little Girl

Aug 11, 2021

By SEAN DIETRICH There once was a little girl who lived in a tiny town, in the far off land of south Alabama. A beautiful little girl. A girl with...

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The Little Girl

GOOD

Aug 4, 2021

By SEAN DIETRICH A retired professor sent me a letter. He told me that some of my stories were “too plain,” and “needed more work.” Then he went on...

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The Little Girl

Lil’ Towns

Jul 28, 2021

By SEAN DIETRICH It’s late morning in Brewton, Alabama. Sunlight peeks over the trees. A distant train whistle whines. The scent of the nearby paper...

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The Little Girl

WORDS

Jul 22, 2021

By SEAN DIETRICH “Don’t kiss a girl without being prepared to give her your last name.” My granny said that. My father gave me this one: “If you so...

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The Little Girl

The Patient

Jul 15, 2021

By SEAN DIETRICH They tell me Mrs. Simpson was a small, soft-spoken 90-pound woman without family. And that’s how this story begins. The lonely,...

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The Little Girl

Mamas

Jul 7, 2021

By SEAN DIETRICH I watched one of those TV award shows last night. You know the kind I mean. The award ceremonies where celebrities you’ve never...

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The Little Girl

Fireworks Under a Full Moon

Jun 30, 2021

By SEAN DIETRICH Fire 9:02 p.m. — My wife and I parked beside the bay, facing the water, to watch the fireworks. I hear the distant sound of...

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The Little Girl

Morning Walks with Harold

Jun 23, 2021

By SEAN DIETRICH What I am about to tell you is going to sound ridiculous. So, I won’t blame you if you speak ill of me. All I ask is that you do it...

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The Little Girl

Ribs and Okra

Jun 16, 2021

By SEAN DIETRICH There are about 5,240 folks living in the town of Brewton. Although last week someone had twins. So, now there are more. This...

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