The late Jim Dickinson, second from left, sits with (left to right) son Luther, wife Mary Lindsay, and son Cody. Jim’s good buddy Lightin’ the basset hound is seated center. For more on the piano* that served as the centerpiece for this photograph, see below. Photo by Art Meripol.

Memphis and the greater world of music lost one of its most knowledgeable, talented, and entertaining denizens last week. James Luther Dickinson died Saturday, August 15, at his home outside of Coldwater, MS.

Jim leaves his wife Mary Lindsay and their two sons, Luther and Cody, who many music fans know as the guitarist and drummer, respectively, for the North Mississippi Allstars. He also leaves us all with music he’s written, performed, recorded, and produced, having played with such icons as Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones, and worked with bands, such as The Replacements and Memphis’ own Big Star.

It began innocently enough. Earlier this summer I spent time on a Texas ranch to research a story. While there I fell hard ... fell for the look of cowboy boots. Since returning home my fascination grew. I needed some cowboy boots of my own.

To be perfectly clear, these aren't boots that I'm going to wear horse riding. I just like the look of them, and what Southern girl doesn't? Thus began my quest for the perfect pair: ones that I could wear at work, on the road, with jeans, with dresses, when line dancing. OK maybe not that last part.

Here are some of my favorite stops along the trail of the perfect pair:

 Wildflower & Wax -- Located in Helena, Alabama (just outside Birmingham), this store actually specializes in making their own beautiful and delicious smelling candles (here is their blog). But the owners discovered that customers were interested in the vintage cowboy boots they had on display for decoration, so they started selling vintage boots from all over the country.

I found several pair I liked, but none in my size. If at first you don't succeed ...

Keep shopping.

I looked around online a bit but am a believer in trying on boots for the right fit. So when I had some extra time during a Texas trip last weekend (Lubbock), I tried on a few dozen pair on for size.

At Cavender's, a chain that has been in business since 1965, I found rows and rows of gorgeous new boots in every size, shape, and color.

Simple, ornate, tall, short, dressy and casual (seriously, I had no idea of the range of possibilities), I pulled pair after pair from the shelves, trying them on and learning from their friendly salespeople how boots should feel and fit.

Here were some of my favorites (at right).

Although several of these caught my attention, I had a feeling that the perfect pair was still somewhere out there, waiting for me.

Luckily, I happened to be going to Nashville after Texas.

The odyssey continued.

Following a friend's recommendation, I stopped off at the legendary Katy K's, whose customers sing on the Grand Ole Opry. Rockabilly and rhinestone fashion galore, I knew this was my kind of place. And indeed, this is where I found them: The Ones.

As soon as I put them on I knew I'd found my glass slippers. These vintage boots would go with everything, had an ever so subtle but colorful pattern, and fit like magic.

Move over Carrie Bradshaw. You don't have anything on a Southern girl with the perfect pair of boots. (But if another pair come along, there's still room in my closet ... )

Related Links:

40 Things Every Southerner Ought To Do

Music City Shopping

Recently I've started hooping for exercise. As in hula hooping, the thing that you did when you were a kid. It's a ridiculous amount of fun, and there are even health benefits (but that's another story for another time).

Let's just say you can't feel bad when you have a brightly colored hoop spinning around your body and the music way up. I even have a collapsible one for travel, which gets a lot of attention in airports.

What? You've never seen a grown woman carry a laptop on one shoulder and a fold-up hoop on another? It is a conversation starter to say the least.

Random person: Um, what's that around your neck?

Me: It's a hula hoop.

Random person: Seriously?

Me: Yep, wanna try?

Random person looks suspiciously at me, backing away slowly.

OK, so it's a bit bulky and I don't take it everywhere. But I'm not the only Southerner who is into hooping --  in fact the Hotel Palomar in Dallas is offering a 50% discount to anyone who can hula hoop for one minute upon check-in. And if you can't make the full minute, they'll offer a free-upgrade if you hoop for 20 seconds. How fun is that?

The deal is upon availability and runs through Sept. 7. Now go get your hoop on.

Related Links:

Southern Living: Dallas Like A Local

Southern Living Live Healthy: Hula Hooping To Health

Hooping.com - What is Hooping?

Maybe it's the Spanish moss dripping eerily from live oaks in the moonlight, the hushed secrets of  multiple cultures, or the imaginations of a thousand storytellers--the South is a born-and-bred backdrop for intrigue. The region is fertile ground for folklore and secret societies (that old Greek fraternity/sorority handshake counts for something), and mystery is bound to entail. Similarly, we're home of the famed phrase: "Hey y'all, watch this!" A Southerner will try anything once.

The Manta at SeaWorld in Orlando, FL
Afterburn at Carowinds in Charlotte, NC
Thunderhead at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN
Goliath at Six Flags in Atlanta, GA