On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

I'm pleased to announce that I have begged, wheedled, and cajoled Tom Mathews to join Miss Scarlett, The Tall Woman, and me, Lawyer Stevens, as a Moderator here on "The Trail." If you follow the posts, I know you've seen Tom around a good bit.

Tom has been a Member of our group a year now. He's been a regular contributor in discussions, nominating reads, and I consider him our Man on the Author Trail. Tom has brought T. Geronimo Johnson to us to discuss Welcome to Braggsville. And, again, thanks to Tom, Ellen Urbani has joined "The Trail" and will be discussing her novel Landfall in December.

Now, Tom has hung around here so long he hasn't come up with his Moderator moniker. He's ponderin' on it. *chuckle* When he comes up with it, I'm sure it will be a Jim Dandy.

Welcome, Tom. Dang, it's good to have you here.

"Lawyer Stevens"

Congratulations, Tom . Thanks to you and the other moderators for your time and effort!

Well, it's now truly official. I knew Tom would pick a winner. Welcome "Big Daddy" from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams.

“I've got the guts to die. What I want to know is, have you got the guts to live?”

“I'm a rich man, Brick, yep, I'm a mighty rich man. Y'know how much I'm worth? Guess, Brick! Guess how much I'm worth! Close to ten million in cash an' blue chip stocks, outside, mind you, of twenty-eight thousand acres of the richest land this side of the valley Nile! But a man can't buy his life with it, he can't buy back his life with it when his life has been spent, that's one thing not offered in the Europe fire-sale or in the American markets or any markets on earth, a man can't buy his life with it, he can't buy back his life when his life is finished..."

Big Daddy

Well, Elizabeth Taylor may have had the looks, but Burl Ives sure had the lines. Ah, Big Daddy. "Ignorance-of morality-is a comfort."

Great choice, Tom.

"Lawyer Stevens"

Thanks for the invitation, Lawyer Stevens. You can't imagine how much this means to me, an unrepentant Yankee and relative neophyte in Southern literary circles. I'll do my best to fill Big Daddy Pollit's shoes.

Congrats, Tom, on your new role in life, and greetings from a fellow Bay Area resident! I have enjoyed reading your insights thus far, and look forward to more down the road.

Congrats Big Daddy Tom. Been a fan since you joined the Trail. Look forward to your moderator's choices which are bound to get me reading something new and interesting.

I second that sentiment, Lydia!

Tom congrats! If you follow the Trail at all, you know Tom is an asset to our group. Excited!!!!

I'll add my excited voice to the mix, Tom. I'm glad Mike finally wore you down, your input is always interesting and thoughtful. Big Daddy is a perfect moniker.

Mike wrote: "I'm pleased to announce that I have begged, wheedled, and cajoled Tom Mathews to join Miss Scarlett, The Tall Woman, and me, Lawyer Stevens, as a Moderator here on "The Trail." If you follow the po..."

I like "Big Daddy," but I was leaning more to "Jim Dandy" coming to the rescue.

Thanks Tom.

Awesome Tom, think you will be a great addition to our other fine moderators.

Big Daddy!!!! We could not have the wonderful discussions we do without our fantastic moderators, and in some ways, you've already been a Mod-Lite. Thank you for the commitment to enrich our world of books!

Thanks for joining the group of excellent moderators on the Trail. I always enjoy your observations and sense of humor, Tom.

Thank you to all of you for your kind welcomes, both now and when I first joined the group. You are all the living embodiment of southern hospitality.

Yay Tom! Interested to see what your first Moderator's Choice will be.

Tom thank you for joining as one of our moderators. And, thank you to all of our moderators for your personal time and information you are so willing to share.