Less is more morsels

by Heather Jones

Eudora Welty is the darling of Mississippi literature, and that's saying quite a lot, given how successful Mississippians are in the world of books. She is the MASTER of the short story. Hers are my favorite go-to when I'm feeling indecisive (as is my prerogative) because, with Eudora Welty, less is always more morsels. 

Delicious morsels of understated storytelling.

"One place understood helps us understand all places better". ~ Eudora Welty

As a starting point for a Eudora journey, I'd recommend grabbing a copy of The Collected Stories Of Eudora Welty: A Collection and perusing the table of contents to find any title that interests you. Specifically, give some of your valuable time to Why I live at the P.O.. It's funny and cleverly written, but also a relatable thinker of a piece. Afterward, and if you are the kind to vibe with open interpretations of metaphors, jump right into her story titled The Key. If the P.O. is a thinker, then The Key is a stayer. If you want to understand a place like the American South better, an afternoon of Eudora stories will fill you up..

I will be visiting her home and the museum dedicated to Jackson, Mississippi's own Eudora Welty, within the week. I can't imagine I won't be freshly inspired. 

Did you know that she was also a photographer and "junior publicity agent" (whatever that is) for the U.S. government's brainchild, the Works Progress Administration, during the 1930's. Her job for the WPA was to collect information about the various counties in her home state of Mississippi. Her home features a gallery of snapshots she captured during the Great Depression. Talk about a cool job.

How much did THAT experience influence this literary queen? 

For once, a government program does something right.

As a starting point for a Eudora journey, I'd recommend grabbing a copy of The Collected Stories Of Eudora Welty: A Collection and perusing the table of contents to find any title interest to you. Specifically, give some of your valuable time to Why I live at the P.O.. It's funny and cleverly written, but also a relatable thinker of a piece. Afterwards, and if you are the kind to vibe with open interpretations of metaphors, jump right into her story titled The Key. If the P.O. is a thinker, then The Key is a stayer. If you want to understand a place like the American South better, an afternoon of Eudora stories will fill you up..

I will be visiting her home and the museum decidated to Jackson, Mississippi's own Eudora Welty within the week. I can't imagine I won't be freshly inspired.

Did you know that she was also a photographer and "junior publicity agent" (what ever that is) for the U.S. government's brainchild, the Works Progress Administration during the 1930's. Her job for the WPA was to collect information about the various counties in her home state of Mississippi. The Jackson, Mississippi home and museum dedicated to Welty features a gallery of snapshots she captured during the Great Depression. Talk about a cool job.

How much did THAT experience influence this literary queen?

For once, a government program does something right.

You better believe I'll be representing when I show up on Pinehurst Street to explore the life of Eudora Welty.