In the South, as anywhere, coping with the death of a loved one is different for everyone. Funerals, clearing out estates, and caring for the dying are necessary rituals that are unavoidable for most of us. Southern writers, like most writers, often find inspiration for fiction and memoirs in the passing of family members and that is why we decided it would be a good theme for this episode of Brain Fertilizer. Carla Martin-Wood, Donna J. Dotson, and Ashley Fields are our featured writers for this episode of Brain Fertilizer. I'm sure you'll appreciate their differing styles and perspectives.

Elvis has entered the podcast! Okay, not Elvis, but memoirs involving Elvis. Deb Jellett and Gerri Almand are this episode's featured writers. Both take us back to their childhoods when Elvis was King, or about to be, and the impact he had on their lives. Such good writing, y'all, and highly entertaining, much like the man himself. This is only the first Elvis-themed episode, mind, so before too long there will at least be a short fiction bonus, so stay tuned. So it's one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and go cat go! It's Elvis week on Brain Fertilizer. 

After a delay due to circumstances beyond our control, the second full episode of Brain Fertilizer is here for your listening pleasure. The theme, I Need a Vacation, is something pretty much everyone can relate to. The first memoir is by Amy Parker, a North Carolinian who wrote of events that occurred before she and her son embarked on a winter cruise. Maggie Dove authored the second memoir about the first time she went to sleepaway Bible camp in Florida. Both are funny and touching and, well, downright surprising. Don't forget to visit www.deadmule.com to read more memoirs, short fiction, and even a bit of poetry. Thank you for your kind attention.

Due to technical issues, the next full episode of Brain Fertilizer won't be out for another day. Therefore your host, Virginia Lee, got to nattering again. This time Lee goes full-on stream of consciousness about going to and being in Memphis during summertime visits to her maternal grandmother's. It was recorded before Lee had her mornin' coffee, so...

With all the current weirdness in the world, a little Christmas in July is more than likely appreciated. Therefore, for the premiere Brain Fertilizer podcast, we're having Christmas in July. We have writers from Alabama and Mississippi featured. Our Alabama writer, Sheree Shatsky, wrote of Divinity, a Southern confection most often found in Southern homes during the winter holidays. Brandi Pillow of Mississippi, remembers her grandmother's cooking with much love and just enough wistfulness to hit you right in the heart. Your host, Virginia Lee, offers up a Great Depression era story based on her Great-Great-Aunt Grace.  So relax, get your favorite beverage and maybe some nibbles. It's time to have a little Christmas in July.

It's a couple of days before the premiere of Brain Fertilizer's first official episode and Virginia Lee, the Voice of the Dead Mule and host of Brain Fertilizer, decided to look through her copy of Marion Brown's Southern Cookbook. You see, Ms. Lee's mother had an autographed copy of this cookbook and one of Lee's few regrets in life is losing track of that book. Having recently acquired another copy, Lee's been looking through it and thought she'd talk about it a bit in this here Brain Fertilizer Bonus. In time, the only way you'll be able to access the BFBs will be via the BF's Patreon page as a patron, but the first few will be available for all comers. Get ready to hear Ms. Lee natter a bit and go on and click that there button. Thank you for your kind attention.

A brief intro to the Brain Fertilizer podcast and its host, Virginia Lee. The premiere of Brain Fertilizer is July 16, 2020. Y'all be sure to give us a listen!