Where every post is served with a side of optimism and a sprinkling of Southern goodness. And speaking of flavor, don’t even get me started on food! I could eat Gumbo, Rice and Gravy, and Smoked Boudin every single day of the week and twice on Sundays! That’s the kind of Southern comfort that sticks to your ribs and warms your soul.
About Me: Dean Burnette – A Little Bit Cajun, A Little Bit Scot, and Whole Lotta Southern
Well now, pull up a porch swing and maybe pour yourself some sweet tea, ’cause I figure if you’re gonna hang around “Southern Fried Thoughts,” you oughta know a little bit about the fella stirring the pot.
Roots That Run Deep
I’m Dean Burnette, a proud product of the South, I’m a Southern boy, through and through. Born in the Bayou State of Louisiana, but now rooted deep in the Georgia red clay, a God-fearing, gumbo-loving, rodeo-watching, music-obsessed storyteller with a stubborn streak as wide as the Mississippi. I’m as grateful as a tick on a fat dog to be an American. It all began at Chenault Air Force Base in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Gotta love those small town, Air Force romances. Wouldn’t you know it, Daddy snagged himself a Cajun Queen. My mama? A full-blooded Cajun girl, stirring up pots of Gumbo and teaching me that “lagniappe” (a little something extra) makes life sweeter. And that’s how this whole spicy gumbo of a life started for me – a combination that’s likely responsible for my…well, let’s just say “unique” perspective on life.
Heritage Worth Knowing
Turns out, that Burnette name traces back a ways, right across the pond to Scotland. I even had the chance to visit the old Burnette family stomping grounds. What a day it was when I visited Crathes Castle (the Burnette family castle, mind you) and shook hands with Jamie Burnett himself! Some folks spend years searching for their identity – I found mine served up with a side of bagpipes and family tartan. Now, what do you get crossing a fiery Cajun gal with a Scot whose people built castles? Probably someone like me – got a taste for flavor, a healthy dose of humor (you gotta laugh, right?), and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of a stubborn streak. Let’s just say I know what I like, and what I like usually involves Gumbo, Rice and Gravy, or some properly Smoked Boudin. Lord, I could probably eat that stuff every single day and twice on Sunday.
Faith, Family, and a Whole Lotta Gumbo
I’ll tell you plain – I’m just a humble fella, deeply grateful that God has stuck by me through thick and thin. He’s seen me through times when I surely didn’t deserve His grace, but His faithfulness never wavered. You see, I’ve been blessed beyond measure. I’ve weathered storms that would make a hurricane blush, and I’ve learned that the best life lessons are often learned the hard way. Through it all, my faith in God has been the unwavering fuel that keeps this old engine chugging along. He’s stuck by me when I didn’t deserve it, and for that, I am eternally thankful. That faith, that belief in something bigger than myself, has been the pure-D, high-octane fuel for the hope that’s pulled me through the rockiest patches of my life. For that, all I can say is, Thank You, God! Through the many ups and downs of life, my faith has been my anchor, keeping me grounded and grateful for all that I have. Believe me, I’ve had times when I didn’t deserve his grace, yet He stuck by my side like a true southern friend. Thank You, God!
And family? Oh, we’re the kind that argues over the best way to make a roux but still sits around the same table, laughing ’til we cry.
Music & Movies: The Soundtrack of My Life
Music plays an instrumental role in my heart. I still remember the impact of “Mr. Holland’s Opus” and how Richard Dreyfus struck a chord with John Lennon’s words: “Music is the soundtrack of our lives.” That scene in American Graffiti where the radio plays all night? That was my teenage years. And American Hot Wax? Pure gold. There’s nothing like the way a song can take you right back to a moment, like that red-haired girl playing Stranger on the Shore on her clarinet. Movies like “American Graffiti” and “American Hot Wax” inspired my youthful spirit and shaped my love for storytelling. It’s true what they say — songs can bring memories to life and provide a backdrop to our most cherished moments. Music just weaves itself through everything.
Rodeos: The Most Patriotic Sport in America
Forget football—nothing gets my heart pounding like a rodeo. Did I mention rodeos are my favorite sport? Yes, indeed! Rodeos are, in my humble opinion, the most patriotic sport in America. There’s nothing quite like the raw excitement of professional bull riding – eight seconds of pure American grit and determination. We’ve even ventured to the Angola Prison Rodeo, which was an eye-opening experience that’ll give you perspective faster than a bucking bronco gives you bruises. Watching those courageous cowboys ride the bucking broncs and fierce bulls is nothing short of exhilarating. Let me tell you, You haven’t truly lived until you’ve witnessed the thrill of pro bull riding! Rodeos, to me, embody the patriotic spirit of America, and I feel grateful to have grown up with this passion.
Why “Southern Fried Thoughts”?
Southern Fried Thoughts is my humble offering to the world – stories served up with humor for flavor and a dash of politics for spice. This blog is my space to share stories—some old Facebook ramblings, some brand-new tales—all seasoned with Southern charm, a dash of humor, and just enough politics to keep things spicy. Life’s too short not to laugh, not to savor every bite, and not to tip your hat to the good Lord for all of it.
Here you’ll find observations from a Southern perspective, reflections on life’s wild ride, and occasionally, the wisdom that comes from making enough mistakes to know better. This here blog is a place for sharing, reflecting, and enjoying the view from a Southern perspective.
Welcome to Southern Fried Thoughts. I sure hope you enjoy the flavor. From light-hearted anecdotes to thoughtful reflections on faith and politics, you’re bound to find something that resonates with your own journey.
So pull up a chair and stay awhile. In the tradition of great Southern storytellers, I promise to keep it interesting, authentic, and always grateful for this beautiful, complicated, wonderful life we’re living. Together, let’s laugh, ponder, and celebrate the goodness of life as we share our Southern Fried Thoughts!
Thank you for stopping by, and remember — life is like a good bowl of gumbo; it’s better enjoyed with friends and family!
Important Notice: Contents Under Pressure (For Some):
Alright now, bless your heart if you’re one of them folks who gets their britches in a twist over anything good said about that fella Trump. Now, I ain’t saying he walks on water, but if I happen to mention somethin’ positive ’bout his time in office, and that sets you off like a firecracker in a tin can, well, darlin’, just mosey on along. There’s plenty of other things to read about here – faith, family, and enough gumbo talk to make your mouth water. But if you see “Trump” and your blood pressure starts climbin’ faster than kudzu on a telephone pole, just avert your eyes and pretend you didn’t see nothin’.
And for goodness sake, whatever you do, just don’t click on that “Politics” tab up there in the menu. Consider yourself warned. You might need a fainting couch and a strong mint julep! You have been fairly warned.
Now, for the rest of y’all, come on in and stay a while. The sweet tea’s cold, and the stories are hot!
Welcome to the family!
Dean Burnette
Southern Fried Thoughts