Syrup, Biscuits and Sow Belly

The book depicts Samuel Mills growing up in the last days of the rural Old South with the blessings, scar tissues and victories of a rough-edged upbringing. With Samuel’s collection of raw, unglorified and poignant stories from his life in the 1950s and ‘60s to the present day, he captures the brutal hardness and the unanticipated softness life offered. Sharing his experiences with honesty, humor and a touch of absurdity, he captures the essence of the spartan life of a sharecropper family amidst a multitude of relatives. He reaps the good fortune and positives of character being raised in a caring community while supported by the love and friendship of those around him. With only his dog Dash for a playmate until he starts school, he grows up in a different world experienced by few living today, but the hard work and tough times of the farm built the foundation he needed to sustain a rewarding life. His grudging connection with God happens slowly but eventually matures as he grows older and secures all the benefits of a special relationship with the Divine Guider.