Jimmy Reed

[em]Jimmy Reed is an Oxford, Mississippi resident, Ole Miss and Delta State University alumnus, Vietnam Era Army Veteran, former Mississippi Delta cotton farmer and ginner, author, and retired college teacher. Other books by Jimmy Reed include [strong]The Jaybird Tales[/strong]. Copies, including personalized autographs, can be reserved by notifying the author via email (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).[/em]

Most Recent Articles by Jimmy Reed:

Boldness Has Genius, Power, And Magic In It November 14, 2021

Before stepping to the podium in the new class, I bowed my head and asked God for courage and guidance — and received them

The Blessing Of Balance November 13, 2021

“Son, if you ain’t never sick, you won’t never know how good feeling good feels” — words that offered little comfort to a miserable twelve-year-old boy

Big O-O-Oh! November 4, 2021

“You got suckered, boy. Now we both know what caught you: the patented, pink, plastic, pearly-eyed wobbler.”

Big Black Battling Bull Bream — Bite! November 3, 2021

“Shoot — we’ve got plenty of bait, we’ve got our poles, and something to eat. Let’s fish,” and baiting his hook, he commanded: “Big black battling bull bream — bite!”

Bawl, Boy, Bawl October 15, 2021

“To the Lord, the voices of His children lifted in praise and joy are beautiful, no matter how they sound to others, so keep doing what Smith said you do: Bawl, boy, bawl.”

Ask What The Market Will Bear October 4, 2021

Jaybird masterminded a simple business experience to teach me a basic principle of free enterprise: Balance what you stand to gain against what you stand to lose. When acceptable, take the risk.

Always Avoid Angering Armadillos September 27, 2021

A bad experience followed bad judgment, which I exercised by messing with a creature that wasn’t messing with me. That day I learned a lesson the hard way: Always avoid angering armadillos

Ajax, The Attacking Airedale September 25, 2021

A selection from The Jaybird Tales

Let Us Never Forget September 10, 2021

My fellow Americans, I became you; you became me. On that tragic day we became one: Let us never forget

Jay’s Gar Ponds (Part Six Of Six) September 2, 2021

Junior’s dream: Jay’s gar ponds

Jay’s Gar Ponds (Part Five of Six) August 31, 2021

Garville and Garville University

Jay’s Gar Ponds (Part Four Of Six) August 27, 2021

In no time the store was the hub of the largest sports fishing emporium in the South, and wealthy sportsmen paid top prices for lures tested where trophy fish swam: Jay’s gar ponds

Jay’s Gar Ponds (Part Three Of Six) August 23, 2021

Jay’s Gar Ponds Part 2 August 15, 2021

Part 2 of 6

Jay’s Gar Ponds Part 1 August 8, 2021

A Jaybird Tall Tale: Part 1

Satan’s Surest Subjugator July 20, 2021

I learned from him that discouragement destroys positive attitudes. It is what Jaybird called it: Satan's surest subjugator

Gee Gee July 8, 2021

Not a soul in the room had any doubt about what this newborn baby girl would be called — the same nickname as the invisible grandmother’s: Gee Gee.

Serving The Right Master July 1, 2021

“I want to die prayin’, because if I die prayin’, I won’t die sinnin’.”

Just A Dude Choppin’ Cotton June 21, 2021

Now we know what you are — a cotton choppin’ dude — not what we thought you were: just a dude choppin’ cotton.”

Calvin Saw Catamounts A-Comin’ June 10, 2021

That night, after listening to Jaybird’s stories about ferocious, man-eating catamounts, we boys crawled into the tent and lay down to sleep.

All Mother — All The Time May 8, 2021

Daily I express gratitude to Mama by striving to do so in words and deeds, always mindful of what she was and, in my heart, still is: All mother — all the time.

A Cherry Cracker Catastrophe April 30, 2021

“For you, the dog, and Jake, that experience turned out to be just the opposite of what it might have been: a cherry cracker catastrophe.”

A Marriage Made In Heaven April 23, 2021

Loving companionship in marriage is a wellspring of happiness during life; in death, it becomes what it was on earth: a marriage made in Heaven

Big Black Bull Bream — Bite! March 22, 2021

Job Had A Job To Do March 10, 2021

I realized that sickness, like health, is part of human existence. It is an annealing experience that tests one’s tenacity and endurance, thereby making those virtues — as well as faith — stronger. Jaybird taught me what he knew: Job had a job to do

Living The Lord’s Will March 2, 2021

He served his family, he served his Maker

A Cat-Scratched Hero January 29, 2021

“Good Lord, Son, what happened to yo’ face? It looks like a roadmap.”

The Hand On My Shoulder January 18, 2021

God’s loving hand on His children’s shoulders always provides courage, strength, and determination to do whatever must be done

Yes, My Son January 8, 2021

“Son, take my advice: Live as best possible according to God’s will, pray without cease, and His answer will be: ‘Yes, My son.’”

The Hardest Part December 28, 2020

During my teaching career, my New Year’s resolution was to teach students what Jaybird taught me. When facing difficult tasks, do this first: the hardest part