Jane Jenkins Herlong

Latest Author Features

COVID-19: A Slice of Humble Pie

My world is filled with standing on stages, meeting wonderful people, writing books, and living the dream … until March of 2020. Overnight everything changed — my full calendar became empty. What’s your slice of humble pie? So we are in this together, right? My speaker buds and I have taken a hit and were served a large slice of humble pie. The first Zoom call, most of us were in shock. The once totally put-together impressive women who always dress to kill looked like they wanted to hurt somebody … anybody. I could hardly recognize some folks — no make-up and some half-dressed. You only need to be dressed

Little Miss Fired-Up

So, when will your reflection show who you are inside? It’s up to you. I remember when the movie Mulan was popular. There was a song the main character sang that made my heart sing too. When will my reflection show who I am inside? I was so taken with the lyrics that I made my children listen to that song repeatedly. Many times it takes years before your inside catches up with your outside. Now, here is why this was so important to me. My parents placed me in the “C” section when I was in the first grade. There are sayings that might possibly describe their decision: the

South Carolina’s Jewels That Forever Shine

As a Lowcountry South Carolinian, I have had the opportunity to live in all three sections of our beautiful state: the Lowcountry, the Midlands and the Upstate. Many have enjoyed amazing experiences living in our state since South Carolina has so much to offer — a rich past, a bustling economy, and stunning landscapes. But unlike most people, I traveled and lived in various places across our state wearing a crown, with rhinestones. Welcome to my journey serving our state as an ambassador, as a Miss America Contestant, or more specifically, as Miss South Carolina. It was not the crown that made the difference on my journey across our Palmetto

How to Keep Your Dog-GONE Sense of Humor

Motivational humorist Roger Rabbit once said, “A laugh can be a very powerful thing. Sometimes in life it’s the only weapon we have.” “Thomas,” I asked. “Did you put Bo in the pen?” I knew that our yellow lab, Bo, had an interest in another dog, his first girlfriend. And we all remember the feeling associated with our first love: he had a spring in his step, a twinkle in his eye, and a smile on his face. After every romantic encounter, Bo would lounge in the yard. It reminded me of a love scene from an old romantic movie from the 1940s — a lit cigarette — a Martini

PEDALIN’ TO HEAVEN

Excerpt from Rhinestones on my Flip-Flops I was privileged to sing at Rev. Lowell Clark’s memorial celebration. I have always loved his family and especially his wonderful wife, “Miss Ada.” She taught both of my children in pre-school and is definitely a WOW. The minister opened the service by saying, “Lowell preached his own funeral … by the way he lived his life.” The quaint country church showcased Mr. Lowell’s life in a visual tribute that included his iconic bicycle decorated with flowers, a worn Bible, and a Clemson University flag. Mr. Lowell loved to ride his bike and share his faith. What a way to cruise through life. Yes,

The Golden Rule | That Made Me Blush

It happens to the best of us. It is not a good feeling when you realize that you have made a major mistake and you want to knock yourself in your forgetful head. You are traveling. You reach your destination. You open your luggage and you realize that you have left most of your toiletry items at home. It is late, so you make the most of the hotel micro mini toothbrush and tiny tube of toothpaste. Until tomorrow … when you realize that most of your makeup is also in that toiletry bag! Now, it’s serious, especially if you are a Southern woman whose momma taught you NEVER to

I Found Love at the Lizard’s Thicket

I had my first encounter with Thomas at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston when he introduced me as the newly crowned Miss Chaleston (he dropped the r). It was so perfectly Southern. Knowing he judged pageants, I called him to ask if he would be interested in judging the Miss Charleston Pageant. I wanted to make a great impression so I acted queenly and mature. Here is how the conversation went: “Hello,” I said. “Hello,” Thomas said. Then we had some small talk. “What have you been doing?” I asked. Are you ready for this answer? This is exactly what he said: “Artificially inseminating my beef cattle.” Now, I

A 2020 Serving of Sweet Tea Wisdom and Southern Fried Humor

As we enter into a new year, I thought I would share two of my favorite stories. Start your 2020 with some humor coupled with a bit of wisdom — enjoy! One of my Sunday school buds told our class a story I will never forget. As a seventeen-year-old, Nicky entered boot camp. He said that he was petrified and had a sinking feeling of failure. One day, Nicky he dropped to his knees and prayed, “Oh, Lord, I need help. I am a failure! Please send me a sign to help me survive basic training.” With bowed head, Nicky’s eyes opened. It was a miracle. He saw his divine

Christmas Parades | What A Ride

As Miss South Carolina, I had a blast riding in Christmas Parades! I became a skilled candy thrower and I had perfected my beauty queen wave. But I learned more than just how to wave in parades. I believe these “rhinestoned lessons” taught me how to laugh at myself and develop a healthy attitude while riding in a kazillion Christmas parades. Here are a few really funny, timeless lessons I learned. Don’t take yourself too seriously. I was asked to be the Grand Marshall in a small-town parade. Well, I thought I was the most important part of the parade until the Mayor told me that I was being replaced

Sitting at “The KID Table” | Do You Miss it Too?

It is a Jenkins Family tradition. Practically every holiday we would journey to my grandparent’s home on Johns Island for the family get-together. My immediate family had only a short drive down a dirt road; other family members drove for hours. The youngins were excited, since we knew that all of us cousins would be sitting together. At first, you are somewhat insulted since you long to be a grown-up and have the honor of sitting with the adults. We did not realize how lucky we were to be sitting at our special table. At the kid table there was no one to tell you what to eat or how