Monty's World
Who is Monty?
Monty is Montgomery Atkins. He’s from Columbia, South Carolina but now lives in Charleston where he practices a little law (tax and estate planning mostly) and works with a few other fellows in the world of private equity, distressed debt purchasing and private lending. He attended college at The University of Alabama, and yes, he thinks Bear Bryant walks on water. He received his law degree from the University of South Carolina.
Monty belongs to the Wappoo Country Club where he developed his love for the game of golf. Wappoo CC boasts a Seth Raynor designed golf course and claims ties to the arrival of the game in this country. Monty struggles with his game and was once overhead saying to one of his sons, “Son, you’ve got more natural talent than I do, but if you turn out like me, then I’m afraid you’ll find in this life that you can be good at golf, a good husband, and good at your job but you can’t be good at all three at the same time, so you’ll have to choose.”
Monty's Thoughts On...
Shrimp 'N Grits
If the best things in life are indeed the simple things, then that explains in part why Shrimp ’n Grits are so good. Grits are stone-ground cornmeal. They can be white or yellow, and once the kernels are boiled and the water is absorbed, the cornmeal becomes thickened and tender. The other main ingredient is shrimp. Now, use your imagination. Saute the shrimp, bbq the shrimp, cook them on a skillet in vegetable oil or soaked in bacon fat. Add cheese, bacon, garlic, green onions, chili powder, honey, andouille sausage, diced bell peppers, mushrooms, etc… You get the idea.
Check in from time to time and Monty will share with you his experiences cooking Shrimp ’n Grits as well as how certain restaurants around town are preparing this Southern staple.
Being a Dad
I can’t add anything that hasn’t already been said and I don’t know any secrets to being a dad. I’ll just share how I understand the role and my relationship with my children. Children are a blessing. Do we know anyone who sees them differently? The joy of all life’s milestones is indescribable. But does that mean though that they can’t frustrate us to tears, hurt us, let us down, do themselves harm, scare us, etc…? No, it doesn’t. If you’re a parent, then you know full well the fears and exhaustion that accompany being a parent. But all that being said, I wouldn’t give it up for anything. As a dad, I get to be their earthly father, a father to one of God’s children. My relationship with that child changes as the child grows up and matures. When they’re young, I’m not their best friend. I see myself as a shepherd, guiding them along with a staff. I always want to be a safe place for them to come to when they find themselves scared or in trouble. And I want to listen to them, and I want them to know I listen to them. As they become young adults, through I’ll never stop being a dad, the friendship can blossom. It’s hard being a parent and we make mistakes. But at the end of the day, we do the best we know how.
Charleston Today
Well, I hardly recognize it, but that’s okay. When Rose and I were raising Eli and Walker, there was no Ravenel Bridge, you could count the homes on Kiawah Island, Northerners came to visit but rarely stayed, and folks dressed up to walk King Street. In the stores and restaurants downtown, you couldn’t always count on air conditioning, but today as it was then, you can get around downtown just fine without a car. So, while some things remain the same, yes, the City has changed. But, with all the careful renovation around town and the dedication to maintaining the architectural integrity, I believe Charleston is more beautiful today than ever.
