Although we are not the end-all, be-all source for information by any stretch of the imagination, we have discovered quite a bit about traveling, and I thought perhaps some of our experiences might be of assistance to some of you. By this time, we have traveled to 49 of the 50 states (not Alaska yet), and the area covered is mind-boggling. Before the day is over, while riding along, I plan to highlight on a US map all of the roads we have traversed, which I will later share with you.
One of the most important observations, which I find myself consistantly repeating to the grands, is NEVER pass a bathroom. One never knows what lies on the road ahead, the delays or problems, and how long it might be until the next opportunity presents itself. That said, there might be an exception to this rule, considering the state of some of the WC's I have seen lately. Obviously, I have not seen the men's facilities, but I have decided that many women are just plain piggy and sloppy, careless and thoughtless about others, based on the appearance of many bathrooms. There are some that are too disgusting to enter. Some places obviously do not care about cleanliness, either, and have ignored their restrooms entirely. One could only wish for a health department inspection soon!
Next, traveling is simply not inexpensive any longer, with the possible exception of camping out. We have tried using the coupons from the discount booklets found along the rest stops; joined hotel points plans; and used AAA rates. Regardless, rooms have run from $49 a night plus tax to $120, depending on the location. The most expensive was the historic district of Savannah, and we chose that simply because the kids recommended it after they had been there for the after-Christmas holiday. True, it made walking everywhere a possibility, but perhaps a motel a bit farther out might have been much less expensive, and we could still have walked everywhere. The Choice Hotel group used to offer a free night for every two or three nights stayed, but now they offer a 10% point system for every $ of the room cost, and one can redeem points for a free room, airline miles, etc. We liked the old system better! Their room charges run from $49 to $120, depending on the dates, rooms, and which level of hotel used. The Clarions are usually more expensive than we wish to pay; Comfort Inns and Suites are quite nice and medium-expensive to reasonable; the Quality Inns are usually acceptable and often cost less; and we no longer trust the Econolodges, having discovered that too often they have frequently been roach motels and less presentable. La Quintas offer discounts, too, and many have recently been remodeled. The coupon books usually are discounted for a reason: not remodeled, in a questionable area, run-down, etc. Nevertheless, one can find some good deals. When using one of those, we always ask to see the room first to check out the cleanliness; how the bed feels; how much noise the fan/heating/cooling system makes; and to listen for noise if located next to an elevator. One should never hesitate to ask to do that, nor to ask for a different room if the room is not satisfactory. We have also discovered the importance of removing the bedspread, which could be more than somewhat contaminated. Many hotels are not even using them any longer for that reason. And, being the Mrs. Tidy-Bowl that I am, I always wear slippers or socks, never bare feet in rooms, although 1HW ignores that. I have also been known to carry Lysol wipes to clean out bathtubs so I can enjoy a leisurely bubble bath! Many of the hotels offer other amenities, also.
Even the discount places usually serve breakfast with the room rate. The breakfasts vary from coffee and stale mini-doughnuts in the coupon book places, to a full breakfast buffet complete with Eggs Benedict, such as the feast we had in Grand Rapids last summer at a Choice Hotel. On this trip we have primarily used Comfort Inns, and by this point in time, the breakfasts of waffles, cold cereal, bagels, etc. is beginning to get a bit boring, although I'm not sure if it would vary too much more at home. We always try to eat some kind of breakfast when on the road, and, frequently, we do not eat much lunch, preferring to enjoy an earlier dinner, which also frequently has early bird specials. Many of the hotels have indoor pools, hot tubs, and exercise rooms, and occasionally these have saved our bodies after a long day of driving. Most now have WI-FI capability for wireless hookups, although we do not need it due to our Verizon VZ Access. Generally, we have found that the hotel personnel are most friendly and courteous, and they usually give us excellent recommendations on what local restaurants to visit. We have found that "chatting up," taking the time to talk with people and find out about their backgrounds and interests, always serves us well! As a result, people have frequently have gone out of their ways to help us, and we have spoken with some delightful and interesting folks! We haven't even begun to relate all of our conversations on the blog sites, but we often refer to some tidbits remembered when speaking with each other. Last night, for example, when we entered the casino, we asked the information lady in the entrance where we might find Emeril's. After she replied, I then said, "He's treating me to my Valentine's dinner. Do you think I'll enjoy it?" Immediately she grinned and replied," Oh, girl, you'll just LOVE it! Go order everything on the menu and just say thank you! You just go for it, girl!" We just had to laugh, and so did she!
Now, having said that, some areas have drivers who are simply not that courteous. On the way through Georgia (again), we felt like we had bull's eyes painted on the side of the car. Whew! We were glad to get out of there! Also, it is absolutely no fun to drive in the CT/NYC area. The roads are packed, even at what one would consider the slowest periods. Some areas, such as California and Michigan, have such fast driving and weaving in and out, often on bumpy roads, that driving is a continual challenge. One other driving obstacle is the lack of road signs. Just ask 1HW about how much he enjoys driving in some areas, especially (again) Georgia! Washington State, Texas and the Heartland, just like the disposition of the people, seem to have the most courteous drivers. The Eisenhower Interstate System makes driving across and around the country amazingly simple and efficient, even if one is not able to experience all of the other scenery. The most scenic routes are definitely the more regional routes, but they are so much slower.
We have discovered places to park when we are traveling in the RV, and we frequently refer to Woodall's guide to assist us in finding campsites, parks, and RV resorts. It is surprising that some areas do not abound in these. For example, in Michigan, the nearest place to Ann Arbor in which to camp is in Ypsilanti, which is primarily occupied by the Michigan Air Force (mosquitos), and in Chelsea, about 16 miles away. There is little found anywhere near Sharpsburg, GA, either, although we finally found a place about 15 miles away. In San Diego, we had to park almost 10 miles away from where the kids lived. Needless to say, it has become much more prohibitive to drive the RV, considering the price of diesel fuel these days. So when we take off from Kerrville in February, we will definitely have some destinations in mind and not enjoy the aimless wanderings we used to have or have in the car.
Traveling in the RV is so much easier for me than in the car, however. My back disc deterioration makes the long driving periods in the car most difficult, while in the RV, I can get up and stretch, and the seats are more comfortable. I have discovered that our shower base is deep enough and large enough to allow for a small soaky, hot bath, which relieves the back pain somewhat. Also, the microwave is at hand to warm my heating pads, and the freezer is available for cold packs. Another advantage to the RV is our own bed! There is nothing like sleeping in your own place! And we just plain enjoy the comforts which our cozy home on wheels provide. Parking expenses for the RV are so much less than motel rooms, and eating is much less expensive and healthier. We have our house plants, leather recliners, built-in entertainment centers, digital picture frames (what wonderful Christmas gifts!), and a plentiful reading supply. Sounds pretty good to me!
There you have it! Any questions? Meanwhile, we continue to wander back to "home." Happy travels to you, too!
Monday, January 28, 2008
More Ruminations...
This is what happens when we travel, as I sit in the car all day with a computer in front of me, and all kinds of inspirations for writing pop into my head. Yes, folks, this is fair warning that, once again, I am defying political correctness. This morning as we stopped at Mickey D's for breakfast (I do love their parfaits!), as we sat at a table, facing me was a huge poster, advertising the upcoming celebration of Black History Month. And once again, I must ask why on earth we do this.
It seems to me that it is time we as a nation quit trying to apologize for slavery. We have apologized already, over and over again, and it should be over and done with by this time. If the world needs to keep apologizing for all of the injustices, can one even imagine where we would be? Certainly, there is so much in world history that smacks of injustice, apologies could keep us busy for years, if not centuries.
The history of the US, as with the rest of the world, is filled with injustices which have occurred as each wave of immigration flooded American shores, beginning with the natives who first lived here. However, that doesn' t mean that each injustice should have a month dedicated to that cause. Can you imagine the results? We would not have enough months to accommodate all of them! Not only would the Native Americans lead the list, followed by "African Americans," but they would be followed by each incoming immigrant wave: Roman Catholics, Irish, Scottish, Italians, Germans, Greeks, Poles, Slavs, Hispanics from many sources and over many years, and Asian Americans in the form of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Cambodians, Indians, Pakistanis, etc. The list continues and is endless.
Isn't it about time that we just all celebrate our heritage as Americans, a melting pot, a smorgesbord of cultures, which do not need to be hyphenated or separated, but which can be enjoyed while blended together? If necessary, each group could still have one day, perhaps, to celebrate its uniqueness. Then on St. Patrick's Day the rivers could run green; on MLK Day the rivers could run black; on Caesar Chavez Day, brown; on Crazy Horse Day, red; on Sun Yat Sen, yellow; and so forth. I haven't figured out yet how the rivers could run white or pink. And, you may have some spectacular names for the chosen ethnic days, much better than my suggestions! If you get some ideas, let me know. What do you think? The inquiring mind wants to know.....
It seems to me that it is time we as a nation quit trying to apologize for slavery. We have apologized already, over and over again, and it should be over and done with by this time. If the world needs to keep apologizing for all of the injustices, can one even imagine where we would be? Certainly, there is so much in world history that smacks of injustice, apologies could keep us busy for years, if not centuries.
The history of the US, as with the rest of the world, is filled with injustices which have occurred as each wave of immigration flooded American shores, beginning with the natives who first lived here. However, that doesn' t mean that each injustice should have a month dedicated to that cause. Can you imagine the results? We would not have enough months to accommodate all of them! Not only would the Native Americans lead the list, followed by "African Americans," but they would be followed by each incoming immigrant wave: Roman Catholics, Irish, Scottish, Italians, Germans, Greeks, Poles, Slavs, Hispanics from many sources and over many years, and Asian Americans in the form of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Cambodians, Indians, Pakistanis, etc. The list continues and is endless.
Isn't it about time that we just all celebrate our heritage as Americans, a melting pot, a smorgesbord of cultures, which do not need to be hyphenated or separated, but which can be enjoyed while blended together? If necessary, each group could still have one day, perhaps, to celebrate its uniqueness. Then on St. Patrick's Day the rivers could run green; on MLK Day the rivers could run black; on Caesar Chavez Day, brown; on Crazy Horse Day, red; on Sun Yat Sen, yellow; and so forth. I haven't figured out yet how the rivers could run white or pink. And, you may have some spectacular names for the chosen ethnic days, much better than my suggestions! If you get some ideas, let me know. What do you think? The inquiring mind wants to know.....
Emeril's Gulf Coast Fish House
As 1HW so beautifully described it, Emeril's was perfectly delightful! Since you can read about the meal in his post, here are some different views on the evening.First, the restaurant is much more on the casual side than many famous places, probably due to the tourist traffic and the kind of dress one sees at casinos. They do stipulate that men may not wear sleeveless shirts there, but other than that, the attire is "dressy casual." We have noticed that this seems to be a trend among many
restaurants we have visited. It is really a bit sad that the days of "dressing up" are long gone, even though we still enjoy doing it every so often. The decor follows suit, with no tablecloths over the copperclad-acrylic-covered tables, black linen napkins, and plain white dinnerware. It is a very contemporary-appearing interior.
The serving and cooking 
staff has been
staff has been thoroughly trained in providing the best possible food and service. It was a "whatever we can do for you, just let us know" type of atmosphere. They were efficient and charming with no stuffiness whatsoever! The water glass was continually refilled, clean forks and knives were provided with each course, and empty plates were promptly removed. One could not ask for more! When I asked about taking a picture of the kitchen, Anthony checked for an OK, and the kitchen chefs were absolutely beaming! Our servers also were pleased to be included, we thought, so we hope you enjoy the pictures.
Joseph was particularly interesting. He was born and raised in Biloxi, which is located a few miles east of Gulfport, right on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico. At the time of Hurrican Katrina, he had finished his chemical engineering degree at LSU and was working in Baton Rouge in a variety of occupations. When the storm hit, he immediately hurried back to Biloxi to be with and help his family, half of whom had lost their homes. For months after that, everyone in the community worked to dig out of the mess, and he spent long days working a chain saw. He said that there was no ice for six months, but there was never a shortage of cold beer. Apparently, people traded cold beer for favors and jobs, and after long days of the intense and emotional manual labor, he said they all got together for a meal of whatever they could salvage, have a beer and laugh. They raided freezers that were still working for deer, beef, pork, chicken, whatever they could find, and barbequed it. It was just a process of making do. His mother had begun dating an Air Force officer after his father had died, and she decided to leave Biloxi after the hurricane, joining him in Arizona. Joseph begged his mother not to leave, because it was Thursday, and the Meals on Wheels crew from the Salvation Army was coming down the street with the day's choice meal of lasagna, always a treat. She left anyhow, but he stayed on. He has really enjoyed working for Emeril's group, although he looks forward to beginning his own business, maybe a restaurant of his own, maybe wine tasting, maybe who knows what. He is in no hurry to settle down, feeling that there are so many wonderful opportunities ahead of him. We agree! Go for it, Joseph, and if you read this, please let us know if we reported anything incorrectly! And happy wanderings to you, too! YEAH, BABE! BAM!
Joseph was particularly interesting. He was born and raised in Biloxi, which is located a few miles east of Gulfport, right on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico. At the time of Hurrican Katrina, he had finished his chemical engineering degree at LSU and was working in Baton Rouge in a variety of occupations. When the storm hit, he immediately hurried back to Biloxi to be with and help his family, half of whom had lost their homes. For months after that, everyone in the community worked to dig out of the mess, and he spent long days working a chain saw. He said that there was no ice for six months, but there was never a shortage of cold beer. Apparently, people traded cold beer for favors and jobs, and after long days of the intense and emotional manual labor, he said they all got together for a meal of whatever they could salvage, have a beer and laugh. They raided freezers that were still working for deer, beef, pork, chicken, whatever they could find, and barbequed it. It was just a process of making do. His mother had begun dating an Air Force officer after his father had died, and she decided to leave Biloxi after the hurricane, joining him in Arizona. Joseph begged his mother not to leave, because it was Thursday, and the Meals on Wheels crew from the Salvation Army was coming down the street with the day's choice meal of lasagna, always a treat. She left anyhow, but he stayed on. He has really enjoyed working for Emeril's group, although he looks forward to beginning his own business, maybe a restaurant of his own, maybe wine tasting, maybe who knows what. He is in no hurry to settle down, feeling that there are so many wonderful opportunities ahead of him. We agree! Go for it, Joseph, and if you read this, please let us know if we reported anything incorrectly! And happy wanderings to you, too! YEAH, BABE! BAM!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Ruminations....
Traveling in the Deep South certainly provides a contrast to other areas of the country, and our views have been only partially favorable. We have thoroughly enjoyed being the occasional tourist in the all of the major Southern areas we have visited, both previously and in the present. Certainly, Virginia Beach and Savannah have added to our cultural awareness, just as Raleigh, Charleston, Atlanta, New Orleans, and many other Southern cities have. However, there still seems to be an undercurrent of unrest, distrust, miscommunication, and hostility in many areas.
I couldn't help but wonder throughout the days here why so many of the African Americans we encountered called me "Ma'am." Was it just being courteous? Was it my age? Or, was it a bit of tradition left from past relations? We were never quite sure, but we did notice that it did not occur among the "Anglo" Americans we spoke with. That is what caused our attention. When we stopped in Tuscaloosa for coffee, it was quite obvious that we were in the cultural minority, and we received the "whatever are you doing here" looks. There were not welcoming words or smiles of greeting until we smiled and spoke. That surprised me. I only then began to notice that we were the only "white" faces in the entire area, except for one man who was obviously also driving through town.
Last night during dinner, we were discussing the case of the stolen catalytic converter in Ann Arbor, urging caution. Chris replied that they really didn't need to worry about that in their area, that the crime rate was almost nil. He also mentioned that the area has few residents who are other than "lily-white," and that if someone of a different racial or ethnic group appears, there is most definitely a "racial profiling," and in most cases the person is stopped by the local constabulary, and frequently the car is searched. They just don't "belong" in Peachtree City. This really shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows history, as one of the well-kept community areas is named "Bedford Forrest," mostly after the founder of the Ku Klux Klan. That seems to sum up a great deal of the area. We would guess that most of the population has several firearms in possession, and we suspect they know quite well how to use them. This whole thing makes me quite uncomfortable.
For one thing, I remember attending junior high and high school in Gulfport, MI, in the '50's, right about the time everything began to be integrated. When we moved there, I had a difficult time understanding why there were separate eating areas, drinking fountains, movie seats, bus seats, churches, neighborhoods, etc. for "colored people." After all, my best friend in the Philippines had been black, I guess, but I didn't know it because no one told me she was different. She was just my friend. It now reminds me of the song in South Pacific, "You've Got toBe Carefully Taught." In 1957, there was talk that Gulfport High School would become integrated that year. I remember the best and brightest sons of the upstanding citizenry of Gulfport carrying ball bats and rocks to school that September. They were "not going to let our school and our women be defiled." My, my. One would think times should have changed by now.
However, one thing is concerning me even more at the moment, as I watch Barack Obama claiming victories. Suppose he is chosen to be the Democrat standard bearer: what will happen? Truthfully, I am concerned for him, his wife, and his children. It is sad to admit, but true. If someone will not even let people of color or different ethnic background live nearby, what kind of reaction would they have for Obama as President? Even now, I feel certain that his assigned Secret Service detail has a challenging job ahead. One can only hope that most people have enough sense and sensibility to help stabilize the whackos, weirdos, and racially-motivated nut cases. I do not know who I am going to vote for yet, but I strongly believe Obama deserves a chance! And, I wish that the almighty Clintons would shut up about race and quit trying to make it an issue. Any opinions from y'all out there?
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I couldn't help but wonder throughout the days here why so many of the African Americans we encountered called me "Ma'am." Was it just being courteous? Was it my age? Or, was it a bit of tradition left from past relations? We were never quite sure, but we did notice that it did not occur among the "Anglo" Americans we spoke with. That is what caused our attention. When we stopped in Tuscaloosa for coffee, it was quite obvious that we were in the cultural minority, and we received the "whatever are you doing here" looks. There were not welcoming words or smiles of greeting until we smiled and spoke. That surprised me. I only then began to notice that we were the only "white" faces in the entire area, except for one man who was obviously also driving through town.
Last night during dinner, we were discussing the case of the stolen catalytic converter in Ann Arbor, urging caution. Chris replied that they really didn't need to worry about that in their area, that the crime rate was almost nil. He also mentioned that the area has few residents who are other than "lily-white," and that if someone of a different racial or ethnic group appears, there is most definitely a "racial profiling," and in most cases the person is stopped by the local constabulary, and frequently the car is searched. They just don't "belong" in Peachtree City. This really shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows history, as one of the well-kept community areas is named "Bedford Forrest," mostly after the founder of the Ku Klux Klan. That seems to sum up a great deal of the area. We would guess that most of the population has several firearms in possession, and we suspect they know quite well how to use them. This whole thing makes me quite uncomfortable.
For one thing, I remember attending junior high and high school in Gulfport, MI, in the '50's, right about the time everything began to be integrated. When we moved there, I had a difficult time understanding why there were separate eating areas, drinking fountains, movie seats, bus seats, churches, neighborhoods, etc. for "colored people." After all, my best friend in the Philippines had been black, I guess, but I didn't know it because no one told me she was different. She was just my friend. It now reminds me of the song in South Pacific, "You've Got toBe Carefully Taught." In 1957, there was talk that Gulfport High School would become integrated that year. I remember the best and brightest sons of the upstanding citizenry of Gulfport carrying ball bats and rocks to school that September. They were "not going to let our school and our women be defiled." My, my. One would think times should have changed by now.
However, one thing is concerning me even more at the moment, as I watch Barack Obama claiming victories. Suppose he is chosen to be the Democrat standard bearer: what will happen? Truthfully, I am concerned for him, his wife, and his children. It is sad to admit, but true. If someone will not even let people of color or different ethnic background live nearby, what kind of reaction would they have for Obama as President? Even now, I feel certain that his assigned Secret Service detail has a challenging job ahead. One can only hope that most people have enough sense and sensibility to help stabilize the whackos, weirdos, and racially-motivated nut cases. I do not know who I am going to vote for yet, but I strongly believe Obama deserves a chance! And, I wish that the almighty Clintons would shut up about race and quit trying to make it an issue. Any opinions from y'all out there?
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Visit to Sharpsburg
Sharpsburg, GA, where Chris and Traci live, is about 35 miles south of Atlanta in a semi-rural/semi-suburban area near the elite Peachtree City area. How absoloutely wonderful to be greeted with such hugs and smiles as we received! And, they immediately discovered something new... that my Little People necklace has been rearranged! We had the clasp of the chain replaced in Kerrville, getting the necklace back right before we left, so I really hadn't checked it. Well, when they put the charms back on, they did not put them back in the same order! Brittani spotted it right away!Tyler has grown so much, and Brittani is now
a gorgeous teen-aged brainy beauty, as you
can easily see from the pictures. Tyler is one active 7-year old, and immediately wanted to play with all of the things in the treat bag we brought. Thus, Grandad was put to the task of checker-playing (according to Tyler's rules), followed by putting a d
inosaur together. He also LOVED playing on our laptop, from computer games to various card games on our Hoyle disk (which ought to sound familiar to many grandkids!) to taking care of the life-sustaining activities for his new Web-kin, a new creature for us to see. All we could remember was the Furby which Kaitie used to have which we wanted to drown in the toilet, but this creature is much friendlier.
Brittani is a delight, and we always find so
inosaur together. He also LOVED playing on our laptop, from computer games to various card games on our Hoyle disk (which ought to sound familiar to many grandkids!) to taking care of the life-sustaining activities for his new Web-kin, a new creature for us to see. All we could remember was the Furby which Kaitie used to have which we wanted to drown in the toilet, but this creature is much friendlier. Brittani is a delight, and we always find so
much to talk about, from her love of old-time
Hollywood musicals and Broadway shows, to books, foods, clothes, French and English (which she loves, and we do, too) to how to pass her driver's ed qualifying quiz. She played the guitar and sang for us, including a song she wrote, which we tremendously enjoyed. We look forward to seeing her on American Idol before too long!
Traci has been busy focusing on her hospital surgical nursing, as well as her new career as a legal consultant on medical and nursing issues. She explained the recent cases she has been working on with lawyers, both malpractice suits, and we found them fascinating. It sounds as though she has a very promising future in that area.
Chris had just returned from a trip and was recovering from food poisoning and a cold, but he remained in good spirits, even fixing my bike's flat tire (those doggoned Texas goatheads, NOT my crash...I only hurt ME in the crash!) and preparing some delicious meals. It turns out he is a Paula Deen fan and did eat at her restaurant in Savannah, but he and Traci did find it to be a bit pricey and over- rated. However, he redeemed himself by praising Emeril and Giada and by giving us good food!
In short, we had a lovely visit and enjoyed it all tremendously. So now, it's heading back "home," to Kerrville, where we need to wash clothes, resume our exercise program, eat sensible foods, and, most importantly, get me to my favorite hair stylist Justin! I called him yesterday with a plea of HELP and to set up an appointment for next week. That should cause some smiles amongst some of you, as it did for 1HW! Gray is NOT MY favorite color!!!!!
Traci has been busy focusing on her hospital surgical nursing, as well as her new career as a legal consultant on medical and nursing issues. She explained the recent cases she has been working on with lawyers, both malpractice suits, and we found them fascinating. It sounds as though she has a very promising future in that area.
Chris had just returned from a trip and was recovering from food poisoning and a cold, but he remained in good spirits, even fixing my bike's flat tire (those doggoned Texas goatheads, NOT my crash...I only hurt ME in the crash!) and preparing some delicious meals. It turns out he is a Paula Deen fan and did eat at her restaurant in Savannah, but he and Traci did find it to be a bit pricey and over- rated. However, he redeemed himself by praising Emeril and Giada and by giving us good food!In short, we had a lovely visit and enjoyed it all tremendously. So now, it's heading back "home," to Kerrville, where we need to wash clothes, resume our exercise program, eat sensible foods, and, most importantly, get me to my favorite hair stylist Justin! I called him yesterday with a plea of HELP and to set up an appointment for next week. That should cause some smiles amongst some of you, as it did for 1HW! Gray is NOT MY favorite color!!!!!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Savannah
How appropriate I am using "Georgia" font, since we have just explored Savannah and are heading for Atlanta. Savannah was absolutely charming! We had no idea previous to our tour here that the restored city is so well-known for its movie and literature relevance, reconstruction, arts, and food. So we picked up a bunch of trivia along the way.
We saw the park where Forrest Gump sat on the bench, in front of the church where the feather flew around. Nearby was the pub where Julia Roberts went in Something to Talk About. There were the houses seen and used in Cape Fear and The Legend of Bagger Vance. And we were most disappointed to learn that Gone with the Wind was filmed mostly in Hollywood on a sound set. The most famous local literary/cinema creation, however, was Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which we had neither seen nor read. Of course, we decided to buy a copy of the book, and 1HW began to read it last night, proclaiming that it was quite strange. We'll let you know.
Other bits of trivia also amused us. It seems that when the city was first founded as a colony by George Oglethorpe for those in prison for not being able to pay bills (sounds like some of the recent credit card rate hikes to me), there were four things prohibited: slaves, Roman Catholics, alcohol, and lawyers. Needless to say, all but the slaves abound today in modern Savannah. In fact, the city allows "open containers," and one can see many people walking around with their "to go cups" of tasty beverages. Everywhere one turns there are CD's of Johnny Mercer music, as his family is from Savannah. And, did you know that a commemorative statue with a hand raised in the air signifies someone who died in battle? That was a new one for us, also. We saw the home of Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts; the Independent Presbyterian church where Woodrow Wilson married Ellen Axson; statues to remember John Wesley, Generals Nathaniel Greene and Casimir Pulaski; and so many old buildings built with the old Savannah pink bricks. There were also countless art galleries, as the city is home to the Savannah School of Art and Design, with some 5,000 students. In the City Market area, signs read, "The Art and Soul of Savannah," indicating the importance of art. And, one simply cannot escape running into Paula Deen and her family, as there are tours with lunch at her restaurant, her store, her cookbooks, her brother's restaurant, etc. Since we are not Paula Deen fans, we ignored all of them and settled on more traditional places for the good food we ate. The Olde Pink House was wonderful!
One other item which amazed us was that the city has a huge St. Patrick's Day celebration, second only to Boston. The town's normal population of 100,000 increases to 700,000, as people flock there to celebrate. We could not even imagine where there would be room for all of them!
So now we head to the Atlanta suburbs where Chris and Traci live, and we are looking forward to our visit with them and grands Brittani and Tyler. Since we have already been to the Atlanta area several times before, this will probably be more of a family visit than a tourist one, which will be quite nice for a change of pace! With beautiful sunny skies and temperatures in the forties, we expect a lovely day! We hope you have the same, wherever you are!
We saw the park where Forrest Gump sat on the bench, in front of the church where the feather flew around. Nearby was the pub where Julia Roberts went in Something to Talk About. There were the houses seen and used in Cape Fear and The Legend of Bagger Vance. And we were most disappointed to learn that Gone with the Wind was filmed mostly in Hollywood on a sound set. The most famous local literary/cinema creation, however, was Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which we had neither seen nor read. Of course, we decided to buy a copy of the book, and 1HW began to read it last night, proclaiming that it was quite strange. We'll let you know.
Other bits of trivia also amused us. It seems that when the city was first founded as a colony by George Oglethorpe for those in prison for not being able to pay bills (sounds like some of the recent credit card rate hikes to me), there were four things prohibited: slaves, Roman Catholics, alcohol, and lawyers. Needless to say, all but the slaves abound today in modern Savannah. In fact, the city allows "open containers," and one can see many people walking around with their "to go cups" of tasty beverages. Everywhere one turns there are CD's of Johnny Mercer music, as his family is from Savannah. And, did you know that a commemorative statue with a hand raised in the air signifies someone who died in battle? That was a new one for us, also. We saw the home of Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts; the Independent Presbyterian church where Woodrow Wilson married Ellen Axson; statues to remember John Wesley, Generals Nathaniel Greene and Casimir Pulaski; and so many old buildings built with the old Savannah pink bricks. There were also countless art galleries, as the city is home to the Savannah School of Art and Design, with some 5,000 students. In the City Market area, signs read, "The Art and Soul of Savannah," indicating the importance of art. And, one simply cannot escape running into Paula Deen and her family, as there are tours with lunch at her restaurant, her store, her cookbooks, her brother's restaurant, etc. Since we are not Paula Deen fans, we ignored all of them and settled on more traditional places for the good food we ate. The Olde Pink House was wonderful!
One other item which amazed us was that the city has a huge St. Patrick's Day celebration, second only to Boston. The town's normal population of 100,000 increases to 700,000, as people flock there to celebrate. We could not even imagine where there would be room for all of them!
So now we head to the Atlanta suburbs where Chris and Traci live, and we are looking forward to our visit with them and grands Brittani and Tyler. Since we have already been to the Atlanta area several times before, this will probably be more of a family visit than a tourist one, which will be quite nice for a change of pace! With beautiful sunny skies and temperatures in the forties, we expect a lovely day! We hope you have the same, wherever you are!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
One of My Favorite Things...
Years ago, Jerry and Marlene surprised me at Christmas with what has become one of my favorite things. As it turns out, over the years, it has also become an instant cause for conversation wherever we travel around the world! It is my Little People Necklace, which had four small girls on it when they originally gave it to me. Each girl had her diamond circle head and her own birthstone in the middle of the small triangle, representing a dress, and two arms and two legs dangle from the dress. So, it began with Ashley, Kaitie, Brittani, and Keilah.
Over the years, 1HW has expanded the necklace for me, and with the first boy, James, a fifth charm was added with an oval birthstone below the head and the same type of dangling arms and legs. The necklace now includes all thirteen grands, eight girls and five boys, with two small gold beads in between each of them.
Over the years, when they were young, all of the grandkids have loved the necklace, and all of them have taken great delight in knowing where they are located and seeing their birthstones. They also think it great fun to have me recite forwards and backwards the names of each grandchild. I think it is fun, too!
However, it doesn't stop there! Almost every day when I am wearing it as we travel, someone stops me to ask about it! Usually it begins with, "Oh, my gosh, are those all your children/ grandchildren/ or children and grandchildren?" Then they usually ask what the ages are, if those are the birthstones, how many there are, and how many of each. The other evening in NYC, Natalia stopped in the middle of taking our drink order to ask about it, even before we could tell her she looked like Minka Kelly on "Friday Night Lights." It transverses nationality, region, culture, color, and gender; regardless, people are fascinated by the Little People!
Best of all, when I am wearing it, the necklace reminds ME of my favorite "little people," our grandchildren, even if they are as old as 23 year old, married Ashley! They will always be my "little people" and will always be special to me! No wonder that necklace is one of my favorite things!
Over the years, 1HW has expanded the necklace for me, and with the first boy, James, a fifth charm was added with an oval birthstone below the head and the same type of dangling arms and legs. The necklace now includes all thirteen grands, eight girls and five boys, with two small gold beads in between each of them.
Over the years, when they were young, all of the grandkids have loved the necklace, and all of them have taken great delight in knowing where they are located and seeing their birthstones. They also think it great fun to have me recite forwards and backwards the names of each grandchild. I think it is fun, too!
However, it doesn't stop there! Almost every day when I am wearing it as we travel, someone stops me to ask about it! Usually it begins with, "Oh, my gosh, are those all your children/ grandchildren/ or children and grandchildren?" Then they usually ask what the ages are, if those are the birthstones, how many there are, and how many of each. The other evening in NYC, Natalia stopped in the middle of taking our drink order to ask about it, even before we could tell her she looked like Minka Kelly on "Friday Night Lights." It transverses nationality, region, culture, color, and gender; regardless, people are fascinated by the Little People!
Best of all, when I am wearing it, the necklace reminds ME of my favorite "little people," our grandchildren, even if they are as old as 23 year old, married Ashley! They will always be my "little people" and will always be special to me! No wonder that necklace is one of my favorite things!
More Ramblings
Modern travel continues to amaze me! Here we are on the highway (I-95) between Virginia Beach and Savannah, and I have just finished researching Savannah and reading about its background, history, and culture to 1HW, as well as recommended restaurants with reviews and menus. We will probably arrive there around four this afternoon, so checking out the local fares was important!
One idea we have generally adopted when on the road is to try and eat two meals a day (breakfast is usually supplied by the motels), even though all of the health experts agree that dinner should not be a big main meal. So much for their advice! There are just too many wonderful places not to enjoy the local cuisine! So the big question for tonight is: "Moon River Brewing," a local brew pub (always fun, since we try them wherever they are found in the US and Europe); the "Olde Pink House" (highly recommended for a romantic atmosphere and good local food); or Paula Deen's place, "The Lady and Sons." Now, if it was Giada's or Emeril's restaurant, we would probably go there, but Paula has little attraction for us, so it is likely it will be one of the other two. 1HW will report later!
We are also quite interested in hearing about the SC mood in the upcoming primary. The range of strong feelings and opinions we have heard lately about the candidates has amazed us. Phyllis and Pat, self-proclained liberal Democrats, listen to/watch many news programs, especially on MSNBC, and believe me, that is one of the strongest anti-Bush channels on the air or that we have ever heard. It almost makes Maureen Dowd seem tame, and that says quite a bit, since she is quite acerbic! It surprised us that so many people we heard from/about in the NYC/CT area do not care for either Clinton or Guiliani, but rather support Obama. Edwards comes in second to him. They also generally think McCain is the best shot for the Republicans, although they expect a surprise convention nominee, such as Newt Gingrich. Also, many people have expressed an opinion of annoyance or disgust at Bill Clinton's campaigning so actively for Hillary, as well as her being on the verge of tears before the NH primary. We find all of this very interesting to watch and hear, and we actually say very little at this point, since we have not made up our minds. Historically, it is just fascinating! What do you think? More ramblings later.....
One idea we have generally adopted when on the road is to try and eat two meals a day (breakfast is usually supplied by the motels), even though all of the health experts agree that dinner should not be a big main meal. So much for their advice! There are just too many wonderful places not to enjoy the local cuisine! So the big question for tonight is: "Moon River Brewing," a local brew pub (always fun, since we try them wherever they are found in the US and Europe); the "Olde Pink House" (highly recommended for a romantic atmosphere and good local food); or Paula Deen's place, "The Lady and Sons." Now, if it was Giada's or Emeril's restaurant, we would probably go there, but Paula has little attraction for us, so it is likely it will be one of the other two. 1HW will report later!
We are also quite interested in hearing about the SC mood in the upcoming primary. The range of strong feelings and opinions we have heard lately about the candidates has amazed us. Phyllis and Pat, self-proclained liberal Democrats, listen to/watch many news programs, especially on MSNBC, and believe me, that is one of the strongest anti-Bush channels on the air or that we have ever heard. It almost makes Maureen Dowd seem tame, and that says quite a bit, since she is quite acerbic! It surprised us that so many people we heard from/about in the NYC/CT area do not care for either Clinton or Guiliani, but rather support Obama. Edwards comes in second to him. They also generally think McCain is the best shot for the Republicans, although they expect a surprise convention nominee, such as Newt Gingrich. Also, many people have expressed an opinion of annoyance or disgust at Bill Clinton's campaigning so actively for Hillary, as well as her being on the verge of tears before the NH primary. We find all of this very interesting to watch and hear, and we actually say very little at this point, since we have not made up our minds. Historically, it is just fascinating! What do you think? More ramblings later.....
Ramblings
As much as I hate to admit it, my mood right before leaving Syracuse was pretty dismal. Maybe it was the gray scene, or maybe it was our trying to deal with Mom, who at 95 seems to refuse to recognize that she needs to leave her house there. We understand her feelings, but, at the same time, we realize that fewer people are now available to come to her aid at any given time. It is a dilemma.
She had mentioned the need to move, and we immediately found the perfect place near where Maurice and Gary live, a lovely apartment which even has a long-time friend in an apartment there and a doctor on the premises. After stepping in the door, she refused to look at it and wouldn't speak to the four of us, pouting for two days. As we were leaving, she said she might go see it again, but we doubt that anything will come of it. We want to remind all of our children and grands that if the need arises, they should, if necessary, bodily remove us! It certainly makes us more thankful to have sold the house and the antique business, to have fewer "things" with which to deal. "Things" are just not so important to us now!
Most fortunately, 1 HW helped me to get past my gloomy mood with advice he has given me many times when I forget it: GIVE IT AWAY! That advice worked once again for me, as it always does. If you have never tried that approach to dealing with troubles or problems, we would both encourage you to try it! Thanks Sweetie! I love you!
She had mentioned the need to move, and we immediately found the perfect place near where Maurice and Gary live, a lovely apartment which even has a long-time friend in an apartment there and a doctor on the premises. After stepping in the door, she refused to look at it and wouldn't speak to the four of us, pouting for two days. As we were leaving, she said she might go see it again, but we doubt that anything will come of it. We want to remind all of our children and grands that if the need arises, they should, if necessary, bodily remove us! It certainly makes us more thankful to have sold the house and the antique business, to have fewer "things" with which to deal. "Things" are just not so important to us now!
Most fortunately, 1 HW helped me to get past my gloomy mood with advice he has given me many times when I forget it: GIVE IT AWAY! That advice worked once again for me, as it always does. If you have never tried that approach to dealing with troubles or problems, we would both encourage you to try it! Thanks Sweetie! I love you!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Some Thoughts on Happiness
Sometimes I think 1HW writes as though to make some people think I am always happy. As much as I would like to be that way, it is simply not the case, in spite of Lincoln's wise words. Maybe most of us are probably just not cut out to be happy all of the time, in spite of our desire to be so. So even though I may sometimes present an image of cheerfulness, believe me, there are times when I, too, am not happy. I would truly enjoy being thoroughly happy all of the time, but there are too many extraneous incidences which I cannot at all control which seem to prevent that.
A while back, one of our grandchildren of whom I am particularly fond, seemed to be constantly making fun of me. For a long time I simply tried to ignore it, not making a big deal of a small situation. But when I told someone else about it, that person suggested that it was not respectful, and that I should say something about my feelings being hurt. So I did, and I have regretted it ever since, because it seemed to damage something in my relationship with that grandchild. That has hurt me much more than the comments ever did, and I can't seem to find a way to fix it. So, that was once again another lesson in why I should keep my feelings to myself and not let people know when I am hurt or unhappy, or even what I am thinking or feeling. That same thing seems to be the case any time I am feeling sensitive enough on any topic to actually say something to anyone, which leads me to feel that I should just keep my feelings to myself and keep my mouth shut to preserve the peace, regardless of how I feel.
On the other hand, I would constantly advise and admonish young people to speak truthfully about how they feel, that honesty is better than being deceptive, regardless of the level. However, I guess it is the old adage of "Do as I say, not as I do," which seems pretty two-faced and ambiguous to me. Maybe life is just too complicated to apply any set rules to general situations. All I know is, I will continue to try and think happy, most of the time, if maybe not today. I hope that you will think happy tomorrow, and I will try to, also.
A while back, one of our grandchildren of whom I am particularly fond, seemed to be constantly making fun of me. For a long time I simply tried to ignore it, not making a big deal of a small situation. But when I told someone else about it, that person suggested that it was not respectful, and that I should say something about my feelings being hurt. So I did, and I have regretted it ever since, because it seemed to damage something in my relationship with that grandchild. That has hurt me much more than the comments ever did, and I can't seem to find a way to fix it. So, that was once again another lesson in why I should keep my feelings to myself and not let people know when I am hurt or unhappy, or even what I am thinking or feeling. That same thing seems to be the case any time I am feeling sensitive enough on any topic to actually say something to anyone, which leads me to feel that I should just keep my feelings to myself and keep my mouth shut to preserve the peace, regardless of how I feel.
On the other hand, I would constantly advise and admonish young people to speak truthfully about how they feel, that honesty is better than being deceptive, regardless of the level. However, I guess it is the old adage of "Do as I say, not as I do," which seems pretty two-faced and ambiguous to me. Maybe life is just too complicated to apply any set rules to general situations. All I know is, I will continue to try and think happy, most of the time, if maybe not today. I hope that you will think happy tomorrow, and I will try to, also.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Turn on the Lights!
As we wander around the country, we have thought it interesting to note the culture and disposition of the areas we visit. One of the best things about both Texas in general and Omaha in particular is the attitude of the people we have seen and spoken with there. The majority of people are polite and cheerful, making most outings some sort of fun adventure. They hold doors for each other, say "please," "thank you," and "excuse me." They chat with each other while waiting in lines and have smiles for each other. Considering the geographical disparities, one would think the same pattern would follow in all parts of the country, but that does not seem to be the case, although the people at Trader Joe's in Ann Arbor are delightful, as are Kim and Chuck's friends.
For years daughter Kimberly has complained about the "gray days" of Michigan's winter, and she has often mentioned how depressing it gets to be by the time spring arrives. Surely, those same gray days plague the Syracuse area, too. So, we were wondering if that is why so few people look happy and smile around here. As we have walked the malls, visited shopping centers and grocery stores, we have noticed that the majority of the people not only look gloomy; they look positively miserable. It is a challenge to get anyone to even make eye contact, let alone smile. We found a three young ladies, at check-out counters at Penneys and Sam's Club and the candy girl, and one elderly lady, a ticket taker for "Charlie Wilson's War," who were cheerful and smiled. That is about it, and we both have really made an effort! No one EVER seems to talk in the check-out lines here. How boring! It forces me to read the tabloids! Even a lady at church, after learning where we were from, grumbled, "Why would anyone ever want to live in Texas?"
I heard some years ago that psychologists were experimenting with various sources of indoor lighting to see if that would relieve the depression of the "gray days," rather like grow lights for people, I guess. All I can say for Ann Arbor and Syracuse is "Turn on the lights!" These people need help!!!!!
For years daughter Kimberly has complained about the "gray days" of Michigan's winter, and she has often mentioned how depressing it gets to be by the time spring arrives. Surely, those same gray days plague the Syracuse area, too. So, we were wondering if that is why so few people look happy and smile around here. As we have walked the malls, visited shopping centers and grocery stores, we have noticed that the majority of the people not only look gloomy; they look positively miserable. It is a challenge to get anyone to even make eye contact, let alone smile. We found a three young ladies, at check-out counters at Penneys and Sam's Club and the candy girl, and one elderly lady, a ticket taker for "Charlie Wilson's War," who were cheerful and smiled. That is about it, and we both have really made an effort! No one EVER seems to talk in the check-out lines here. How boring! It forces me to read the tabloids! Even a lady at church, after learning where we were from, grumbled, "Why would anyone ever want to live in Texas?"
I heard some years ago that psychologists were experimenting with various sources of indoor lighting to see if that would relieve the depression of the "gray days," rather like grow lights for people, I guess. All I can say for Ann Arbor and Syracuse is "Turn on the lights!" These people need help!!!!!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Familiar Names
Happy New Year to all! After almost two weeks of letting the wrist heal from the sprain/strain/jam/whatever, I am back to writing. We are on our way back up to Fayetteville, a town just outside of Syracuse where Mom lives. This area is called Upstate NY, as opposed to NYC, and Fayetteville is this area's version of Ann Arbor to some degree. Certainly, the housing prices and school taxes are similar. This area is the home of Stickley furniture, and so the shopping center around the huge Stickley showroom is loaded with the names one would expect... Panera, L.L. Bean, Chico, Anne Taylor, Bonefish Grille, etc. Instead of Whole Foods, they have the local equivalent, Wegman's, where I will be heading later today.
Tomorrow night we are having a thank you dinner for the neighbor who helped Mom with her nose bleeding attack. Fellow neighbor Marge informed Mom that they eat Italian food (they are of Italian descent), and we assured Mom that Northern Italian cooking was not too spicy for her. While she was inviting Tom, I had asked her to inquire about anything they did not eat, so she put me on the phone to hear the answer. I was a bit unprepared for Tom's hale and hearty responses, as I have never met him before. In the space of two minutes, I became "Hon" and "Honey." Those of you who know me realize I am usually outgoing. However, I have never become used to people other than close family or dear friends calling me by names other than Judy.
Now, in our traveling around I do not mind being called the various familiar names one receives at the Mel's Diners, such as "Hon," "Dear," "Sweetie, " etc. That just seems to be part of the territory, rather like "Well, eat ma grits." And, I can tolerate it in sales associates/clerks in stores, although I am not fond of it, as in the "Oh, Honey, it is YOU" catagory. But, I generally do not appreciate it coming from other people
One offender was a prissy, fussy, ever-so-wonderful antique dealer in California, who was just much too precious to learn our names. George never referred to 1HW by any name at all, and I was always "Dear." Since he bought large quantities of expensive items from us, I was forced to overlook it and frequently bit my tongue to hold back smart aleck comments.
Probably the worst case was from my step-mother Fang (aka, Hang-Nail by 1HW), named thus because her fake, curving nails stuck out 3/4 inch beyond her fingertips, much like talons, and the little finger was a gold one with a cubic zirconia in it. Really. I am not joking. Her self-proclaimed "profession" of nail "stylist" meant she glued on fake nails for people, most of which came unstuck and flew around the room. The one time she forced me into having my nails done (at a hefty price, too, I might add), one of them went across a dinner table and almost landed in someone's wine glass. Not good. She wanted everyone to think she was from Texas (instead of eastern NM), and she adopted a fake accent and called everyone "Dahlin'." She never once called us by our names. Some time I will relate other stories about Fang, as she was a work.
So, as we get ready for Saturday's dinner, I just hope that Tom will remember my correct name and use it. More later on our "candlelight supper," as Hyacinth on BBC's "Keeping Up Appearances" would call it! Have a happy Friday!
Tomorrow night we are having a thank you dinner for the neighbor who helped Mom with her nose bleeding attack. Fellow neighbor Marge informed Mom that they eat Italian food (they are of Italian descent), and we assured Mom that Northern Italian cooking was not too spicy for her. While she was inviting Tom, I had asked her to inquire about anything they did not eat, so she put me on the phone to hear the answer. I was a bit unprepared for Tom's hale and hearty responses, as I have never met him before. In the space of two minutes, I became "Hon" and "Honey." Those of you who know me realize I am usually outgoing. However, I have never become used to people other than close family or dear friends calling me by names other than Judy.
Now, in our traveling around I do not mind being called the various familiar names one receives at the Mel's Diners, such as "Hon," "Dear," "Sweetie, " etc. That just seems to be part of the territory, rather like "Well, eat ma grits." And, I can tolerate it in sales associates/clerks in stores, although I am not fond of it, as in the "Oh, Honey, it is YOU" catagory. But, I generally do not appreciate it coming from other people
One offender was a prissy, fussy, ever-so-wonderful antique dealer in California, who was just much too precious to learn our names. George never referred to 1HW by any name at all, and I was always "Dear." Since he bought large quantities of expensive items from us, I was forced to overlook it and frequently bit my tongue to hold back smart aleck comments.
Probably the worst case was from my step-mother Fang (aka, Hang-Nail by 1HW), named thus because her fake, curving nails stuck out 3/4 inch beyond her fingertips, much like talons, and the little finger was a gold one with a cubic zirconia in it. Really. I am not joking. Her self-proclaimed "profession" of nail "stylist" meant she glued on fake nails for people, most of which came unstuck and flew around the room. The one time she forced me into having my nails done (at a hefty price, too, I might add), one of them went across a dinner table and almost landed in someone's wine glass. Not good. She wanted everyone to think she was from Texas (instead of eastern NM), and she adopted a fake accent and called everyone "Dahlin'." She never once called us by our names. Some time I will relate other stories about Fang, as she was a work.
So, as we get ready for Saturday's dinner, I just hope that Tom will remember my correct name and use it. More later on our "candlelight supper," as Hyacinth on BBC's "Keeping Up Appearances" would call it! Have a happy Friday!
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