touristing

Ahhh, a beautiful fall day beside the Mississippi. What to do but wander the streets of this unknown city, shop, eat and take it all in. The temperature couldn't have been better, hovering around 70 in the daytime and 50s in the evening. Saturday was our shopping and tourist day and our first full day to indulge on what good eats Memphis had to offer. Thanks to our Scottish friends, we had some tips they had collected from some locals to find some of the best the town had to offer.








After our ramblings on Beale Street, we headed to The Flying Fish, home of all wayward Billy Bass castaways. Saturday then became Fry-Day. Fried catfish, hushpuppies, okra, shrimp, oysters...am I forgetting anything? Oh, I also had a few oysters on the half, so we could truly say we had six of one and half dozen of the other. Really. We sat at the window seats looking out on to the street and had ourselves a feast. All was very well cooked. Not too sleazy greazy and just what we'd been looking for. Awesome!




After the feast, we rambled back to the hotel and deposited our shopping treasures, then went back to our Bardog family for some happy hours before our next exploratory venture. Late afternoon we walked north on the Main Street trolley line. Oddly, we never hopped on the trolley, it always seemed to be going the other way. It was fine with us to walk and take in the city sights in such a fine fall climate. We ventured into the Pinch District, which is known for being an art center of the town. Viewing sculpture, galleries and performing arts venues along the way. We made a visit to Westy's for some refreshment and bantering over where to go for dinner.





We strolled back to our room for a bit of college football news and went over our lists of suggested places. We finally opted to go for Gus Fried Chicken, another place to walk to in the cool of the evening. Oh, man, you wouldn't believe the fried chicken! It was a modest and unassuming joint, but filled with folks who obviously enjoyed the fried chicken. Of course we got that with sides of fried green tomatoes and friend dill pickles.



All of this to complete our 'Fry Day'. Then in search of the 'tums'! Oh, what a day!

Memphis sights

It was a very romantic weekend in the way that you fall in love with a place and its inhabitants from the present tense to its past. In such a beautiful and inviting season, the sun, the attitude, the vibe that came from strolling along streets that have seen decades of history in music and trade. The city which felt Southern in nature, but larger than I had imagined and livelier and friendlier than I'd dreamed.




Historical architecture towered above in color and texture and dimension as much as the people walking the streets. Music exuded from the crevices, around corners, rolling out into the streets with a spirit that could catch you up and wrap itself around you and squeeze you until you smiled. Music was in the air.



Shopping at Lansky's clothier at the Peabody. Watching the ducks paddle in the fountain, then on to souvenir shops of postcards and tourist bling on Beale Street with some actual well-defined folk-art mixed in. People gazing and PBRs at the Rum Boogie Cafe and a sparky bartender named Sindy from England. A gathering of artists and musicians filled the park off of Beale Street. It was a lively and happy mix of colors and creations and jumping and joyful sounds. What a day and what a place to be.

Come fly with me, come fly come fly away

Up Up and Away...my man and I had a fantastic getaway thanks to some very special friends and family. A quick drive to Charlotte to catch a straight flight to Blues City. While strolling through the airport, I stopped in the newsstand to pick out my in flight reading 'zine. I heard Vic over my shoulder while I was still perusing my choices, "This is it, Vanity Fair, Johnny Depp is on the cover. You know you want it." nuf said.



We arrived on the sunny banks of the Mississippi around 4 pm, checked in to our cozy room and deposited our belongings. Then we ventured out to see the neighborhood. The lobby doors opened directly out to the trolley line and a park across the way.



As we strolled down a couple of blocks, I looked around the corner to see a neon sign that said 'Bardog'. It was calling our names. We ventured in and discovered our first 'neighborhood' bar and doorway to meeting some really fun people. Not to mention their bar food was excellent. No sooner had we settled in, than three fine gentlemen from Scotland came along and we instantly became friends.





After a jolly old time with them, we had a short rest and went in search of our first Barbecue feast. Our choice of the evening was Charlie Vergo's Rendezvous. The Best dry rub ribs you can fathom, spicy beans and slaw and a pitcher of Michelob. Geez Louise!

We took an after dinner stroll to Beale Street but didn't venture in to the depths of neon profusion and blaring blues. Maybe another night. A nightcap back at the Bardog and rest for day 2.

ladies of the lake, part deux

cool, calm evening. waterfront
waves lap over rocks
motorboats hum and whir and stir up more waves lapping over rocks
standing surfers skim across the watery surface
tall and tan
with arms that ripple in muscular sculpture
adonis creatures parade before us
relaxing, unwinding
expelling all thoughts that entangle

pan-seared tuna steaks, ravioli stuffed with arugula and parmesan
sauteed in fresh sage, parsley, basil, sea salt and olive oil
black olives and grape tomatoes on the side


why is this lady smiling?

early morning red stripe sunglow over the horizon of the lake
cool breeze morning air
coffee from the italian pot
red razberries, pancakes, maple syrup
Yum!


meandering through the day
take a dip, sunshine slips behind the clouds, paddle upstream
cool breeze, hanging on the shoreline
boat watching, talking, writing, creating, collaborating, contemplating

day three..sunshine, pack up..pack out
swim, float
roll on down the road
up the mountain, past the head of caesar
brevard, hendersonville
west first pizza
Yum!

stormy weather, whipping wind
lights out
Bat Cave, scarecrow ladies stand still along the balustrade
arrive
Geneva Hotel
lights out
power off
tiki bar juking
river flows
bikers paradise

To the Bat Cave!

Finally. A day to run away to the hills and Apple Valley, to our favorite places that mark Fall and all that goes along with it.

Summer's last tomatoes



Sugar pie pumpkins waiting to be carved and baked into deliciousness.



Ghoulish blue-gray-green pumpkins stacked like zombie heads in a giant wooden box.



turban squash. acorn squash. butternut squash. spaghetti squash.



Fashion plate lady Scarecrows parade, wink and wave in the crispy Autumn glow as passersby wander into a melodic emporium of craftiness and good cheer. Elixirs of freshly pressed cider refresh and begin the Happy Hours of escape to Hickory Nut Gorge and it's magical mood of a perfect Fall day.



A tiki bar hideaway awaits with more refreshment and riverside exotica and conversation.

An all-day date with my favorite guy, piles of fresh mountain produce and a few silly souvenirs to satisfy our whims. Autumn at it's best.

Ladies of the Lake

July was the annual girls camping trip. For four days we floated and floundered on the shores of Lake Jocassee. We ate like queens. We told stories, watched shadows in the moonlight, painted pictures and knitted and purled for as long as we wanted.


White morning glories hung like dew drops from the banks of the water's edge. Hardwoods towered above us while large feathered friends crowed about.

Boat tour with hospitable friends.. visions of waterfalls. ferns. moss. and rainbow. Riding roof top...laughing ladies sliding, splashing. Cody and Cinnamon happy smiling.


Ahhhh,...a mini break..

photos by M.Palmarita

Green Baby Green

Talk to me about going green...how about the Green diet? laced with a little red and yellow.

Why I was raised on a green spoon, started eating organic about the time I started eating solid food...farm raised chickens, eggs and milk. Homegrown vegetables, fresh herbs, canned foods from the fields for the winter.



This summer we are blessed by the Jolly Green Giant and Mother Nature's Rain ...numerous pints of pickled green beans, refrigerator cucumber pickles, cartons of beans and squash in the deep freeze. Daily doses of cucumber, tomato and yogurt salad. Luscious, juicy tomato sandwiches, piquant, garlicky pesto and caponata. Ahhhh, the freshness.



A Saturday jaunt to a North Carolina tailgate market to see what they have that we don't...not much, I see, but I did grab a bagfull of good HOT jalapenos, since ours are not quite ready.





bean basket photo by J.T. Hammond

To Market

Callie and Susan go to market..

Asheville Farmer's Market, Annual Herb Sale. She's told me about it for years. Why I've never gone before is inexplicable and inexcusable. We had a post-birthday outing in her honor to go and procure plants for our summer garden. She wore her new and lovely sun hat. I was astounded at the greenery and floral abunda. We had a wonderful day gazing at fragrant herbs, exotic flowering plants and enormous strawberries that exuded intoxicating aromas.



flying pig



mermaid art





Lovely Mermaid Art by Burton Edwards of the J & B Herb & Plant Farms in Roxboro, NC

We came home with Cinnamon Basil, Lime Basil, Lime Thyme, Purple Basil (it was a veritable Basil Heaven), Lavender of at least two kinds, Herbal Dog Biscuits, Chives, Russian Tarragon and yes, a piece of Mermaid Art.

Such amazing discoveries...I must go every year evermore.

Ever After

painting - Angel Oak











Whether it be the presentation of the colors for a veteran of one of the most horrific wars of our time, or the playing of "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by the Rolling Stones as a recessional, these were portions of services I have attended in these early months of this still new year.Two people who I've met who touched my life and then went on. It is fitting that passing into that next dimension does involve some ceremony that individualizes the one who is being honored and remembered.

As I recently strolled the grounds of the Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, I was entrenched in a calmness of quiet and beauty. A balmy breeze whispered through the Spanish moss draped throughout the graceful and magnificent trees and shrubs interspersed around acres of sculptural elegance. Many generations rest there. It is a stunning expanse perched along the Saint Augustine Creek where a plantation once stood dating back to the 1700s.

The banks of the Saint Augustine are a tranquil repose for contemplating the hereafter. It would be a satisfying spot to have my ashes set along the banks to blow out into the marshes, the sea and evermore, or any place of that sort.

Cemetery Etiquette: Enjoy the natural peace and serenity of the cemetery.


Rest in Peace, Johnny Mercer

little things

more reflections on Paris Market...Savannah. antiques. prettiness

history. patinas. rust


baby girl frock


silly menkees


zooma zoom toy car


a shrine for divine guidance


I could live here


Heavenly Chair Place





massive tree trunks bending and bowing to welcome those who come for lowcountry visions not seen in the hill country

camellias wrapped in Spanish moss

it is all so dreamy