After reminiscing for far too long I find myself to be in the company of family. We traveled an hour and a half down the road to say hello to my cousins - four boys who are entierly their own persons. What happens here, stays here.
Tomorrow we come home. After being gone for vacation for a month last year I had the misconception that two and a half weeks would be far too short a trip. Like I said, misconception. I am homesick. Terribly so. I can't wait to hang out on our grimy city beach lake with my friends. The ocean has no chance to better itself without companions to fill the mindless hours of sunshine. Enough mushy, heartfelt chatter.
It also doesn't help that I haven't had the chance to run during our vacation like I hoped to. I've been having trouble with my knee, so I decided to take the first week of vacation easy anyway. I stuck it out on the elyptical, which is always easier to focus on when you have a TV in front of you, and managed to get in a few hours of exercize over the first week of relaxation. It just went downhill from there. Our condo on the beach had a fee for using their gym. I find this to be totally ridiculous. did we not pay for a room? Give us someplace to exercize! Especially with all the fatty vacation food that everyone inhails. Although, a plus side to a condo is that we ate most of our meals in our room; therefore, we ate healthier than if we had been staying in a hotel. That doesn't include dessert, though!
I did finally get a treadmill before we arrived in Missouri. I ran two and a half miles before feeling like I was going to puke. Which was expected because we had just indulged in a regular cheesy, spicy, Mexican fiesta. Case in point, I'm ready to get home and run my little heart out. Wish me luck since I'm supposed to be in training again and expected to run seven miles Saturday. This might be a bad decision.
I hope your intentions to keep up a healthy lifestyle while vacationing turn out better than mine did. All well. I'm so close to home I can taste it!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Water Tower
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray . . . "
I remember singing that over and over again while sitting on our porch swing overlooking the busy street. Probably the only busy street in the town. Behind us sits our parsonage, owned by the church that is just paces away from our front door. Of course, no one ever uses the front door because we're all so budddy-buddy with each other. No. The back door was more suiting. You'd walk into the kitchen and be greeted with the ever present smell of chocolate chip cookies.
I remember the storms more than anything - which I know is a funny thing to remember. A tornado would strike up in the middle of a board meeting or a small group gathering down at the church. Before we knew it everyone would be sloshing through the rain and into our basement. Once before a storm we had had a luau with a whole pig and everything. We were lucky enough to have left overs, and once we got the all clear shuffled out of the basement to heat up some pork. As we filed onto the porch after the storm, we'd watch the hail hit the wet grass; as the clouds began to part a rainbow would shine onto our little part of heaven.
Tonight I travel down memory lane for the reason that there is no other choice. We have made a stop in our old little town in Missouri to visit friends both forgotten and remembered. A lot has changed. The old parsonage has long been torn down. The only thing left is a single tree, planted when I was born. Still a sapling when we moved to bigger and better things, it's unrecognizable now. Standing forever strong.
I just finished reading a book entitled Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos. The plot took place in a small, dying town where an old woman was waiting to write the Original Norvelters obituaries before she herself passed on. One of the younger women in the town kept scheeming, trying to get others go join her in keeping the town alive. No matter what anyone said her opinion of her home could not be swayed. It was forever a part of who she was. It defined her existence.
In a way I think everyone has ties to their hometown. The place they were born holds a special place in their hearts, whether they want it to or not, because it reminds them of the carefree days of childhood. I don't remember anything but happiness when I lived in Missouri.
Growing up in Missouri our house sat right next to the town water tower. I used to think every house owned a water tower, and I always referred to it when I wanted to come home. We would walk over to the water tower and look up, getting dizzy as the clouds shifted around the monument. It was surrounded by sand which I always wanted to walk barefoot on just like the movies. My mother thought it was dangerous back there. She couldn't see us because of the thick grass that grew up around the fence. Broken glass bottles surrounded our little piece of land. It was beautiful because it represented home.
Maybe I'm just sentimental.
I need a good dose of reality.
I remember singing that over and over again while sitting on our porch swing overlooking the busy street. Probably the only busy street in the town. Behind us sits our parsonage, owned by the church that is just paces away from our front door. Of course, no one ever uses the front door because we're all so budddy-buddy with each other. No. The back door was more suiting. You'd walk into the kitchen and be greeted with the ever present smell of chocolate chip cookies.
I remember the storms more than anything - which I know is a funny thing to remember. A tornado would strike up in the middle of a board meeting or a small group gathering down at the church. Before we knew it everyone would be sloshing through the rain and into our basement. Once before a storm we had had a luau with a whole pig and everything. We were lucky enough to have left overs, and once we got the all clear shuffled out of the basement to heat up some pork. As we filed onto the porch after the storm, we'd watch the hail hit the wet grass; as the clouds began to part a rainbow would shine onto our little part of heaven.
Tonight I travel down memory lane for the reason that there is no other choice. We have made a stop in our old little town in Missouri to visit friends both forgotten and remembered. A lot has changed. The old parsonage has long been torn down. The only thing left is a single tree, planted when I was born. Still a sapling when we moved to bigger and better things, it's unrecognizable now. Standing forever strong.
I just finished reading a book entitled Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos. The plot took place in a small, dying town where an old woman was waiting to write the Original Norvelters obituaries before she herself passed on. One of the younger women in the town kept scheeming, trying to get others go join her in keeping the town alive. No matter what anyone said her opinion of her home could not be swayed. It was forever a part of who she was. It defined her existence.
In a way I think everyone has ties to their hometown. The place they were born holds a special place in their hearts, whether they want it to or not, because it reminds them of the carefree days of childhood. I don't remember anything but happiness when I lived in Missouri.
Growing up in Missouri our house sat right next to the town water tower. I used to think every house owned a water tower, and I always referred to it when I wanted to come home. We would walk over to the water tower and look up, getting dizzy as the clouds shifted around the monument. It was surrounded by sand which I always wanted to walk barefoot on just like the movies. My mother thought it was dangerous back there. She couldn't see us because of the thick grass that grew up around the fence. Broken glass bottles surrounded our little piece of land. It was beautiful because it represented home.
Maybe I'm just sentimental.
I need a good dose of reality.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Sand, Sun, Ocean Lyfe
It's our last day in Florida, and another red flag day at that. The waves on the beach today were even bigger than yesterday. We spread out our towels and my family hit the water while I read a book like a nerd. I was minding my own business when I feel water creeping into my little corner of the world. That's right. The waves had blasted themselves over the ridge of sand and into human territory. How rude! I quickly sprung into action as I tried to save all of our towels and food from the surf, but to no avail. Crazy water ocean water!
After five days on the beach I am sick and tired of the sand, sunscreen, and the sun itself. I hate to say it, but I'm ready to move on. As much as I love the ocean, enough is enough - expecially when you're sunburnt like a boiled lobster. Okay, maybe not that bad, but I'd say in the catagory of a ripe tomato. I tried, okay? Sometimes all the sunscreen in the world can't protect you from the salt water licking away the semi-protective sunscreen, no matter how many times you re-apply.
After a morning of melting away, we cleaned ourselves off, got rid of the dry seaweed smell, and had a glorious lunch at Bubba Gump's. I hate to say it, but I've never seen Forrest Gump. Tragic, I know. But it can't beat Gone With the Wind. We've wasted the afternoon away with a little shopping and a little dessert. Have you ever tried chocolate dipped key lime pie? It's delicious.
Tomorrow we have an eight hour drive to whoknowswhere. After that we have another seven hour drive before reaching our destination in Missouri, where we'll be visiting friends from another time. Ahh memories.
Quote of the day: "Now you wouldn't believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was going somewhere I was running." -Forrest Gump
After five days on the beach I am sick and tired of the sand, sunscreen, and the sun itself. I hate to say it, but I'm ready to move on. As much as I love the ocean, enough is enough - expecially when you're sunburnt like a boiled lobster. Okay, maybe not that bad, but I'd say in the catagory of a ripe tomato. I tried, okay? Sometimes all the sunscreen in the world can't protect you from the salt water licking away the semi-protective sunscreen, no matter how many times you re-apply.
After a morning of melting away, we cleaned ourselves off, got rid of the dry seaweed smell, and had a glorious lunch at Bubba Gump's. I hate to say it, but I've never seen Forrest Gump. Tragic, I know. But it can't beat Gone With the Wind. We've wasted the afternoon away with a little shopping and a little dessert. Have you ever tried chocolate dipped key lime pie? It's delicious.
Tomorrow we have an eight hour drive to whoknowswhere. After that we have another seven hour drive before reaching our destination in Missouri, where we'll be visiting friends from another time. Ahh memories.
Quote of the day: "Now you wouldn't believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was going somewhere I was running." -Forrest Gump
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Seaweed
Our first full day in Destin was quite an adventure. The sand and ocean itself are different from Panama City Beach. The sand is soft and fine - remember when you were a child and you used to run your hand through the flour? That's what it feels like. The ocean is more green than blue; there's a lot of seaweed, unlike the last beach where there wasn't any seaweed at all. Funny how forty five minutes makes such a difference.
I really think seaweed is a curse on humanity. It smells terrible. I waded into the ocean and it felt like running hair through my fingers. It wraps around your legs like an octopus. Take your choice: a beautiful ocean, or a perfect beach.
After laying out all morning and afternoon, I must say I am officially sunburnt. Yuck! We relaxed the rest of the afternoon before heading out to village wharf. We walked about two miles before coming across shops and restaurants. It's a beautiful little village within the condo community we're staying at, and once the sun had set fireworks sprang from the darkness. Dropless of light shattered the night sky over the ocean. A perfect ending.
Today has been much the same; although, I've tried to stay out of the sun as much as possible. You know, sunburn. The waves, however, were not the same at all. We walked up to the beach to see a red flag, which is the universal sign for danger. We were to use "extreme caution" while out in the deep. I didn't venture out until the last hour of our afternoon when I was tossed by the waves and given a headache. The "nicer" waves are simple, green rolling water that picks you up and gently sets you back down again. All of the waves today were foamy and strong. I was knocked off my feet. You had to time your jump just right, and get the correct angle otherwise ending with a faceplant to the water. I had enough after about twenty minutes and returned to my quiet chair underneath my protective umbrella.
Quote of the day: "All rivers, even the most dazzling, those that catch the sun in their course, all rivers go down to the ocean and drown. And life awaits man as the sea awaits the river." -Simone Schwarz-Bart
I really think seaweed is a curse on humanity. It smells terrible. I waded into the ocean and it felt like running hair through my fingers. It wraps around your legs like an octopus. Take your choice: a beautiful ocean, or a perfect beach.
After laying out all morning and afternoon, I must say I am officially sunburnt. Yuck! We relaxed the rest of the afternoon before heading out to village wharf. We walked about two miles before coming across shops and restaurants. It's a beautiful little village within the condo community we're staying at, and once the sun had set fireworks sprang from the darkness. Dropless of light shattered the night sky over the ocean. A perfect ending.
Today has been much the same; although, I've tried to stay out of the sun as much as possible. You know, sunburn. The waves, however, were not the same at all. We walked up to the beach to see a red flag, which is the universal sign for danger. We were to use "extreme caution" while out in the deep. I didn't venture out until the last hour of our afternoon when I was tossed by the waves and given a headache. The "nicer" waves are simple, green rolling water that picks you up and gently sets you back down again. All of the waves today were foamy and strong. I was knocked off my feet. You had to time your jump just right, and get the correct angle otherwise ending with a faceplant to the water. I had enough after about twenty minutes and returned to my quiet chair underneath my protective umbrella.
Quote of the day: "All rivers, even the most dazzling, those that catch the sun in their course, all rivers go down to the ocean and drown. And life awaits man as the sea awaits the river." -Simone Schwarz-Bart
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Lazy Days Ahead
Like I said before, we are finally at the beach part of our vacation! Sitting in the sun all afternoon, eating food all evening, sleeping all morning; you get the drill. The days run together at the beach. The sound of the ocean lulls you into deep unexpected sleep. My favorite part of the ocean is how it fades from blue to blue - ocean to sky.
The waves yesterday were calm, but today they picked up a lot. My sister and I call it wave jumping. You know, when you go out as far as you can and jump before the wave crashes onto you. For a moment, it feels like you're suspended in the air, in time and space, before coming back down to the sandy bottom. I'm not a good swimmer, but swimming in the ocean gives some sort of a thrill.
I am proud to say, I am not sunburnt! Although the rest of my family is. Sunscreen is important, folks. For real, you don't want skin cancer. I love sitting on the sand with a good book. How many times can I say it? The beach is so relaxing!
Tomorrow we leave for Destin where we will stay for four days before heading to Missouri to visit family and friends. It's impossible that we've already been gone a week. Beach time on my mind.
The waves yesterday were calm, but today they picked up a lot. My sister and I call it wave jumping. You know, when you go out as far as you can and jump before the wave crashes onto you. For a moment, it feels like you're suspended in the air, in time and space, before coming back down to the sandy bottom. I'm not a good swimmer, but swimming in the ocean gives some sort of a thrill.
I am proud to say, I am not sunburnt! Although the rest of my family is. Sunscreen is important, folks. For real, you don't want skin cancer. I love sitting on the sand with a good book. How many times can I say it? The beach is so relaxing!
Tomorrow we leave for Destin where we will stay for four days before heading to Missouri to visit family and friends. It's impossible that we've already been gone a week. Beach time on my mind.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Stone Mountain
Sounds pretty intimidating, right? Our last day in Atlanta was spent at Stone Mountain, which is a state park outside of Atlanta. Stone Mountain, apparently a big deal in Georgia, is a lot like Mount Rushmore, except not as well known. I mean, I had never heard of it before. The actual mountain has a carving of three Civl War generals with their horses. The first thing on our agenda was to climb the mountain! Sounds like quite a feat, but in reality, it's only a 1.2 mile hike. Of course, once you add in the absurdly steep slope, you're pretty wiped out by the time you get to the top. There were some parts of the mountain that I was walking parallel with the ground in an effort not to fall. All in all, a good experience. The view at the top was extravagant.
After the hike, we cooled off before grabbing some lunch, which I hardly remember eating we were so hungry. We watched a few shows before hitting the SkyHike; yes, that's as frightening as it sounds. They strap you in like they would when you rock climb and you're lead to level one, two, or three. We went to level two, because I decided that level one was for whimps, and well, level three is for the brave. Big mistake. You get up there, and it's 24 feet, mind you, and you totally freeze. At least, I did. When you're that high up, trying to walk a tightrope, it's hard to remember that it's impossible to fall. They strapped you in goood! But that doesn't take away the fear. I can't even explain it, but I will never, ever do it again.
After the unpleasant situation of feeling like we were falling to our deaths, we visited a plantation house. Safe. Unless of course you were a slave. Good thing that ended over 100 years ago. This was the third(?) plantation house I've seen, each one more majestic than the last. Built between 1792 to 1875, this Antebellum Plantation was moved and restored at Stono in 1961. It's surrounded by two slave cabins, a doctors cabin, two other houses, and several farm buildings. The doctors cabin was the most interesting house as it served as a field hospital to Confederate soldiers during the Battle of Atlanta. Call me morbid, but I thought it was cool to think that Civil War soldiers bled in the building we were standing in.
The last adventure of the day was watching a light show over the Stone Mountain carving. I don't know about you, but I had never seen a light show before. In all it's grandeur, I found it to be a little boring. That and I had been walking around for ten hours. All I wanted was to sleep. My favorite part was the country music they played, such as "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Georgia On My Mind." I'll have those songs stuck in my head for weeks!
Currently, I'm sitting in a condo right off of Panama City Beach. It was raining when we arrived, but it seemed to have cleared off now. I hope that we get to walk the beach tonight. I've never met anyone who didn't completely adore the ocean.
After the hike, we cooled off before grabbing some lunch, which I hardly remember eating we were so hungry. We watched a few shows before hitting the SkyHike; yes, that's as frightening as it sounds. They strap you in like they would when you rock climb and you're lead to level one, two, or three. We went to level two, because I decided that level one was for whimps, and well, level three is for the brave. Big mistake. You get up there, and it's 24 feet, mind you, and you totally freeze. At least, I did. When you're that high up, trying to walk a tightrope, it's hard to remember that it's impossible to fall. They strapped you in goood! But that doesn't take away the fear. I can't even explain it, but I will never, ever do it again.
After the unpleasant situation of feeling like we were falling to our deaths, we visited a plantation house. Safe. Unless of course you were a slave. Good thing that ended over 100 years ago. This was the third(?) plantation house I've seen, each one more majestic than the last. Built between 1792 to 1875, this Antebellum Plantation was moved and restored at Stono in 1961. It's surrounded by two slave cabins, a doctors cabin, two other houses, and several farm buildings. The doctors cabin was the most interesting house as it served as a field hospital to Confederate soldiers during the Battle of Atlanta. Call me morbid, but I thought it was cool to think that Civil War soldiers bled in the building we were standing in.
The last adventure of the day was watching a light show over the Stone Mountain carving. I don't know about you, but I had never seen a light show before. In all it's grandeur, I found it to be a little boring. That and I had been walking around for ten hours. All I wanted was to sleep. My favorite part was the country music they played, such as "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Georgia On My Mind." I'll have those songs stuck in my head for weeks!
Currently, I'm sitting in a condo right off of Panama City Beach. It was raining when we arrived, but it seemed to have cleared off now. I hope that we get to walk the beach tonight. I've never met anyone who didn't completely adore the ocean.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
World of Coke
"Elias Burns sang out, 'The rebel bullet is not yet made that is to kill me.' At that, he jumped up and fell down the same instant with a bullet in his brain. He fell across my lap, and his brains and blood ran into my havversack, spoiling my rations. So I took his." -Private Robert Strong
This quote by an Illinois private during the war gives us a peek at the horror and inhumanity of the battlefield. We began our day at the Museum of Atlanta, which of course consisted mostly of Civil War artifacts. The most remembered part of the morning was seeing two southern farm houses. We took a guided tour of the Smith Family farm, which consisted of not only a farm house, but a slave house, the kitchen, and the smoke house. Unlike a plantation, the Smith farm was a family farm operated by the master and thirteen slaves. The house itself was built by the Robert Smith family in the 1840s and was located outside of Atlanta.
The next house we saw was the Swan House. A post-Civil War plantation house, the Swan House resembled a Victorian castle. The stone frame combined the wonder of history with the enchantment of a fairytale unwritten. Much to my regret, we were unable to take a tour of this house; nevertheless, I fell in love.
"The Civil War is, for the American imagination, the great single event of our history . . . We became a nation only with the Civil War." Robert Penn Warren, Southern writer.
After a long morning of historical research, we moved on to World of Coke! We learned the history of the secret coca-cola recepie from 1886, but of course never the secret itself. Written by Dr. John Pemberton, the local pharmacist of Atlanta invented the favored beverage of people around the world. As they say at Coca-Cola, "I'd like to buy the world a coke."
This is what lead me to fall off the bandwagon. It has been over two years since I had a sip of soda, but the sweet smell of fountain drinks wasn't lost upon me as I entered the "tasting room." Sixty different flavors of coke from five different continents. When I walked into the room I was determined not to let it break me. But then my mother - and yes, I blame this fiasco on her - said I absolutely had to try the German soda because of my good friends with a German foreign exchange student this year. So I did. And this lead to my moral demise as a human being. I tasted them all, and ended up with a stomach ache because of it. I regret nothing. My absolute favorite beverage was a pinneaple flavored drink from Greece. Yum!
Besides, one drink isn't going to kill you, right?
This quote by an Illinois private during the war gives us a peek at the horror and inhumanity of the battlefield. We began our day at the Museum of Atlanta, which of course consisted mostly of Civil War artifacts. The most remembered part of the morning was seeing two southern farm houses. We took a guided tour of the Smith Family farm, which consisted of not only a farm house, but a slave house, the kitchen, and the smoke house. Unlike a plantation, the Smith farm was a family farm operated by the master and thirteen slaves. The house itself was built by the Robert Smith family in the 1840s and was located outside of Atlanta.
The next house we saw was the Swan House. A post-Civil War plantation house, the Swan House resembled a Victorian castle. The stone frame combined the wonder of history with the enchantment of a fairytale unwritten. Much to my regret, we were unable to take a tour of this house; nevertheless, I fell in love.
"The Civil War is, for the American imagination, the great single event of our history . . . We became a nation only with the Civil War." Robert Penn Warren, Southern writer.
After a long morning of historical research, we moved on to World of Coke! We learned the history of the secret coca-cola recepie from 1886, but of course never the secret itself. Written by Dr. John Pemberton, the local pharmacist of Atlanta invented the favored beverage of people around the world. As they say at Coca-Cola, "I'd like to buy the world a coke."
This is what lead me to fall off the bandwagon. It has been over two years since I had a sip of soda, but the sweet smell of fountain drinks wasn't lost upon me as I entered the "tasting room." Sixty different flavors of coke from five different continents. When I walked into the room I was determined not to let it break me. But then my mother - and yes, I blame this fiasco on her - said I absolutely had to try the German soda because of my good friends with a German foreign exchange student this year. So I did. And this lead to my moral demise as a human being. I tasted them all, and ended up with a stomach ache because of it. I regret nothing. My absolute favorite beverage was a pinneaple flavored drink from Greece. Yum!
Besides, one drink isn't going to kill you, right?
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Three Museums and A Cemetary
I feel like I've conquered the whole city of Atlanta today; we have seen that much! It has been an exhausting, yet fulfilling day with a visit to three museums and a cemetary. Here's the details:
Margaret Mitchell House
Our first stop was the Margaret Mitchell Museum and House. You know, the crazy woman who wrote the "Greatest American Novel" Gone With the Wind, better known to her fans as GWTW. Born in 1900, Margaret, better known as Peggy lived during the glorious twenties. It is said that her novel paralleled the Great Depression in the rise and fall of Southern gentry. When she was fourteen Peggy said, "I want to be famous in some way - a speaker, artist, writer, soldier, fighter, stateswoman, or anything nearly."
She got her wish in 1936, when after a long journey and a lot of hard work her first and only book was published, a smashing success. Peggy began writing after she was crippled in bed with arthritis and a broken ankle that refused to heal. Her husband, John Marsh could find no other books on the Civil War, published or not, and in desparation suggested that his wife begin her own account of life during the Reconstruction. John and Peggy worked on her novel for around ten years before it was given to an editor who set up a contract immediately. Many speculate that Gone With the Wind is a nonfiction account of Peggy's life despite the many details and the denial by Peggy, who always said it was purely fiction.
Not long after the book was published, it was picked up by a film director David O. Selznick with a vision to make it the most popular film of all time. Putting together the perfect cast with Vivian Leigh, Clark Gabel, Evelyn Keyes, and Barbara O'Neil, the movie that premiered in Atlanta was a hit, making it the biggest movie to premiere ever.
Walking through the streets of Atlanta, I forget that the characters from Margaret Mitchells famous novel are fictional, because in the heart of the city they come alive. Scarlet, Rhett, Melanie, and Ashley live in the hearts of Americans as a reminder of what was and is to come. It is said that Scarlet's story is the same as Atlanta's: the rise and fall and remembering the glory days.
"As God is my witness, as God is my witness they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be hungry again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again." -Katie Scarlet O'Hara
Margaret Mitchell died in 1949, when she was hit by a cab driver on her way to the theatre. She was buried on her family plot in Oakland Cemetary beside her loving husband, her tombstone ever a reminder of the brave woman who took on the "Greatest American Novel" Gone With the Wind.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
"Don't allow anybody to make you feel that you're nobody, Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance." These are the famous words of Martin Luther King Jr. as he spoke to thousands of African Americans about freedom and justice. Suffering was not an option, violence was not an option, but determination and boycotting was. This was how Martin Luther fought, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
The Martin Luther memorial is incredible. An entire fountain surrounds his cement encased casket. Words of live written on his tombstone buried beside his loving and supportive wife.
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'" -Martin Luther King Jr.
Civil War Cyclorama
Have you ever heard of the word "cyclorama" before? Neither had I. It was incredible. Oil painted over a hundred years ago, this diagram of the Battle of Atlanta is as big as a football field. We were completely surrounded by the painting, sitting in rotating seats to see the entire thing. I can't even describe it, but if you come to Atlanta, you have to go there.
Oakland Cemetary
As we walked into the Oakland Cemetary I came across a pure white flower. Beautiful. Perfect. I picked it up and twirled it in my hand as we walked around the tombstones, some dating back to the 1850s. Worn writing etched into the stones of loved ones long forgotten. For a cemetary, it's a magical place of history and fortune.
As we walked along, making up stories for the old Civil War veterans we came across the Mitchell Family Plot. Buried with her parents and her husband, her tombstone reads "author of the famous novel 'Gone With the Wind.'" Coins and rocks had been placed upon her burial place in rememberance and honor of the woman who remembered the "old south." As I stood above her tombstone, I bent down and placed the wilting flower on her grave, the least I could do for a woman who so inspired me as a feminist, reporter, and most importantly, a novelist.
Margaret Mitchell House
Our first stop was the Margaret Mitchell Museum and House. You know, the crazy woman who wrote the "Greatest American Novel" Gone With the Wind, better known to her fans as GWTW. Born in 1900, Margaret, better known as Peggy lived during the glorious twenties. It is said that her novel paralleled the Great Depression in the rise and fall of Southern gentry. When she was fourteen Peggy said, "I want to be famous in some way - a speaker, artist, writer, soldier, fighter, stateswoman, or anything nearly."
She got her wish in 1936, when after a long journey and a lot of hard work her first and only book was published, a smashing success. Peggy began writing after she was crippled in bed with arthritis and a broken ankle that refused to heal. Her husband, John Marsh could find no other books on the Civil War, published or not, and in desparation suggested that his wife begin her own account of life during the Reconstruction. John and Peggy worked on her novel for around ten years before it was given to an editor who set up a contract immediately. Many speculate that Gone With the Wind is a nonfiction account of Peggy's life despite the many details and the denial by Peggy, who always said it was purely fiction.
Not long after the book was published, it was picked up by a film director David O. Selznick with a vision to make it the most popular film of all time. Putting together the perfect cast with Vivian Leigh, Clark Gabel, Evelyn Keyes, and Barbara O'Neil, the movie that premiered in Atlanta was a hit, making it the biggest movie to premiere ever.
Walking through the streets of Atlanta, I forget that the characters from Margaret Mitchells famous novel are fictional, because in the heart of the city they come alive. Scarlet, Rhett, Melanie, and Ashley live in the hearts of Americans as a reminder of what was and is to come. It is said that Scarlet's story is the same as Atlanta's: the rise and fall and remembering the glory days.
"As God is my witness, as God is my witness they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be hungry again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again." -Katie Scarlet O'Hara
Margaret Mitchell died in 1949, when she was hit by a cab driver on her way to the theatre. She was buried on her family plot in Oakland Cemetary beside her loving husband, her tombstone ever a reminder of the brave woman who took on the "Greatest American Novel" Gone With the Wind.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
"Don't allow anybody to make you feel that you're nobody, Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance." These are the famous words of Martin Luther King Jr. as he spoke to thousands of African Americans about freedom and justice. Suffering was not an option, violence was not an option, but determination and boycotting was. This was how Martin Luther fought, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
The Martin Luther memorial is incredible. An entire fountain surrounds his cement encased casket. Words of live written on his tombstone buried beside his loving and supportive wife.
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'" -Martin Luther King Jr.
Civil War Cyclorama
Have you ever heard of the word "cyclorama" before? Neither had I. It was incredible. Oil painted over a hundred years ago, this diagram of the Battle of Atlanta is as big as a football field. We were completely surrounded by the painting, sitting in rotating seats to see the entire thing. I can't even describe it, but if you come to Atlanta, you have to go there.
Oakland Cemetary
As we walked into the Oakland Cemetary I came across a pure white flower. Beautiful. Perfect. I picked it up and twirled it in my hand as we walked around the tombstones, some dating back to the 1850s. Worn writing etched into the stones of loved ones long forgotten. For a cemetary, it's a magical place of history and fortune.
As we walked along, making up stories for the old Civil War veterans we came across the Mitchell Family Plot. Buried with her parents and her husband, her tombstone reads "author of the famous novel 'Gone With the Wind.'" Coins and rocks had been placed upon her burial place in rememberance and honor of the woman who remembered the "old south." As I stood above her tombstone, I bent down and placed the wilting flower on her grave, the least I could do for a woman who so inspired me as a feminist, reporter, and most importantly, a novelist.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Georgia on my mind.
We have safely made it to Atlanta, Georgia! Fantastic, I know. I'm relieved, especially after spending fourteen plus hours in the car over the past two days. The driving today was kind of crazy. It rained on again/off again the entire way here, and the traffic was horrendous. But we made it safely despite the annoyances.
Don't you love when you step off of a plane, or in my case the Silver Surfer, and you can just feel the difference in the air. The different atmosphere and hubbub of your surroundings filling all your senses. I love it!
We got to the hotel around five and relaxed for about an hour before heading off to the mall. We filled our stomachs with delicious mall-food and did some shopping, more to get up and walk around than to actually buy anything. I can't believe our second day away is over and we still haven't done anything vacation-y. That's what happens when you drive. Although, I do like seeing all the cities. We drove through St. Louis yesterday and Nashville today. From what I saw out my window, I would love to visit someday!
Now something that is causing some stress for me during our time away is I'm currently training for another half marathon right now, which means running four times a week. I'm beginning to realize this is an impossible feat while on vacation. Treadmills are great, but seven miles on a treadmill will kill your knees and might make you go a little crazy. So I'm going to do what I can, and try not to worry about it. But two and a half weeks is such a long time . . .
Can't wait to begin sightseeing tomorrow! Georgia on my mind.
Don't you love when you step off of a plane, or in my case the Silver Surfer, and you can just feel the difference in the air. The different atmosphere and hubbub of your surroundings filling all your senses. I love it!
We got to the hotel around five and relaxed for about an hour before heading off to the mall. We filled our stomachs with delicious mall-food and did some shopping, more to get up and walk around than to actually buy anything. I can't believe our second day away is over and we still haven't done anything vacation-y. That's what happens when you drive. Although, I do like seeing all the cities. We drove through St. Louis yesterday and Nashville today. From what I saw out my window, I would love to visit someday!
Now something that is causing some stress for me during our time away is I'm currently training for another half marathon right now, which means running four times a week. I'm beginning to realize this is an impossible feat while on vacation. Treadmills are great, but seven miles on a treadmill will kill your knees and might make you go a little crazy. So I'm going to do what I can, and try not to worry about it. But two and a half weeks is such a long time . . .
Can't wait to begin sightseeing tomorrow! Georgia on my mind.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Adventure Time!
On this day of the 10th June 2012, we leave for Illinois where we will be staying one night before we reach Atlanta, Georgia. I'm out of practice for traveling seven plus hours in a car. Longest car ride ever. Seriously. It's ten o'clock at night and we have finally reached our hotel. Thank God because if I spent another minute in that crowded vehicle I think I would have gone insane; not to meantion, I had to pee.
It's going to feel strange traveling for two and a half weeks instead of four. We're driving down to Atlanta where we'll be staying for four nights. This part of the vacation was planned by yours truly - something that I am very proud of. I hate planning! I've always wanted to visit this part of the country because it's where Margaret Mitchell grew up, and for those of you who lived sheltered lives, she wrote Gone With the Wind, known to fanatics as GWTW. We will also visit a Civil War museum, because I'm obsessed with everything to do with the Civil War, and visit a Martin Luther King Jr. memorial, along with other things of less importance.
After discovering the wonders of history, we will be relaxing on the beach beneath the gorgeous Florida sun. If you haven't noticed, we're kind of addicted to the ocean. On our way back home we will be stopping at an old friends house before visiting my counsins. Then back to life as it's always been. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Don't stop reading . . . or being jealous of my fantastic travels!
It's going to feel strange traveling for two and a half weeks instead of four. We're driving down to Atlanta where we'll be staying for four nights. This part of the vacation was planned by yours truly - something that I am very proud of. I hate planning! I've always wanted to visit this part of the country because it's where Margaret Mitchell grew up, and for those of you who lived sheltered lives, she wrote Gone With the Wind, known to fanatics as GWTW. We will also visit a Civil War museum, because I'm obsessed with everything to do with the Civil War, and visit a Martin Luther King Jr. memorial, along with other things of less importance.
After discovering the wonders of history, we will be relaxing on the beach beneath the gorgeous Florida sun. If you haven't noticed, we're kind of addicted to the ocean. On our way back home we will be stopping at an old friends house before visiting my counsins. Then back to life as it's always been. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Don't stop reading . . . or being jealous of my fantastic travels!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Summer To-Do List
Hey guys! It's been awhile, I know. I guess I needed some time off from blogging. But I'm back now. No worries!
Okay, so maybe it's just me, but once summer gets going I get lazy. Obviously, it's summer for goodness sake! After a while, though, the laziness starts to make me feel sick. Too much sitting around, watching the clouds blow past. After a few days of sitting, I get really antsy, and I'm sure my family can attest to this, I get in a horrible mood. And so, I have created a to-do list. Just a little something to keep my mind and body active so I don't go entirely crazy.
Okay, so maybe it's just me, but once summer gets going I get lazy. Obviously, it's summer for goodness sake! After a while, though, the laziness starts to make me feel sick. Too much sitting around, watching the clouds blow past. After a few days of sitting, I get really antsy, and I'm sure my family can attest to this, I get in a horrible mood. And so, I have created a to-do list. Just a little something to keep my mind and body active so I don't go entirely crazy.
- Get in touch with God - I've been feeling a little out of tune with my faith. After a years worth of public school, the swearing and abused morals wear on my nerves. I hope to use this summer to revitalize what I've lost.
- Sign up for my second ever half marathon! I'm super excited about this one. Like I said before, totally addicted to the feeling of crossing that finish line. It's my drug.
- Write a hundred pages of a narrative. Don't laugh, but this one I attempt every summer. I'm just so spastic with my writing. As I'm sure you've all noticed. I can write a while story in my head but I can never seem to articulate it onto paper. Maybe this will be my lucky year summer.
- Read at least ten fiction books. With this whole AP Lang class allowing me to only read nonfiction, I am totally fiction deprived. Completely. Plus, I just got a new stack of books! I've already read two.
- Work a lot - which so far hasn't happened. Honestly, I keep trying to save my money, and then the next trip comes along, or I buy a new guitar, or I go crazy and buy a pair of TOMS. You know. All very important, break the bank type of stuff. So, I need to log some hours this summer; otherwise, I'll never get a car!
- Visit the love of my life - Paris. Don't ruin my dream. It will happen. Just you wait.
So, what do you think? Is making a summer to-do list totally crazy? Or do you get as completely bored as I do? What's on your summer to-do list?
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