My Interview with Jonathan Miles, Author of Want Not

A few days ago, I spoke books, writing, food and squirrels with author Jonny Miles.  What a treat- he helped me remember how great the town of Oxford MS can be. _______________________ _________________________________

At Last Cover Cyndi Lauper

I am a huge fan or at least I was as a little girl ( I danced in play clothes to the album- I repeat album She's So Unusual). My friend just posted this and although I am a huge Etta fan, there is something about this take on this song that keeps me playing it repeatedly at the moment.

_______________________ _________________________________

The Civil Wars cover Elliott Smith's Between the Bars

Every time I hear Elliott Smith, I think of the very intimate performance I saw him give after the Oscars in Minneapolis.  Smith sang this song, but wouldn't sing Miss Misery.  A drunk guy tried to coax him into it and I like to think it was the same guy that sang along with this song.  Smith, on the encore said he just couldn't sing that song anymore and drunk guy yelled-PLEASE? JUST FOR US, WE WON'T TELL ANYBODY!!
Smith was amazed at how calm we were after the warm up band but the truth was, the stage wasn't that high above the audience and once everyone negotiated a spot to see Smith perform, no one moved around that much from their viewing window through lots of other heads.
I always say that I want to go get my picture made by the Elliott Smith mural when in Los Angeles and perhaps the next visit, I will make it happen. _______________________ _________________________________

Covers-Jenny Lewis and Watson Twins- Handle WIth Care (Live)

I heard this cover this morning via KCSN and it took me a moment to say, "hey, this isn't the Traveling Wilburys!" It also gives me one more reason to think the Rabbit Fur Coat Album is a solid work that I need to rediscover.  I saw Miss Lewis play at the Hollywood Bowl a few years back before Ray Lamontagne and that girl can rock! She brings IT as always.  Enjoy what may be a new discovery for ya! _______________________ _________________________________

Wordless Wednesday- Saying Goodbye (for now) Savannah

_______________________ _________________________________

Savannah CIty Hall

It was worth the free reservation to get an informed tour and a look inside city hall.  These tours happen the first Tuesday of every month at lunchtime.

_______________________ _________________________________

Wordless Wednesday- #30dayphotochallenge Savannah and the Lowcountry

_______________________ _________________________________

Doorways and gates of Savannah

Here's a few things I have found walking around the historic district in Savannah.  

It always feels like a scavenger hunt!

_______________________ _________________________________

Wordless Wednesday- #30dayphotochallenge

Just a few days worth-moments in Savannah, Georgia. _______________________ _________________________________

Afternoon at Bonaventure Cemetery

With a mix of locals, semi-locals, and tourists, I joined a large group to take advantage of the Bonaventure Historical Society's Free Tours that take place second Sunday of each month.  There were three tours-one at 2p.m., another at 2:30 and the last one at 3p.m.  The last group was large and I was ill prepared.  I walked away unscathed but tired and thirsty.  Although the tour would be by the river with some breeze relieving some of the heat (I fought for shady spots), I would recommend to anyone wishing to take advantage to think about water, sunscreen, and bug spray.  Our guide did offer repellant  and warned to watch where we stepped or stood as there were fire ants to keep an eye out for...

Although I had been out visiting Bonaventure before, it had been quite a bit of time and after reading a lot of Savannah history, it was fun to have a guide show us around and point out the founding fathers of Savannah. He connected the graves and family names to the homes and squares in the historic district. 

We walked by where the inspiration to Hard Hearted Hannah is lain, spent some time talking about Johnny Mercer, and said hello to little Gracie Watson, the monument of the little girl is a likeness based on a photo taken of her in her Easter finest, shortly after, she caught pneumonia, died and was laid to rest.

Once plantations, the cemeteries are said to be for the living.  My experience has been that of meeting family gardening and taking care of the plots and tourists in our group referenced "the book" where the author has cocktails in the cemetery.  Our guide pointed out that just recently Bonaventure had been named one of CNN's top ten list and I thought it funny that a women next to me commented how it's unusual to visit a cemetery on a trip, but I find just like museums, I have visited a number of cemeteries and the amount of history is amazing, like Our Town and Spoon River Anthology-the lives are celebrated and they seem to whisper stories to us and demand to be remembered.

_______________________ _________________________________

Tunica Trip

It started with meeting the museum director and hopping into his 1976 Triumph. We headed down the highway to the county jail to talk to an amazing cook and then a lunch treat at the famous Blue and White- more to come as I start to write my article for my magazine class on Tunica, food, and the casinos.

_______________________ _________________________________

No need for pets when they are where you visit!

Moses likes to hide in Chicago

Still reflecting on the holiday and looking to a week or so more before I go back to the school thing! Right now, I think I'll share the adventure through the pets I was able to love as a house guest this Christmas/New Year's visit.

   
Elliot was home in Libertyville, Il
                                                               

Big Boy said hello in Seattle

 

Lulu, now Christened Edwina was in Santa Monica

_______________________ _________________________________