September 2013, The Year I Turned 29 Again

I had THE MOST WONDERFUL birthday.  We went to Atlanta to see the exhibit at the High Museum.  We took the subway and arrived just after 10:00 am.  School groups and retired groups had already arrived so the exhibit was a little crowded. There were some wonderful paintings in the exhibit.  In college I did an extensive study of the late Renaissance period and was pleased to find some artist's work there that I wasn't familiar with.   There was Salomon van Ruysdael, Jacob van Ruisdael, Pieter Claesz, Carel Fabritius, and Emanuel de Witte.

In addition to seeing "the Mona Lisa of the North" by Vermeer, we also saw a couple of Rembrandts and this little precious....

Not a part of this exhibit but a part of the High's collection, we found these great pieces by Gerhardt Richter...

We had a leisurely lunch and did some people watching on Peachtree Street then walked several blocks to the art store, taking in the beautiful buildings and gorgeous skyline.  We went to Buckhead and had a delicious birthday dinner (Thanks, Don Shula!).  All in all, it was a perfect birthday.

The next day we went to the Georgia Aquarium and to World of Coke.  By the time we got through those we were exhausted.  We relaxed in the afternoon and then had dinner at Mellow Mushroom (you know, they started in Atlanta).  

I continue to be amazed at the courteous drivers in Atlanta. The rush hour traffic is horrendous but people don't get all bent out of shape about it.  I guess they are used to it and allow for the holdup. They will let you move across in front of them and I saw no evidence of any kind of road rage, not even a horn blow! What a civil place!

P.S.  The earring isn't pearl, it's a metallic disc.  

A Little Time Away is Good for the Soul

Last week was annual conference in Raleigh.  The Preacher always dreads it but he has been attending it most of his life.  To be honest, I'm just glad to get a few days away from home and work.  I spent time finding local art galleries and book stores and just resting and overeating.  I had a great time.

The Front of Flanders Gallery on Martin St. - Yarn Bombed

http://www.flandersartgallery.com/

After conference, we went north to Richmond.  Now, I'm a Southern Girl through and through, so on the way to Richmond, we stopped in Petersburg and saw the battlefields.  Wow... interesting and amazing stuff for sure.  


I had never been to Richmond other than driving through on my way to somewhere else.  What a beautiful city !  We stayed downtown by the convention center.  It was really nice.  We drove around and saw some of the Confederate monuments out near VCU.  They really were impressive.  You can tell that the South really reveres its history. 


On Sunday morning (6/ 17), after we checked out, we went to the Museum of the Confederacy and the Confederate White house.  Again, I was impressed and was somewhat amused at the humble folk who were there to see both.  I'm sure they are proud of their heritage, as am I.  Maybe in different ways, though.

I don't consider myself one of those closet racists.  I don't believe for a minute that slavery was right, then or now.  The Confederacy was a part of my heritage and there's nothing I can do to change that.  My ancestors fought for the South - can't change that either.  They believed they were doing the right thing and were willing to die for it.  Not many people today are willing to die for anything.  They aren't willing to sacrifice anything, heck, they can't even deny themselves a piece of pie.  Why shouldn't I be proud of my heritage?


The fellow who led our tour through the Confederate Whitehouse was a wonderful guide (african-american). He was very enthusiastic and so knowledgeable about the house, grounds and Jefferson.  If he doesn't love working there, he has me fooled.


What really was amazing about the place is that the UVA Medical center absolutely SURROUNDS both buildings.  We almost couldn't find the place for all of the medical center buildings!


Anyway, after that we went to have lunch down near the James River.  We ate at a cute little place called Arcadia.  We parked near a building that had a mural painted on its side.

Then I remembered that my friend Coppertide lives in Richmond and she had posted the same building!

Went to the Edgar Allen Poe museum - learned that he had lived in Richmond with an Aunt after his mother died.  It was a very cute little place that was spread out over 4 little buildings.  There was a lot to see and the gift shop was a HOOT!

One thing that  I found most impressive with the city was how clean it was.  I told the preacher that it was as if they knew we were coming so they cleaned up.  I appreciate that!  The other thing was how they seem to hang on to buildings and not bulldoze them to put up some shiny monstrosity.  There are still many quaint little storefronts and I picked out several that I could easily live with.  They remind me of the Arts District where I used to work.  

What a nice weekend!