Ms. Scarlett in the Library with the Candlestick

I needed to pick up a book on hold at the library last night and I really didn't feel up to driving an entire ten minutes to get it. I just wanted to make a lovely summer pasta salad dinner, enjoy a glass of wine and be done with it. I managed to somehow convince Greg to not only go with me, but also to drive us there. It must be my charm and good cooking.

We arrived to find some strange "goings on" in the parking lot; two teen-aged girls recently had a fight. A cop arrived while we were inside and as we were heading back to the car, we heard one of the girls relaying her version of the fight to him. I told Greg during the ride home that the only thing worse than men fighting was women fighting.

As I was continuing along in Plan B, I realized it was more than just that. Anne describes libraries as sanctuaries,"Libraries are like mountains or meadows or creeks: sacred spaces".
Agreed.

Figs and other thoughts

This weekend, I planned on going "figging" at a local pick-your-own spot. Due to the recent lack of rain, there were no figs to be had. This is the point in my story where I suddenly remember a fig tree at a nearby office park. Do we dare? Yes, we dared and joined the league of suburban scrumpers.

scrump (v.) to steal fruit, especially apples, from a garden or orchard

I made a reasonably yummy fig tart with our spoils. We've since gotten an inch or so of rain here so maybe I can get some legit figs soon.

On another note, I began reading Anne Lamott's Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith. I love her. Seriously, when I read her books (stick to her nonfiction) I feel as though I've reconnected with an old friend.

Touring the Delta

Greg put a trip to Memphis on his birthday list this year and as you well know, I’m game for travelling of all sorts. He’s been getting into the blues genre the past few years so a Delta Blues Tour was an order.

Day One – A Surprise for Greg
We drove 6 hours through genetically modified fields of cotton, corn and rice to reach our destination. In my research, I stumbled upon The Shack Up Inn in Clarksdale, Mississippi in the heart of the delta. When I found the inn, I knew we HAD to go there and when I found out that it was only an hour away from Memphis the reservation was made. We stayed in the Fullilove shack and enjoyed sipping brews from the front porch and watching the sun set on the tin cotton gin. We ate dinner at Rust, made friends with a local couple at the table next to us and even enjoyed chatting with the owner/chef. Our new friends told us to head to a local diner for breakfast the next morning where we were told to tell the owner that the “CIA sent us”. Can I tell you how much I love the people of Clarksdale?? Dinner was followed by listening to open mic/jam night at Ground Zero in addition to a few more beers. We bumped into a crew of fellow Shack guests all around Clarksdale and one of their recommendations was Graceland Too on our drive back home. After a few people mentioned that at moments they didn't know if they would make it out alive…we decided to pass on that one. Off to Memphis!
Day Two- Memphis
We began our Memphis visit with a tour of Stax Records. It's a great tour if you love gospel, blues and soul music which was followed by a late lunch at Blues City Café on Beale Street. After a couple of cocktails, we headed to the Westin to relax a bit and it was at that point I decided I need Westin’s Blue Marvel channel at home. I digress. Back to Beale Street for dinner and more beverages!

Day Three- Greg’s Birthday
Our second day in Memphis consisted of touring the Gibson Guitar Factory and Sun Studio. We loved them both. We later ventured out of the touristy area to Midtown for lunch and then to the burbs to see some Memphis babes. It was wonderful to catch up with Laura and to finally see the twins! We took Mama Hoffman out on the town to celebrate Greg’s birthday with sushi and Booya’s. Good times. After cake, the birthday boy and I then headed back into town to experience Ernestine and Hazel’s. I love a place with an excellent jukebox, cold beers and a lot of history regardless if I end up smelling like a soul burger by the end of the night.

Day Four- The Return
Before we left town, we hit up Brother Juniper’s for a very filling and very yummy brunch. It was featured in Rachel Ray’s $40 A Day book/show which reminded me to pull out my copy for my upcoming trip to Sedona.

I hope my hubby enjoyed his birthday trip as much as I did. Enjoy some pictures, ya’ll!