Hiatus

The move's done, the boxes are all empty, and most things have found their new place. My year (okay, more like fifteen months) of transition is officially over. And now, it's time to retire the blog.

At least for a while.

In a few days, the blog will come down. Will it come out of retirement? Who knows? for now, it's time to put it aside. I might still write for myself, but I have too much to ponder on and wonder about that isn't for public consumption.

Thanks for spending the last year with me. Best to you and yours, and in one way or another, I'll be in touch. :-)

Turtles, and Possums, and Deer—Oh My!

One thing about being at Mom’s is the variety of wild life. Sure, my neighbors had a couple of yellow-crowned great herons or something like that in their tree, and sure, I had a ton of squirrels and birds around, but that’s been nothing like just a single day at Mom’s.

As for regular stuff, she’s got a great birdfeeder set up in the back, and tons of birds visit. Naturally, of course, the squirrels love it too. And Howard, as you can imagine, loves running out to chase the squirrels. As we took our walk Thursday morning, he even spotted a deer. Then came Saturday.

Mom and I spent most of the day working in the house. We spent a little time seeing our creations from the day before, but we also got her computer stuff set up, I caught up on some blogging, and she worked on organizing her inbox and favorites. (Of course, you can give a person file folders, but if they don’t think they’ll remember what they put in each folder, they won’t do any good. Well, at least I gave the (knowledge of) folders.)

Sometime late that morning, I noticed something in the back yard. Well, my goodness! It was a turtle! Howard had never seen a turtle, that I knew of, and I figured he’d be intrigued. But to protect the turtle, I did leash Howard.

When Howard finally spotted it, he was indeed interested.


And he followed along behind it, sniffing, and sometimes getting close enough to jump back with the turtle stuck his head up.

Of course, then the turtle withdrew into his shell, and Howard, being the dog he is,, well, knocked on the door. Yes, he pawed at it. Me, fearful for the turtle, pulled Howard back. This went on a while, and finally, I decided they’d both probably had enough.

Later that day, we spotted the following out Mom's front window:


On Sunday morning, we saw this cutie:


When Howard and I went out to see if we could see the bunny, alas, he had just hopped away. But we looked down the road, and we spotted two deer---one near the road and one in the woods. They didn't want us too close, so the pictures aren't very good, but here ya go:




But I think Howard's most exiting time came Saturday night. I was in the living room, taking care of a little computer things and watching a little tv. Howard had already gone in my room to go to bed. Then he came out. He rushed to the back door, demanding to go in the back yard.

I let him out, and a few minutes later, he was ready to come back in. When I let him in, this is what I noticed in the bird feeder:

Umm Hmmm: a possum! I clicked a few photos, then went back inside. As I was uploading the pics to leave for Mom, Howard went and knocked on her door. She came out, I filled her in, and we all went back outside. This time, though, Howard found the possum and thought he had to stay there, bark at it, and keep it in place. What a little hunting dog I have!

The poor possum, of course, was terrified, clinging to the highest point on the bird feeder pole.


Finally, though, I offered to take Howard on a walk, and he was willing to leave the possum. We walked down then back up Mom's street and called it a night.

Art

Naturally, I had no desire to spend any additional time in a car. And fortunately, our activities on Friday did not require any such thing!

Friday gave me my dabbling time in fabric and colors. Mom had lots of white cotton doggie bandanas on hand, so we set to work. First, we tie-dyed a few. Now, not having done this before, it was harder than I’d expected. I felt like I was flying blind a little; I really didn’t know what it’d look like when done. But I still tried three different ones, using a different design and colors on each.

See, to tie-dye this way, you fold/twist/tie then pour on the different colors in different places. Then you wrap it in newspaper then in a plastic bag, and it has to sit overnight. In other words, no, this is hardly something for anyone wanting immediate results.

But our tie-dye done and wrapped up, we then turned to marbling. Mom had shown me this before, and the few things I have that are marbled have met many oohs and ahhs. But what I never knew was that you could marble things other than scarves! See, I really just don’t wear scarves, so the “ahh” of the marble effect was often lost on me. Sure it looked cool, but it wasn’t me---the “it” being the scarf, not the design.

But now! Ah ha! I’ve learned you can marble other things! Our goal on Friday was doggie bandanas, so that’s what we worked with then. And with each one, I learned a little more. I made a couple with a great teal color, swirled with a little black, gold, and silver---so Howard, of course, can be properly dressed for fall football Sundays in Jax. ;-) (When you put them on him, him being a black dog, it looks fabulous!) We also tried to make some Aggie ones, but making a maroon proved to be a little tricky. We finally got a good one, and another dried to a great shade. Maybe Mom can get a lot of a good maroon color and market those over in College Station.

Saturday we got to see the results of the tie dye. I was really happy with the design of one, but the color didn’t turn out what I wanted. What should have been a black and orange (yes, for Halloween) turned out a deepest darkest greenish black and yellow. Still, the design was cool, and I could see how to tweak it just a little for improvement. I learned also by looking at the other two. One of those too, though, turned out a different color than expected. But Mom’s still experimenting with all of this too.

Having done all of this, though, I had the bug. And so the other night, I got online and made an order for more things to dye and marble. I ordered several market bags---maybe if I make my own grocery bags, I’ll be better about using them! (I really do want to get in a better habit of doing so—especially now that I’ll take a local newspaper, and I’ll have those bags to reuse to empty Sophie’s box.) I also ordered more doggie bandanas to make; Howard will be too cool. But also, I really think Mom could find a market for these. We need to figure out more of the cost of the colors and how much time each takes, with the soaking in alum, printing the design, the cost of the water solution (but that’s reusable), and time to press and rinse. Once we get a little better at them, and figure out a cost, I think I need to send some of these we’re making out, with info for those folks’ friends to order more. We’ll see.

Ah, and I also ordered some silk wine-bottle size gift bags. How cool to take a bottle of wine to someone wrapped in a hand-made bottle bag?!

My order is being processed, and it should ship and be delivered this week. In the meantime, Mom’s experimenting with some canvas bags she had lying around. And so now, she’ll have a little time to learn more, and my order will be there so that when I get back there next Monday, we can color and print and such, and they’ll be ready on Tuesday before I head out on Wednesday! Sure, I have lots of guidance in the process, and a lot of it is the pure benefit of Mom’s experience and artistic talent, but I must say, there is something personally satisfying about making something so unique.

A Day Trip

After getting the critters tended to, we were off again, this time headed south in Texas, to Mom’s. We got there later than planned, of course (that seems always to be the case when I visit her), but we got there and enjoyed a nice dinner out on the deck. I was, though, quite tired, so it was off to bed early.

Thursday (after taking Howard on a nice long walk), we decided to head down to Houston to see my sister. Granted, the last thing I wanted was to add three hours to my already thirty-plus hour time in a car, but it would be nice to see her. (And wouldn’t you know, but that three hours turned into over five hours.)

And so, we headed to Houston and had a nice Tex-Mex lunch with my sister and her youngest daughter. (with Tex-Mex nachos done right, thank you very much. I don’t know why people in other states don’t understand something as simple as a nacho, but oh well.)

Afterwards, we headed back to their house, picked up her oldest daughter, and the five of us headed to south Houston (ergo, the extra two-plus hours) so my sister could pick up her dog at my brother’s vet clinic. That was nice, of course, because he was surprised to see Mom and me, and I hadn’t been to his clinic before. He wanted us to stay for dinner, but by this time, it was 4:00, and we were facing an hour minimum back to NW Houston then another 1.5 hours to Mom’s. Add another almost hour at the clinic, plus good-bye time at my sister’s, plus a stop by a Houston grocery store (they have a lot more selection than the small town where Mom lives). I knew, doing some fast math, that dinner was not an option if we wanted to be back at any reasonable hour—especially considering I had a dog and cat who’d be hungry, and a dog who’d need to go out.

Anyway, so we did hang out there about another hour, back across town, said goodbyes, and off to the grocery store. We were home, as I’d predicted, about 9pm. Yawn! Indeed, I was tired again. It was a nice visit, and Mom and I got to listen to two French lessons in the car. Six more to go!

Memphis to Jax: Top Tens, Part 2

These things are not necessarily all unique to Memphis, but they are a part of living here.

Top Ten Things I Will NOT Miss About Living in Memphis

10. Raking: As great as those giant oaks are, as well as the pecan and others around my house, boy do they put some things on the ground. I was used to just two mid-sized trees back in Fort Worth. Moving to Jax, I'll have a large one in the back and small one in the front. But here, yowza! The number of bags of leaves and what I call pecan worms (the wormy looking things that fall in the spring and stain your patio furniture) were astounding. I will not miss the mess the gorgeous trees make.

9. Our Mayor: Memphis politics are interesting, to say the least. But the mayor takes the cake. I'm all for legislative and judicial branches staying in office, but executives really do need term limits.

8. Talk of the Pyramid: Memphis made a doozie of a deal a while back, and for a couple of years or more, their grand pyramid had stood empty, costing the taxpayers hundreds of thousands every year. When a business man wanted to invest and build a grand amusement park, the council wouldn't go for it. Why? Too many, in most people's opinions, of them were in the pocket of the mayor. Um Hm. see above.

7. School Emails: I've seen a bad case of "Reply all," but this past year has shown it on a whole other level. I'm sure there is some historical reason that doing so is part of the culture, but even so, it does not show a great light.

6. High Sales Tax: Sure, for the three states I will have lived in, none have a state income tax. I Know! How'd I manage that?! ;-) On the flip side, though, is sales tax. And Memphis has one of the highest in the countries: 9.25%. That doesn't seem so bad to most folks back in the city in Texas, but in Memphis, you pay sales tax on groceries. Um Hmmm. Crazy-ness. (as a point of reference, Fort Worth has an 8.25% sales tax, but no tax on most groceries. Jax will be a teeny 7%, and best as I can tell, that does not apply to groceries.) (I haven't figured out property tax issues, but I suspect TX will have the highest for that category.)

5. Race Issues: The majority of people in Memphis are black. That's not the issue. It's the problem that the people who don't know how to live here, those with built up anger, resentment, and attitudes. It's sad, and it's depressing. I can hope only that with another sixty years or so, things might improve.

4. The Drivers: Memphis drivers seem to not notice the white lines dividing the lanes. And the street I drive down most often is so narrow, that any miss on the steering wheel means you're over in the neighbor's lane.

3. The Parkers: Even once you get to your destination, though, they still ignore the white lines. Cars are crooked in spaces, over the lines, and generally dreadful.

2. Panhandlers: Memphis indeed takes top prize when it comes to panhandling---as for cities I've been in. I made a practice of never getting gas at night, because they were worse then than during the day. I've been panhandled at the car wash, at Home Depot, in the historic Victorian Village, and of course, downtown. It's tiring, in the least, and as the worst effect, it takes you to the number one thing on the list---crime. As a woman alone, you never know when a panhandler might not be completely sober, and so a fear lingers below the surface of "what if" when approached for money. Now, this does not apply to the homeless population. The panhandlers, almost all of them, have homes. They beg for money as their means of living. And it's dreadful---especially in Memphis.

1. Crime: Memphis was recently listed as Number Two on the FBI's list of most violent cities: #2 in violent crime for large cities. Lovely. But don't worry, we're number one too: the FBI ranked the whole Memphis area as number one for violent crime rate Memphis as Number One for violent crime. Seriously, crime is a major issue. When guests have visited, I've been adamant about them not leaving anything in their cars. I didn't go to the grocery store if it was dark, and I kept my gate AND garage padlocked. Sure, some things are just smart living. But in Memphis, it was more than that; it was a constant concern, tenfold that of anywhere else I've ever lived.

Hello, Texas!

By 1:00, we were headed west. Through Arkansas, with a short stop for gas and another for the restroom, we made great time. Howard was so tired from two days of day care (and a hair cut Tuesday morning), that he slept most of the way. Also, with everything in the car, he had only one side of the back seat, fitted with his crate cushion, and he was harnessed to prevent roaming during the freeway drive.

Sophie, too, did splendidly. She meowed two or three times when we first got in the car, then she slept quietly the whole way.

Earlier that morning, I phoned my father to let him know we would indeed be at his house that evening. Unfortunately, though, he never checked his voice mail.

Around 7:30 Tuesday evening, we pulled up, and well, let's just say Dad was a little surprised to see us. But all was fine, and we had a nice visit that evening.

Wednesday morning, after a trip to Starbucks, but of course, Howard and I headed to the clinic. Howard loves it there; he gets oodles of attention from Dad's staff. We hung out there and out in the barn. (Howard was extremely interested in the colt with the injured leg and the calf with the injured hoof; Howard even stood on his hind legs and gave the calf a kiss once the calf was secured in the shoot.) Then after lunch (provided by a drug rep), I went and picked up Sophie, taking her to the clinic.

Both critters got their annual shots, and Howard got some ear wash to try to prevent future issues there. And, WooHoo! They both got microchips. Dad was great with putting in the chips; not even a single whimper from either of 'em.

With all the medical side taken care of, we hit the road again. This time, we were headed south, off to see Grandma. (that'd be Mom, to me.) I'm headed back to Dad's for a few more nights before I leave Texas, so although this stop was brief, it wasn't all there will be.

Bye, Bye, and Bye

After spending the day having fun on Saturday, Sunday required a little more work. I was up early (5:30, by any standards, surely is early), and the work began.

I sorted through things in the garage, finally, and then set to cleaning my patio furniture. I wanted it clean before being stored for two weeks, and the cushions needed time to dry. So I scrubbed and washed then, with neighbors to the north out of town, set everything in the sun to dry.

Next, it was time for the final mowing. Once that was finished, I mowed the out-of-town neighbors' yard then held the mower, letting it run until it ran out of gas.

After all that outside work, I had to get my inside things sorted--trying to figure out what would stay with me for two weeks. That, of course, had to be separated from anything to be packed.

Finally, I was ready for a shower, and I then got to go join my friend and former coworker Karol for a margarita in Cooper--Young, an eclectic little neighborhood in the southern area of midtown. We visited and had a good time, running into another professor and recent grad as we were leaving.

Monday, of course, brought an even earlier morning. I dropped Howard off at daycare at 7, ran a few errands (such as picking up my dry cleaning---almost forgot that!), then rushed back home to meet the packers.

The packers (only two of them, sigh) arrived about 9, and were they ever happy, in the end, that I had packed as much as I had. The two of them, otherwise, would have been there late into the night.

And fortunately, my driver, Hector, made great progress on getting loaded. He stayed until 5:30, leaving my bed and desk in place, but most all the other furniture was on the truck.

I dashed off to Bosco's for one last IPA, saying good-bye to Worth, Scott, and Craig. Worth gave me a few places to check out in Jax, and then it was back home for me.

For my final night in town, the neighbors and I had decided to head out for pizza at our favorite pizza place on Mud Island. Michael and Tabitha came, and Cole, Michelle, and Morgan all road with me in Gretta---with the top down, of course. We had a great meal with laughter and good times. But as it got late, we had to wind it up.

Driving away, though, we noticed a huge fire across the river. Up for a little adventure, we drove over into Arkansas, looking for the blaze. Without success, we finally stopped and asked. Turns out they'd been burning wheat fields all month, and by then, the blaze was not worth a continued effort.

We got back to my house, and Michael came down, with everyone emptying out my fridge. (I'd already given Cole & Michelle a box of aerosol cans and other miscellaneous things that couldn't be moved and Michael had gotten my propane tank and plants. Sheila got the gas tank.) That done, I was pooped. It was off to bed.

(Ah, and for those wondering, Sophie spent the time while the packers and movers were at the house in my large walk-in closet. There was plenty of room for her crate, food & water, and her litter box at the other end. This seemed the least traumatic set-up possible. She made it through like a champ.)

Tuesday morning, up early again, Howard was back at day care by 7. I grabbed an iced coffee from Starbucks, ran by the post office to drop a card in the mail, and grabbed a couple more Gatorade from the grocery store along with a sandwich for lunch. Hector and Robert arrived before 8, and they got to work.

Just as they finished loading, Kelly from my cleaning group arrived, and she set to work in the bathroom. She cleaned that as I began loading Gretta. Kelly moved on to the floors, spiffing them up for my move out. As she finished, I finished loading. And so, by 12:45, I was driving away from Hawthorne.

I dropped the key and a forwarding address off at the leasing office, picked up Howard, and set out west on I-40.

Adios Memphis. It's been a good year.

Mud Island & BBQ

Finally, before leaving town, I made it to Mud Island. I went with my neighbors to the south, and we had a grand day!

We started the day visiting MFM: Memphis Farmers' Market. My neighbors had not been yet, and I was tickled they discovered it. We enjoyed a little cheese bread, rested in the hand made Adirondack chairs, and Morgan got to make a flower using a coffee filter and koolaid. Pretty "Kool"!

We then headed out to Mud Island. We rode the monorail over, ala Tom Cruise in The Firm. Then we moseyed around the museum there, learning more about life and the river. Finally, we walked the Mississippi replica.

We headed south, venturing along Memphis, Vicksburg, down to Baton Rouge, all the way to New Orleans where the replica river opens to the "Gulf." When we went back the other way, we, famished, had a $5 hot dog then headed north. That's when we learned that the replica was of only the lower Mississippi---from about St Louis south. Anyway, it was fun.

And from Mud Island, you get a whole different persepctive of downtown Memphis:


Tired, we headed back to our respective homes. I took a short nap then did a few things around the house. But that evening, we headed to my favorite BBQ joint for one last meal of the best-ever ribs and BBQ nachos: Interstate BBQ. Yumm--MIE! I didn't get much done regarding getting ready to move, but it was a fabulous day.

Pack and Load

The packers arrived just after 9. Only two came, and I expected three (or four), but with as much as I'd gotten done, they're making decent time.

The nice thing is that my driver, Hector, arrived today too. He's already gotten started on his inventory, and is even loading some of the truck today too. I think that's grand, because that's making even more sure that I can get out of here tomorrow rather than having to wait until Wednesday.

Both crews are nice as can be. I just went and picked up sandwiches for all of us, so now they're fueled for the afternoon push. Fabuloso!

Also, while out, I ran by the library and picked up the final Harry Potter book on CD---wonderful for the near thirty hours' driving that is upon me. I also picked up some language tapes to learn French as I drive: Ooh La La!

Vive La France!

Over the weekend, as I thought more and more about it, I switched: Paris, it is!

This morning, I booked my tickets---air, hotel, and transportation in the city. Over the next couple of weeks, I'll spend time figuring out my day trips and museum visits while there. I've found a great website with tons of options, and my travel agent will be able to handle a lot of things too. One thing I have found that I'm going to try hard to do is a day trip to the Champagne region. How cool! Naturally, the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, and the Louvre are all on the list. Now it's just a matter of figuring out what's on my own and what's with a tour group.

I'm just tickled as of now, though, to have my destination selected and travel arrangements handled. In the middle of a half-way-across-the-US move, and with two weeks coming up in Texas, I feel quite productive to have that done.

And so indeed: Vive la France!

14.9

That's how far I am from the Atlantic Ocean: 14.9 miles.

The road at the south end of my street takes you all the way to the water. But it's faster if you take another route---bypassing many traffic lights.

The loop around the city? It's just about 60 miles around. The drive around it is pretty nice too---primarily all trees. As comparison and contrast, the loop around Dallas, if you consider 635 + 12 + 20, is right about 65 miles. But most of that is developed commercial or industrial areas---except the small part made up of I-20 on the south side. In Fort Worth, the loop is about 50 miles around (I-820), and it's partially developed and partially trees and fields. Finally, to drive around the original loop in Houston, 610, you'll need to drive only 40 miles, and all of that, of course, is developed. The newer loop, Beltway 8, is closer to 90 miles around. And it too is partially developed and partially commercial/industrial.

AAA Savings

I'm finally starting to take more advantage of my AAA membership. As I wrote, I'm using the travel agent service and trip tix, but there's so much more.

For example, we saved 10% off admission price to an attraction visited yesterday, and I also saved money while visiting Graceland, just for showing my card.

But wait, there's more! You can also save 10% for anything you order online from Target. Indeed: 10%! I'll pay for my plus membership in no time! :-)

Memphis to Jax: Top Tens, Part 1

As I've been readying to leave Memphis and Tennessee, I've been reflecting on the last year and my experience here. As I have, I've realized there are a lot of things I'll miss. Okay, and there are things I won't miss at all. And so begins the series of "Memphis to Jax: Top Tens." (with a hat tip to my friend Susan and her "Things" series.)

Top Ten Things I'll Miss About Memphis

10. Living in a Central Location: being relatively central in the US, you can fly anywhere (on the continent, at least) in the US without it being a full-day affair.

9. Living Near an Airport Hub: I always took this for granted. In Houston, you have Continental, and you can fly direct to so many places. Likewise, in Ft Worth, there's American Airlines. And here, we have Northwest. I flew direct from Amsterdam to Memphis, and direct to most every other place I visited. Sure, there are time limitations, and those meant I had to fly a partner airline through Atlanta on my trips to Jax. But still, it's nice being somewhere with so many direct routes into and out of here.

With all the flying I did last year, naturally, I became a frequent flyer member for the airline that's my local hub, Northwest, even moving up to the elite status! Elite status means that you get to board first, which I really like. You also have more options in choosing your seat. And finally, with Northwest, the luggage restrictions don't apply to me. Now, with leaving, I lose my hub, but Jax isn't a hub to anyone, so to get many places other than another hub, I'm almost guaranteed to have to make a stop during a flight. And for this too, being elite is nice as I get to board early for each boarding!

8. Once-a-Year Snow: I'm still in the south, but I am also north enough that we got a great snow this year. It was the most it'd ever snowed on a house in which I lived" 6 inches. And what was even better, it was gorgeous for a day, then it was gone. Very little muss, very little fuss. Being on the north side of the south, thus, has brought that nice weather visit.

7. Traffic: I can say, there's less traffic issues here than any place I've lived with a population over 200,000. I suspect a lot involves the fact that I rarely get on an interstate. No interstate runs through town. But even with that, when I do, it's relatively smooth going. And as someone who commuted between Fort Worth and Dallas for three years, this is fabulous.

6. The Mississippi: I do love water. Sure, we had the Trinity in Fort Worth, but now, having lived here, well, the Mississippi is something totally different. The history of this river---its role in peoples lives, good and bad, is astounding. It's huge. It's muddy. It's in more songs that I can count. And it is, as we all know these days, incredibly powerful. It's a being of its own.

5. Giant Oaks: The trees here are amazing. I sat outside the other evening, just staring up, in awe, at some of the ones around my house. My neighbors to the north have a particularly gorgeous tree in their yard. Huge, strong, towering. The amount of shade the trees provide to my house no doubt help my electric bill. And they make being outside in the hotter months much more pleasant.

4. Character: This city indeed has character. Just driving around, you can feel it---the variety of people who live here, the spirit of the city, the dreams of many people. It's something unique here, and it's fun.

3. Music History: Again, my favorite touristy spot is indeed Sun Studio. Just an hour there, and you start to get an idea of Memphis's role in music. After all, it is the birthplace of rock 'n' roll!

2. BBQ: Last night, I took my neighbors to the south out to Interstate BBQ for one last fantastic BBQ dinner. And it did not disappoint at all. The BBQ nachos we shared as an appetizer were delicious as ever. Cole and Michelle even noted how much better these were than the ones they'd tried before on Beale. These were loaded with meat---so much that we didn't even finish. And the ribs, well, perfect. not at all fatty, absolute fall-off-the-bone tender. And the perfect sauce. I can agree: Memphis does have the best BBQ.

1. My Neighbors: Speaking of, I have been lucky here to have some incredible neighbors. Friendly, fun, helpful----all great. And the care they've given to Howard and Sophie was phenomenal. We all three will deeply miss the people whom we live near.

Details, Details

Whew! I was up early this morning, around 6:30. (Actually, I was awake by 5:30, but stayed in that twilight doze for an hour, just unwilling to get up that early.) Before 7, I was on the computer, getting started with address changes.

I finished at 4:00 p.m.

How could it take so long? Well, a lot of time was spent on the phone with ATT and Direct TV. It seems they are no longer in cahoots with one another, leaving me frustrated. In the end, though, I stayed with both, working out the details and even finding a few ways to save some more money.

It's true, I just cannot give up my land line. Besides, to order movies, it's easier 9and in some ways, less expensive, to do so if you have land line (allowing you to order via the remote.) Besides, It's nice to have a number to give to businesses, such that they are not calling on your cell. And I keep my home ringer turned so far down usually that it's not intrusive.

Another large chunk of time involved getting my new insurance. I got one more quote today, and it was better than any of the others. And so, all's good.

This time too, I handled most all of those businesses with whom I exchange correspondence. Last year, I dealt primarily with the "must contact" folks on the front end, changing the rest as mail was forwarded. But now, almost anyone who sends me mail will have my new address.

And don't worry, I also already set up forwarding to begin here on Tuesday, but I also set up a mail hold at my new address, effective tomorrow!

Ah---haven't gotten your notification? That'll come once I get moved in. I figured that'd make more sense for personal contacts once I'm actually in my place. And by then, I'll probably take care of the cell phone switch-a-roo too.

Eeny Meeny Miny Mo, AAA Style

Having found a home, my next order of business was my birthday trip. And finally, it was time to take advantage of being a long-time AAA member.

I found my local office and sat down with one of the travel agents. And so, we've narrowed the choices to two: Amsterdam or Paris. I've seven days to spend total, translating into five days at my destination. Both offer plenty to do for those five days, and I'm leaning heavily (as of now) toward Amsterdam. I'll sleep on it, read some travel things tomorrow and Friday, and I plan to book it by Monday. In all reality, either way, I don't think I can go wrong. :-)

With that done (and an unbelievable number of travel books in hand---planning also for my likely Christmas trip), I then met with a member services rep to update my info. Before I left, I realized they had insurance specialists there too. My current company does not serve Florida, so I'll need a new company. And so, I sat down for quite a while with an insurance specialist to discuss auto, renters, and yes, flood insurance.

The good news is that even being only a half mile from the river, my home is not in a flood zone. It's still an option for coverage, and one I'll weigh. Considering, though, that I don't yet own, and knowing the elevation from the river (I'll be uphill) and that the house is raised, it's highly likely I'll wait for this one until I buy. (and whew! The house is not in a sink hole area either. yowza---yep! some policies have been denied as being in a sink hole area here.) Still, I have more choices to make---having gotten about four different auto quotes.

Finally, I took advantage of AAA's TripTix service and got maps and details for the long drive from TX to Jax. The prepare a booklet for you, highlighting the route, including markers for rest areas, restaurants, and even descriptions of the terrain. Also, and really cool, they mark known construction areas. And yes, that's all part of my membership!

And so, what a productive day! Tomorrow morning, I plan to drive out to the beaches, clocking it from my new house. I also would like to drive the loop, getting a better feel for that size (making it easier to compare to other cities).

Good trip.

Yes, Home Sweet Home

After another visit out to the house today (during which I took lots of measurements and envisioned furniture placement), I completed the paperwork and paid my deposit. I've got a home in Jax!



I'll arrive back at the leasing agency at 9am when I'm back in town to sign the lease and pick up my key. Ahhhh-----now things are feeling right. :-)

Home Sweet Home?

I arrived in Jax yesterday around noon and promptly got oriented. First stop: Walgreen's for a street map (in other words, a Mapsco, in TX terms). Map in hand, I headed to some neighborhoods to see the houses I'd already listed out.

The first was a huge disappointment in person. The next one was better. It was just down the road from a great restaurant (where I'd had breakfast with a colleague during the interview trip) and super close to the river. The back yard was, well, less than ideal. But it'd work.

I found the third house, and, okay people. Come on. If a yard is "fenced," doesn't, or at least shouldn't, that imply the yard is totally fenced in? Well, this third house was fenced only about 2/3 of the way. Not going to work.

Sigh.

But this third house had taken me to the area I really was interested in---Riverside & Avondale. The two are side by side, and although I'm sure there's some rule, I don't know where one ends and the other begins. Anyway, one house would be fabulous, and its neighbor, not so much. But the area was indeed full of charm.

Tired, and starved, I found something to eat then made it back to the hotel to check in. There, I got online and looked up more prop mng companies and made a few calls. Ah ha! One said they had one property, but it was too late to set up a viewing. Still, I had the address in hand.

I drove by. Hmmmm. Right neighborhood, but you could tell, this house would be small and lacked some character. On the one hand, it was way in my budget, and it was one that would certainly motivate me to buy sooner rather than later. Hmmmm.

So I drove around the neighborhood more. From one street to the next, things could change. But it was that historic eclectic area I like.

By then, it was late and getting dark. I found some dinner take-out, and took that back to my hotel, getting a great night's rest.

Up early this morning, I headed for a Starbuck's and to buy a tape measure. (I now own three---my original, the one I bought last summer looking for a house in Memphis, and this one.) Then I headed up to check out a key to the house I'd seen from the outside the night before.

I found the leasing agency, and while waiting, I noticed one more property listed in the neighborhoods I'd narrowed down to. (I'd found one other online too.) They let me check out the keys to all three properties. I had two hours. I was off!

I started with the third house. It was on the other side of I-95 than where I'd been concentrating, but I was open minded. :-) (the rest of this will be about this first house. I went to see the other two, but nope, they just didn't speak to me like the first one did.)

Back to that property. I drove up, and it was cute! the neighborhood was this small pocked of homes, all from around the 40s and 50s, and most all of them, you could tell, remodeled. Almost all yards were well maintained, and all with my favorite: St Augustine grass. (makes sense, seeing as the city, St. Augustine, the oldest city in the US, is buy 30 miles south.)

I had a key to the back door, so I headed around back. Lovely! There was a HUGE tree in the middle of the yard, big red caladiums around that tree, and a giant philodendron over on a side. There was a deck too, ideal for my patio furniture and grill. As soon as I opened the back door, I saw the kitchen, and able to see into more of the house, did a double-check of the rent. yep. It was more than I'd planned, but it was indeed affordable.

The house is about 2100 square feet. It's listed as a 3/2, but really, that third bedroom would be an odd bedroom; there's a french door from the Florida room (that's what they call sunrooms here) into that room. Still, it'll be a great office.

The kitchen is tons better than where I am now. Granted, it's not perfect. But for rental it's a dream. And it's much better also than mine in Fort Worth. Come on---it's got an island! I love a kitchen open enough for people to circulate; after all, that's where we all end up, yes? (And I've committed to hosting a turkey dinner in November; this one will so totally work for that!)

There are some oddities. A lot of the doors have dead bolts. Um Hmmmm. Dead bolts. I asked, and the leasing agent isn't sure, but I will just get over that creepy factor. The common bathroom has lots of tile (circa 1950s), but it isn't obnoxious at all, even if I am not a fan of blue. At least the blue is the walls, and the tile, half up the walls, is more of a golden subdued peachy yellowish.

But ah ha! This one has TWO bathrooms! (My nieces are already excited about that! we had seven people at my house in March, with only one bathroom. that took organization!) The master bath is just off the master room, and it's tiny. But if I'm the only one in there, that'll be okay.

The entry, well, I still haven't figured that out. It's a room. Seriously, like ten by ten. But it's right there when you walk in the front door. It's too small for a sofa, really. I figure, though, it'll work for my piano.

The laundry room is this odd little room that you can access from the master bedroom or the Florida room. The common bathroom has a window in it---stained glass----and that window goes to, get this, the laundry room. Okay, so clearly we've made some additions to the house. :-)

But when I walked in, it felt like home. That's the same feeling I had a year ago, walking into my first place, And here too, I got to meet a neighbor---the one to the south. She was really nice and welcoming. Young and married and expecting and with two yellow labs. Very nice.

And of course, I went back to the neighborhood this evening. At first pass I was a little worried. There was no activity! Where was everyone? Didn't anyone around here have dogs? Jog? Anything? Hmmmmm.

So I found my way down the road to the nearby grocery store, figuring it'd be good to get a little fruit for the next couple of days. The cost of living here is higher, and I saw that today. While produce and meats weren't that much higher, canned goods and cleaners were indeed more expensive. Good thing I got a 20% raise for my new position!

It was close to seven o'clock, so I thought I'd try the neighborhood once more. (as I said, it's a small pocket of homes, and it prides itself on its home and area preservation.) Ah ha! Here were people! I met two different dog owners out walking, and they were nice enough to chat. They love the neighborhood, and they assured me people are out walking dogs, pushing strollers, etc. One guy had lived there fifteen years, and he said women jogged alone at 5am, and that wasn't an issue. Sure, there are home burglaries, but with proper steps (Howard barking, locked doors), that risked is lessened tremendously.

And so, I think I've found my home. I've made the decision to head back to the leasing agency tomorrow morning, and I'll check out the key one more time and submit my rental application. My criminal history is vacant, and my credit's excellent. I've also touched base with my HR contact, and she's faxing an employment & income verification in the afternoon.

Oh! And if you want something, ask for it! I realized, after I'd left the house the first time, there was no refrigerator. I swung back by, and indeed, none there. Argh. Well, could buy a refrigerator. Granted, I'd rather not, as when I buy a home, I want to be sure that what I buy will fit ideally in there. Anyway, so back at the leasing office, I sighed, "But there's no refrigerator." The manager was standing there, and she said, "Let me ask. If that's the only thing that'll keep you from this house, I bet we can work that out." I then asked, "I didn't see this property online, so I don't know, is yard service included?" She said, "I'll ask."

See, she had just been emailing the owner, replying to an inquiry. And the house has been vacant for six months. The owner is mo-ti-va-ted. And so, he's putting in a refrigerator! (not new, but that's a lot of money I don't have to spend!) AND he's going to continue the lawn care. Cool!!!

Ah---and this afternoon, I visited two nearby Ys, and they'll be perfect. They both have spinning, and one has an indoor pool and the other, get this, a rock climbing room! Neither's more than three miles away. One will be ideal for early morning (just over the bridge), and the other easily accessible coming home from work, without dealing with bridge traffic.

WooHoo! And so, as I said, I think I have home. This visit has been easier than last year. After all I haven't had to spend time moving boxes into an office, doing lunch with new colleagues, or driving here. I've had almost two full days already of looking, and that's less than I got to use last year. And it's not like I've been totally alone; I have already chatted with my traveling companion from last year, my sister, about these houses. And she reaffirmed with me: I need to have a place that's nice. And I need to have a house that makes me as happy as this one did on first look. It's time. It's the right thing for me.

As soon as I make it final, I'll post some pics.

Good Neighbors

This past weekend, my neighbors hosted a gathering to say farewell to me. What a great time we had!

We all gathered at Michael and Tabitha's house, two doors down from me. We enjoyed wonderful food, fabulous margaritas, and nice chilled brewskies while we kicked back on their huge front porch. (Sadly, Cole (Howard's bud) didn't make it; he was home with a stomach bug.)

Ray from two doors down one way, Michelle and Morgan, Chris and Christina and Jackson, and Sheila from across the street all came, and all brought some goody or another, and Michael handled the main courses---zesty quesadillas and some wonderful pork tenderloin. Tabitha made sure my margarita glass never was empty!

We laughed and talked and enjoyed visiting well into the night. I felt truly honored that they held a party for me, and truly sad to leave such wonderful neighbors.

As I sit writing this, having driven around Jax neighborhoods all afternoon, I wonder who my new neighbors will be. And as I reflect on some of the areas I considered for a rental house, I keep in mind that I got extremely lucky in Memphis to have found a rental in the midst of a lot of owners---people who really cared about our area. That might not happen again---immediately. I remind myself that my plan is to rent for only 8 to 18 months. After that, then I'll look for that place where I'll set those neighborly relationships to be a little more permanent.

More of Memphis

These last couple of weeks, as I've mentioned, I'm trying to make it to a few more places. Fitting in just few more spots will help make my time in Memphis complete.

Friday, I enjoyed lunch at the Bluff City Bayou---a place that does lunch only, and only on weekdays. My friend Worth had recommended it, and indeed, it did not disappoint. The soup alone, a crawfish artichoke bisque, was sublime.

Also this weekend, I made it to the Brooks museum. It's the oldest in Tennessee. No, it's no Kimbell, but it's a good museum. I didn't make it to the Andy Warhol print exhibit, the special exhibit showing right now, but I did put my name on the list to join in the docent-led tour for that exhibit that's happening this coming Thursday. If it turns out they don't have room, I hope to get by for that part of the exhibit next weekend.

I also recently tried Neely's BBQ. Neely's was started by some family members related to Jim Neely. Jim Neely opened Interstate BBQ. The two places are not at all the same. Neelys was not bad, but in all honestly, I've become quite the BBQ snob.




Memphis, if you don't know, is known for its BBQ. The first place I tried, barely over a year ago, was Interstate BBQ. And I can easily say, it's still the tops of the list. And actually, Interstate, although it has the least impressive decor, it towers above the rest in food. The best ribs I've eve had are served there. If I make it back to Memphis ever, no doubt, Interstate will be top of the list of places to visit.





If timing works out, I also want to make it to Gibson to see the guitar factory. During that visit, I plan to hit some of those shops on Beale Street to find a great print to represent Memphis and go in my office. I've seen a few during various walks down Beale, and I think now, it's time to go ahead and buy. (When I'm in Fort Worth in a couple of weeks, I hope to find a great cowtown print too.)

Also still left on my list is a visit out to Mud Island. My neighbors are interested in going, so perhaps they'll join me next weekend. But even if they don't, I'll head out to see it. Who knows, maybe after that, we'll head to Interstate for a last taste of the best ribs ever.


(And in the meantime, I'm trying to get over my haircut. It worked okay with the second attempt at styling yesterday, but today it's felt like a thorn in my side all day. I kinda feel like it's pirate day or something, as each time I pass a mirror, I grumble, "argh." Breath. It will grow. :-) )

Our "Stuff"

My friend and former colleague Susan has been in town this week (as a chaperon with her church's youth choir), and we were able to get together for a glass of wine Thursday night. We had a lovely visit, with catching up on what's going on back at my old place of employ, chatting in general, and sharing info about Memphis.

As we talked, we hit on an issue I'd mentioned before I'd write about---and one that she's written about recently: Materialism.

It came to be on my mind as I was out of town with a friend earlier this year. Early in the visit, that friend complimented my purse, saying how great it was. (That was me red purse I carried this winter---a great red distressed leather satchel.) The next day or so, someone brought up Penney's in the conversation, and this same person said, in a disapproving tone, that she'd never shop somewhere like Penney's. And yes, I did, at that point, say, "Huh. I bought this purse you thought was so cute at a Penney's."

Later during that trip, a few of us were talking about our students---issues, attitudes, etc. A comment was made, with what I detected was envy, about how one person had a group of students who all carried _____ or ____ brands of bags and wore ____ or ____ brands of clothes. My comment was that I wouldn't know one brand from another. I was sad for this person, though, that she was so wrapped up in coveting what her students had. Why care?

Besides, I get bored with a purse, as an example, after less than six months. How could I spend hundreds on a purse I'd carry for only four months? For me, when we're talking brand, it's about durability and build. Sure, I'll pay for quality---but not just for a label.

Finally, during this trip, the same person made several comment about people's scarves---the beige ones with the red and black plaid----Burberry. To one person, she made a comment about him wearing a 'knock-off," and he responded by arguing (and proving) it was real. (a) why assume someone's scarf is fake, and (b) why care if it is?

Anyway, as Susan and I were talking, I'd shared part of the above conversations, and I noticed her brand-name purse. And she noticed it. But Susan is not like that from above. And this, I knew. (Okay, and as to recognizing it, of course, that when a brand name is part of the fabric, obviously I know, such as with that purse---noticing it, though, only because that was the topic of conversation.)

Having hit on that, Susan and I talked about the difference between coveting and materialism and seeking quality and security. There's something about having a purse because it's a good purse---especially if you keep it a while, or, as I learned yesterday, send it back for credit for a new one. (I'd no idea some companies have such a thing going on. That's cool!) And there's something to be said about having a product because it's so well made and has great safety features---like a luxury car. (this is the area she'd talked about before---not being a person for luxury cars, but once she had one, the smooth ride and safety features, she finally realized, were so far above anything else that that was worth it and the cost.)

I get that. I get those people. And when you get to a place in life where you can provide those things for yourself, kuddos to you. You've made it, you've done it, and you deserve it. d I get that.

But if you find yourself not envious of the quality of a product someone else has but merely about the idea that they have a product you don't, or when you find yourself buying something with a fake label just to make people think you own the real deal, well, I don't get that. And I guess, when you're so wrapped up in it all, you spend time recognizing others' labels and going so far as to assume they must be fake, well, that makes me sad when I see friends go there.

Ah---so back to that other trip. After I'd gotten home, the friend called with great excitement to tell me she'd just bought shoes for $300. Her highlight wasn't that she'd found the most comfortable--or even cutest---shoes ever. Her highlight was that she'd spent $300 (on sale from over $500, if I recall correctly, which I probably don't) on a pair of shoes in a designer store. And this is the same person who'd spent the last three days peppering conversations with money woes she's going through.

Again---I don't get that.

Now, again, quality is worth something. As I've grown more and more fond of cute shoes, I've bought more and more shoes. But even when they're a designer shoe, it's not about a designer label, and even then, they're on sale. :-) (for less than $100 unless something special like a boot or athletic shoe). And I almost even bought a pair of shoes that had labels on the outside, but only because they were the most comfortable flats that were casual enough yet comfy enough to go great for casual shoes without having to wear sneakers. (in the end, I got two other pairs of cute (and comfy) shoes instead of that one pair.)

So yes, I get buying for quality. And I get, like a luxury car, buying for security. But when the security you are after is what other people think of you because of the label you carry, I'm sad for you.

Not that it'll make a difference---just my ramble for the day. :-)

It Will Grow

I had a final hair appointment today here in Memphis, but sadly, not with the girl I've grown to trust with my hair. Alas, she is no longer at my salon. (One said she went to "greener pastures," one said she had family things going on, and another said there was a medical condition; regardless, she's no longer there.) And so today, I had to sit in a stranger's chair.

We went blonder, and that turned out well. But my request for same style but one inch shorter turned in to her different style and closer to two than one inch. Interesting. Anyway, it'll be fine, and besides, it'll be nice with the summer, right? Besides, it's hair and it'll grow.

Sigh, and to have to find another new person in six weeks. The small joys of moving. :-)

Sad Day for Truth

I was shocked when I logged on to CNN earlier today, learning that Tim Russert had died. He had become a part of my Sunday mornings, doing an incredible job not only at neutrality, but also at asking the necessary questions to uncover the truth behind things---and people. It's a huge loss for NBC, of course, but it's a loss for the rest of us too. He was a journalist of amazing caliber, and I'm grateful to have benefited from his reporting and interviews.

Aps and All

As I've worked on tidying up the blog, I've also been playing around with some web applications and things like that. (If my doing so has messed with your feed or such, my apologies. But I'm just now learning about these things and have changed my settings a few times.)

First, huge thanks to my friend Susan for posting her "things" list about things she likes and educating me about Google Reader. I am slowly playing around with that, and I can already see how much of a help it will be.

See, each morning, I, over coffee, visit several blogs. I have a hand full of friend/social/town ones I check, then I have another hand full of professor and law blogs. (most of them are, technically, law professor blogs.) Naturally, I've bookmarked them all and saved them to a special folder in my favorites list, making it easier to click on each. But now I've learned that for most of them, I can have new posts sent to me. How cool! It will, of course, take some adjustment to not clicking on each blog separately, but can't you see how much more efficient this can be?

Aside I: being efficient is of great import, and it's one thing I'm willing to say is a decent reason to allow laptops in classrooms. I still haven't heard from anyone on that article, which is maddening in that both yesterday and today, this has been an issue on law blogs. People want stats. they want data. I have it, but I need someone to publish it "officially." Patience . . .

Aside II: And how great that I'm learning new tech stuff now. See, as part of the time I'm visiting Mom (who, by the way, gets me to lay my head at her home more than anyone else during my Texas whirlwind), I have promised to help her with her computer. I'm going to see if folders for her favorites will help, and if she doesn't have 'em already, and help organize that info. (I do, after all, love organization, eh?) I'll also help set up some automatic gmail email folders with auto archiving. (totally fabulous way to manage the info we're sent.) Ah---and I will help her re-figure out commenting, so expect to see some Mom comments soon. ;-) But that's not all. Mom will do amazing things with me---maybe some tie dying (she makes doggie bandannas now) or who knows what other artistic event awaits? Most of all, though, I'm looking forward to morning coffee (&/or evening wine) with her and chats on the incredible deck.

Okay---back to tech. Aside from the reader services, I'm trying to learn about feedburner too. (I've already realized there are some of you reading out there I'd had no idea about before. Welcome, and glad you're here! ;-) ) And having just learned about online and automated organization systems, I've been researching things like Sandy and Jott. One allows you to email and ask for reminders, and the other allows you to voicemail and get emails sent. Not sure I'll use either, but both have potential. (I haven't had a problem with forgetting appointments or such, too much. Outlook works great for me. But I'll have to see the system I have once I get to my new place and work more on integrating my home and work systems.)

I have--finally---also gotten through all the pictures on my computer and gotten them all in folders. (a couple of years ago, that would have been: "I finally went through all my photo prints and put them in albums.") I also went through all of my folders and random files in my Documents folders and organized them. (years ago: "I just organized my filing cabinet and all those piles of papers on my desk.") Most of that was easy; the pictures, though, whew!

And being old-fashioned, I also am working on my actual wooden desk and those files. Granted, I need to update my operating system and memory---er, that is, I need a bigger file cabinet. But that will wait until my next next home. That is, not this rental "to be," but once I buy, then I'll figure out my office storage issues and configurations.

My comments above are a little tongue-in-cheek, sure. But they're mostly completely serious. How interesting how much things as simple as how we handle information at home has changed over just a few years. Just a decade or so, and things are so very different.

Where will the future go? I don't know, but that's probably the reason I'll most likely, eventually, pay the extra fee for huge storage of photos and store all mine on Picasso. After all, my current computer would not know what to do with a 3.5 disk. Will my computer in 2 or 4 years know how to read a CD? Sure, there's USB, but I can't help but wonder how long that'll last.

Progress: Fabulous . . . but frustrating.

Of course, the former so totally outweighs the latter. And that's why I keep trying to learn. :-)

360 Days

I'm out! . . . of my office, that is. 360 days ago, I moved my boxes in to my Memphis office. Today, I moved the last ones out.

I could not have done it had it not been for Karol's help. She selflessly offered her help---and car--to assist in getting some of the larger boxes (and my office refrigerator) to my house. I was worried I'd have to wait until the weekend and enlist the help of a neighbor, but thanks to Karol, all's moved out now! (Keep in mind that Gretta's not exactly built for moving. The small book boxes, sure, a few at a time. And even some I did get in there would only go once the top was down.)

It was bittersweet, of course. A few colleagues took my to lunch yesterday and gave me a lovely gift. It was a nice lunch and a nice chance to say goodbye. And with visitors, as I've been, this is the way it goes---we just leave. Still, I said good-bye to Linda and left with a hug. And I was able to leave her one of Mom's plant pots. Linda loves plants, as do my mother and I. And Linda's pretty darned motherly. I know that Mom would want her to have one of her pots. (Sadly, I didn't have my ducks enough in a row to have taken the pot home and cleaned it up. instead, it went to her with a bit of a sad, weary little plant in it. But I'm sure Linda will put a good plant in there and it'll have a good home.)

As I packed everything up, of course, it felt like there was so much. But once I got it all home, seeing just the boxes out of the office, well, okay, there's still a lot there. Again, though, thanks to organization, it didn't look like that much while here in my office, and I know it won't once I get it to Jax.

Most of all, though, I love the idea that I feel like I'm moving into a new home with these boxes. With my household goods, I have in the back of my head the knowledge that I hope to buy a home there in the next twelve or eighteen months and thus have yet another move ahead of me before I'm totally "home." But my office, well, there, I hope to be there for a while.

And so, this chapter closes too. (well, I will drop by tomorrow to stop the payroll deduction for parking and clean off my computer.) It's been a good year and a wonderful stopping point on my journey. But I had gotten to where I as less productive at the office than I wanted, so it was time to finally get everything out.

Besides, I've technically got only two more business days left here without packer or movers. Whoa.

Still, it felt good to have that checked off the ever-growing to-do list. Okay, and admittedly, having packed my office, I've packed all that I have to pack for this move. The packers will take care of the rest here at the house. Indeed, that's a very nice thing.

Tidying Up

If you've checked in lately, you may have noticed I've been trying to figure out my new blog title. Sure, this next move is another new chapter, but it's not that new or next chapter that prompted the blog originally.

As I've toyed with the title, I've thought about blogging. I don't put my blog out there for searches, after all. (that's an issue about a line not being too personally accessible for students; yes, we're people, but students don't need to know details). Really, though, the blog is more for me---a place for me to think, organize those thoughts, and yes, sometimes ramble and even rant. But do I continue blogging now? The "next chapter" is coming to an end, after all.

But my blog is also for Mom. She checks in and is able to keep in touch with me and see a depth of me I don't necessarily share too easily on the phone. And I know that being able to do so is important to her. But it's also for friends and other random family members. Some check the place here regularly, some stop by only every few weeks or months. But they can always check in.

But coming back, it's for me. I'm not trying to be selfish, but there's something about putting your thoughts out there for others to see that for me is quite therapeutic. I've always been an incredibly private person. (Ask my siblings about me as a child, and no doubt, one of them will tell of my favorite phrase as a toddling kiddo: "My business." (said quite sassily, I might add.) I attribute that to being the youngest of three (before Dad remarried and had the fourth) and having virtually no privacy as the youngest. That's my story. :-) )

Anyway, when I write and post, first, it helps me sort through my thoughts. It helps me look at those thoughts through others' lenses too: is this what I think? Am I willing to stand behind it? But second, it helps me work on that area of being too private--being too fearful of what others will think if I share what I really think. And this is important for me.

And so, I'm going to continue to blog. I don't know if there will be a new direction. I know, I know---you didn't all sign up to read my political thoughts, and yet, here they are, for all to see. ;-) But I suspect my blogging in general will remain quite the same.

Still, even deciding to continue my blog, the old title wasn't so applicable any more. I toyed with others, but in the end, we get the final choice: My Musings. That really seems to sum up best what I'm doing. I'm thinking and pondering and sharing---and not always in an orderly fashion.

So there ya go.

And finally, I've also gotten through all my old posts to assign labels. Indeed, that's been a chore. But it's also allowed me to go back through the last year, remembering, reliving, and rethinking.

Overall, I'm happy with the last year. I'm also quite happy to be turning a new page. It's time. And I'm ready.

30 Days

Have you seen the show 30 Days? I highly recommend it. It's on its third season now, but I've only just found it.

I've only caught a few shows, and they've been incredibly insightful. In one, a fundamentalist Christian lives for thirty days with a homosexual man in a very gay neighborhood in San Francisco. In another, the host of the show lives for thirty days with a coal mining family and works as a coal miner. I'll admit, I learned a lot about coal mining and coal miners that I'm sure I otherwise would not have.

In a truly amazing episode, a Christan man lives for thirty days with a Muslim family. As part of the "rules," he had to spend life living as a Muslim---dressing, growing his beard, and answering every call to prayer. He learned so much about the faith and found a whole new level of respect and acceptance of people who think differently than he does.

Tonight's episode has a former NFL player living thirty days in a wheelchair. He's going to play on a wheelchair rugby team, work with spinal cord patients, and live without any use of his legs. (but he is allowed to stretch them daily to lessen permanent injury/risks of blood clot.) The doctor told him what to expect: you'll live the next thirty days seeing others' belt buckles, and if your wife is with you, standing behind you, anyone you meet will look only at her. wow. Something for the rest of us to keep in mind.

As someone who has been hurt in a major way, with a cast that ran from my hip to my ankle, I can say that finding yourself suddenly unable to get out of bed and needing help to do so much gave me an amazing level of insight and understanding---on the most basic level., only, though, as I healed, relatively, quickly. (okay, so there's been chronic pain ever since, but still, I'm back on both feet.)

Check out the show if you can.

Insightful.

Educational.

Inspiring.

Organization is Good

Halfway through the Civil Rights Museum. my cold kicked back in, hitting me with an awful sore throat and major fatigue. It had me down again on Friday, but by Saturday, I was finally back up.

Still, moving in barely two weeks, having the cold for a week, and in general, still feeling unsettled because I can't get to find a new home until next week, I had to do something. Sure, my moving budget covers the movers packing all of my household goods. But quite frankly, I couldn't stand it. I was moving to a new state in two weeks, but nothing felt---or looked---like I would be gone soon.

So I pulled all those flattened boxes out of the attic and started finally "doing." And finally, it felt good. I packed up most of my study, my guest room, and all of the extra closets with all from my closet but what I need for the next two weeks.

Last year, I spent a lot of time organizing and cleaning out before the sale then again as I packed. When I moved in, I did even more cleaning out, and more importantly, a lot of organizing. What's that done has been to make packing this time even easier. And I suspect that unpacking will likewise be much easier. Organization, I'm just saying, is a fabulous thing.

In the meantime, I've finished my laptop article and gotten it submitted to journal editors for review. This process now begins in which I wait for two or three weeks, hoping editors are around this summer, and that someone will extend an offer to publish it. If that comes, I then play the game and contact journals with higher prestige, asking them to expedite the review, hoping for a higher placement. And if no offer comes, I send it out to journals of lower prestige than I originally started with. It's a game, but it's one we've got to play.

I've also gotten work done for the fall semester, and for the rest of this week, I'll read through the current research on the next article, keeping those things in my mind. I'll work on that through the next six months,with a goal of finishing it ideally before Christmas. Okay, so at least by the time the spring semester starts. ;-) I might travel this year for Christmas, and it'd be nice to see some snow. Maybe part of that travel will be putting myself in a cabin somewhere to finish up that writing.

And so, even with the icky cold, things are moving along. I still have a lot to pack at my office, and I plan to work on that the rest of this week. Ideally, I'll be moved out of the office by Friday morning.

Colleagues are taking me to lunch tomorrow to say good-bye, so I'm looking forward to that. And my neighbors are throwing me a party this weekend. Sure, I've been here only eleven months, but it is nice to have these final parting gatherings. I do have some great colleagues and some fabulous neighbors.

A Day in Memphis

With less than three weeks, I'm trying to get in my last few sights and places here. Today, after spending a little time on the computer refining my article a little more, I headed out for two of those stops.

First up was lunch at Gus's Fried Chicken. Last July, out on my first (and one of, sigh, only a few) dates here in Memphis, we drove past this place, and Chris told me they made the best fried chicken anywhere there. I begged to differ, explaining that my mother made the best fried chicken, but that since she didn't have her own restaurant, I could accept that perhaps Gus's had the best fried chicken available for sale. Also, one of my students, upon hearing I was leaving and me asking, "What must I do before leaving Memphis?" said, "You've gotta eat at Gus's."

Indeed, it's good chicken. Spicy, but good. The sides are not the, to me, typical sides for southern fried chicken. I don't even remember mashed potatoes as an option! And there were no biscuits or rolls---just white bread. But yes, the chicken was good. (not at good as Mom's, though.)

I got there before noon, hoping to beat the lunch crowd, but with only about 80 total seats in the place (about 22 tables), they were full. It wasn't long before I had a table, though, and I enjoyed my book I'm reading while I waited for my food. It was a bit awkward sitting there, so close to the door, at my table for four while a line waited for a table. But I felt even more awkward inviting strangers to dine with me. But as I finished, I went ahead and splurged for a slice of pie. Before that came, two gentlemen came in, looked around, and one walked over to my table and asked if they could join me. "Sure," I said. It made sense to me. As Jeff noted, and as I had thought, that's the way they do it in Europe. We chatted a little, but I also read some more, enjoyed my pie (coconut, but oddly enough, not coconut cream; I was totally expecting coconut cream), then headed on. I had more to see.

Next stop was, finally, the National Civil Rights Museum. I had tried twice before to make it here, but both times they were closed or just about to close. Honestly, though, I'm glad I went alone. I've learned, in my on-my-own travels, that I really enjoy going through places like that at my own pace---experiencing, feeling, thinking, all without feeling rushed.

It was a wonderful exhibit. In all, I spent about three-and-a-half hours there, slowly making my way through the exhibits, listening to the audio and reading the displays. I learned a lot. And I wondered a lot.

I grew up hearing a lot about race. Sadly, a lot of it---the bulk of it---was phrased negatively. For the most part, it was subtle, but at times, some folks had some outright overt racist comments to make. I didn't get it then. Heck, I still don't get it now. Okay, so they grew up in different times. And granted, I don't know if I could have the courage to do the things the amazing people did in the Civil Rights Movement activities. But still . . . .

As I learned more today about the bus boycott and the freedom rides and the marches than I ever had before (and why the hell didn't I learn about those things when I was in school?! Sure, it was only twenty or thirty years old then, but seriously?), I couldn't help but wonder about people in my family. My parents were high school then college age during the middle of it all. What impact did these things have on my parents, aunts, uncles . . . ? My grandparents . . . well, they all did grow up in a very different time. I know their views; they never were shy about saying them. I tried to cringe without it being obvious when they did so.

But I wondered too about today's children. I know racist attitudes are still alive. Kentucky, after all, showed us that. I don't understand, of course, how a person is not treated like a person. It pains me with a depth a cannot explain. But I guess that's a good thing---that pain.

Could I have done those things? I don't know. I do speak up for gay rights when I hear challenges. I do speak out against discrimination and oppression. Those are, though, all only words. But words are important too; I must remember that.

Back to the exhibits. The museum is built in what was once the Lorraine Motel---the place where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. The exhibit begins in 1619 and takes us through the entire movement through to 2001, when the addition across the street was added.

As part of the exhibit, you walk through what used to be one of the rooms of the motel, able to view into what his room looked like on that day--April 4, 1968. You can see out the window to the balcony where he was shot. It's a powerful view.

The exhibits take you through the bus boycott, the marches, the freedom rides---putting faces to names, struggles, ideas, and freedom. There were times it was tough to read some things. But read them, I had to.

As I took my time going through, there was another single working his way through. Every once in a while we'd share a comment. He's the one who told me to take a seat on the bus---the replica of the one Rosa Parks was on. When you sit, you hear the driver yell at you to move. That's something.

From the outside of the museum, you can see the balcony where Dr. King stood before that shot. They keep a wreath there; one was placed there very shortly after his death. And they keep the view as it was that day.

Across the street, they've added more to the exhibit. Here, they have re-created the room of the boarding house where they allege James Earl Ray stayed as well as the bathroom where he was to have (allegedly) fired the shot from. Also in this part, they've laid out the conspiracies and ideas about who did it. Who did? I have no idea. Sure, the evidence looks like Ray. But I find it hard to believe it was his idea.

(Walking through there, I was reminded of walking through the book depository museum in Dallas, and I wished I'd spent more time there reading the information. (but I wasn't alone, and with kiddos in tow, it's hard to spend that much time like that. I'll just have to go back.))

As a last part of the exhibit, they have things set up showing progress. One part shows the number of female high school athletes compared between around 1970 and 2000. Amazing. One part compares the number of black persons holding elected offices in 1960 compared to 2000. Yep. So who knows: maybe they can add to that in a few months, adding the first black president.

Yes, of course, I couldn't help but marvel at my timing for finally making it to this museum, this monumental and historical week. Have we come far enough for this to happen? Are there too many people who share the views that were expressed in the exit polls of the Bluegrass state? Of course, the scariest thing is that I know only a few people would really tell a stranger that they cast their vote for a white person strictly because they refused to vote for a black person. What about all the people who didn't admit it? Yes, in those words used so many years ago, we shall overcome, but can we overcome this year?

The museum was moving. And incredible. And awesome. The visit there was emotional. And heart-wrenching. And inspiring.

As people in California plan to marry the person they love, and as my nieces are able to view their futures with the knowledge that yes, they can be anyone they want to be, and as my friends in an interracial relationship are not barred from that by law, I am hopeful. But more than that, I am incredibly, humbly, forever thankful for those people who had the courage. For those people who boycotted. For those people who marched. We do still have paths to travel and ground to cover. But we have started. And yes, some have been to the mountaintop.

Where Did it Go?

May? hello? I seem to have missed you as you whizzed on past my life.

I sit here, realizing it's June. June! This is the month the anticipated Supreme Court decisions come out. This is the month that is the first official month of summer. This is the month I move.

Seriously? Indeed. Three weeks from today, the movers will be here at my house, getting all of my household goods on their truck. Three weeks?! I feel so unready.

Oddly, the timing is similar to last year. But with the selling of the house and all, it took me much longer to grade final papers last year. I also was busy selling the house then packing. I also spent many evenings with friends, saying good-byes and celebrating Fort Worth.

But this year, I don't need to do much packing at all. I don't have a house to sell. I don't have the many different groups of friends to make final plans with. And this leaves me with much more free time to feel like I should be doing something I'm not.

I knew, in planning my trip to Jax to find a house, that I couldn't go too far in advance of the moving date. (Owners don't like to hold a rental open for too long.) Of course, that makes it hard in terms of planning as I cannot go ahead and take care of things like connecting utilities, making mail / change-of-address arrangements, etc. But when I think about it, I'm headed there the same week that I came here to Memphis last year. The only thing I can figure is that because I'm not so consumed with selling and packing that I feel more unsettled with not having a house. Also, the realities of the difficulties I had last year of finding a place linger in the back of my mind, making me nervous for the trip coming up in two weeks.

But I'll find something. I just will. And that'll be that.

In the meantime, I've just about finished the initial article I've been working on for the last year. It's turning out to be much longer than I'd expected---close to seventy pages now. I've sent it to a colleague to read and provide comments, and that makes me nervous as can be, but I've not heard back from her yet. I know sometimes people say they'll read something then they're busy and they just don't get around to it. Really, I get that. Still, it's hard---the waiting. And work won't be over when that's done. In the next two weeks, after all, I need to finish my syllabi for the fall and get in some work on the next article (target completion date for that one is Jan. 6.)

And in the meantime, I'm still waiting for my wiring to be repaired. I've been able to put off laundry for now, but too much longer and I'll have to head to a laundromat. Not something I want to do around here. But it seems the owner of the house is unavailable to provide repair approval. I have to keep reminding myself this is not an emergency; still, it's awfully inconvenient and frustrating.

And in the meantime, Howard and I continue to sneeze. My head is less congested today than yesterday (so hopefully I can get the finishing touches on that article today). But Howard was up the last two nights, scratching his ear too much. Looks like we're headed to the vet today for that. Sigh.

And in the meantime, I'm making the list of the last few places I want to visit here in Memphis. So for the next two weeks not only will I have a lot of work to do, I will play tourist too. (I work better if I spend about five or six quality hours on a project then step away from it. So no, my work isn't the typical "eight-hour-day." Hey, this is summer time, after all! ;-) ) I don't have too many places left on my list, but enough for a couple of late afternoons.

May? I have no idea where it went. Last time I thought about it, it seemed like weeks and weeks before I'd be leaving Memphis. And now, it's just 21 days away. Alrighty, then, Here we go.

Purlie

With only a few weeks left here, I would like to take these last weeks to get by the places I've not made it to yet in Memphis. But along the way, I'll use up the rest of my season tickets to Playhouse on the Square.

This afternoon, I caught the afternoon showing of Purlie. What a treat!

The show is a musical with great music and even greater depth. One summary wraps it up as follows:
It is set in an era when Jim Crow laws still were in effect in the south. Its focus is on the dynamic traveling preacher Purlie Victorious Judson, who returns to his small Georgia town hoping to save Big Bethel, the community's church, and emancipate the cotton pickers who work on oppressive Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee's plantation. With the assistance of Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins, Purlie hopes to pry loose from Cotchipee an inheritance due his long-lost cousin and use the money to achieve his goals. Also playing a part in Purlie's plans is Cotchipee's son Charlie, who ultimately proves to be far more liberal than his Simon-Legree-like father and saves the church from destruction with an act of defiance that has fatal consequences.

The music was wonderful, and the two female leads were just amazing--such rich sounds they could sing! The second male lead, well, at first I was puzzled; he seemed familiar. Finally, during intermission,. I read the program and realized he'd played the dual role of Montel & Jesus in Jerry Spring, The Opera.

Anyway, back to the show. It had a lot to say about race and issues of past & issues that remain today. Some of the lines made me want to cry, knowing the awful truth of our country's past that was behind the humor and singing. Still, I suppose it also says a lot about where we've come to have the show as it is. (Of course, having looked at the exit poll information from Kentucky, goodness do we still have a long way to go.)

Thanks again to You Tube, you can see and hear a few clips from the very stage that I saw today! Unfortunately, you don't get to hear Missey sing Down Home; that was truly an amazing performance.