Down South

This is always a good time to get out of Toledo, so a few weeks ago we headed to Houston to visit old friends and hit the road for an adventure.

We found a wonderful coffee shop in Alexandria, Louisiana (1921 Jackson Street). 

We drove the Natchez Trace Parkway.  

We learned more about the battle of Vicksburg than we ever thought we could. 

We had the best fried chicken EVER at a place called Walnut Hills.

We found another great coffee shop in Vicksburg.  

Paula took a quick look in the Museum of Coca Cola History and decided we did not need to spend time there.  

We did spend quite some time in the H C Porter Gallery across the street.

We drove through the Mississippi Delta.

We listened to a lot of blues.

We saw the cabin Muddy Waters was born in at the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, MS.

Courthouse in the town square in Oxford, MS

We spent a lot of time in Square Books - the heart of the Literary South.

City Grocery is on the left.  

It is one of four restaurants owned by Chef John Currence 
- who can really cook great southern food.  

We also ate at Boure and Snackbar.

Yum.

William Faulkner statue on the town square in Oxford

(this and last two photos by Alan Schlesinger)

Faulkner's study at his home, Rowan Oak 

(which has neither Rowan nor Oak)

We counted the blondes at Old Miss.

We soaked up Southern Hospitality.

Exploring the Port of Houston 

It was not easy returning to the Great Frozen North. 

Monroe spreading cheer

One of my favorite movies is the Masterpiece edition of Pollyanna.  There is a scene where Pollyanna brings home a stray dog.  Her Aunt Polly asks "What possible use is a dog?"  Pollyanna replies "Dogs just make you happy to be alive."

Monroe has been going with me to Elizabeth Scott on Saturdays to visit Mom.  We barely make it into the lobby before someone wants to pet him - or just say "hello".  Even those who do not interact get a smile on their face.

Laura and Lotty like to talk about dogs they have had.  

Normally Mom isn't too happy when someone who is visiting her pays too much attention to others, but she doesn't seem to mind when Monroe is there.  It makes her popular.