Though Atlanta now sprawls far beyond its original boundaries, the best way to experience it is still at its heart in downtown. New construction sits side-by-side with the city’s history, with nods to those who have shaped Atlanta architecturally, culturally, and socially. The city’s symbol is the phoenix, and just as the mythical bird renews…
You Can’t Go Home Again
One of the themes of Tom Wolfe’s novel “Look Homeward Angel” is that you can’t go home again. It’s one of my few memories from reading the book, which was part of our 11th grade syllabus. The book was long and daunting, and perhaps we wouldn’t have gotten through it without frequent in-class reading and…
The Most Accessible Place on Earth
I’m not exactly a Disney fanatic. While I enjoy the Most Magical Place on Earth, my life doesn’t revolve around trips there. For the cost of visiting Hollywood Studios, my family could go to Mexico three times. Instead of a week at EPCOT’s World Showcase, we could see the Doge’s Palace in person for roughly…
Confessions of a Pageant Mom
For the past seven years I’ve been a pageant mom. Not the “Toddlers and Tiaras” type of pageant mom, or someone who knows about flippers and butt glue. I’m talking about the type of pageant mom who comes out of the woodwork right before Advent and whose job isn’t complete until Christmas Eve. As the…
Welcome to Batuu
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… (technically 1977 in Atlanta) I saw the movie Star Wars for the first time. As a youngster who had never experienced science-fiction, the film blew me away. It was a world beyond my imagination and I was hooked. Then Disney decided to do something bold…
Kidpreneurs
One of my favorite writing jobs is for StandOutTruck.com. I get to write about small local businesses and what makes them unique. I also get to write about cool people who are discovered by Stand Out Truck owner, Mychal Connolly. Mychal was once a kidpreneur – a young entrepreneur – and now when he spots…
From New York to Hogsmeade at Universal
I thoroughly enjoy the Harry Potter series. Let’s just get that out there. I read it soon after my second child was born, the year that the seventh book was released. I plowed through each book with voracity riding the plot’s twists and turns like a roller coaster. By the time I reached the final…
Whiskey Before Beer
Traveling to Ireland for most people means a tour of Guinness. For many it also means Irish whiskey. In Dublin we were able to take a Skip the Line tour that included both experiences through GetYourGuide. Our guide acquired tickets for Jameson’s Irish whiskey distillery and the Guinness Storehouse tour, then walked us between the…
The many ways to see Alaska
As the largest state, it’s no surprise that there are many ways to see Alaska. Of course, everyone who has even considered visiting has their own opinion. Some swear that a cruise ship is the only way to go. Others can’t imagine a trip without taking a train. And there are those who contend that…
Digging up the Past
I recently completed a book – my first – based on county history. Hidden History of Boone County has some basic history to set the tone, then delves into plenty of new information. Each time I shared information with a historian or long-time resident that was something new to them, I felt an enormous sense…