WOW - what a ride

So in the last week I've: been part of a serious, real-life joke (if you know me personally and heard the Crazy military guy, the 'flighty' flight attendent, and the asian dude - you'll know what I mean), visited a historic cemetery, seen a movie at the famour FOX theater, attended a conference for the day job, visited a 1920's home, eaten a Bison steak, and toured the Museum of High Art...whew...

Oh, AND I updated my blog, finished "Plot and Structure" and "Hero's and Heroines", outlined three books, and started character sketches.

Man, my feet/brain hurts. All of that said, I didn't quite do some very personal things I should have taken care of, such as: call my friends Brandi and Sherry (I love you guys) and started my next BlackLace story. The first - I HATE talking on the phone, to anyone, so it's not personal. The second - well, I can't get a good idea and I've been so focused on my Mist's stories - now called "The Divine Sister Trilogy" - well, procrastination is my middle name. So back to the trip...{Portrait of me at The Fox} Sunday night, June 7th, I visited the Historic Fox Theater to see the movie "Atonement". Fabulous movie - heart-wrenching love story.

Entering the FOX

At the Fox, visitors encounter an indoor Arabian courtyard with a sky full of flickering stars and magically drifting clouds; a spectacular striped canopy overhanging the balcony; stage curtains depicting mosques and Moorish rulers in hand sewn sequins and rhinestones. Beautiful light in the theater.

The giant Möller theater organ Mighty Mo is the Fox Theatre's crown jewel. This irreplaceable relic of movie theater lore is a masterpiece of organ design. Mighty Mo was custom-made for the Fox Theatre in 1929. It's the second largest theater organ in the world. Organists consider a performance on Mighty Mo the pinnacle of their career. Bob Van Camp was the house organist for more than 25 years. When he died, his ashes were sprinkled in the attic over the organ chambers.

Next, I visited the Atlanta Historic Center and toured the fabulous Swan House. I was unable to take any interior pictures, but here are some photos of the gardens leading up to the house and the exterior of the house.

The Swan House is an example of how one prominent family lived during the 1920s and 1930s. The heir to a large cotton brokerage fortune amassed in the post-Civil War "New South” era, Edward Inman was a wealthy Atlanta businessman with interests in real estate, transportation, and banking. Philip Trammel Shutze was the architect for Swan House and its gardens.

The Inmans moved into their new home in 1928; just three years later, Edward Inman died suddenly at age 49 from a heart attack. Alone in the large house, Emily Inman asked her older son, Hugh, and his family to live with her. The elegant adult retreat became a home for children and grandchildren.

Mrs. Inman lived in Swan House until 1965 during which time she made only minor changes to its interior and exterior. The house, furnishings, and 28-acre estate were purchased by the Atlanta Historical Society in 1966 and opened to the public the following year. Most of what you see belonged to the Inman family.

Then I toured the exhibit on the history of Atlanta, from the beginning establishement, through the Civil War and the burning of Atlanta, to today. Atlanta is often symbolized by the Pheonix, a bird which erupts in fire at the end of its life and is reborn from its ashes. How very symbolic.

Atlanta is rich with history, a cornerstone of much of Americas history resides here. I had a wonderful visit, the people are full of Southern hospitality, the food is full of flavor and surprise, and you never know what you'll learn around the next corner...

Time to return to my real-life, but what an adventure!