More Nashville: The Ryman Auditorium

The Ryman is filled with stories (some would say, ghosts).

Minnie's dress and hat:



June Carter and Johnny Cash:



Dad convinced me to become a (very small) part of history:

The Grand Ole Opry

On our visit to Nashville, we decided to see what happens at the Grand Ole Opry these days-- seems to be just about the same as it always was, except that the venue is relatively new, and some stars are relatively old! The Opry left its longtime home at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville in 1974, for a new, larger (and air conditioned) concert hall in a sprawling entertainment complex. We read that on the last day the Opry aired from the Ryman, Minnie Pearl couldn't hold back some tears-- even though I have little connection with this part of American culture, her tears made me sad, too! The next day, we visited the historic Ryman...

Hatch, part 2

When we visited Hatch in Nashville, Mom and I felt like we had been there before!

Hatch Show Print

Mom and I went to a slide show by Jim Sherraden from Hatch Show Print in Nashville. He gave an entertaining and thoughtful talk about the art of letterpress, the history of the shop, and its handmade ethic that seeks to acheive "preservation through production." The letterpress studio is still designing and printing posters, now as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame. We might get to visit in person this weekend!

The designs are striking and bold, with prominent text and hand-carved or photoengraved images of the performers.

a loud quiet place

Yesterday I took a long bike ride to the Rivanna river at the east of town, then on part of the Rivanna trail, which makes a large loop around Charlottesville. There were a few places where you could step down a few feet from the trail to reach the river, including this spot. The shallow rapids made a soothing sound, and I watched diving swallows catching insects for awhile.

Monticello Trail

A few days ago I walked the Monticello Trail, a few miles' walk leading up to the new Visitor's Center at Monticello. The trail runs through a forest, often on an elevated boardwalk so you feel that you are really walking THROUGH the trees. It is still amazing to me that Monticello is so nearby. Like Bostonians and the Emerald Necklace parks, Charlottesvillians enjoy this unique landscape heritage very close to home.

summer style

The porch is a big part of what summer means for me. When I am at home, I spend most of my time out here, eating or reading. The tulip trees and magnolias that surround the porch are now full and lush. Now I also have some tomatoes to tend and to wait for.