Summer 2021: Around Town Atlanta, GA #1
Summer 2020 was a total bust thanks to COVID 19 and the subsequent shutting down of the town. For all of you that have school aged kids that are stuck in the house and home-schooling, God bless you! I am so glad my kids are grown that I don’t know what to do. Much respect to you all, I don’t think I could’ve done it. Anywhooooo… due to the “Evrathings closed and there’s absolutely nuthin’ to do” situation I was forced, forced I tell you to Netflix binge! I have this bouchie, straight-backed barrel chair with a lumbar pillow which I paired with the ottoman of my “granny chair” which is against the side wall but angled ever so slightly to allow walking room… and with minimal but still some effort I can reach the coffee table where I sit my almost-nightly glass of red wine. And just like that, from that very spot I’ve consumed my fair share of Martial Arts, Sci-Fi and space odyssey, crime dramas, competition game shows, and let’s not forget “This Is Us,” “Cobra Kai” and “Outlander.” Aaaand DAMMIT I’m done; I can’t stand it “no mo!” I’ve got to get out. God knows I’ve had my share of obstacles, primarily the fact that I dislike going anywhere alone. But now Enough is Enough! If you’re planning to get out, just do it beforeThe Variant forces a 2nd round of closures (God forbid!).
DAY ONE
The Atlanta Aquarium which I’ve been waiting 3 years to see! And then!!! We, Moo and Jae (my daughter and her beau visiting from Cali) and I nearly ran into a sign entering the Parking deck that said, “ALL TICKETS FOR THE AQUARIUM ARE SOLD OUT FOR TODAY” (#SYKE)! Man, that hurt! And why did the little parking guy say “I know you’ve had dreams of being a mermaid… but uh, not today…” And we looked at each other and said “WTH?!” and then we fell out, wondering if he’d thought that one up all by himself.
REVISED Stop 1: Martin Luther King’s Childhood home.
To be honest, I expected a shack or a 1-2 bedroom “shot-gun” house. And for those of you who are unfamiliar with the previous term, a shot-gun house is one that you can open the front door and see everything at one clear through to the back door exit. Uh straight through… But man was I surprised. It was a lovely and large house. Before COVID, I am sure there were tours inside but now a yellow CAUTION TAPE barred visitors access to the stairs ascending the front porch which had, on the left side, a swinging chair whose chain was anchored high, I’m sure to keep enthusiastic passerbys from sampling it. Visitors walking around the exterior could see the fresh- looking paint, manicured grass and in the rear the old saloon looking exterior flanked by an old but yet impressive glass elevator. You can tell this turn of the previous century property has been handled with care. Some of the neighbor’s exteriors, not as much.
I was glad to know, according to the sign outside, that MLK had a good childhood in this “Middle Class” residence. In my mind’s eye, I can see him as a little boy running around the back yard and around the side of the house playing kickball with his siblings. And the house is not too far from Ebenezer Baptist Church where his father pastored. You, know being in the moment, not thinking about future events that made this place a landmark, but reflecting on the moments that made that place come alive was actually calming. And I liked the neighborhood; it was clean and spacious. For our Self Development journey, just reflect on the fact that one day people will look back at the life we’ve lived and the legacy we left behind. MLK was a boy who listened to God, lived out his purpose and changed the world. What story will your life tell…. Ok, on to the next stop…The Apex Museum.