Love.
Belle Meade Plantation
I think it's safe to say that this country should be fucking embarrassed by the fact that its plantations are considered "attractions." I recently went to one solely because I've always thought the idea of showcasing them as "museums" was appalling and I had questions as to what purpose they serve today. I was also curious as to how they would tell the history of such a place and if they would include every historically relevant detail (they didn't).
So I went - and of course, it went badly. I knew it would, but I didn't know quite the extent of it.
First of all, there's a tour of the Belle Meade mansion. They take you on a detailed tour of the main house and go into full detail about the Harding family who lived there (who, by the way, had no significant impact on American history in any way that I could surmise) and the horses that they bred. AND THAT'S IT. THAT'S ALL SHE WROTE. There's literally no mention of any slaves or of anything that would hold the estate in a negative light. Oh, and there's a wine tasting inside the gift shop at the conclusion of the tour.
...Is it just me or is that the whitest thing they could've put in that gift shop? What the fuck does wine have to do with a plantation? Other than the fact that it makes sense to bask in the delight of a glass of Chardonnay instead of questioning any of the "uncomfortableness" that the entire property is cloaked in.
Terrible things happened here. Human beings were treated barbarically. Why in the fuck does this place deserve any kind of notoriety? Especially when NOTHING IS SAID about what actually went on here. Even when questions about slavery were asked, there were no concise answers given. The woman leading the tour simply said she was only trained to discuss the grounds and the Harding family since there were "very limited records" in regards to slave conditions. I know I shouldn't be surprised/disgusted by that reasoning, but I was.
The whole estate should be condemned. I really don't see what anyone who visits Belle Meade is supposed to take away from the experience. If anything, it lessens what actually happened there in a way that's deplorable beyond measure.
I knew that going here would amount to a horrible day, but I didn't know how awful I would feel afterward. It felt gross to be in a crowd full of people who were talking about how beautiful the grounds were. How the interior of the bedrooms were so well maintained. And how it would be the perfect place to have a wedding (not even joking - someone said that and infact they do rent out the grounds for receptions, as sickening as that is). I hated myself for not knowing in advance that of course it would be like this.
There's really nothing else to say about this place.
Red Pony in Franklin, TN
Photo Credit: Red Pony
Photo Credit: Red Pony
I recently visited Nashville (more on that in an upcoming post) and this restaurant was definitely the highlight of my trip.
I don't know how to write about this place. I really don't. Everything I say will be superlative and you won't believe me since people don't often believe in magic.
Can I say with certainty that this is the best food served in Tennessee? Of course not, I haven't been to 90% of the restaurants here. But I can say that this was one of the top three meals of my life, thus far. If you find yourself ANYwhere near Franklin, TN - it would be considered a sin not to eat here. I went here for the first time recently with a loved one and our entire dinner conversation was based on what we ate. Is that normal? No. Is that what had to happen? No question.
We found ourselves thinking thoughts like, "How dare SHORTS be worn and allowed in the presence of this kind of food?" and "If there's a witch in the kitchen right now stirring an enormous caldron full of potions, I would believe it" and "There has to be drugs in here. What is happening."
The menu changes seasonally and if you go this season, I beg you to get the sausage pizza as a main, the Nutella mousse panna cotta, the crème brulee, the beef tenderloin, the burrata bruchetta, THE BEEF DUMPLINGS.
It's abnormal that people don't cheer or give applause on their way out the door. It's almost insulting that they don't, to be honest.
Fuck your Goo Goo Clusters, Nashville. This is the only place you need to visit.
“I know that you already know to look both ways before crossing the street - but you should *especially* look both ways when you’re crossing a one way street. I’ve noticed that cars that reverse on a one way street usually drive crazy fast while in reverse because they don’t want to get caught by a cop - which is all the more reason to be careful when crossing a one way.”
Away We Go
Listen to this summary.
“As they await the birth of their baby, a couple (John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph) travel across America in search of the perfect place to raise their family. During their journey, they share assorted misadventures and reconnect with old friends and relatives. The experiences and people they encounter help them define the word home on their own terms, possibly for the first time in their lives.”
It's such an original idea and so well executed. You have to see it if you haven't already. WHY DOESN'T MAYA RUDOLPH DO MORE MOVIES? Who do I call to inquire about that?
Sidenote: Happy 92nd Birthday, Dad! You're the greatest man in my life and I'll never know how I got lucky enough to be your daughter. Not only do I love you, I *everything* you.
British Bus Stop
Mom Says
“Three seagulls flying together, directly overhead, are a warning of death soon to come.”
Jon Stewart Welcomes Caitlyn Jenner To Being A Woman In America
LOVE!
“Through love we feel we are greater than we know.”
Kristen Wiig
It's no secret that I love Kristen Wiig. I just came across her last sketch on SNL (it's insanity that it's been three years since she left the show) that I hadn't re-watched since the first time it aired and I can't get over how sweet it is. Especially the part with Jason Sudeikis.