Day 09
Friday
20 August 99
Lafayette, Indiana - (Ohio - Indiana - Kentucky - Maryville, Tennessee -) Alcoa, Tennessee
My mother felt that I looked very attractive with my towel around my head after my morning shower, and insisted on taking this picture...
My mother and I have been laughing at the worst place names that we have seen. Pewaukee, WI wins for the worst city, and for street name, my mom had picked Fish Hatchery Road in Madison, WI. But today we saw Stinky Creek Road in Tennessee, which really takes the cake.
As for the radio, we were laughing because the announcer today called two robbers "ne'er-do-wells". I also got a kick in the antique store in Nebraska, when the radio announcer said you didn't have to go to California for sunshine -- as if that is all we have there...
If I see one more "Christ is Coming Soon" bumper sticker, "Jesus is Lord" sign, or "Jesus Saves" grafitti I am going to scream. I feel like wearing a big star of David. Actually, I wore one of my new 1920's vintage hats that I aquired today, and everyone in the diner / truck-stop stared as though I had some bizarre growth. Every mile we travel our California license plates become more of an oddity.
My (two) hats were quite the find, and I would be pleased as punch to dress exclusively in vintage clothing if I could [I was trying to imagine going to a job interview in some ancient outfit...]. My current mission is to find some ridiculously gaudy 50's prom dress that fits me. I've only run across a few, and they were all designed for bigger girls than I am.
We stopped in Batesville, Kentucky at an antique shop and my mother bought a gorgeous antique lamp I pointed out. It had an incredible olive green reproduction lampshade that perfectly offset the orange bulbs. I hope to get my hands on it someday. One of the shop owners told us that Batesville is the casket making capitol of the world. I had to struggle to keep my jaw from dropping. This is not a piece of trivia I would brag about to strangers passing through.
The reason for this Southern voyage is Sharon. Sharon is one of my mother's fellow Jadeite collectors; they met on ebay. Sharon and her husband David were fantastic, and we had such a lovely time. Sharon and my mom went off to look at Sharon's collection and I sat on the couch with David and let him share his views of the world. I could have stayed there for 10 hours talking to him. They were both so sweet!
We got lost going to their house, and this nice guy pulled up next to us and asked if we needed help. He then had us follow him to our destination. No one in LA would ever be so nice. In fact, when we left their house, David had us follow him to the hotel, which was a rather lengthy drive. I now understand the concept of Southern hospitality.
On the way to Sharon's we passed a revival meeting, and my mother flipped out about how she wanted to go, but we were already late to Sharon's. My mother would have really enjoyed it, but I would have a hard time not laughing or telling them I'm Jewish.
My mom and I both called our men tonight, and then we both e-mailed them after we got off the phone. It sure is nice to have two phone lines! the place we are staying is fantastic (MainStay Suites), but it had the most bizarre automated check in, with a touch screen and a credit card slot. It printed out keys for us and directed us to the exit closest to our rooms. My mom and I both said we would have preferred a real person, but then I got to thinking about some of the rude desk clerks I have encountered...
Day 08 | Day 10
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