There Goes Connie

Passionate People in Waveland and Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

02/08/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

I met many people — restaurant owners, park rangers, shopkeepers, tourism representatives, tour guides, to name a few — who obviously love their work and are passionate about continuing the upward momentum in Waveland and Bay St. Louis following the double disastrous blows of Katrina in 2005 and the BP oil spill in 2010. To accomplish what they have so far, they have had to possess tremendous dedication, loyalty and commitment to the task. Today I want to introduce you to three of these impressive people.

MIKE SMITH

Mike Smith was recently elected to his second term as mayor of Waveland, Mississippi. Previous to running for office, he was the city’s Fire Chief. During the worst of Katrina, he was the Assistant Fire Chief. That meant that during the hours the storm was raging, he was busy helping and rescuing others while his own property was washed away.

When you visit the Ground Zero Museum in Waveland, be sure to notice a series of photos that Mayor Mike took showing many beautiful houses only 24 hours before they were destroyed. He knew the storm was headed their way and wanted to be able to document the effects as well as to preserve the memories of what once was. Until the hurricane made landfall, the exact location continued to change. But, as it turned out, Waveland was the bullseye.

Mayor Mike faces many challenges — for instance, 20% of Waveland’s population left and hasn’t returned — but is working tirelessly to lure businesses back and to lead efforts to build new structures even better than ever before. The soon-to-be dedicated lighthouse at the new beach area is particularly appealing and will attract thousands for play and recreation.

Mayor Mike Smith and I at the Ground Zero Museum in Waveland, MS.

ERICA LARKIN GAUDET

Larkin Gaudet is a renowned and accomplished sculptor. She and her husband Mitchell own, manage and display some of their works alongside those of other artists at Studio Waveland and Gallery near Waveland’s new City Hall. As a result, they are also helping area artists and attracting more from surrounding areas. The gallery serves as a gathering place for upscale events and also as a workshop and teaching center for those wanting to learn new skills.

Larkin and Mitchell are attractive, talented, charismatic and great ambassadors for the town of Waveland. Check out these websites to learn more: Studio Waveland and Gallery and EricaLarkinGaudet.com.

Larkin Gaudet posing by a sketch of one of her sculptures.

NIKKI NICHOLSON MOON

On the day I met Nikki, she was walking in a boot cast because of a broken foot, but that didn’t appear to deter her in the least. Nikki has certainly withstood much worse.

After a successful career “selling New Orleans” for over 24 years, Nikki bought a large house and inn in a prominent location across from the harbor in Bay St. Louis in February of 2003, when she was 50 years old. The house was built in 1897, so she (mistakenly) thought it could withstand Katrina and chose to stay and ride out the storm. Katrina proved to be far more than anyone anticipated. She narrowly escaped as her house collapsed and the water swept through. With her dog in her arms, she swam and grabbed for anything she could find and miraculously found a tree where she hung on for dear life for hours. Two other people found that same tree, and thankfully the dog was smart enough to hold onto his owner as well.

After many struggles and agonizing decisions, she was finally able to break ground on her brand new home and 12-room inn in October of 2012. Two months later, her husband of two years was diagnosed with melanoma, and six months later, he died. She persevered and has a lovely home and thriving inn as her reward. Nikki said that the hardest thing to overcome was the fact that she has nobody but herself to blame for mistakes but also only herself to make the decisions. She chooses to keep moving forward. I am inspired by her story and can highly recommend her inn — Bay Town Inn Bed and Breakfast.

Innkeeper Nikki Moon and I are the Mockingbird Cafe.

Who have you met lately who inspires you? Who have you talked to with a contagious passion and enthusiasm? The term “movers and shakers” definitely applies to the three I’ve mentioned today. How can you or I make the world a better place? What causes do we need to champion?

4 Surprising Sights in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

02/04/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

I arrived in Bay St. Louis expecting mild weather, Gulf breezes and fresh seafood. To be sure, those things were present even in frigid January. In reality, “mild” turned out to be a little cooler than I wanted and the breezes came from the Bay rather than from the Gulf, but oh, that seafood! It was wonderful everywhere we ate. Fish, oysters, scallops and shrimp with bread pudding for dessert? I doubt there’s a better meal anywhere. So, I found what I expected to find, but there were some delightful surprises.

ANGELS

As I mentioned in last Friday’s post, angels are very important to folks in and around Bay St. Louis. A chainsaw-tree-carver named Dayle K. Lewis brought his skills to Bay St. Louis as a way to encourage those who were trying to rebuild their lives after Katrina. Two of his works can be seen along the waterfront, while two others are in a city cemetery. All are remarkable.

ALICE MOSELEY AND HER LITTLE BLUE HOUSE

The best way I know to describe Alice Moseley’s artwork is “a Southern version of Grandma Moses in style and subject matter.” She painted the world as she wanted it to be, rather than as it actually was.

Mrs. Moseley was actually born in Birmingham, AL, and her first career was as a schoolteacher. She didn’t start painting until the age of 65 and didn’t discover Bay St. Louis until she was 79. As soon as she saw it, she was determined to move there. Her little blue house sits across the street from the Bay St. Louis train depot, which now houses the Visitors Center, a Mardi Gras museum, and a museum of her work. She died in 2004 at the age of 94.

I wish I’d known about her when I was teaching elementary art.

I love the title she gave this painting: “The House is Blue, but the Old Lady ain’t.”

ST. ROSE DE LIMA CHURCH

This church began as a school for African American children in 1868, and in 1925, it became a church. Nowadays, the 9:00 a.m. mass on Sunday mornings brings in a packed house of both blacks and whites. The church’s Gospel Choir and Men’s Choir are considered to be among the best in the South.

Both the pulpit and the large mural in the front of the sanctuary are striking. In most Catholic churches, Jesus is portrayed as the Suffering Savior on the cross. In St. Rose de Lima Church, the mural shows an African Christ being resurrected through a large oak tree. The pulpit was fashioned from a felled oak tree with its roots supporting the top piece.

INFINITY SPACE CENTER

Living only about 35 minutes from the Alabama Space and Rocket Center, I had failed to consider the other space-related facilities in our part of the country. As I learned from our tour guide, when the Huntsville engineers started testing rocket engines in the late 50’s and early 60’s, pictures were being jarred off the walls and dishes were breaking. There wasn’t a large enough buffer zone between the testing and area residences.

Werner Von Braun and his associates bought up five small communities in South Mississippi, relocated the people and built the John C. Stennis Space Center, NASA’s largest rocket engine test facility. INFINITY Space Center is its affiliated visitor center and science museum. Hundreds of area school children plus thousands of other visitors pass through each year to enjoy the exhibits and the new 3D movie theater.

I will be sharing more about the current status of Bay St. Louis and Waveland, Mississippi — 13 1/2 years after Katrina — but, for now, let me encourage you to plan a day or more in this beautiful area and support the amazing work that area leaders and residents have carried out. You’ll be impressed, and they will appreciate the affirmation.

I’ll Never Be an Angel

02/01/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

As much as I’d like to envision myself with wings, dressed in an intricately-designed white, flowing dress with blonde ringlets around my face and a flawless complexion, that will never happen. Nor will it, according to what I read in the Bible, EVER be the case with any of us. That isn’t really the way angels even look — except for the ones we might put on top of our Christmas trees. As a matter of fact, angels may have been rather frightening looking. Why else would many passages associated with angels begin with the words, “Fear not?” The first reaction to actually seeing an angel must have been shock and terror, not something we associate with the first mental picture I described at all.

Human beings are NOT angels, nor will we become angels. According to Psalm 8:5, we were made “a little lower than the angels.” Look at the whole passage of Psalm 8:3-9:

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

God . . . then angels . . . then us.

As I study more, I notice some very important roles that angels fulfilled in Scripture. First, they were messengers — which is what the word angel actually means. They were also protectors, ministers, mediators between God and humanity, warriors and worshipers of God Almighty. Look up these verses to see those roles for yourself: Psalm 91.11, Psalm 34:7, Isaiah 6:3, Hebrews 1:6, 2 Kings 19:35, Hebrews 1:14, Luke 22:43.

On a recent trip to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, I saw a surprising number of angels. Four trees were carved with them and placed throughout the town. Bay St. Louis, as you might remember, was in the bullseye when Hurricane Katrina roared ashore on August 29, 2005. Homes, businesses, roads, bridges, the entire infrastructure were all decimated in the hours of the storm’s heaviest intensity. Yet, there are stories from survivors of finding miraculous objects and trees where they clung desperately while the water raged. Those survivors are convinced angels, in their roles as protectors, were in that place specifically for them. They know they experienced a miracle. They live with a greater resolve and sense of purpose.

In an effort to “do something” to try to comfort the people of Bay St. Louis during their massive rebuilding efforts after the storm, Dayle K. Lewis from Indiana began carving angels from some of the downed live oak trees. They were actually carved with a chain saw, but the details will astound you.

No. We are not angels, but we CAN do some of things that angels do. We can try to console hurting people and minister to them, and we can worship our Creator. And, we can be God’s messengers, sharing His word whenever and wherever we have the opportunity.

Vicari and Pizza Grocery in Corinth, Mississippi

01/28/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

I mentioned these two restaurants in an earlier post here, but I thought I’d take a few minutes to share more photos and describe them in greater depth. After all, Corinth, MS is a short drive from North Alabama, so many of you could easily reach these places and enjoy a great meal.

VICARI

Vicari, at 514 Cruise Street in Corinth, is one of the flagship restaurants anchoring the downtown area of the city. It is in a beautifully-preserved vintage building that dates back to the late 1800’s. The impressive entry will immediately set the stage for your meal with its soaring 30-foot ceiling and center staircase.

If you are looking for nightly entertainment, Vicari has a full schedule of performers and a full-service bar upstairs. The food, however, was PLENTY of entertainment for me. 🙂

Chef John Mabry serves steaks, chicken and seafood, but the primary focus of his menu is on Italian dishes. From the sauce recipes originating directly from Italy to the Italian marble floors and even to the name of the restaurant, the influence of the country permeates the atmosphere.

Vicari – a piano always captures my attention

Vicari – a cozy table waiting for diners

Corinth itself was originally named Cross City because it was situated where northbound and eastbound railroads intersected. Later, it was named Corinth after the European city that also had a famous crossroad. In turn, Vicari derives its name from a small town in Sicily that is similar to Corinth in size.

The kitchen’s grill is used extensively, especially in preparing one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, Crab and Shrimp Manicotti.

I wish I had taken more photos of the dishes enjoyed by my tablemates the evening I was there. They looked amazing, and as you might expect, the aromas swirling around cause immediate salivating to begin.

I chose one of my favorite Italian dishes, Eggplant Parmesan, and loved every bite.

PIZZA GROCERY

Pizza Grocery, at 800-A Cruise Street in Corinth, is also located in the downtown area, also serves Italian dishes, and is housed in a building with loads of history. Kudos to the business people of Corinth who are repurposing buildings rather than demolishing them.

Coca-Cola mural on Pizza Grocery exterior

In the case of Pizza Grocery, the building was a grocery wholesale warehouse from the 1920’s until the 1980’s. A lot of remodeling was necessary, but the building’s character and charm were retained. The building is large with several levels. In fact, the private banquet room can seat up to 85 people. On the side of the building is a whimsical Coca-Cola mural in recognition of the town’s bottling plant that has been in operation for many decades. A fun photo op, for sure.

As the name implies, pizza is prominent on the menu, but all dishes are made from scratch and are delicious. In addition to pizza, you’ll find calzones, burgers, pasta, sandwiches, salads, desserts and more. They are open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.

What is Your Word for 2019?

01/25/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

We’ve already reached the last Friday of the first month of 2019. This year, as is true for all of them, is slipping by at lightning speed. What kind of tone have you set for this year? What is your attitude and mindset? What changes have you implemented to make this year better than last year — physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and, of course, spiritually?

Benjamin Franklin is credited for saying, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

Winston Churchill said, “Those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.”

And, Thomas Edison was quoted as saying, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

I think I like Thomas Edison’s quote the best. It seems to be the most encouraging, the most motivating, the one that propels us forward.

But, of course, a number of Bible verses also mention planning. Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

And just a few verses before that in Proverbs 16:3, we find: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

So, my conclusion is that God, as is ALWAYS true, is in charge. His will WILL be done. His will is only revealed to us in tiny moment-by-moment increments, but in the meantime, I believe planning for the future is wise.

As 2018 began to wind down, I noticed quite a few of my friends pondering what their “word” for 2019 would be. In other words, what theme, what marching orders, what motivational tool would they use to launch their year?

I saw some very good ones: flourish, forward, kindness, joy, improve, seek, surrender, release, etc. etc. All of those suggest forward motion and very good choices.

I chose the word POSITIVE. Not in the Pollyanna, pie-in-the-sky sense, but a mindset to seek the positive in others, to find the positive in the crises and challenges that come in my life, and to realize that when circumstances could combine to beat me down, I can take the blows and then stand back up.

I read another great quote recently: “”People who wonder if the glass is half full or half empty, miss the point. The glass is refillable.” That’s it. We are GOING to be defeated, disappointed and disheartened from time to time, but “the glass is refillable.” God IS able.

2 Samuel 22:33 – “For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God is my strong fortress, and He makes my way perfect.”

Ephesians 3:20 – “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

It’s not too late to choose your word. Need a little help making your choice? Check out this article filled with suggestions. I can’t wait to hear what you’ve chosen.

https://www.blessingmanifesting.com/2017/12/choose-word-of-the-year.html/

Foodie Finds in NYC

01/21/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

Sometimes you visit a city specifically for the restaurants. Other times you go for the experiences and let the dining options unfold in a “whatever you can find when you get hungry” kind of way. That’s pretty much what Steve and I did when we were in New York recently. If you’re planning a trip in the coming months, here are a few choices to consider.

Europa Cafe

We were cold and hungry, walking between Rockefeller Center and Times Square, when we happened into this deli/cafe/coffee shop kind of place. It was warm. The smells were enticing, and we were glad to be there. We had hot chocolate, shared a large sandwich and a pastry and were ready to face the world again. Lots of fresh soup choices, too.

Crossroads American Kitchen

This is a breakfast and dinner restaurant inside the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. It’s an enormous space and can serve a large number of people rather quickly. The breakfast buffet is packed with items, including an omelet station, but the price is a little high. We ordered from the menu and enjoyed our dishes very much.

New Apollo Diner in Brooklyn

The best things to say about New Apollo Diner? It’s a half block away from the Brooklyn Tabernacle. It has a large menu. And, you will get a taste of the local culture and atmosphere. Portions are huge. If we lived in the area, that would have been an advantage, and we’d have requested carry-out boxes. We wished we had shared an entree. Service is good. No doubt, you will spot people you just worshipped beside at the church service.

The Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station itself is historic, and the architecture is amazing — definitely worth a visit. There is an entire Dining Concourse in the bowels of the station. (I use that word because it is underground and a little dark with a lot of concrete and passageways). You’ll find everything from the Chirping Chicken and Eata Pita to the newly-opened Shake Shack. We chose the Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant because we just wanted to sit and relax awhile. The Manhattan Clam Chowder and fried oysters we shared were very good.

Food Hall at The Plaza

There is a more upscale food hall on the premises – the Todd English Food Hall — but we opted to just browse the kiosks, nooks and crannies of the larger food hall. There are at least 20 possibilities to consider, and they are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you’re at Central Park, this might be a good option, especially if you’re looking for something economical.

Palm Court for breakfast

It is most famous as the site of Afternoon Tea, but breakfast there is outstanding, too. It’s definitely an extravagance, but very nice.

Thoughts

One day we grabbed a few pizza slices from the prepared items at Whole Foods in Columbus Circle, and we found several McDonald’s and Applebee’s locations. We didn’t go in. That’s just an F.Y.I. You can spend a lot or you can spend less-than-a-lot on meals in the Big Apple. Notice I didn’t use the word cheap. Nothing is really cheap, but you won’t go hungry.

In May of 2000, we had dinner at Windows on the World at the top of the World Trade Center. It was one of the most amazing meals of our lives. We also had lunch one day at Loeb Boathouse in Central Park across from the Museum of Modern Art and later ate hot dogs at Yankee Stadium before their game with the Red Sox. And, in 2008, we enjoyed Thanksgiving Dinner at Tavern on the Green in Central Park after watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

I suggest that when you plan your trip to NYC just decide what your must-do’s are and fit them into your budget and your itinerary. My goodness, what a great city!!

Now, enough about New York. Stay tuned for my next adventure.

Heartwarming Encounters at the Grocery Store

01/18/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

I only had 4 items on my list. The sun was shining, and the temperature was so warm I didn’t need a jacket. Exceptionally nice in early January.

The parking lot had a convenient spot just for me — a sure sign that this wasn’t one of those wild and woolly days when the whole world needed groceries. It would be a quick in and out, and I’d be back home in no time.

And, that’s what happened . . . with a few heartwarming encounters along the way.

Steve and I like sharing an apple with almond butter while watching television at night, so my first stop was the produce section. I was happily bagging my Gala apples ($.99 a pound) when I spotted Becky, an employee at the store I’ve seen forever. She’s one of those who is always friendly and always remembers my name. I said, “Becky, how long have you been working here?” She said, “44 years.” Can you imagine that?? I think it says a LOT about Becky AND the Kroger company that they could instill that kind of loyalty for such a long time. I said, “Wow, that’s almost as long as Steve has been practicing veterinary medicine!” Becky asked how he was doing, told me how kind she thought he was and asked about the children. We shared grandchildren numbers. I won the count, of course. Our conversation was brief but so indicative of how it feels to be back in a town that knows who I am and seems glad to see me.

A few aisles further, I saw a former student stocking shelves and thought about what a tall, strapping young man he has turned out to be. I went through the self check-out but took a few seconds to wave to one of the checkers who was actually in the same youth group with my kids several decades ago. She always greets me happily.

On my way to the car, I stopped to allow the car beside mine to back out. After backing out only a few feet, I caught sight of the driver and recognized her as a senior adult in my church who taught my daughters in GAs when they were children. In turn, I was HER daughter’s piano teacher. Bless her. Seeing me must have distracted her because when she backed out, she backed a little too far and hit a parked truck behind her.

Yikes! I had just witnessed a crash and had 10 frozen items in my cart. (Yes, I know I said I only had 4 items on my original list. Judge not). Somebody’s tail-light was now in pieces, but it took a minute to see whose it was. The lady sitting in the parked truck got out. I held my breath. But, instead of watching an angry tirade, I saw an example of extreme graciousness and kindness. Amazingly, no one was upset. Her truck, as it turned out, only got a tiny scratch. It was the GA leader’s tail-light that was busted.

I knew both of the ladies. They were kind and pleasant to each other, exchanging names, etc. My GA leader friend caused a chuckle by saying, “Don’t worry. I’m in good hands. I have All-State!” I guess nothing beats a positive attitude and good car insurance, right?

Anyway. The whole grocery trip took less than 30 minutes, but it was one of those times when you’re just glad to be where you are at a particular moment and happy to interact with so many good people in such a short time.

I want to always be thought of as one of those good people, don’t you? The kind of person who does not respond angrily when a mishap occurs. The kind who stops to ask about what is happening in another person’s life and is quick to share sincere compliments.

Let’s do our part to make the world a better place in 2019. It starts with little acts of kindness and grows.

Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Romans 12:10 – “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

FYI — Quick explanation for those of you who didn’t grow up as Southern Baptists. GAs was/is an organization designed to educate young girls about missions and missionaries, encourage participation in mission projects and promote Bible memorization. The letters used to stand for Girls Auxiliary, although no one that age knew what the word “auxiliary” meant. It was later changed to Girls in Action. The organization had a PROFOUND impact on my life.

5 Things I Loved about The Plaza

01/14/2019 By: CCPearson2 Comments

When you’re 68 years old and you have a Travel Bucket List, it’s high time to start marking items off that list. Or, at least, that’s my reason, and I’m sticking to it. On three previous trips to New York City, I stayed in very nice hotels, but this time, if it was at all possible, I wanted to stay at the most iconic address in the city. It was worth every penny (ahem, dollar). I absolutely loved it, and here are 5 reasons why.

STORIED HISTORY

When The Plaza opened for business at 9:00 a.m. on October 1, 1907, Alfred G. Vanderbilt was the first to sign the guest list. He died in 1915 on board the Lusitania, when the Germans hit it with a torpedo.

Famous guests who have stayed (some even lived) there include: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor in 1946, Frank Lloyd Wright, Truman Capote, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon and Yoko Ono and hundreds of others.

Julie Nixon married David Eisenhower there on December 22, 1968.

The New York Yankees had their celebration party there a few hours after winning the World Series in 2000.

Donald Trump owned The Plaza for a few years starting in 1988, calling it “a masterpiece.”

Glimpses of the hotel’s lobby and guestrooms can be found in numerous movies, with Home Alone 2: Lost in New York being the most recent, where it was featured in many scenes.

The Plaza was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1986, for its lavish architecture. And I can assure you, the building deserves that recognition.

SINGULAR VIBE

From the crisply-uniformed doormen, reception clerks and discreetly-placed security guards to the gold-plated entrance doors, spectacular chandeliers, floral arrangements and even the aroma, you know you’ve walked into a special place.

Several times we got on the elevator with tall, chiseled-cheekboned models wearing exquisite fashions and speaking to their companions in Italian, Portuguese or French (or so it seemed). It would have been easy to feel like hayseeds from Alabama, as in “the Pearsons, i.e. Clampetts, go to New York,” but we didn’t. I’m sure there were famous people at the hotel while we were there, but we were treated just as exceptionally as all the guests.

The level of service is a source of pride instilled in the staff, and they take their roles seriously. Each guest is assigned a butler, for example. You don’t go traipsing down the hall to an ice machine with your plastic bucket. You alert the staff, and the ice is brought to your room — silver bucket, silver tongs and all.

When we were escorted to our room, a personalized note of greeting was waiting, along with a tray of colorful macarons. Nice touch. Very nice.

Doorman awaits guests at the ornate entrance.

LUXURIOUS AMENITIES

The gold theme, along with crystal chandeliers, ornate tilework, elegant furniture and plushness carries over into even the most basic guest rooms. (In other words, we did NOT reserve a suite. There has to be a limit, you know).

Plush bathrobes and slippers, deluxe toiletries, a fully-stocked snack bar, a safe for your valuables (who, pray tell, travels with valuables?), huge bathroom with soaking tub, separate shower, separate toilet room, amazing linens on the bed. Wow.

And there was an iPad on the desk. Hmmm. An iPad. As it turns out, iPads were introduced by Apple in 2010, and The Plaza was the first hotel in the world to install these iPads in their guest rooms. With this iPad, guests can control the lights or the room temperature, order room service, request ice, a newspaper or a shoeshine from the butler, find out information about the area, and on and on. Another wow.

When the hotel first opened, it had 805 rooms. But, in 2008, it was renovated and now houses 282 guest rooms and suites, 152 condos, and an underground mall with retail shops and a fabulous food hall with specialities of many kinds. We loved strolling through, eyeing the various options for a casual dinner. We decided on crepes, made to order right in front of us.

Breakfast and Afternoon Tea in the Palm Court were both fabulous. Wonderful food. Impeccable service.

When I looked out our windows, I noticed several rooms on other floors with Christmas trees in them. I learned later that “for a small fee” you could order a fully-decorated Christmas tree to be in your room upon your arrival. Triple wow.

OUTSTANDING LOCATION

If you want to have the iconic NYC experience, it would be hard to beat the location of Central Park South at 5th Avenue and Grand Army Plaza. Just cross the street and you can enter Central Park, a wonderful place for a stroll or jog. Three blocks away you’ll find Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. It’s an upscale shopping mall with a Whole Foods on the bottom floor, great for picking up a quick, inexpensive lunch. By the way, Columbus Circle is the location for one of the best outdoor holiday markets in New York City, most of them open from Thanksgiving weekend until Christmas Eve. A very convenient subway station is also located at Columbus Circle.

But, speaking of upscale, step outside the door and you’re practically at the entrance to Bergdorf-Goodman, then cross the street and make your way down 5th Avenue, probably the most recognizable retail hub in the world. Take your pick of Gucci, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Saks Fifth Avenue or Tiffany’s, to name a few. By continuing only a few blocks, you’ll reach Rockefeller Center with all of its attractions, including the newly-opened F.A.O. Schwartz Toy Store. Radio City Music Hall is within sight of the toy store.

For a visit to NYC at Christmastime, it would be hard to find a better location. But, actually, with the subway so near, you can reach pretty much anywhere from The Plaza.

THE INFLUENCE OF “ELOISE”

The children’s book Eloise at the Plaza by Kay Thompson was published in 1955. It tells the story of a very rich, but also very mischievous little girl who actually LIVES at the Plaza, is well-known to the staff, and who causes all kinds of “situations.”

Many Eloise-themed souvenirs, clothes and decor items have sprung from the book, and there is a popular store in the underground mall which sells this merchandise.

The very popular Afternoon Tea at the Plaza includes a menu specifically for little girls. In fact, there is a full schedule of activities wrapped around the character of Eloise that girls and their mothers can enjoy year-round. See the link here. There is even an Eloise Suite which can be reserved for an overnight stay. Be sure you like pink. A lot of pink. In a few months, we will welcome our EIGHTH granddaughter into the family. Wouldn’t it be fun to take them all to NYC for a tea party? . . . . If I didn’t have to PAY for it. 🙂

THOUGHTS

It’s not cheap, but I’m so glad we got to stay there for a couple of nights. To me, it was definitely worth the splurge, and I would eagerly anticipate a return visit — once I get more items marked off my Bucket List.

For a few more details, click here to see this article I wrote for Trip101.com.

“Only God can do this.” Dabo Swinney

01/11/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

“You can’t write a Hollywood script like this, only God can do this. That’s a fact.”

Those were a few of the words spoken into a microphone to be heard by thousands of football fans after the National Championship game last Monday night. Dabo Swinney and his Clemson Tigers had just done what many thought was impossible. They defeated the Crimson Tide of Alabama, the undefeated previous national champions, resoundingly. Not just by a point or two, not just with a last-second field goal, but in a way that was impressive and irrefutable.

Of course, he was smiling broadly, but if you watched the game, you saw other signs of what makes this man and his team special. There was love on their sideline. There was a unified commitment to a goal. There was an atmosphere of family.

Yes. Last year, there was a strong Christian testimony given by Tua Tagavailoa, the freshman quarterback who saved the game for Alabama and gave glory to God. But, this year it was Dabo Swinney.

Consider a few remarkable facts about Coach Swinney:

His real name is William Christopher. Dabo is just a nickname — thank goodness!
Swinney actually played football at Alabama, starting as a walk-on, earning a scholarship and then being a part of Alabama’s National Championship team in 1992.
He and his wife Kathleen have 3 sons, all of whom have accepted Jesus as their Savior — a fact that he calls his greatest blessing.
He fell in love with Kathleen when he was in the 6th grade.
Swinney is the youngest of 3 boys.
His father was an abusive alcoholic for many years which caused the family extreme poverty.
His mother, an emotionally strong woman who overcame much, has had a profound influence on him throughout his life.

For much more of Swinney’s story, read this interview filed by ABC News in 2016.

As I’ve thought more about Swinney’s quote — “only God can do this” – I believe it applies to every single one of us. When we look at the circumstances of our lives, isn’t it true that God has orchestrated every one of them? We are ALL unmistakeable evidences of His plans for us, His purposes, His design. The situations He’s led us through make up the total of our character, our personality, our reason for being born. Isn’t it our privilege, our responsibility, our job to acknowledge Him in everything we do?

Dabo Swinney had a microphone in his face on a nationally-televised stage. If you or I found ourselves staring at a person holding a microphone, what would we say?

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Philippians 4:20 – “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Dabo Swinney photo courtesy of Google Images.

Looking Back at my 2018 Travels and Recommendations

01/07/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t just looked back at my calendar and all of the photos I took. During 2018, I visited 23 destinations, finished construction/decisions/moving involved with our new house and hosted the 11th Annual Cousins Camp. You might think I’d be ready to stay home for awhile, and yes. I truly do savor days for writing, thinking and “just being.” But, those of you who know me best, know that I always LOVE planning. So, happily my calendar is filling up with more amazing places to explore in 2019.

A few of the trips I made in 2018 were purely for fun, but 100% have or will end up as blog posts or articles in other publications. And, 100% of the places I visited can be wholeheartedly recommended for you. The vast majority were in my heartland, a.k.a. The Deep South, but I also got on a few airplanes along the way.

I began the year with Steve on Captiva Island, near Fort Myers, FL, and we ended our travel year seeing New York City at Christmas time. In between, there were fabulous restaurants, hotels, museums, attractions of all kinds and stunning displays of nature. Here are some highlights, pretty much in order as I saw them through the year. Maybe one or more of them will capture your attention and draw you in for a closer look. Please stick with me as we explore more hidden, and not-so-hidden, gems in 2019.