Friday Finds - Jerry Reed

While visiting the University of Georgia Special Collections Library I saw Jerry Reed's guitar.  Jerry Reed was an amazing singer, songwriter, actor, and one of the best entertainers ever.

  

Current Read and Drink: Ty Cobb and sweet tea

This week's combo is the ultimate southern American coupling:  Baseball's greatest player and the most refreshing drink every created.  Ty Cobb was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. He had a lifetime batting average of .366 and 4189 hits.  Over the years many stories have been written about Ty Cobb, some of them true and some of them outright lies.  For some reason in the early 1960's a disreputable writer published a now discredited "biography" which became the basis of a bad movie bearing Ty Cobb's name.

The book, Ty Cobb: A Terrible Beauty by Charles Leerhsen sets out to tell the story of Ty Cobb, the man.  It is a great read.  Well researched, Leerhsen presents an interesting look at Ty Cobb, baseball in the early 20th century, and our nation during this time.  I highly recommend this book.

 If interested here's a link to order the book from my favorite independent bookstore: Avid Bookshop in Athens, GA.  In the spirit of full disclosure I do not receive any compensation on any sales of this boo.  I just support independent booksellers and authors.

http://www.avidbookshop.com/book/9781451645798

Now the drink.  Traditionally southerns love their sweet tea.  Everyone has their own recipe.  Until recently I always drank my tea unsweetened.  Most days I still do.  I prefer unsweetened tea with my meals.  However, a truly relaxing afternoon for me is to sit on my balcony with a nice cold glass of sweet tea and a good book.  Type in "best southern tea ever" and you will find a multitude of recipes. Experiment until you find your perfect tea.  I prefer Luzianne brand tea.  Again, I receive no compensation for this endorsement.  It is just my taste preference.  What is universal is that you must add the sugar while the tea is still hot or it will not dissolve correctly.

What is your current read and drink?

Thank You Melanie Safka

Melanie was one of the first artists I adored and I still adore her today.  As a kid I wore out my copy of "Brand New Key."  Today I learned that Melanie performed at Woodstock.  So, of course, when I found this video I had to share it.  Thank you Melanie for making life easier for this kid from Georgia! 

One more!!

New Year's Resolutions

It's that time of year and I have decided to concentrate on several things.  However, to make it a little more fun I am making a commitment to do one thing each week.  I am calling this my Year of 52.

1. 52 Projects - I will work on 52 projects this year.  Some will be simple and will only take a few hours.  Some will be more involved and may take a few months but I will make a commitment to check in once a week

2. 52 Books - Simply I will read 52 books this year

3. 52 Blogs - I will commit to write at least one blog post per week.

4. 52 New Ideas - I will commit to one new idea, thought, or habit a week.

5. 52 pounds - Through clean eating and exercise I will commit to lose one pound a week.

Sunday will be my check in day!

Sunday Serenade Your Soul: Remembering Leonard Cohen

When my brother joined the name in the early 1970s he left behind all his albums.  I spent hours listening to them and in particular one entitled Songs of Love and War by Leonard Cohen.  I have loved his music and poetry ever since. While it is hard to pick a favorite song here are two that I adore.

Friday Finds: Boo Ray

Boo Ray

Sea of Lights (2016)

I had the great fortune to see him a few years ago in Athens, Ga at Athfest.  I have been a fan ever since.  If you want to check out more of his music click here. 

Hamilton Jordan - A Boy from Georgia

I have just finished reading A Boy From Georgia by Hamilton Jordan.  As most of you know Hamilton Jordan was Chief of Staff to President Jimmy Carter.  In this powerful book Jordan talks about his realizations about the world in which he lived.  Raised in Albany, GA Jordan came of age during the 1960s.  He witnessed first hand what is now called "The Albany Movement."  From the Fall of 1961 to the Summer of 1962. Many including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. considered the Albany Movement a failure because their goals were not accomplished at that time.  History has shown this was not the case.  Voter registration of African-Americans in Albany increased. Protests and marches occurred in neighboring Southwest Georgia Towns.  The following spring the City Commission of Albany removed segregation statues from its books.  And young white people like Hamilton Jordan started questioning the beliefs of their parents and grandparents. 

In 1963 Jordan worked as an intern for Senator Richard B. Russell (GA). Here, he was able to witness the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where Dr. King delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech. 

I highly recommend this book!