Carole Marsh Blog

The Great Railway Bazaar

Just finished this book by travel writer Paul Theroux.  Should be called bizarre, instead of bazaar?  This is a good read but not a book that makes me want to travel by rail in the 1970s around the world, like to Siberia!  A few folded pages did recall:  he ate samosas (curry puffs) that were always wrapped in pages from old school copybooks!  I forgot what country, but really, the book is full of the weird and weirder.  If you like this kind of read, also try Mark Twain's Following the Equator.

From a fan... Traveling through Carole Marsh Mysteries

My husband and I are both in education. I am a media specialist and he is a teacher of the gifted. We have two children, Nathan, 9 and Sarah, 7. In preparation for our three-week roundtrip road trip journey to Disney World in Orlando, Florida, we selected potential landmarks that we wanted to see. We

Chicago III

The other things we did in Chicago were:

• Navigate O'Hare and the interstates:  not so much fun.

•Ride to the top of the John Hancock tower in 40 seconds and take in a perfectly clear day view:  beautiful!

•Stay in the newly remodeled Ritz Carlton "Four Season" hotel at Water Tower Place:  spoiled!

•Shop on the Magnificent Mile!:  Yes, that includes going to the American Girl store.  If you want to know how to get there, you can ask any GRANDDAD! They all know

Chicago II

One of the best things about Chicago is the food!  How come their food is so darn good? I think because of all the original ethnic influences, the same way you see the culinary effect in other big cities like New York City.  In Chicago, you can eat street food, pizza, or fine dining, and it's all good!  We really

Chicago I

Bob and I went on a quick trip to Chicago this weekend.  We went to Oak Park to see Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio.  As you might know, we often employ a "studio" process here at Gallopade to produce certain types of products.

I have always used the studio process as a way to "clone Carole" and get more work done.  I've always been fascinated by the studio concept because some people have used it so successfully:  Frank Lloyd Wright to produce some of America's most amazing homes; Thomas Edison to produce, well, most everything; Dale Chihuly to produce his incredible blown-glass pieces that grace so many public

Moloka'i

I'm on a good book kick! Moloka'i by Alan Brennert counts.  It's an evocative story of Hawaii during the time of leprosy, Hansen's Disease. You'll meet the famous Father Damien and a host of fictional characters, charming and heartbreaking.  It's not the story you expect, and not the answers you imagine.  To bring you more or less up to date, in 2004, the World Health Organization counted more than 400,000 new cases, most in Southeast Asia, but some in Africa, the Americas and elsewhere. There is hope to eventually eradicate the disease completely.  Let's hope so, but this book is about hope, not hopelessness.

On the Go in Atlanta

For a brief Civil War break, "did Atlanta" this weekend!  If you are close enough to visit, our Botanical Garden is just wonderful...a new sky bridge through the canopy of old forest right in the middle of the city...an edible garden that includes blown-glass veggies and a chef preparing items right in the garden using the product grown there and herbs right off the "herb wall"...and a new cascade garden of waterfalls!  Went to the symphony and heard the charming Marvin Hamlisch...the Atlanta Symphony is just the best!  Tried a new restaurant call Serpas, located near the MLK Center, and the food...they call it True Food...is organic and marvelous!  A long shot (my favorite, being one) won the Derby, and granddaughter Avery turned seven, so all in all a wonderful weekend.  And now, back to the "War"...as those soldiers said, "Will it NEVER end???!!!!"

Wormsloe...

...is an old plantation in Savannah.  Only tabby ruins left now and a gorgeous live oak drive right out of a Pat Conroy book!  Anything that starts with Worm...does not sound so appealing, but its builder, Noble Jones, well that name more than makes up for it, doesn't it?   Tabby ruins, Spanish Moss, and I'm sure some wisteria...are you seeing a blog trend here? There must be something in the Savannah air...

image via GA State Parks

Tillandsia...

...is another word for Spanish Moss.  I love Spanish Moss even if it is a parasite or epiphyte, or? It is a member of the pineapple family.  Here in Savannah it is also nicknamed old man's beard for obvious reasons.  Indians once used it for baby diapers.  It has also been used as packing material and for other practical purposes, though I think it might have mites or other things that bite!  When I get my Southern plantation, I'm going to name it Tillandsia.  Build it of tabby.  Plant wisteria all around!

Epcot or Not?

Bob/Papa and I took a few hours yesterday afternoon to go to Epcot at Disney.  We mainly went because they are having Flower Festival and we love flowers and gardens.  Epcot is one of the older parks, a tad dated [and think of how exceedingly modern it must have seen when it first opened], and maybe even a little boring.  However, the flowers were pretty, I