A Bouquet of Roses

Here's a bouquet of roses to tie you over.  I've got a busy couple of days coming up and I'm not sure how much time I'll get to edit and comment on photos.  Looking ahead, more St. Louis, a lavender farm and more.

The Jewel Box in Forest Park

The Jewel Box in Forest Park is one of my favorite stops in St. Louis.  In the summer the grounds are resplendent with it floral display and the lilies in the lily pond were in bloom. Built in 1936 the Jewel Box is owned by the Parks and Rec Dept. and is a public viewing green house.  

During the holidays they have special floral displays inside.

Crown Candy Kitchen

After a busy 24 hours in Memphis we drove back to St. Louis for more adventure and food.  Crown Candy Kitchen did not disappoint.  Located in an older part of St. Louis city it still has the feel of an old time soda fountain.  They are known for their BLT's and chocolate shakes.

Outside a man was playing the steel drum and giving some lessons to kids as they waited for a table.

Small inside.  We waited about 30 minutes to get in.

In addition to the eat in place there is the candy store section.

At our table, but now defunct, an old jukebox.

The best.

Even better.  Probably a pound of bacon on each sandwich.  I posted this pic on Facebook if it looks familiar.

Salons of Memphis

Here are two of the beauty salon's across the street from the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.  I was fascinated by the brightly painted brick.

Boots!

Now these are some boots.  They belonged to Isaac Hayes and were on display at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.   Several songs come to mind, none but Hayes: These boots were made for walking, Those were the days my friend.....

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

After the yummy BBQ the next day we went to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.  "It begins with sweet soul music in the parking lot the minute you arrive.  Inside you'll enjoy videos, interactive exhibits, a dance floor, and more than 2,500 artifacts that tell the story of American soul music with a focus on Stax Records." Celebrating the music of Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, The Staple Singers, Ike and Tina Turner, Booker T and the MG's, Aretha Franklin and many others.

 Well it all begin in an African Methodist Episcopal Church with gospel.

 Remember Soul Train?....if you are of a certain age.

 Above and below are shots of Isaac Hayes car.  All the gold you see is real gold.  Love the fur interior.

Connected with the Museum is the Stax Music Academy and The Soulsville Charter School.  Comprising the Soul Foundation, non-profit organization, they are dedicated to preserving the heritage of Memphis' Soulsville neighborhood and providing educational opportunities for the community's youth.

Central BBQ

After visiting Graceland and the National Civil Rights Museum we went to Central BBQ for dinner.  It was light when we went in and dark when we came out.  Cathy's son's friend is the manager there and he set us up with all sorts of food.  The ribs though were the best ribs I've ever had.  Along with that came greens, slaw, biscuits, and sweet lemonade.  

After we ate he took us on a tour of the kitchen.  Above you see pork shoulders (I think) roasting for tomorrow's hungry crowd.  They'll be shredded for shredded pork sandwiches which also look fabulous.

National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel

After we toured Graceland we headed over to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.  The museum at the Lorraine Motel opened in 1991 and tells of why Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came to Memphis.  On the balcony of the Lorraine Motel is where Dr. King was assasinated.  He stayed in Room 306 which is where the wreath is hanging.

On April 3, the night before his assassination he gave a speech at the Mason Temple Church.  He had been called to Memphis to support a sanitation worker's strike.  Just after six pm he was standing on the balcony when a sniper hit him.  You can read about it HERE.  MLK was only 39 years old. You could tour and see inside of room 306 and 307 the adjacent room and look outside on to the balcony.

 Inside the museum itself there was a bus from the sixties and a bronze statue of Rosa Parks.

 Sanitation workers protest.

This was a photograph of his suitcase packed up.  What I love about it is that there is his book, 'Strength to Love' tucked in the side.  It is one of my go-to books for inspiration. The museum is very nicely done and poignant and inspiring for what is happening today.

24 hours in Memphis

After arriving back from Lake Geneva, WI to St. Louis Cathy, my friend, and I hopped in her car and headed off to Tennessee to see some sights in Memphis.  Particularly we wanted to see Graceland, Elvis' home.  We were in Memphis for 24 hours and it did not disappoint.  

This was taken from the car as we just arrived in Memphis.  I was amazed at the street sign and could barely get my camera out in time.

Graceland!  You have to park on one side of Elvis Presley Blvd and take a bus to the other side to enter Graceland.

Above and below are photos of the gates to Graceland.  They were beautiful and people wrote their names in the bricks as a sign of memorial.  The gate itself had Elvis outlined in steel.

His living room.

 His billiards room.

His 'media' room.

When you are finished touring his home you go to the trophy building.  Whether you like Elvis or not you've got to be impressed with all of the awards and gold records he achieved. This was just one hallway.

 Some of the King's attire.

 And this is Graceland, not really all that big.

Elvis' backyard.