Buffalo Gal

I am often amazed and more times frustrated with the insular attitudes of our smug little island community.
They've created a world so removed from urbanity, poverty, diversity, blue collar working people... friends call my frequent absences "walkabouts."
I think of them more as ABSSI (Anyplace But St. Simons Island).
So Friday night it's Orlando for the Change the Vote Springsteen Show. Next weekend Atlanta and Birmingham for a Children's Literature Conference. Immediately on return, I meet up with the Unsinkable Renee Haines in Miami for a Key West run. Tickets have been secured and plans are on for a Stone Pony show in early November in Asbury Park, NJ.
The appropriate response to gnawing sameness is change, right? If everyone around here got out more they'd be a lot happier...
Or so I thought.
Yesterday morning was Hall of Fame horrendous, top ten on the personal misery scale. The last thing I wanted was to keep a lunch date.
But the commitment had been made in advance of the calamity and the hostess's car was in the driveway to pick me up before I could summon the bad grace to cancel.
As I got in the car, I mentally checked off the half dozen ladies-who-lunch options on this island and knew exactly what I would order at any of them.
But Nancy was taking Carol, Flynn and I to our neighbor island, Jekyll. One of the historic cottages there had been refurbished as a restaurant a few years ago and she thought the sunny day would be perfect for the cottage courtyard.
Carol noted that Crane Cottage is mobbed for Sunday brunch, but we should enjoy a quiet lunch.
I admitted I'd never been there. As we turned onto the Jekyll Causeway, I realized I hadn't been on the island in years.
The food, service, ambience was magic, a fairyland escape complete with a resident roaming cat who allowed me to share just a bit of my lobster salad. The arching columns, fountains, copious color -- I thought of the many towns and cities around the world where one could expect this perfect scene to play out. Until that moment, Jekyll Island would not have been on the list.
Some people have to get out more.

Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs

Buffalo Gal Judi Griggs I'm a communications professional, writer, cynic, mother, wife and royal pain. The order depends on the day. I returned to my hometown in November 2004 after a couple of decades of heat and hurricanes. I can polish pristine copy, but not here. This is my morning exercise -- 20-minute takes without a net or spellcheck. It's easier than sit ups for me. No guarantee what it will be for you. Clicking on the subscribe link will send you an email notice when each new entry is posted.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (0) Share on Facebook		2004-10-06 7:03 AM Travelling the (Georgia) islands I am often amazed and more times frustrated with the insular attitudes of our smug little island community. They've created a world so removed from urbanity, poverty, diversity, blue collar working people... friends call my frequent absences "walkabouts." I think of them more as ABSSI (Anyplace But St. Simons Island). So Friday night it's Orlando for the Change the Vote Springsteen Show. Next weekend Atlanta and Birmingham for a Children's Literature Conference. Immediately on return, I meet up with the Unsinkable Renee Haines in Miami for a Key West run. Tickets have been secured and plans are on for a Stone Pony show in early November in Asbury Park, NJ. The appropriate response to gnawing sameness is change, right? If everyone around here got out more they'd be a lot happier... Or so I thought. Yesterday morning was Hall of Fame horrendous, top ten on the personal misery scale. The last thing I wanted was to keep a lunch date. But the commitment had been made in advance of the calamity and the hostess's car was in the driveway to pick me up before I could summon the bad grace to cancel. As I got in the car, I mentally checked off the half dozen ladies-who-lunch options on this island and knew exactly what I would order at any of them. But Nancy was taking Carol, Flynn and I to our neighbor island, Jekyll. One of the historic cottages there had been refurbished as a restaurant a few years ago and she thought the sunny day would be perfect for the cottage courtyard. Carol noted that Crane Cottage is mobbed for Sunday brunch, but we should enjoy a quiet lunch. I admitted I'd never been there. As we turned onto the Jekyll Causeway, I realized I hadn't been on the island in years. The food, service, ambience was magic, a fairyland escape complete with a resident roaming cat who allowed me to share just a bit of my lobster salad. The arching columns, fountains, copious color -- I thought of the many towns and cities around the world where one could expect this perfect scene to play out. Until that moment, Jekyll Island would not have been on the list. Some people have to get out more. Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top