Exploring the Amysphere

03/01/2024

A container of milk, a loaf of bread, and a stick of butter... I remember!

When I was a kid in the 70's, there weren't a lot of options for children's programming. Sesame Street was new, and it remains a gold standard. There is a clip that has been living rent-free in my head for almost 50 years.

A little girl is sent to the store by her mama (because that was a thing you could do in the 70's.) Her instructions are simple - get a container of milk, a loaf of bread, and a stick of butter. She chants this all the way to the store. When she gets to the store, she freezes. WHAT WAS SHE SUPPOSED TO GET? It comes to her and she says proudly, "I remember! I remember!"

I thought this was an obscure memory. I was shocked and delighted when I stumbled onto a site called Retrokid.ca (it's a Canadian company) that was selling this bag! Even though it was right after Christmas, I knew I had to order it.

Please tell me that someone else remembers this!

When it came? They included Fun Dip as a sweet surprise, for the kid still in me. Hit up grab reminders of your childhood!

04/12/2023

Do you and your loved one need a romantic getaway? Of course you do. My husband and I had the pleasure of exploring St. Tammany Parish on the north shore of Lake Ponchartrain this past October. What a fabulous place! It was the first time we had gotten away kid-free in ages. Read my article for my best tips on where to stay, what to do, and, most importantly, where to eat!

Take a chance on a visit to the Louisiana Northshore area and use your visit as a time to reconnect with a loved one. Great food and great fun await!

30/11/2023

HARDMAN FARM STATE HISTORIC SITE in Sautee Nacoochee, GA.

Just outside Helen, GA sits a magnificent house with beautiful grounds. Although named for the last owners of the home, it was built by Capt. James Nichols of Milledgeville.

Capt. Nichols was very wealthy and very ahead of his time. Built in 1870, the home has many advanced features that other homes in the area wouldn't have for 50 to even 100 years.

The second owner, Calvin Hunnicutt, only stayed a short while before the home passed to Lamartine Hardman, a former governor of Georgia.

The house is certainly impressive but I loved walking the grounds. Across the street is the Nacoochee Indian Mound, a burial site that predates the Cherokee.

I loved the stories of the families - our docent was fantastic. If you are in the Helen area, make time to visit the Hardman Farm. Drop in on the stores and restaurants in the Sautee Nacoochee area!

31/10/2023

Pictured: Chief Vann House in Chatsworth, GA​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​November is Native American Heritage Month!

Georgia was the home of many Native American tribes, but primarily Cherokee and Creek. I wrote an article on about 13 sites in Georgia where you can learn more about Native American culture and their tragic experiences after The Indian Removal Act.

Which of these places have you already visited?
https://wealthofgeeks.com/native-american-heritage-georgia/

30/10/2023

November is Native American Heritage Month, and Georgia is full of places to explore! Here are 13 sites where you can learn more about Native heritage prior to and including their removal.

Celebrate Native American Heritage month by learning about the history of this nation of people. Here are 13 sites in Georgia you can visit today.

24/09/2023

2022 Release! review​​​​​​​​​THE CLOISTERS had an intriguing premise - Ann Stillwell travels across the country to work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the summer. Plans get altered, and she ends up at The Cloisters, a gothic museum and garden renowned for its collection of medieval art. ​​​​​​​​​The research team Ann joins is working on a history of divination, including tracking the earliest version of tarot cards. Research becomes an obsession; Ann is unsure who to trust and what is real.
I do love novels that dabble in the supernatural. THE CLOISTERS is a fantastic, twisty story that held my attention and kept me guessing - Ann ends up with some surprises of her own.
The author, , has an art history degree and has worked in several cultural institutions, so she has a great grasp on the behind-the-scenes of the novel's research aspect.
I listened to the book on , and the narrator was fabulous. If you like suspense without much horror/gore, this is a great pick.

22/09/2023

I love peeking in on public libraries while traveling and seeing a Carnegie Library still existing "in the wild" makes me happy.

Scottish industrialist Andrew Carnegie donated money to build 2,509 libraries in communities all over the world between 1883 and 1929. The communities pledged to operate and maintain the libraries if Carnegie built them.

The Carnegie Library in Lavonia, Georgia was built in 1911. I was told that Lavonia is the smallest town to have a Carnegie Library. I popped in and enjoyed chatting with the staff. It's part of the system, so even though the building is small, they have access to a large collection.
Where is Lavonia? It's near Lake Hartwell, close to the GA - SC border. I was camping at Tugaloo State Park and took a spin in some of the small towns around it.

Is there a non-traditional place you always seem to pop in on vacation? Libraries are absolutely my thing. What's yours?

27/08/2023

Last month I went to Mexico and it was glorious. But I almost didn't get to go. I had an expired passport and five weeks to remedy that. Here's what you need to know about getting your passport!

Learn from our mistakes. We've got the details you need to know concerning how to get a passport. These tips will make it much less stressful.

07/07/2023

Loving Wicked - and its just intermission! This show is amazing, and at The Fox Theatre until July 30th!
College students: show up at the box office two hours prior to showtime with your college ID and you can get 2 tickets for $30 each!

20/06/2023

Heading to a National Park this summer? You've GOT to check out the Junior Ranger program!

If you plan to visit any of the U.S. National Parks with kids, this is the information you need. Here's everything you need to do know about the National Parks Junior Ranger program.

19/06/2023

Vacation last week. Ate whatever I wanted. The most exercise I got was walking the 2 blocks to the beach. Gained three pounds.

I'm cool with that.

But now it's time to get back on track! Went shopping for healthy ingredients yesterday. Strength class at the Y this morning.

Rainy days and Mondays are NOT getting me down today!

What kind of movement have you got going today?

01/06/2023

If Cumberland Island on the Georgia coast is on your bucket list, read this before you go!

If you're planning to visit Cumberland Island Georgia, here's a handy guide of what to see and do.

23/03/2023

History lovers, where y'all at?

I've got a thing for American history, especially early. I'm digging this book by about some of the founding fathers and the women in their lives.

Nothing salacious - this is a well-researched book that simply explores more about their personal relationships.

I like seeing the more human, feeling side!

Do you read history? How about historical fiction? Have a favorite topic or time period?

15/03/2023

Need more space in your shower? I've got FOUR young adults sharing one bathroom right now.
I went to Target and bought a tension rod, shower rings and these planters that were 2 for $10. PROBLEM SOLVED!
I chose the planters because they have holes for drainage in the bottom.

10/03/2023

New non-fiction!
Real talk - I was in high school in the 80's. To me, J. Crew was absolutely aspirational clothing.
Whenever I discussed "my type" with girlfriends, I would describe my ideal guy as a "ruggedly handsome, J. Crew kind of guy." It was a definite aesthetic.
I was beyond surprised to learn about the company's humble beginnings and the absolute D-R-A-M-A that occurred behind the scenes.
has done a great job providing us with the low downin an engaging way that will keep you reading for more!
Thanks to for the advance listening copy.

10/03/2023

MY BEAUTIFUL MAMA!

I went to my mom's house in Florida to tackle something I've been putting off forever - starting to scan old family photos.

It's not just the scanning - I wanted to make sure she could tell me the stories and people in the photos.

This was the night of my dad's prom. I love this photo so much!

Don't wait until it's too late to ask your older relatives about their lives!

04/02/2023

It was a dark and stormy night...

On St Simons Island! Of course, we had just started our ghost tour. Did someone order special effects??

Sadly, our overall ghost tour experience was, well, meh.

Have you been on a fantastic ghost tour? Where was it?

Our St. Augustine tour was really cool!

03/02/2023

NetGalley Review:

New novel from the author of THE LOST APOTHECARY, Sarah Penner!

The story begins in Paris, 1873. Two women are holding a sèance, teacher and student. An interruption brings shocking news and a trip to London is required.

Unlike Apothecary, this novel doesn't utilize a past/present time-line. You are fully immersed in the world of The London Sèance Society and the mystery being uncovered.

This is a great read that you can so easily lose yourself in. I was surprised when, at only halfway through, "whodunit" was revealed. That only meant that there was so much more to this story than I first thought!

It's well researched and that made all of it that much more interesting.

Definitely recommend; adding a fireplace, a cat and a mug of hot beverage will most likely increase your enjoyment. 😁

17/01/2023

I visited one of my very favorite places today - !

I took the youngest on a short road trip to Chattanooga, TN to visit the largest used book store I have ever experienced. AMAZING.

I had been saving up the books I finished and took them to sell. My son also cleaned out his stuffies, action figures, and other toys he no longer wanted.

Of course, I couldn't resist putting some $$$ back in their hands. The kid got a bunch of Marvel books/graphics, and I loaded up on a bunch of cheap paperbacks.Because I had credit from past trade-ins, my wallet was pretty happy, too.

Have you ever been to a McKay's Books? They have locations in TN and NC. Books, comics, video games, toys, and more!

09/01/2023

This is what UGA thinks about anyone rooting for TCU tonight. GO YOU HAIRY DAWGS!!!!!