Exploring the Amysphere

01/03/2024

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!

12/04/2023

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!

11/30/2023

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!

10/31/2023

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/

10/30/2023

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.

09/24/2023

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.

09/22/2023

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?

08/27/2023

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!

06/20/2023

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.

06/19/2023

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?

06/01/2023

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.