The King & I

Summer is the season for new adventures, and this one has been no exception! This past week I traveled with my dear friend Pat to Graceland, Elvis's home in Memphis, Tennessee. Pat had never been, and she's writing a book that required some research, so off we went!

It wasn't my first time to visit Graceland. Paul and I went in 2013. But it was my first time to stay at the Guesthouse at Graceland (like Disney World, except for Elvis!), and to go during crazy-busy summer, and to ride in a pink Cadillac (a service for hotel guest dining at Marlowe's  -- which was delicious!).

It was also my first time to see an actual Elvis movie all the way through! (Of course I've seen clips.) It was another offering from the hotel, shown in their ginormous theater: JAILHOUSE ROCK. I sort of can't believe how much I enjoyed it.

So I'm a bit young for the Elvis craze, but I sure can respect and admire his rise to fame, and how he brought something different to popular music. In fact, it was a quote from his first producer Sam Phillips (who also "discovered" Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and others)  that caught my eye, and reminded me of the creative life, the marketplace, and what it takes to "make it" in a creative industry:

"If you're not doing something different, you're not doing anything." - Sam Phillips

The best part of the trip, however, wasn't Elvis-related at all, but book-love related: we lunched with a sweet group of Mississippi (just a short drive from Memphis!) librarians at The Beauty Shop (a converted restaurant space, where Priscilla once got her hair done). As my father (who was a true-blue Elvis fan) would say: "the food was delicious, and the company was outstanding!" Thanks, ladies!! So happy to know you.

 Here's a picture of the group, as taken by one o so talented daughter who joined us for the meal:

Librarians are the best!