#somewhere still

[hommedessept]

[denitta]

Paris on the Plains - the City of Fountains

The world’s best BBQ, stunning fountains and a heritage of excellent music  -- what is not to love about a visit to Paris on the Plains – the City of Fountains?  Kansas City is an oasis of culture and charm, Midwestern hospitality and refined sensibility.  On the eve of mom's 70th birthday we visited the places where she had grown up, the homes where she and her three sisters had lived, and the elementary school on the hill where she had run to one Saturday morning, fretful she was late for school.  We walked the halls of Westport High School where she recounted memories of her teenage years (Tiger Den!)  A wonderful trip.  

When I travel it’s a lot about the place, but really it’s ALL about the food.  If you are ever in Kansas City, make time for a meal at the Savoy Grill.  If not already reserved -and it usually is- ask for Booth #4 , the choice of Presidents, with its highbacked leather seats offering ultimate privacy.  The cinnamon rolls are the best I’ve ever had and the salad dressings are all housemade (try the French).  But it’s the service that is Savoy’s crowning achievement and shows the grace of another century from the waiters and cashier to the maitre d and ever-present owner, Mr. Lee.  Mr. Lee runs a first-class establishment that bespeaks of an era gone by. 

We visited many of the places mentioned in Somewhere Still-the Savoy, the inspiration for the Bacchus fountain, the Country Club church (which is spectacular) and even Petticoat Lane which, yes, truly does exist although now the town’s social center has shifted to the stunning Country Club Plaza, founded almost a century ago by J.C. Nichols and brimming with Italianate fountains and sculptures.  And, of course, no visit to Kansas City is complete without a few hours at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Contemporary Art Museum. Top it off with the world’s best barbeque and your visit is complete!  

[denitta]

A Generation of Readers

I am grateful for this young generation of readers!  A dear friend has brilliant 14 year old twins who generously volunteered to read Somewhere Still.  Their commentary was both careful and thoughtful and helped me work through a sticky point in the novel where I’d been too wary of turning the story all mawkish.  They helped me see that teenagers can deftly walk the line of high emotion, when the subject matter is treated directly.  Thank you, girls!  My 14 year old son also recently re-read the book and helped me, in more ways than he knows, re-envision  the book’s male characters.  Each of these kids devoured the 300 pages in a few short days and provided both storyline critiques and proofing edits.  Something in the Colorado public education system is definitely working well.