The Solar Eclipse August 21, 2017 Day #1 “Boy is it Hot!”

Many years ago our son, David, was told that on his 19th birthday (June 10, 2002) there would be a total eclipse of the sun.  He looked forward to the day but was very disappointed to learn that it was only a partial eclipse.  At that time the date August 21, 2017 became very important to him. David learned that on 8/21/17 there would be a total solar eclipse in the United States and he promised himself that he would travel to see it.

So, 13 days after his youngest child (Julian) was born AND thanks to an incredibly understanding wife, David is in Nashville, Tennessee to view this very special astronomical event.  Along for the ride are David’s son, Owen, Patrice, Lindsay, our friend Austin and me.

As usual we left LA on a spectacular weather day.  I have met people who say they love the changing seasons.  Not me, I’m like Randy Newman “I Love LA”.  Unfortunately we arrived in Nashville and this place is like an oven.  Even though it was hot and humid as the readers of my blog know, I LOVE FOOD and I LOVE SOUTHERN COOKING.   So after dropping off our baggage at the hotel we headed to dinner.  It was recommended that we go to Monell’s, described to us as serving typical Southern cuisine.  The place wasn’t far from the hotel but traffic was as bad as it is in LA.  Parking was sparse but we were lucky to find a spot very close to our destination.   I brought my sweatshirt in case the diner had intense air conditioning.  Instead of being frozen we had to wait for a table OUTSIDE!  A mere one hour later they called for us.   We were led to a large table where 6 women from Alabama were sitting.  This is family style dining and these women were our new best friends.  The waitress explained that there was broccoli, banana pudding and cole slaw on the table and more food would be coming soon.  “You take what you want and pass to the left.  Don’t be bashful there is plenty out here and more to come.”  Then came the onslaught of fried chicken, meat loaf, catfish, pork, mac & cheese, baked apples, mashed potatoes, biscuits with gravy, corn pudding and I am sure something else that I have forgotten.  The waitresses were hilarious when delivering food, “Use two hands hands honey, I have lots of food here and more is a-coming.”

I took a couple of pictures of the early dishes but I was too frightened of the waitresses to take any more.

Tomorrow is a free day, Monday is the big day.