The Whistle Stop Cafe

Mr. H says, "We're taking a day trip anywhere you want to go."

I chose Juliette, GA, 

a tiny little railroad town, 

home of the Whistle Stop Cafe

in the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes. 

Honestly, a mere stop in the road,

this is what we first saw when we first turned the corner.

Please don't tell anyone you saw this in GA.

Not everyone is "White Trash," as portrayed on 

The Jerry Springer Show.

There was not a parking spot to be found on the pig-path road 

leading to the Whistle Stop.

I snapped this picture as we crossed over the small bridge.

I have to say, a railroad town is close to my heart. 

Scouting for a location, Barbara Ling, production designer found Juliette in Monroe County, Georgia, a town that was nearly deserted. The building chosen to be the Whistle Stop Café was formerly an antiques and hardware store. It was redesigned as a cafe, with a horse-shoe shaped counter to allow for optimal camera angles.

Expecting a long wait, Mr. H. takes a seat on the bench in front of The Whistle Stop.

The food was down-home country cooking.

The tea was sweet,

and the fried green tomatoes were the best I have ever put in my mouth.

I had country fried steak, collard greens with pepper vinegar, and garlic mashed potatoes.

Mr. H had a hamburger.  The best he said he had ever put in his mouth.

After the release of the film, Juliette saw an influx of tourists and, with John Avnet's encouragement, locals opened The Whistle Stop Café, recreated to mirror the film set. "Whistle Stop Café" is now a registered trademark.

Gift and Antique Shops line the street.

As my mama would say, the town is only a "stone's throw,"

from one end to the other. 

There is certainly no need for a traffic light.

Juliette was a bustling railroad community during the early 1900s. Over time, the railroad industry declined, and Juliette was nearly forgotten until 1991 when movie producers for the film "Fried Green Tomatoes" discovered Juliette and reconstructed the existing buildings into the fictional community of Whistle Stop.

The out-house or privy stands right smack in the middle of town.

My granddaddy's was a two-seater, 

but not nearly as pretty.

A little old man, sat in front of the Opera House

and played some bluegrass music.

The door is what I was most attracted to.

There was lots of rusty, crusty,

and chippy, shabby.

I half-way expected to see a rooster cross the road.

I took pictures of all the building structures,

some probably originals and some not.

The antique shops were typical

shabby chic, a little old and new,

and some new made from old.

The Whistle Stop Cafe is 

one of the most well-kept secrets

in Central Georgia

and just a hop, skip and a jump 

from home. 

And I didn't have to rob the bank to get there. 

Gas $25

Meal $35

A road trip with Mr. H

PRICELESS!

Bonnie:)

However, there was a bank robbery

this morning before we left town, 

only a block away from our house. 

The Mouse House

The Mouse House,
a children's consignment,

is moving.
She expanding!

I'm begging for a job!
What fun would that be!

Today I rambled a little, while my lady

was at the beauty shop next door. 

I found some incredible 

pieces for my sweet, little Cora.

She has all she needs for now

so I'm looking ahead. 

A hooded sweater

that will be the perfect size this Fall.

Yes, Ralph Lauren.

A dress for next year. 

GAP

Brand new Crocs that she can wear this summer.

Three or four pair of jeans.

Next year's summer frock.

The Children's Place

Another sweet, summer dress 

for next year.

Old Navy

I paid no more than $3 for each piece.

Labels do not matter to me, 

but it sure is exciting when
the near perfect pieces are big-name brands.

The bag is mine:)
No big label, but
$3 Perfect!

A Happy Hunting Day,

Bonnie:)

I Long For Simplicity

I feel like the world is moving forward 

and I'm being left behind.

The past 13 years of my life 

have been fruitful years, 

years of helping others.

We often had photography and art exhibits.

While I loved what I did,

the mind was on hold.

You can love without a brain.

Loving others comes naturally for me, 

I don't have to think about it.

The residents continued to feel like they were a part of the community.

As an activity director, 

I planned activities for a 65-bed 

long-term care facility.

I enjoyed the hub of activity

that allowed the residents to experience 

some good quality of life 

through continued involvement with the community.

I made scrapbooks of their activities.
They enjoyed looking at themselves.

I loved my job,

but in a small town we had not 

yet begun electronic documentation

and most of what I did 

was done by hand.

Now, I'm computer-illiterate

in a world of passwords, security codes,

http and stuff I don't understand.

Just take me back to my little shop

and let me find simplicity again.

This I prefer!

Why am I longing for the good old days?

I sound like my parents.

When did this happen?

I'm missing the days on the dock.

My daughter and my niece at the homeplace
that is long gone.

My daughter and husband are looking at a job

opportunity in Nebraska.

They are already 6 hours away

add 9 more!

I'm crying!!!!

She said tonight, 

"Mama, I will want our children to come to Georgia 

two or three weeks out of the year

to go fishing, to ballgames, and to musicals

like we did when we were growing up."

The college years!

My son's high school team!
We spent almost every night at a ball field or a court
from the early years when
 Mr. H played softball, basketball and volleyball
until our son started playing baseball-
T-ball all the way to 4 years of college ball.

My daughter as Sandy in GREASE.
Many nights my husband and I met each other
exchanging places so we could be there for them both.

Traveling the southeast 

listening to my girl sing!

When I was managing the shop,

we were recording sales in a composition book.

Maybe it's time to just relax 

and enjoy these,

ore of this,

and time with this little one and 

all the other little ones who will follow.

Please pardon my ramblings

and my run-on sentences. 

I don't feel like editing...

Bonnie:)