Mad Potter of Biloxi and Frank Gehry 'Pods'

             Pods have landed on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and although they may resemble something from outer space, these buildings are the work of prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, known for the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, among so many other beautiful creations.

            Gehry designed the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi, which celebrates the ceramic works of George Ohr, known as the “Mad Potter of Biloxi.” Ohr wasn’t as crazy as he was an excellent marketer; his reputation helped sell his innovative and experimental ceramics, according to museum curator Barbara Johnson Ross. In addition to Ohr’s unique works are buildings hosting visiting artists; the City of Biloxi Center for Ceramics, which offers art classes; the Mississippi Sound Welcome Center; the Pleasant Reed Interpretive Center in a reconstruction of a 19th century home (the original was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina) and the Creel House Neighborhood Center.

            But the complex of buildings, including the “Pods,” is an exhibit on to itself. Gehry believed the Ohr Museum should conform to its environment, merging with the century old live oaks. He called the museum complex, “Dancing with the Trees.” The Mississippi Sound Welcome Center, for instance, includes an overlook nestled within the oaks but with a stunning view of the Gulf of Mexico.
            What grabs visitors’ attention the most, however, is the Knight Gallery, otherwise known as the “Pods.” They are still under construction (and renovation due to Katrina) but one will open this July with a permanent exhibit of Ohr’s work.

Husbands only!

            We spotted this doghouse on the way to a plate lunch at Johnson’s Boucaniere in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana. It sports a sign, "Private Property, no trespassing!"
             Got us wondering who would want — or be brave enough — to trespass on a doghouse. Not to mention be small enough to fit inside! The rooftop hits an average person about shoulder high. Maybe there’s a problem with transient dogs in the downtown Lafayette area who can read?

            But in case you’re wondering what lunch we enjoyed, since Lafayette is one of the nation’s top foodie towns, Johnson’s Boucaniere’s cuisine consists of delicious meats they smoke out back. They are famous for their boudin (pronounced boo-dan), including a boudin sandwich between locally produced Evangeline Bread that’s to die for. We enjoyed the smoked meat salad — trying to be healthy — that featured smoked pulled pork atop a bed of lettuce, sweet cherry tomatoes, cheese, chopped onions and a special sauce that tied things together beautifully.

             So maybe the dogs in the neighborhood come for the meats, and become so full of goodness pass out in the doghouse.
     Or maybe it’s a sign to neighborhood wives that this doghouse is reserved for one particular husband.

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain

            Russian-born entertainer Yakov Smirnoff has been making funny as well as artwork for the past few decades plus he owns a theater in Branson where he make appearances when he's not on the road. We were there this past week listening to the Rankin Brothers perform, two incredibly talented musicians — and brothers — who can mimic numerous performers from the 1950s on. Their parents were seated next to us and so excited that we came to hear their boys play. 

            But back to the weird part.

            Upon visiting the Yakov ladies room, the first thing we spotted was a plaque upside the toilet dispenser that proclaimed “For Your Royal Hiney.” That was funny enough, but behind the throne was a curtain with a knob to the right. When you pull back the curtain, there’s a smiling Yakov watching you with the following announcement: “Take the curtain off the hook. The curtain falls and I won’t look.”

             We wondered if we were the only ones graced with his face, since no one else seemed to be giggling in the stalls. When we emerged from our business, however, it was clear all the ladies stalls had curtains and knobs waiting for them. So Yakov, your job hit its mark with us, if no one else noticed.

Something weird in the air this spring

            Let’s call this a weird South spring.

            Someone recently posted to a Louisiana Freecycle that they have a pet rabbit to give away, but only to be used as a PET. As they say, nothing on legs is safe in the South.

I am not a gumbo!

     In South Florida, a man tried to break into his Ex’s house by slipping down the chimney like Santa Claus and got stuck. Emergency teams had to dismantle the chimney to free the man. I’ll bet the Ex had wished they had dismantled HIM. See the video here.

     Also in Florida after enjoying two cases of beer, a man stabbed his friend AND his dog over the last can of Natural Ice beer. He claimed self-defense. Wouldn’t you? Check out his handsome mug here.

     The winner goes to New Orleans socialite and philanthropist Marycathyrn "Mickey" Easterling, who was known for her wild hats and lifestyle and relentless support of the arts. She passed away in April but that wasn’t the last of Mickey. She later appeared at the  “party to celebrate her life” at New Orleans’ Saenger Theater. In addition to her favorite foods and cocktails being served at the party was Easterling dressed to the max with her trademark hat, seated on a bench. Check out the photos of Mickey live in the afterlife here.

Hotel Roanoke offers sweet deal

            Roanoke is a sweet town nestled in the Virginia mountains, offering great museums, art galleries, dining opportunities and numerous hiking trails and wineries throughout the region.

            Here’s another sweet reason to visit. The historic Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center will welcome visitors with two signature chocolate chip cookies per person today in celebration of National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. And you don’t even need a reservation to receive your cookies, although the hotel is a pretty special place to stay, a charming example of old-style hospitality with 331 guest rooms and 19 suites, walking trails and easy access to historic downtown streets.

Spoon bread and peanut soup

            The Hotel Roanoke is a DoubleTree by Hilton, a brand known for welcoming guests with warm chocolate chip cookies upon check-in. Today’s event is part of its global “Cookie Care” program, which launched this spring to celebrate the brand’s milestone of giving out more than 300 million cookies at check-in.

            The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center is located at 110 Shenandoah Ave. in Roanoke. While you’re there, make sure to sample their famous peanut soup and spoon bread served in the hotel’s restaurants.
        For information on the hotel, call (540) 985-5900. For information on Cookie Care and to enter to win prizes, visit https://www.facebook.com/Doubletree/app_550598988381052.

In Texas, like everything else, the art is really big!

            They say everything in Texas is bigger. In Eastland, west of Dallas, that includes artwork.
            You’ll spot what we mean the minute you leave the interstate for a Blizzard at the Diary Queen — a giant Campbell’s Soup Can that would have been courtesy of Andy Warhol if he had created it himself exists just off the exit ramp.

            The soup can is one of numerous pieces of giant art placed throughout Eastland. The artwork first began as a class assignment and turned into a community-wide project, according to the town’s tourism web site. Each piece of art — classic artwork blown up large — also includes a story of the painter and the piece. Artwork includes those by Norman Rockwell, Dr. Seuss, Van Gogh and Mary Cassatt, to name a few.

            To travel through Eastland and view these dozens of massive art pieces, stop by the Chamber of Commerce for a map — or the soup can next to Dairy Queen on the Interstate Service Road. For more information, visit http://www.eastlandfoundation.com/outdoorArt.html.
            As an FYI, the town named for Texas Ranger and San Jacinto hero Captain William N. Eastland was founded in 1891. Its growth occurred in 1917 when oil was discovered here.

Checking in with Lewis and Clark

            The Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch in St. Louis wants to offer more than comfortable rooms and convention space. The modern hotel housed in an historic building once used as a fur auction, includes an indoor pool and hot tub on the top floor overlooking the famous Arch and all kinds of free amenities, from Wifi and long distance to full hot breakfasts and overindulgent snacks and cocktails at 5:30 p.m.

     The hotel also comes with a history lesson. In the lobby is a recreation of the Lewis and Clark Exposition, which departed May 1804 from St. Louis to explore a route to the Pacific coast. The group included Captain Meriwether Lewis, Second Lt. William Clark, a Shoshone Indian named Sacagawea and and her husband Toussaint Charbonneau. The dog depicted in the lobby exhibit is Lewis' dog, Seaman, who was once stolen by Indians while the group traveled along the route. Although we're not sure who the rabbit is.

            The Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch is centrally located in downtown St. Louis with Busch Stadium only two blocks away and the arch just around the corner. Other attractions are within a good walk or a short cab drive.

            Just so you know, St. Louis was not named for Meriwether Lewis (note the spelling differences) but for French King Louis XIV.