VA.

Credit: Nathan W. Pyle

BISCUITS of Manchester. 🤩

 

Mhm...

 

'Richmond, VA's Stonewall Jackson Statue Comes Down'

                                                                        Credit: RVA Coffee Stain

Monument: Lee's Statue, After

Photo Credit:

@AiRVA_Drone

Historic change due on Monument

I read with joy early this morning as friends' feeds shared news stories & articles with regard to the intended removal of the statue of General Lee from Monument Avenue. 
When I first moved to Richmond,  my Civil War knowledge was pretty scant & my initial understanding was that these monuments and memorials were of heroes from that era. Heroes only to some, however.

This last week, the local protests have dominated RVA's news channels. Similarly for the over-spill from non-violent to violent action. I struggle to condone these acts of violence on Boulevard and Broad which led to shop or restaurant windows being broken; a dumpster set on fire near a home or on West Broad, directly outside of VA Rep. Those businesses don't deserve to suffer and yet. ... Nor do the black community, African-Americans, people of colour deserve to suffer either and yet for many, daily discrimination is a reality. 

Some of Monument's statues are now defaced and graffitied, 
both the profane & the sacred: Black Lives Matter, Solidarity, One Love...

Photo by my friend, SG

Source: Richmond is Burning, Again ~ Style Weekly

Monument Avenue's Confederate statues are no newcomers to press coverage. Following events in Charlottesville in 2017, the monuments became an even more heightened source of debate & contention. At the time - whilst other statues were removed in DC, KY, FL, MO, NY, WI - those in Richmond remained in situ.

Source - Style Weekly: "Is Monument Avenue set in stone?" April 2017

But in light of nationwide protests following on from George Floyd's horrifying and unnecessary death, it's signalled a sea change from Governor Northam: enough is enough. I applaud his decision and the debate it's now re-opened up for Mayor Stoney in regard to the rest.

 BLM gathering point at Lee's statue by my friend, LR

From the New York Times:  
Virginia Governor Plans to Order Robert E. Lee Statue Removed

Washington Post looking back on Lee's legacy & the statue itself:  When Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s statue arrived in Richmond in 1890, it was greeted by 10,000 admirers

... but even back then, still not everyone was in favour (Credit: Hampton Newsome).

*salt-dusted butter sponges*

Credit.

I can't speak for Popeyes but 

for Bojangles, Brook's, Fancy Biscuit?

-Amen.

Yeahhh!

That settles it then.   ;)

= Result!

The Most Wonderful...

Richmond Revisited: au revoir...

Having re-connected, reminisced & forged brilliant brand-new memories,

'Til the next time, dear friends.

Richmond Revisited: Day 7

 When I last lived in Richmond, I wasn't even a cyclist but during my time away, I'd (a) learnt to cycle & (b) heard about the brilliant new-to-me Virginia Capital Trail.

So that joined the list of Things To Do, especially given one of my old friends loves to cycle.

We'd hoped to cycle on the Tuesday so I'd put in a wee practice rental ride ...

but the forecast that night was dire (hence our brewery crawl instead.)

But Friday evening cycle plans paid off as we cycled away from the rain - & the thunder!

Loved the rented Hybrid!

                          18 miles to Dorey Park & back to Great Shiplock Park, along the Capital Trail.

Dusky skies 

Lucky Strike in clear view from Great Shiplock Park

Mural by Triple Crossing

Richmond Revisited: Day 6 / Lunch & a Lid Quest

Excellent geographical happenstance! 

My old friend, Doug plus sometime roommate / theatre husband had since moved from VA to FL but just so happened to be back up in the city at the very same time.  =  Much delight! 

We decided upon a lunch date at a new place Zzaam! as recommended by a former colleague.

It was a very giddy road-trip from VA Rep over to Carytown.

Back!  Together!  Again!

Tasty colourful Korean lunch

I had given myself a Quest before flying out: 

having lost a lid for one of my Mason Ball jars,

I was after a replacement. Doug joined me in my search...
Posh K.Roger, into the chemists...  hmm, no such luck....

Doug also had some items with him to donate to Fan Tastic Thrift.
We ventured over...                    

                Easily the happiest 45c I'd spent this trip!           

Aha! Success!

Richmond Revisited: Day 6

Scooped up early from my re-arrival into town

- we first headed to the VMFA to see the Napolean exhibit

  & then out for some promised biscuits...  :) 

Roanoke; a sojourn:

Travelling southwest on an early Greyhound at 5.30....
Waking up from sleep amidst the lush green landscape,

Richmond Revisited: Evening Crawl

Scott's Addition: the year I left Richmond, Richmond Triangle Players were based there but not a whole lot else. A bit of a no man's land between Downtown & Willow Lawn.
   In the ensuing years which followed, Legend & Hardywood were joined in town by a multitude of new players in the craft beer scene; a lot of them based down this way. Time for a catch-up with some friends & a chance to check them out.

1. Isley Brewing Company

.... past RTP & its famous new crosswalk ...

to 2. Ardent Craft Ales ...

... along Altamont Ave to 

- did someone say Mead?!

3. Black Heath Meadery ...

(They might've been about to close but they 

very graciously poured each of us a serving. )

4. Three Notch'd Brewery ...

Beer of the night: Bee Student

10.8% imperial milk stout. Mmm!

Hunger struck. 

Hasty Google.

"Excuse me, is your kitchen still serving...?"

They were!

= 5. Sheppard Street Tavern!

Tots & Bell's Oberon.

Result!   :D

Richmond Revisited: Day 6

Belle Isle explorations, bridges;
bike ride & beer at Capital Ale House...

Palmer Chapel Arch, as seen from the other side.

This sign still makes me chuckle.

Richmond Revisited: Quirk

Drinks with the ladies at Quirk's rooftop bar

                                                                                      "Tropic like it's hot" sours by Hardywood

Richmond Revisited: Day 5

Carpenter Center

Passin' On To Others ~ Amos Paul Kennedy Jnr.
... Richmond Free Press article

_______________

New haunt! 

 5* smash(ed)

Triple Crossing Brewery

- & the original Triple Crossing,  circa 1950

courtesy of Dogtown Dish