This is just to say that we have some treasures in the coming days for you so if you gave up on Pecanne Log a while ago, thinking, “Man, those bitches never blog,” well, you were 100% true…then. Now we are committed. I mean I am committed. For now.
I was given the travel tome Go Straight on Peachtree by Anne Rivers Siddons by someone who knows well how much I enjoy receiving gifts. Published in 1978, virtually none of the places the book suggests exist anymore, except for Peachtree Street and Pittypat’s Porch. Siddons also has some really delightful yet totally baffling descriptions of Atlanta. Tell me if you think her metaphor is apt.
In the intro chapter, “This Place Called Atlanta”:
Atlanta is an upstart. A lusty country lass come late to town, with lace on her parasol and red clay on her petticoats. Wise, now, in the ways of the world; a rich girl, a sophisticated lady wheeling and dealing and playing with the world’s great and near great, who come courting in endless streams. But a hoyden*, for all that. Vital and brash and charismatic and full of joy and vinegar. Very beautiful, very modern. And very young.
Is she calling us a slut? There’s more where that came from! In the chapter “Daytime Atlanta,” Siddons suggests a tour of Atlanta Belle Époque:
She started as a lusty country girl with, perhaps, a touch of red dirt on her face, but there’s always been a natural grace and elegance to Atlanta, an elegance that came to full flower in the languid, dreaming days after the Reconstruction. And though she’s an international lady now, the elegance of Atlanta remains.
Trash BRAND ATLANTA immediately!! Engrave every bus and streetlamp with the motto “ATLANTA: A LUSTY COUNTRY LASS COME LATE TO TOWN.” And all those other things Siddons says too!
* “A boisterous, bold, and carefree girl; a tomboy.”
Isn’t that a great book? When going to the Alliance, make sure and stop at “Brothers Two” at Colony Square (huh?) and I love the description of the Midnight Sun theatre at Peachtree Center — John Portman’s dream spot.
But the good parts of Bugatti (p. 118) are now at La Grotta in Buckhead; Nikolai’s, Nino’s, Petite Auberge and Trader Vic’s are all still around.
I do really like the layout of this book and would love to see something similar come out these days
she mentions Pitty Pat’s! you never told me about this!
I forgot that I am your personal Google Alert for Pittypat’s Porch. SORRY.