To me, well-written fiction either uses cleverly-contrived "fake facts" and "fake places" or it uses accurate facts and real places as instrumentalities and locales for the invented action fo the characters.

Using <i>blatantly incorrect information </i>and <i>egregiously wrong geography</i> is distracting to the (knowledgeable) reader, and just plain bad writing.

But <u>do</u> I agree that the enjoyment of a work of literature is a subjective experience. Amuse yourself.

Mimi, did you see Louise Doktor's photo in the STYLE section of the NY TIMES today? She the woman wearing the black pants and the pink gossamer coat.

I hope you give Pastis a little hug for moi. My Jackie O has terrible diarrhea. Keith probably gave her yogurt, which she can't digest. Husbands are sooooo stupid.

Slimshady

I did. You have to love those matching socks.



Lady for a Day.

The only thing I remember about that dreadful book is the part at the very beginning about his going from the Ritz to the Louvre. It made the short drive seem like a cross-country expedition. Did anyone else notice this? Or maybe it just SEEMED to last forever...

SMNovella--You don't mean your friends actually took you to Roswell for dinner? Strip malls for days. Don't they know the place to go is mid-town? I quite enjoy the image of you being handed a plate of fried green tomatoes at The Flying Biscuit. Whatever would a princess do?

Van Gogh's is very good. They are still talking about you there. You are a legend in your own time.

Go to Flying Biscuit near Little Five Points. You'll blend right in!

Oh, darling, diners don't phase me. My husband, Keith, and I ate in many diners during our trips to the South. When they served us grits, I told Keith to pretend it was polenta.

Srip malls, fried green tomatoes, bible thumpers. It is all a part of life, and not so bad. (Bad is when you travel down a river in Cambodia, via canoe, and your Hermes picnic basket falls in Tonle Sap lake. Breakfast at The Flying Biscuit can't be worse than malaria on your hand-painted thermos bottle.)

It is all so Flannery O'Connor, sweetie.

I actually love The Flying Biscuit. That and Sunflower Cafe. Always wanted to try Mary Mac's Tearoom. We might have to redezvous at one of these establishments, starrsville.

Flying Biscuit is great - and definitely not a diner. A friend and I went for dinner and were enjoying it so much that we actually forgot we had tickets for a show at the Fox. Just looovvve those Love Cakes!

Mary Mac's is pretty good. I go often after church - a few blocks away. I think the Colannade actually has better food - but like the history AND the hugs and shoulder massages the unofficial greeter gives as she works the dining room. She speaks to everyone as if they were a long lost friend.

I'm game Guy. Anytime!

&quot;She speaks to everyone as if they were a long lost friend.&quot;

Does that make anyone feel special? And how, then, does she speak to a long-lost friend?

I can remember eating at Einstein's--outside on the patio. I got drunk on bloody marys. I also had dinner at a place called--I think--The Mid-town Kitchen.

We went to some club called &quot;Back Street.&quot; I gave all the drag queens who worked the door fashion and make-up advice. They just loved me. It was very disconcerting, however, to get asked to go to church at 8 AM after a night of clubbing. I pretended I was Jewish and hailed a cab to the spa at the Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead.

Mrs. Keith Levy

&gt;&gt; Does that make anyone feel special? &lt;&lt;

Evidently, as evidenced by the smiles she leaves in her wake. I especially enjoy the shoulder rub.

&gt;&gt; And how, then, does she speak to a long-lost friend? &lt;&lt;

I have no idea. I don't know her. Don't know her name. She is equally nice to and seemingly glad to see everyone she greets.

Perhaps it's a Southern - or a Mark Twain - thing.

Einstein's is still there - and as wonderful as always.

They shut BackStreet down. They want a different clientele on that stretch of Peachtree now. Getting too yuppiefied now that the condos are going up. Poor Charlie Brown had to move elsewhere.

If you come again, let me know and we'll do the rounds in Hotlanta!

By the way, the Four Seasons is the now favored rest for the moneyed weary.

Not all churches are finding the questioning a bad thing - but utilizing it as an opportunity for further discovery and discussion:

With the recent publication of Gospel of Judas and the release of The Da Vinci Code movie- following the phenomenal success of the book - many thoughtful people are raising questions about Jesus, the authority of the Bible, and the origins of the Christian faith. This class will explore those questions, using the books and the movie as a jumping-off point. Questioners welcome.

Thanks, that is so sweet of you. Do you know Mary Schwab? She used to be a client of my ex-boss. She invited me to some horse show years ago, but I didn't go. I should call her up. Or maybe she is dead by now?

Slimshady

Starrsville, you don't attend St. Luke's or All Saints in Atlanta, by any chance?

I have been going to the Colonnade for about 40+ years now. Taken as a child, dragged as a teenager and now it is a good place to meet my mom (lives on Lenox Rd.) when I come to Atlanta to visit daughter at Tech. In the past six months we've been three times, and each time have seen at least two people we know! Some from way back---old neighbors, etc. Last time we ran into my decorator, dining alone before a party. I love that place, not necessarily for the food.

Seems to me that somebody who parades around in a mink should know that it is <i>faze</i>, not <i>phase.</i>

SECOND LARGEST WORLDWIDE OPENING IN HISTORY

(nope, k, but in the neighborhood)

It is absolutely amazing how so many people who &quot;hated&quot; this book seem to know everything about it and apparently finished reading it!

ps guy, starrsville--did you hear that Flying Biscuit has been sold? Chef/former-owner says no customer will be able to tell the difference in ownership. Heard that before!

No, but I just found the article. Delia Champion signed a franchise contract - with the guys that did Moe's and others. She will still stay involved in the business. 50 to open next year and 50 the following year.

Those biscuits are going to be flying all over the place!

If you haven't tried Watershed in Decatur, ya gotta try it. Scott Peacock's fried chicken is a big draw on Tueday nights - but it sells out fast. The rest of the food is very good all the time (also backed by one of the Indigo Girls)

Will try the Decatur restaurant. LOVE Decatur, had friends at Agnes Scott and Husband and I are Emory alums.