Merry in Madison, GA

Celebrating another glorious wedding anniversary, my sweet husband Bruce surprised me, per my suggestion, with a trip somewhere. I love surprises. A five hour drive northwest from Fernandina Beach, Florida delivered us into the historically charming city of Madison, Georgia. Spared from burning during Sherman's infamous march from Atlanta to the sea, Madison is brimming with antebellum homes. We passed by many a pillared porch and white-painted home in the tradition of Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind. That set the mood for our destination, The Brady Inn, an 1885 Victorian bed and breakfast.

As we passed through the pretty parlor, its walls a rich red, the settee and matching cream upholstered chairs welcomed guests to sit and chat. Our room was filled with period antiques, the high carved headboard, hand quilted spread and marble topped dresser and table complimented the pink patterned rug and blue bordered wallpaper. No television in the room kept the outside world and worries away for two days. Even the full bathroom, cleverly concealed in the tiniest of closets, left us laughing. One could brush his teeth and spit in the sink whilst "seated" at the same time!


Breakfast was a delight both mornings. We were served at any of seven four-top tables situated on a cleverly painted faux rug in a sunny room at the back of the house. The windows overlooked grassy grounds dotted with flowers, new wooden trellises and arches, a bonfire area and an herb garden. Cherry tomatoes from that garden were the base of a spiced salsa of sorts our second morning. The yogurt, granola and fresh blueberries and the spinach quiche were wonderful but we adored the poached pears. Mary, the pretty and peppy hostess, I love peppy in a hostess, was kind enough to give us her secret recipe!



faux room down the hall!

We've staying in quite a few B&Bs over the years. We've been very blessed to do so. The Brady Inn is certainly a place we will visit again, any time we're in mid-Georgia. We recommend it to all with confidence that you will more than enjoy your return to the glory days of the deep South.

faux rug!

There was an unexpected bonus. Scattered discreetly around the inn were small pump bottles of hand sanitizer. For an admitted semi-germ freak, this was quite a perk!

The Brady Inn is located at 250 N. Second St., Madison, Georgia, USA
706 342-4400 or 866 770-0773
http://www.bradyinn.com/

Gable Not Best Rhett

How un-American, someone thinking Clark Gable would not make a good Rhett Butler? Read all about it below, taken from Margaret Mitchell Gone With The Wind Letters, 1936- 1949, edited by Richard Harwell, Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., New York, 1976, page 211.

To Miss Katherine Brown, New York, New York
From Margaret Mitchell, Atlanta, Georgia
July 13, 1938

As to Clark Gable - I believe I told you once that he was not as popular here in the South as in other sections of the country - in tough and hardboiled roles, yes; but in other roles, no.  He has never been the choice for Rhett down here. People think he is a very fine actor, too, but they think he does not look Southern or act Southern and in no way conforms to their notion of a Low-Country Carolinian. In looks and in conduct Basil Rathbone has been the first choice in this section, with Frederick March and Ronald Colman running second and third ... Between eleven and twelve at night we get phone calls from people who have been arguing about the cast (and probably drinking about it too) since dinnertime.  They call us up in a fury to find out whether or not we like Gable and Shearer. John is patience itself and soothes indignant ladies who just can't bear Mr. Gable's dimples. He tells them that Mr. Selznick would dearly love to have a letter from them on the subject. I know Mr. Selznick must appreciate our urging people to write him.

When all was said and filmed, Mrs. John Mitchell agreed Gable played her Rhett perfectly, like the rest of us Windies out here do.