On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Dear Mike,Thank you for your very kind words about me.I lack confidence in myself, as I have told you before.And you are so warmly encouraging.You've nudged me into thinking that perhaps I can try my hand at writing,or rather, translating.
I didnt know about Faulkner's literary lawyer figure: I thought it referred to your profession added to your surname.:-)
Even if I am not able to read all the books with everyone here, I shall certainly lurk and enjoy the discussions.
Thank you again.

Sonali wrote: "Dear Mike,Thank you for your very kind words about me.I lack confidence in myself, as I have told you before.And you are so warmly encouraging.You've nudged me into thinking that perhaps I can try ..."

Dear Sonali,

You are as gracious as ever. I'm so very happy to have you here. Your writing tells me that you should try your hand at writing or translating.

Mike

This is not Southern, or even American for that matter, but I'd like to ask the group if anyone has read any Ford Madox Ford, in particular the tetrology, "Parades End". I don't know how Ford has eluded me in my reading, but there's a lovely paperback edition at the bookstore that seems to be calling my name.

Sonali wrote: "...You've nudged me into thinking that perhaps I can try my hand at writing, or rather, translating...."

That's interesting, Sonali! I've met many aspiring writings on GoodReads, but I think you are the first aspiring translator. I have done a bit of that myself from time to time (mostly from French to English). It's exacting and time-consuming work, but if done right, it can be a great window into different cultures. What kind of thing would you translate and what languages would you be working with?

Richard wrote: "Sonali wrote: "...You've nudged me into thinking that perhaps I can try my hand at writing, or rather, translating...."

That's interesting, Sonali! I've met many aspiring writings on GoodReads, ..."
Well Richard,since my mother tongue is Bengali and we have a very rich and vibrant literary scene, I was considering translating from Bengali to English.Of course a lot of very good, professional work is being done and published. As you know, India is multi-lingual. We know there are wonderful writers writing in their mother tongue in different parts of our country but we cant read or understand their writing because not only is the language different but also the script and the nuances.Anyway, what I am dreaming of attempting is more for personal pleasure than anything else.Some of my former students have done it too, especially poetry, which as you know is the most difficult of all.But I find that perhaps because it is a labour of love, their translations capture the spirit far better than more well-known,published writers....Do I sound very convoluted?

Sonali wrote: "Richard wrote: "Sonali wrote: "...You've nudged me into thinking that perhaps I can try my hand at writing, or rather, translating...."

That's interesting, Sonali! I've met many aspiring writings ..."

That sounds like a fascinating project. I know practically nothing about Bengali literature. As you no doubt know, most translators translate into their mother tongue from a second language. To translate from your own language into a second has its own challenges. (And, yes, I know that many Indians use English with great fluency, so it would be easier.)

I would think poetry would be very hard to translate, as you would have to think about how to reflect not only the meaning of the text but the form of the poem, rhythm, metaphors and symbolism that don't have exact analogues in the other language, etc. That would be enough to make anybody convoluted (but you were not)! :)

Thanks for the invite! I read works by Southern writers while in school, but have not read much more since then. I do, however, have To Kill A Mockingbird in my to-read stack on my nightstand. I look forward to all the discussions, and rediscovering authors I have not read in a long time. Oh, and do not worry if you are not from the South, we will get you saying Y’all instead of “you all” in no time!

Autumn wrote: "Oh, and do not worry if you are not from the South, we will get you saying Y’all instead of “you all” in no time!..."

LOL y'all!

Autumn wrote: "Thanks for the invite! I read works by Southern writers while in school, but have not read much more since then. I do, however, have To Kill A Mockingbird in my to-read stack on my nightstand. I lo..."

Autumn, Welcome to the group. I'm so glad that you've joined us. I apologize for being late in welcoming you. But, I'm happy to see my sidekick, Everitt, has wheeled out the welcome wagon.

It's been a busy day here. We've had some heavy thunderstorms passing through today. While we've been lucky here, others have not. Now the thunder is heavy, the lightning is crackling and the rain is heavy on the roof. So, it's a good night to be in with a good book with good folks to talk with about them. I hope you enjoy our adventures along the trail.

Kicking back here with A Confederacy of Dunces

Sincerely,
Mike Sullivan
"Lawyer Stevens"

Okay, alright already, Mike..i'm here

My name is Jude (and y'all can do that Beatles song nonsense whenever..)..i am 61 and live on my farm in SE Ohio

I've been reading since I was 4..but a lot of that was Crap

I discovered William Faulkner in the 6th grade andAbsalom, Absalom! knocked my stupid little socks off on the Language alone...i am still in awe of Uncle Will

I love Southern Gothic...like Carson McCullers and Flannery O'Connor is to die for...i mean it..if I could write one sentence as powerful as hers...i'd shoot myself and die happy

Daniel Woodrell and Barry Hannah and Harry Crews, anyone?

I don't usually do Group Reads because I have too many Galleys on my plate, for review...but, i'm a good lurker

;-}

Judith wrote: "Okay, alright already, Mike..i'm here

My name is Jude (and y'all can do that Beatles song nonsense whenever..)..i am 61 and live on my farm in SE Ohio

I've been reading since I was 4..but a lot o..."

Bless you Jude, for joining us. So glad to see Everitt has greeted you, as well. Galleys, eh? I'm intrigued. I'm a book collector, you know. Any spare signed copies you have, just send them my way. *laughing*

Lawyer Stevens,
Offspring of dear Uncle Bill

By "Galleys" i mean Net Galleys...and/or ARCs...whatever I request...and Authors/Publishers want to toss my way..it's fun..it's a big old Crap shoot

Sorry, no can share......;-(


I will try to get my reading down to "books on my shelves" sometime soon...but i never make promises i can't keep..i'm a "good girl" that way.....

oh, get me outta here, please

;-}

Judith wrote: "By "Galleys" i mean Net Galleys...and/or ARCs...whatever I request...and Authors/Publishers want to toss my way..it's fun..it's a big old Crap shoot

Sorry, no can share......;-(


I will try to ge..."

Now, Jude, you can't blame a bibliophile for trying. *laughing* And ARCs are GREAT! Don't even think about getting outta here. I'm too happy you're here!

My former wife worked for a book and magazine distributorship. One of the perks was bringing home ARCs, including First hardback printings.

One evening I asked anything interesting on the freebie table today?

"Nothing much. Just something about down hill skiing. I didn't think you'd care for it."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, something called 'Cold Mountain" by somebody named Frazier. Had a signed letter, too. Never heard of him."

I still cry over that one.

Lawyer Stevens

Judith wrote: "Okay, alright already, Mike..i'm here

My name is Jude (and y'all can do that Beatles song nonsense whenever..)..i am 61 and live on my farm in SE Ohio

I've been reading since I was 4..but a lot o..."

Judith, I read Body by Harry Crews many years ago and enjoyed it immensely. I'm not sure why I never read anything else. Would you mind guiding me with a suggestion?

I'm Mary. From Missouri.

I can't say as I was ever formally "introduced" to southern literature. I simply have an affinity for it. Some of my favorite southern authors:

Mark Twain (although, until I joined here today, I did not realize he was considered a southern author.)

Donald Harington

Clyde Edgerton

Charles Portis

Charles Frazier

Sharyn McCrumb (I assume Appalachia is southern)

Paulette Jiles

Shelby Foote

My favorite southern books (not all by these authors) are probably too numerous to mention. lol.

Hi, I'm Carmen. Kinda stumbled on this group. Being from Arkansas, I love Donald Harrington. Also like Daniel Woodrell. I know my book list is going to grow here.

Everitt wrote: "Mary wrote: "I'm Mary. From Missouri.

I can't say as I was ever formally "introduced" to southern literature. I simply have an affinity for it. Some of my favorite southern authors:

Mark Twain..."

Well, being from Missouri, we like to claim Mark Twain as ours. And we're firmly Midwesterners. lol. (Although I know there are southerners and even Missourians who will include Missouri as part of the south.)

Enemy Women was set in Missouri. The Color of Lightning and Stormy Weather were both set in Texas. That's all of her books that I've read; I'm not sure where she's actually from...

Hello, my name is Ryan Petty. I am a teacher in Texas and enjoy southern literature, whether it is about the south or written from a southern perspective. I am really into the history of the south to and enjoy Civil War reenacting as a hobby. I have written one historical fiction on the time period myself. I hope to get to know more about the group and all of you as in time. Thanks.

My goodness, what a pleasant surprise to see all the new faces. Although I'm not actively engaged in the practice of law for the past several months, there are days when my help is called for and today was one of those. So, let's see, Everitt, you've done marvelously well inviting our new members, but let me add my welcome, too. A hearty welcome to Sarah, Mary, Carmen and Ryan! It's a pleasure to have each of you with us. And now, it's off to check the nominations for our April read. Let's see what we have to choose from...

Hi,
My name is Leonore. I am new to online discussion groups and am not sure I have the process down. I am a transplanted California and have been living in East Tennessee for going on 13 years, longer than I have lived anywhere else. I am not very familiar with Southern writers (I am not sure what/ who constitutes "Southern," a question hotly debated in the field from which I recently retired, criminology, in its search for the the southern culture of violence). Definitions aside, I look forward to reading new works and learning from you all.

Everitt - I've done and am doing some work in Austin. I hear it's nice down there.

Leonore wrote: "Hi,
My name is Leonore. I am new to online discussion groups and am not sure I have the process down. I am a transplanted California and have been living in East Tennessee for going on 13 years, l..."

Good morning Leonore,

Welcome to the group! Ah, a background in criminology. I'm a former career prosecutor. We must swap "war" stories at some point. The aspect of violence in the South is a pervasive one, sometimes earned, sometimes not. I must say, having spoken with prosecutors across the country that violence is something that has developed a homogeneous quality nationwide. Jeffrey Dahmer rings a bell as an example. However, I'd be fascinated in knowing more about your work.

Lawyer Stevens

Hello! I am pleased to be a part of this online group. I live right in the heart of the South in Alabama. I am an elementary teacher and avid reader. I have escaped into books for as long as I can remember. Like many, I fell in love with Mark Twain's writings at an early age because they were "relateable." I read all genres, but still love a good southern story!

Hi, I'm Maria and from England. I have always been interested in th Southern part of the USA, the customs, traditions and unique culture and etiquette. I read Harper Lee's to 'Kill a Mocking Bird' and Mark Twain books at school andI am a great fan of Tennessee Williams plays. I don't know many southern authors but would like to learn and read any reccommendations you southern experts can give me. I have visted Missouri, the two Virginias, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and I found the people really friendly and lovely.

I also watched a very good BBC documentary series on the Deep South and how it influenced cinema and literature which was very interesting.Looking forward to reading this group.
Thanks

Dear Misty,

Welcome to the group! I especially enjoy your comment about escaping into books. That's certainly been true for me.

"The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll get me a book I ain't read."
Abraham Lincoln

Lawyer Stevens

Maria wrote: "Hi, I'm Maria and from England. I have always been interested in th Southern part of the USA, the customs, traditions and unique culture and etiquette. I read Harper Lee's to 'Kill a Mocking Bird' ..."

Dear Maria,

Welcome to the group. There's a whole world to discover here. I hope that you will find much to enjoy. Southern literature is a genre consisting of many voices, sometimes in complete harmony, and at others, producing a discordant cacophony of lyrics we'd much rather re-write. It is the very variety of those unique voices that have kept my love of southern literature alive from childhood to approaching that status of senior citizen. *smile*

Lawyer Stevens

Hi everyone. I am Alice and I became interested in southern literature after reading Faulkner in my English class this year. He is a bit difficult to read, but I thought I shouldn't give up and try other writers. So here I am! :)
P.S. Lots of thanks to Mike for such a warm welcome!

Hello, people. I'm disappointed I discovered this group after you started Confederacy of Dunces, as it's one I've been meaning to read for a while. I'll jump in on the next one.

As for my Southern tastes, I'm a fan of Cormac McCarthy, Mark Twain, William Faulkner. And I always feel like I've read more Southern literature than I actually have, so I'm hoping change that with you guys.

Welcome Christopher,

I just messaged you, welcoming you to the group. I should have stopped by here before catching yours and Amanda's comments regarding Cormac McCarthy.

You'll find a discussion of McCarthy here among the topics. I regard McCarthy rather a literary chameleon, deliberately transforming himself from genre to genre as his life experience increases.

And, it's never to late to pick up with A Confederacy of Dunces. Be sure to visit the poll containing nominations for April's read. You'll find The Orchard Keeper among the nominations. I'm going to drop by there next to see how the voting is progressing.

Lawyer Stevens

Alice wrote: "Hi everyone. I am Alice and I became interested in southern literature after reading Faulkner in my English class this year. He is a bit difficult to read, but I thought I shouldn't give up and try..."

Alice, you're most welcome for the welcome. *laughing* I'm glad to have you with us. You certainly had a real introduction reading Faulkner for class. Yes, he can certainly be challenging. But the more you read of his works, the more accessible he becomes. I'd be interested to know what your introduction to Faulkner was. I'm often amazed to find that students are now dropped into The Sound and the Fury, which is quite challenging. At other times, I find As I Lay Dying, the first Faulkner read. And, of course, I can remember, oh, too many years ago, being introduced at school to Faulkner with his short story "A Rose For Emily."

A trick to reading Faulkner, especially the more challenging ones, is to read the book aloud. You find yourself falling into the rhythm of Faulkner's language. All of a sudden, things begin to fall into place.

But here, you'll have the opportunity to become familiar with a myriad of voices of absolutely amazing authors whose voices will linger long in your memory.

Again, Welcome!

Lawyer Stevens

Misty wrote: "Hello! I am pleased to be a part of this online group. I live right in the heart of the South in Alabama. I am an elementary teacher and avid reader. I have escaped into books for as long as I can ..."

Hi, Misty! There are several of us from Alabama, myself included. I was an elementary school teacher, and then an elementary school librarian. Welcome to the group.

Greetings all, from lovely Huntsville, Alabama, home of the U.S. Space Program (despite what they might say in Texas and Florida.) ;^)

I'm here because there is a giant, Southern-lit-sized hole in my reading repertoire; honey, why would I read about it while I was livin' it! Southern literature is just depressing as all get out.

The last Southern author that I read that didn't have "genre" attached to the fiction label was Bailey White, and I think she is a hoot. I've read Faulkner and "Gone with the Wind" and a few others. And I think "To Kill a Mockingbird" is the quintessential southern (white) novel. I've also read Alice Walker and Toni Morrison (and I think "Song of Solomon" is the quintessential southern [black] novel).

But I'm looking forward to filling the gaps!

Thanks Everitt!

Do I need to break out the German? ;^)

Everitt wrote: "Welcome Jessie.

I'll grant you 'Rocket City USA' but as a Texan I'd remind you the first words spoken on the moon were to.... um, what was it? I forgot what the name of the city they radioed was....."

Jessie wrote: "Greetings all, from lovely Huntsville, Alabama, home of the U.S. Space Program (despite what they might say in Texas and Florida.) ;^)

I'm here because there is a giant, Southern-lit-sized hole in..."
Welcome to the group, Jessie! I've strong ties to Huntsville. And, yes it was the original Space Center before it was moved to Houston. I often visited there as a child where my Uncle worked for the program, originally under the aegis of the United State's Army. Fortunately, when most personnel moved to Houston, my Uncle was allowed to remain in Huntsville. I grew up listening to static firings of tremendous rocket engines. There was nothing between my Aunt and Uncle's home but flat land. The static firings would rattle the dishes in the cupboards. At Gate 9 of the old Arsenal, I still remember German V-1s and V-2s on prominent display. I still return to Huntsville as often as possible, but spending most of my time on top of Monte Sano walking the trails up there. The view is magnificent.

I hope you find much to interest you here.

Sincerely,
Lawyer Stevens

Thank you, Lawyer Stevens!

MSFC and MICOM are alive and well at the Arsenal, so we still get those cupboard rattlers now and then. I was on a field trip with a group of elementary students not too long ago, and even they could distinguish thunder from a missile test. Kind of frightening, if you think about it too hard.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/...

Larry wrote: "My name is Larry Bassett and I live in Lynchburg, VA. I have lived here about 8 years but was born and lived my first 30 years in Michigan. I have been trying to become more familiar with southern ..."

And, my name is KJ. I live in Orlando. I have lived here most of my life, but did spend 4 years in college in Lynchburg, Va. Larry and I met through the old book-swap (gosh, I miss that!) and discovered we had an 80+ book compatibility rating.

I've lived in the South my whole-entire-life and yet I haven't really read any classic Southern Literature. I suppose being a Politics/Latin American studies major in college steered me further south. When I look back over my most-read authors list I find southern writers like:

John Grisham
Jan Karon
Anne George
Anne Rivers Siddons
Pat Conroy

Yes, all Southern, but none of them very classic. So, I'm here to step up to the microphone and say "I'm KJ, and I read Southern trash."

Help!!!

I won't make fun of you for liking Southern Trash if you won't make fun of me for not liking Faulkner all that much. Or at all. lol.

I like Lee Smith's older stuff a lot.

KJ wrote: "Larry wrote: "My name is Larry Bassett and I live in Lynchburg, VA. I have lived here about 8 years but was born and lived my first 30 years in Michigan. I have been trying to become more familiar ..."

Absolutely delightful, KJ! You know, it's not essential to read only serious books all the time. Books DO entertain, too! I love the fact that you and Larry met in a book exchange.

As for trash, remember Faulkner's advice,

“Read, read, read. Read everything -- trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it."

You'll find plenty of guilty pleasures on my shelves. All work makes Jack and Jill dull folk. GRIN

WELCOME!

Lawyer Stevens

Mary wrote: "I won't make fun of you for liking Southern Trash if you won't make fun of me for not liking Faulkner all that much. Or at all. lol."

Mary, we'll work on your Faulkner phobia. *laughing* Seriously, the longer Faulkner wrote, the more accessible his works became. And that was when the critics began swiping at him that he had lowered the bar for himself.

So good to have you here.

Lawyer Stevens

Lawyer Stevens

Mary wrote: "I like Lee Smith's older stuff a lot."

Lee Smith was formerly married to poet James Seay when he was writer in residence at the University of Alabama. During that time Tuscaloosa celebrated its Sesquicentennial. She was working for the Tuscaloosa News at the time. Out of her Tuscaloosa experience came Fancy Strut which was a hoot and a half. The citizens of Tuscaloosa were flipping the pages of that book identifying one another. It was a hoot and a half.

Lawyer Stevens

Bennet wrote: "Hey y'all. I'm delighted to be here and look forward to following the posts and contributing what I can, though concerning Faulkner I'm apt to rankle as almost everything about the man gets on my l..."

Welcome to the group, Bennet! I can just see you on Birmingham's Southside. It truly is a wonderful place with a grand mix of people, shops, and restaurants. Charlemagne's Record exchange was one of my favorite spots to visit.

Again, Welcome!
Lawyer Stevens

Jessie wrote: "Thank you, Lawyer Stevens!

MSFC and MICOM are alive and well at the Arsenal, so we still get those cupboard rattlers now and then. I was on a field trip with a group of elementary students not ..."

Do you ever have Big Bob Gibson's BBQ chicken with white BBQ sauce? Or the lemon icebox pie? Or have breakfast at Martin's? If so, please lift a cup of coffee in my direction approximately 125 miles SW of you. *grin*

Lawyer Stevens

Well Mike, one day I too hope to have the honour of listening to you.You write so wonderfully, its almost as if I can hear you speaking it( though I have to make up the voice, accent and intonation:-))
We celebrated Holi today- the Festival of Colours , to welcome the arrival of Spring.So I wish everyone here a very Happy Holi.

I can only tell that it's very coloful. :D
And it sounds amazing, so I go with Everitts request.

Sonali wrote: "Well Mike, one day I too hope to have the honour of listening to you.You write so wonderfully, its almost as if I can hear you speaking it( though I have to make up the voice, accent and intonation..."


Dear Sonali, I hope it has been a very special day for you, indeed.

Mike

Peter wrote: "Hidy. So pleased I found this group. My name is Peter Drake and I'm finally learning my way around goodreads. I'm a fan of the novel and not too much else, reading-wise. I love the set-a-spell ..."

Peter, Welcome to the group. Feel free to consider this a very large front porch with plenty of rocking chairs. This is a place for enjoying the art of storytelling and the appreciation of it. As was said in the old days, "I'll keep the latch string out and the dogs tied up." Pull up a chair and set a spell.

Lawyer Stevens

Hey Y'all! To Mike and Everyone else in this wonderful Southern Lit. Loving Group! I am so glad I am allowed to join in with this group of lovers of my favorite genre to enjoy! I come by reading this type of literature quite easily beause I live and breathe in Oxford, MS, the Great Home of William Faulkner and many other famous writers,at least several I know on a personal basis and several I have been taught by at Ole Miss. I have two degrees from Ole Miss, and I have been a Secondary English Teacher for the past 14 years until budget cuts hurt me two years ago and I have pursued other means of teaching without regular pay and I attend Graduate school on and off now in the Fine Arts in English Department on Campus again now as funds allow. I LOVE SOUTHERN LITERATURE!!!! William Ferris was the man to prepare the first Volume of The Encyclopedia of Southern Culture and then he was one of the main instigators to get the only degree program started at The University of Missisippi in Southern Studies. It is now a very successful program. The latest version of The Encyclopedia of Southern Culture was helped along by a friend of mine named Neil White, who is an accomplished writer, playwrite, and publisher in his own right. We are getting ready to celebrate the 50th aniversary of Willliam Faulkner's death in Oxford, MS. We have many activities planned to celebrate his brlliance as a writer and as a lovely neighbor well remembered still by many. His neice, Dean Faulkner Wells, just completed Every Day by the Sun A memoir of the Faulkners of Mississippi. It was put out in stores a little over a month before she died on July 27, 2011. I puchased the book on the day of her funeral July 29, 2011 and went to her Pappy's grave that night to share a glass of wine in her memory with his memory. She was a beautiful person and her Pappy took care of her just as she was his very own daughter all of his life. It was a sad time for me and many, because she was the last Faulkner that was left actually living here in town. The book was perfectly written and allowed me to see William Faulkner and his large family in a way I had felt was true. Now my feeling were proven in the stories that Deanie told so honestly leaving out no details. Secrets I had been told since I was a child unfolded into tearful sincere personal feelings I had about Oxford, William Faulkner and surrounding historical events. I suggest this book to anyone who loves to read Faulkner. The last book I read was about a writer from a small town about 12 miles out of Oxford, called Tula, MS. This is the town where my Mom and other maternal relatives were born and raised. I spent most of my summers in Tula wallking barefoot in those rural country backroads visiting my MawMaw. So, I knew this author very well, even though he was many years older. He was my Ain't Leona's son, Larry Brown. Larry died too soon at the age of 53. He was probably best known for his collection of short stories Facing the Music, Novels: Dirty Work, Joe, Fay and then my favorite short stories : Billy Rae's Farm. He wrote more and taught writing even though he was a self-made writer. He was considered among the greats of Clyde Edgerton, Flannery O'Conner, Harry Crews, And Cormac McCarthy. Some clasified Larry as a Southern Grit writer. I just considered him good. I just finished his biography written by Jean W.Cash. Living in this environment is a Southern Literature Paradise. We have writer's from all over the South visit and read at one of the best book stores, Square Books. The cultural events include not just readings, but art, music, and festivals all around. I am very lucky. But, I still want to read more Southern Lit. I still feel there is more out there I have not had the pleasure to read. Oxford, MS does not own it all!!!I know also there are people in this reading group that I can learn from. I don't have a Masters degree. I only have a love for reading. I know there are people in this group who can broaden my mind and engage me and others in fantastic dicussions. That is what I look forward too most of all. sincerely, Dawn Copley-Lindsey

Dawn wrote: "Hey Y'all! To Mike and Everyone else in this wonderful Southern Lit. Loving Group! I am so glad I am allowed to join in with this group of lovers of my favorite genre to enjoy! I come by reading th..."

Goodness, I think I have found my long lost fraternal twin. Obviously we can't be identical. It's a very special pleasure to welcome you to the group and I'm sure you will have much to contribute here. I very much look forward to some interesting posts from you.

I was in Oxford from February 5 through the 8th. I took my usual pilgrimage to Rowan Oak, haunted Square Books, dined at the Ajax Diner, visited the Center for Southern Culture, and spent a number of hours in the library, especially the Faulkner Room. I also paid my respects at the James Meredith Monument for a considerable time. This year I'll be attending the Fifty Years After Faulkner Conference, not only as a participant, but a student. Ah, a dormitory room for only $35.00 a day if I supply my own linens. Yes. Worth every penny. Again, welcome. When I visit, I'll treat you to Mama's Meatloaf at the Ajax Diner. *Grin*

Mike
Lawyer Stevens