I checked out and read my first e-books from the Memphis Public Libraries’ online collection yesterday: A Brief History of Memphis by G. Wayne Dowdy. A good read, and it was indeed brief: I finished it in a few hours. I could keep the book checked out for 21 days but returned it early in case someone else (maybe one of you?) wanted to read it.
On this day in Memphis history: Bluesman Furry Lewis collapsed while performing at a gig at the Cotton Pickin’ Music and Crafts Jubilee. Furry was 84 at the time and would live another four years. This tidbit came from another Dowdy book I checked out, On This Day in Memphis History.
I also checked out a book on digital marketing so I could brush up in case a company where I applied for a job calls me for an interview this week.
And, one more: I checked out Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski. Normally I’m not big into fiction, but people have told me I’d like Bukowski’s work.
Happy Memorial Day! Today is also the day that is considered the anniversary of the end of the Middle Ages. On May 29, 1453, the Ottoman Empire captured the city of Constantinople, the capital and last stronghold of the Byzantines. The city is known in modern times as Istanbul, Turkey.
Three Memphis restaurants made AllTrails’ list of the 14 best BBQ restaurants in the U.S.: The Bar-B-Q Shop, Central BBQ, and the Rendezvous.
The DM has an article about Discover Memphis Naturally, an organization that links folks up to local outdoor fitness classes and activities. I just gave them a follow on Facebook and Insta.
The American Contract Bridge League, the nonprofit that sanctions the card game duplicate contract bridge, has a new executive director. I don’t play bridge myself, but that Horn Lake-based organization is near and dear to my heart because I worked in the marketing and IT departments there from 2009 to 2018. The COVID pandemic caused their membership to decline because no one could safely play face-to-face bridge at a club or tournament for about a year. I hope they claw their way back with flying colors.
All MATA rides are discounted to 25 cents today due to poor air quality. I believe that includes trolleys.
There’s a chance Penny will land Carmelo Anthony’s son Kiyan in the U of M men’s basketball incoming class of ’25.
That’s it for now. Slow news day, short post, kind of what I expected.