Marcy Jo's Mealhouse! Wow, this place is full of Southern charm and amazing down home cookin'. It's on route 431 in Tennessee, right where you'd pick up route 99.

Marcy Jo is full of humble pie and her food oozes love and perfection. On my most recent visit Marcy had packed a few goodies for the ice delivery man, as a treat. She graces her restaurant with a ladylike servant's heart, aiming to please.

I've never had better fried chicken. It's tender and juicy, packed with flavor and topped with a crispy crust that's not a bit greasy.

Anything I've ever eaten there makes me fell so good and cozy that I have to blink twice to see if my long gone grandmothers weren't sitting in the corner telling stories while peeling potatoes.

HHH

Once mid-May hits around here, you can count on it being HAZY, HOT, and HUMID for about four months. I love to walk. When the triple H's hit I am compelled to walk at dusk. I wish I could get up to walk in the morning. If I am desperate, I will walk in the afternoon, and doggone-it, NO ONE goes outside at that time.

Does anyone sit outside on their porch/deck furniture during the summer? Ever?

You'd think that more people would have pools, but who wants to do laps in a giant hot tub?

Maniacs

My husband, "Where would you like to go out to eat tonight? You want to try something new?"

My response, "Why risk it when you know what you get at Maniacs would be better than any other restaurant."

He doesn't hesitate.

Dear Myron, (the owner of Maniacs) you have figured it out! Put your passion for what you do into your menu and you have a winner!

The menu is limited, but in a good way. All the choices are amazing.

We usually get the salad with battered chicken tenders on top. It comes with an ample amount of mixed greens, tomatoes that taste like tomatoes, a bit of grated cheddar (this would be better if fresh grated), cuke slices, GREAT candied pecans, and light, delightfully crunchy chicken.

ALL the dressings and sauces are custom designed by Myron. When he talks of creating the sauces he sounds like a chemist obsessed with getting the best mix of elements.

Try any of the menu items and know that you are eating something that Myron has tested and tweaked to perfection. The egg rolls are a must!

McCreary's Pub

My husband and I lunched at McCreary's Pub in downtown Franklin, TN this week.

All in all the food was full of flavor. The portions were great for dieters. Accompanying my chicken pot pie was a side salad comprised of about ten greens and I think a quarter of a slice of cucumber. I should have asked for a doggy bag for the leftover dressing which was great.

My pot pie tasted of beer and cheese in the sauce that clothed the tender chicken and potatoes. YUM! But, for the price, the tiny crock seemed unfair.

My husband got the fish and chips. I snuck a few fries and methinks (this word sounds more English than Irish) that they were the best fries I ever had! The fish was superb.

A few children were at a table near us attended by a doting father, thus creating a homey atmosphere.

guardrails?

Where are the guardrails in Middle Tennessee? I understand that we need to have drainage here, but if you are going to dig a canyon 2 inches from the white lines where road shoulders should begin, please put up some guardrails! I freak out when someone else is driving and I am in the passenger seat. Sections of Granny White Pike near Radnor Lake are the worst I've seen. Maybe the white painted stripe is the only thing preventing a total cave in of the road. God forbid someone is texting, talking on the cell phone or even sipping lattes while driving on Granny White Pike. Who was Granny White anyway? Surely she must be concerned.