Happy 2018 world! I hope that your year is off to a good start and that you are feeling refreshed after the excitement of holiday festivities.
Philly is still blanketed in snow and I am happily ensconced in the warmth of our home. I am thinking back to my favorite things that took place in December from decorating for the holidays, hosting Christmas dinner for family, spending time with friends, and visiting Memphis for the first time.
Here are some impressions:
The airport was small and the presence of FedEx as a major player in the city’s economy was hard to miss. There was a multitude of FedEx planes that can be spied from a distance as we were leaving the airport en route to my hotel a few blocks from Beale Street which is well known for restaurants and clubs that play the blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll.
There is more to Memphis than Elvis Presley but a visit to Graceland is still a must. By doing so, I gained a better appreciation for who he was (his generosity was legendary), his impact to music, and his place in American culture.
Another must-do is a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum where you can find a collection of exhibits powerfully narrating the civil rights movement from the 17th century to the present. The mood, almost 50 years later to the day Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated, continues to be somber as I stood in front of the Lorraine Motel.
On my last day, I could not resist waiting for the 11:00 am duck parade at the Peabody Hotel. The festively decorated lobby was full of children eagerly waiting for the ducks to descend from the penthouse and make their way to the fountain and of music from the children’s choir performing by one of the massive Christmas trees. 
Memphis is a small city with a seemingly big heart. The people were friendly and laid back. It was easy to navigate, the city highlights within walking distance of each other, and street art along the way to feast one’s eyes on.
