what to do – Honey it's Thursday

By Sarah Hughes

Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.

As temperatures rise and blossoms cycle through their hues, it would appear Tenn. has entered the Spring season. One way to enjoy it is to visit the Cheekwood Estate and Gardens.

Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of an iris flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a columbine flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a large tulip flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a daffodil flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tulip flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of tulip flower around a tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.

Located at 1200 Forrest Park Drive in Nashville, Tenn. Cheekwood draws residents, members and travelers alike. With 55-acres of botanical gardens there is plenty of space for social distancing in accordance with safety protocols listed in their entirety on Cheekwood’s website.

Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a fern at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a leaf at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a fern at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.

“Cheekwood, in accordance with CDC guidance, recommends individuals stay 6′ apart and travel in groups no larger than 10. All visitors are required to wear cloth face coverings when entering buildings including the Historic Mansion & Museum, Botanic Hall, and the Frist Learning Center. Cloth face coverings are strongly recommended in outdoor areas except when maintaining a physical distance of at least 6’ from other visitors,” says https://cheekwood.org/knowbeforeyougo_covid19/

Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tree label at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a flowering tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a flowering tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a landscape at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tree in a maze at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.

Cheekwood features year round activities. Arbor Day, on Apr. 30, 2021 can be celebrated with a walk and an arboretum map available online and from Visitor services.

“The Arboretum at Cheekwood includes well over 2,100 trees, curated to serve Cheekwood’s mission as a collecting institution and offer the community enjoyment and education. Cheekwood has documented 1,267 deciduous trees; 576 evergreens; 16 deciduous conifers; and 238 dogwoods,” says https://cheekwood.org/calendar/arbor-day/

“Our arboretum map, available online and from Visitor Services, presents at least 120 distinct species and cultivated varieties of trees to guide an exploration of the campus canopy.”

Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a flowering dogwood tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a flowering dogwood tree label at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.

Their website blog even has tips for caring for Dogwood Trees, available at https://cheekwood.org/dogwood-tips/

Although Bloom Season for Cheekwood is officially Mar. 6 – Apr. 11, 2021 and National Gardening Day Apr. 14, 2021 there is still a great deal to see at Cheekwood in the lushness of warm months. The grounds are an excellent inspiration for the hobby gardener featuring different gardens every month. Summertime also promises seasonal festivities and beautiful scenes.

Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a card table at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a dining room at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of ceramic dishware at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a painting at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of patio room at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a card table at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of study at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of study at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a dining room at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a painting at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of patio room at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of entry at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of entry at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.

Tickets have the option to be purchased for just the grounds or to include the art museum located in the mansion of the historic Cheek estate. The building houses historically furnished rooms, paintings and permanent collection pieces.

“Originally built as the home of Leslie and Mabel Cheek in 1929, Cheekwood is one of the finest examples of an American Country Place Era estate,” says the Cheekwood website.

Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of wooden play structure at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of ornamental structure at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of landscape at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of turtle fountain at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of swan pool at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of pond with sculptures at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.

If planning a visit, it is best to reserve a time. Ticket and membership options are available through the museums website at https://cheekwood.org/buy-tickets/

By Sarah Hughes

You went to Wasteland Weekend, you loved it and now you’re wishing there were more apocalyptic activities to do during the rest of the year. Here are a few ideas!

skirt, elbow pads, tank top — In imaging a dark future, clothes can be destroyed, rather than created carefully. Photo by Sarah Hughes

Go to War-Mart, a car show or a Jugger game – The consensus seems to be it’s a bit of a drive for some, but fun if you make a day of it.

“SAVE THE DATE!” says Wasteland Weekend’s Facebook page, “The first ever Wasteland car show! Sat. May 21st, 2016 in Torrance, CA.” More details coming soon.

Host a themed dinner – Just pick something garish for the main course. Mmm…Goat heart!

Ryan Berry, known as Grav in the desert, is a San Diego Local leather worker who sometimes hosts fundraiser dinners. He says of an apocalyptic pig BBQ he hosted, “I choose to go with a Wasteland theme because it is my favorite theme. From short films to games to movies to stories, I like the wasteland and the themes it allows you to play with.”

Watch a dystopian movie – Netflix and chill? See our reviews. Some cult classics include Mad Max (1979) and Death Race 2000 (1975).

Check out the online fandom – whether it be Fan Fic, How-to Videos or the Gallery on an apocalyptic website.

Nuclear Snail Studios on YouTube has how-to videos that will make you doubt the quality of your distressing skills, while also revealing some top-notch tips. Watch this video: https://youtu.be/4pmVEvLuvEU

Work on an outfit or an accessory – Invite your friends and make a day of it! Start with a base from something torn you have laying around or a thrift store piece. Wastelanding is one type of crafting that can be inexpensive.

Hit up a Goth club in your distressed gear – Sabbat in San Diego is quite fun!

“Join us every 2nd, 4th and 5th Saturdays at Numb3rs, 3811 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92103” says clubsabbat.net.

Buy your tickets early! – They’re cheaper that way. Wasteland Weekend 2016 is Sept. 22 through 25.

“Tickets for Wasteland Weekend 2016 will go on sale on Saturday, March 12th, at 9am Pacific Time” says wastelandweekend.com. “There will be a limited number of discounted early bird tickets available at $85. Once those are sold out, tickets will be available at their full price of $135”

Plan a photo shoot – either behind the camera or in front of. A little vanity never hurt anyone except maybe Pavi from Repo: The Genetic Opera.

Attend a convention – Comic Con in leather!

Join a Meetup – Read apocalyptic books, dress up like zombies or just find people with similar interests.

Attend a costumed premier – Mad Max: Fury Road was a blast for this!

Pick a day of another festival to go with a group in gear – This way your friends can look more scary.

Go camping with a few Wasteland-minded friends – Dress silly and have a ton of fun, in a more intimate gathering than a large event.

Post on social media about your grungy habit – you may find you have friends who love it too.

Write an article – Submit it here!

May these ideas sustain and inspire you to creatively destroy in your quest to re-imagine the Waste before you.

Tag: what to do

How to get your apocalyptic fix