The last of the afternoon sun made golden streaks of light across the kitchen table. I sat quietly, absorbing the essence of a weekend well lived. The steam rose from my cup of tea and the delightful aromas of chamomile and lavender intermingled with that of the fresh cut flowers that adorned my kitchen table. My faithful pup, Gracie lie sleeping on the rug beneath my feet. It had been a busy weekend and she was ready for a nap.

For many years I have wanted to visit the International Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro, North Carolina. It is housed in the former Woolworth’s, which was the site of the famous February 1, 1960 lunch counter sit-in. The store closed in January of 1994. In the 1990s I worked on Elm Street, just blocks from the then-vacant Woolworth’s. At that time, Elm Street had many vacant shops, but this building always captured my attention. The store, which opened in 1929, was designed by Charles Hartmann. The building design combined Art Deco and classical elements.