Miss Lily

One fine day, a lady named Miss Lily decided to vacation from her everyday life in the bustling city to the picturesque town of Pensacola.

Chapter 1 - Hamster Wheel

Miss Lily, also known as Lily Ann to her close friends and family (and L.A. to her grandfather PopPop), is a charming woman with a friendly and welcoming demeanor. Born and raised in a tiny burg in South Georgia, she is tall and slender, with a cultivated and elegant bearing often overshadowed by her clumsiness. Despite her best efforts, Miss Lily can't seem to shake her inner ballerina - as a young child, she dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina. Still, unfortunately, she was constantly tripping over her own feet. Despite her lack of grace, Miss Lily invariably initiates a conversation with just about anybody. She has long, curly hair in an updo, with a few stray tendrils framing her face and bright blue eyes that sparkle with mischief. Her warm smile is a beacon that lights up a room and she is known for her love of bright colors and bold patterns, flowing sundresses, and wide-brimmed hats. Despite her refined appearance, Miss Lily is down-to-earth and approachable. So, if you see her stumbling around, don't be afraid to lend a hand - she'll be grateful for the assistance, and you'll have the chance to make a new friend!

A bit of a control freak, Miss Lily has a schedule tighter than a drum and more responsibilities than a superhero. Despite saving the world (or at least her little corner of it), she often feels like she's about to snap. Her career is a demanding taskmaster, doing her work longer hours and sacrificing her social life like a goat to a volcano god. She is so focused on achieving her goals that she's left her loved ones feeling like they've been benched. As a result, Miss Lily's relationships with her friends and family suffer.

Despite her hard work and dedication, Miss Lily sometimes felt like she was running on a hamster wheel, never really getting anywhere. She was tired of the constant stress and pressure and longed for a change of pace. One morning, Miss Lily arrived at work feeling particularly stressed, exhausted, and burnt out. The moment she sat down at her desk, she received an email from her new superior (sometimes known as "Boss-Zilla" or "BZ"), requesting a meeting in her office. Miss Lily's stomach flapped as she trudged to her supervisor's office, knowing it would likely be a difficult conversation.

As Miss Lily approached BZ's office, she stumbled and tripped over her feet, crashing into the door with a loud thud. When she entered her superior's office, she found her waiting with a stern expression. The atmosphere was tense, and emotions quickly began to boil over on either side. BZ started criticizing her work performance and behavior, and Miss Lily got defensive and upset. As the conversation continued, the exchanges became more and more heated. BZ raised her voice and confronted her about her lack of commitment and dedication to the company. Feeling overwhelmed and misunderstood, Miss Lily fired back with her frustrations and emotions.

The confrontation was a difficult and unpleasant experience for both of them. It left Miss Lily feeling stressed and burnt out. Her current situation was not sustainable. "Something has to change," she thought.

Chapter 2 - MTR Cottage

While sitting down at a cafeteria, Miss Lily was captivated by the two professionally attired women chatting at the table next to her. They were gabbing about their recent adventure in Pensacola and raving about a historic cottage they had stayed in. Miss Lily couldn't help but eavesdrop as they described the place in vivid detail. It was a true gem in Seville Square Historic District, with original hardwood floors, a cozy fireplace, and beautiful gardens surrounding a charming fountain in the courtyard. While returning her tray to the counter, she stumbled and doinked one of them with her tray, spilling her drink all over her. Miss Lily profusely apologized and offered to pay for the woman's dry cleaning, but she looked at her with a crinkled nose like she had smelled a messy diaper.

Determined to find this cottage, she scoured the listings and was immediately drawn in after reading this description of the

MTR Cottage

In downtown Pensacola, a historic delight
A one bedroom, one bath cottage in sight
Open living, dining, and kitchen with flair
Decorative fireplace and outdoor gardens, oh so rare

Furnishings modern, with a touch of antique too
High-speed WiFi and outlets, what will you do?
Robust cable channels, so much to see
Complete kitchen, coffee station, and quality drinking water, oh gee

Firm memory foam mattress, luggage racks to boot
Egyptian cotton bed linens, Turkish towels to suit
Outdoor sitting areas, front and back porch
Wireless LED lamps, no need for a torch
Street parking only, and it's free
This short term rental is perfect come see.

"This must be the place!" Miss Lily exclaimed to herself as she read the description. Excited at the prospect of staying in such a charming and historic property, she quickly packed her belongings and set off for the Seville Square Historic District in Pensacola.

Chapter 3 - V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

Miss Lilly arrived in Pensacola and made her way to the cottage, and just as the two women in the restaurant noted, it was nestled in the heart of the historic district. However, It was more incredible than she had imagined. The adjacent neighborhood's charming architecture and the beautiful gardens surrounding the cottage took her breath away. As she walked through the front gate, she couldn't help but feel connected and a sense of magic in the air.

Upon reachingt the cottage, Miss Lily greeted the owner as he walked up the brick walkway. Mr. Humblebee is a genial chap in his golden years. He's got a head of thin silver hair, a grin that could light up a room and is as warm as a flannel shirt fresh out of the dryer. He gave her a grand tour of the property, showing her the open living and dining areas, the fully equipped kitchen and the cozy bedroom with a queen-size memory foam mattress, which he boasts will "mold to your body like play-dough". The Mary Turner Rule Cottage, or MTR Cottage for short, is a charming Pre-Civil War-era building that exudes old-world personality. On the walls are newspaper stories showcasing Mary Turner Rule's accomplishments as a true preservationist and advocate for the Seville Historic District in Pensacola.

Miss Lily made herself at home in the cozy cottage. When she stepped onto the back porch- the lush cottage garden was a sight to behold. The brick courtyard in the center of the grounds is home to a stunning three-tier cast iron heron fountain that bubbled and splashed soothingly in the sunshine. A winding brick path led through the garden, past a beautiful wisteria tree that spilled its fragrant purple blooms over a wooden fence. In one corner of the courtyard, a corten steel dog sculpture stood guard over the garden, its sleek metal form seeming to come to life in the dappled sunlight. A tiny shed stood beside the courtyard, its quaint windows and doors adding a touch of whimsy and delight to the garden. A pair of rocking chairs sat on the back porch, inviting visitors to sit and relax in the warm sunshine. And scattered throughout the garden, Seville orange trees provided a burst of zesty flavor to beverages, their sour-tasting fruit a perfect complement to the sweet scents and sights of the garden. All in all, the beautiful cottage green space was a true oasis of peace and beauty, a haven that Miss Lily was sure to return to again and again. It was then that she decided to spend her days exploring the historic district, taking long walks through the neighborhood and parks. After a long day of exploring, Miss Lily loved nothing more than kicking back on the porch with a good book and a good pour of red wine.

The days passed quickly. When Miss Lily returned to the cottage from town on her final day, she couldn't help but feel a bit glum. She loved her time in the charming place and knew she would miss it dearly. She strolled through the cottage gardens, like a painting coming to life with highlights of pink and gold from the setting sun, and was reminded of all the quirky and wonderful things she had experienced during her stay. She had made new friends like the guy who kept trying to sell her a faux gator-skin purse, explored a charming town, and found a feeling of wonderment like a kid in a candy store. And so, with a Mona Lisa smile and a catchy tune in her heart, Miss Lily returned home with a suitcase full of memories and a heart full of joy. She knew she would always cherish her time at the Seville Square Historic District cottage and couldn't wait to return someday for another adventure or maybe to check if those knock-off gator-skin purses were still being pushed on unsuspecting tourists.

As Miss Lily settled back into her mundane existence, she couldn't help but daydream about her vacation and all her fun times. She couldn't stop talking about her escapades to her friends and family, to the point where they probably wished they had gone on vacation with their mom instead. She couldn't shake the feeling of happiness and relaxation that wrapped her during her time at MTR Cottage. She realized she had found a hidden treasure and couldn't wait to unearth it all over again.

Chapter 4 - Home Again

In no time, Miss Lily was back at the MTR Cottage in the Seville Square neighborhood for another round of adventure. She was home again and was greeted with open arms and a big smile by Mr. Humblebee, who showed her all the renovations and updates he had made to the property since her last visit. It was clear he anticipated her comeback with a certain air of mystery and excitement, like a magician waiting to unveil his next trick.

Miss Lily continued to explore all the charming town of Pensacola had to offer, like a passionate romantic searching for a long-lost hidden love.

She visited the Saenger Theater, a grand old movie palace that had been beautifully restored and was now home to all sorts of performances, from concerts to plays to movies. 

Miss Lily also spent a delightful afternoon at the Pensacola Museum of History, learning all about the rich history of the area and the many fascinating people who had called it home over the years. She even took a trip back in time at the Pensacola Historic Village, a collection of restored homes and buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. As she walked through the village, she couldn't help but feel like she was experiencing a little bit of what life was like in those days. 

Miss Lily, an avid fan of the arts, was thrilled to discover that the small town of Pensacola had a thriving arts scene, like a desert oasis. She attended a symphony performance at the Pensacola Symphony, was mesmerized by the grace and beauty of the dancers at the Pensacola Ballet, and was moved by the powerful voices of the performers at the Pensacola Opera.

Miss Lily had always loved music and had learned to play the piano when she was younger. So when she heard about Lili Marlene's, a restaurant in Seville Quarter that had a grand piano for anyone to play, she knew she had to check it out. As she walked through the doors of Lili Marlene's, Miss Lily was immediately struck by the old-world charm of the room. It was decorated with vintage posters and paintings, and the soft glow of the lamps gave the room a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Miss Lily made her way over to the grand piano and sat down on the bench. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the memories of her childhood piano lessons wash over her. Then, with a deep breath, she began to play. The music flowed from her fingers, filling the room with a rich, melodic sound. Miss Lily played song after song, lost in the music and the memories. As she played, Miss Lily noticed two sisters, Rosa and Crisanta, who had stopped to listen. They were both entranced by the music, and Miss Lily couldn't help but smile at their reactions. When she finished playing, the sisters approached her and introduced themselves. Miss Lily was delighted to meet such friendly and charming women, and she knew that they would all be fast friends. They spent the rest of the evening chatting and laughing, and she knew that she had made two wonderful new friends. It had been a charmed day filled with music and new friendships, and she knew she would always cherish it.

In the evenings, Miss Lily liked to wander through Seville Square, a beautiful park in the heart of the historic district. She loves to sit on a grassy area - watch the world go by and listen to the serenade from a vibrant cardinal attended by an alabaster rabbit. Miss Lily couldn't contain her excitement as a butterfly fluttered around her. She felt drawn to it as if it were calling out to her. Holding her hand out, the butterfly gracefully landed on her palm. She closed her eyes and whispered her deepest wish to the butterfly, hoping it would carry her message to the sky. When she opened her eyes, the butterfly was gone, but Miss Lily knew in her heart that her wish was heard. She smiled to herself, feeling grateful and blessed by this magical moment.

Miss Lily also enjoyed spending an evening at the Pensacola Little Theatre, where she was treated to stimulating performances, from comedies to dramas to musicals. And, of course, no trip to Pensacola would be complete without a walk along the Bayfront, where Miss Lily enjoyed stunning views of the water and the chance to sample some of the scrumptious burgers and grilled sandwiches at nearby Hub's Stacey's Bar & Restaurant. She even made a trip to the Pensacola Bay Brewery, joined by the sisters Rosa and Crisanta. Together, they sampled some local craft beers and learned all about the brewing process. However, Miss Lily managed to trip and spill a few beers. Despite the mishap, the group had a great time and laughed about it afterward.

Miss Lily also visited the Pensacola Lighthouse, a beautiful old beacon guiding ships to safety for centuries. And she was fascinated by the history and technology displayed at the Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum. 

Miss Lily spent her day exploring the beautiful sights and sounds of Pensacola at the Plaza de Luna, Bayview Park, and Veterans Memorial Park. At the Plaza de Luna, she was captivated by the stunning waterfront views and in her excitement, she slipped and fell into the sparkling fountain. Despite the embarrassing mishap, Miss Lily could laugh it off and move on with her day, enjoying a picnic lunch with her new friends. At Bayview Park, Miss Lily was captivated by the breathtaking view of Pensacola Bay. She took a leisurely walk along the trails, marveling at the beauty of the surrounding nature. She even managed to catch a fish from the fishing pier, much to the fish's dismay and Miss Lily's delight.

But perhaps the most moving experience of the day was Miss Lily's visit to Veterans Memorial Park. She was moved to tears by the poignant memorials honoring the military service of Pensacola's brave veterans. She sat by the reflecting pool, lost in thought and gratitude for all those who had sacrificed so much for their country.

As the sun began to set, Miss Lily returned to the MTR Cottage feeling grateful and inspired by all the beauty and history she had experienced that day. She knew that her time in Pensacola would be filled with many more adventures, and she couldn't wait to see what each new day would bring.

As her vacation came to a close, Miss Lily realized how much she had crammed into her time in Pensacola. She made friends with strangers, explored gardens and parks more than a botanist, visited museums and theaters that would put a historian to shame, and found joy and amazement in the world like a kid at Disney World. Her cramming continued as she filled her bags with souvenirs, then said farewell to the charming cottage and its gardens. She had a boatload of cherished memories of her adventures in Pensacola. She couldn't wait to come back and experience it again if only her luggage could fit another trinket.