Are you still watching? How about that little Gabby Douglas? And Kayla Harrison? And Michael Phelps? I’ve never needed a reason to be proud of my country, but these young American athletes are sure making it easy. Elsewhere in London, the U. S. ambassador to the Court of St. James does us proud in the… Continue reading Winfield House in London – The US Ambassador’s Residence
Art & About
How to Buckle a Seatbelt
Once I was on a plane late at night and the punchy flight attendant said, “…and for those of you who have not been in an automobile since 1965, here’s how you buckle a seat belt.” On Virgin America, which I’m on right this minute on the way back to California, the pre-recorded announcement says,… Continue reading How to Buckle a Seatbelt
Tree Houses for Grown-Ups, and a Soggy Child Story
It’s not going out on a limb to say that tree houses are cool, a cherished childhood fantasy in a Moonrise Kingdom kind of way. A few weeks ago on a trip to France I was beguiled by a feature in the magazine Maisons à vivre Campagne (Country Houses) about a tree house bed & breakfast. About… Continue reading Tree Houses for Grown-Ups, and a Soggy Child Story
A Stroll Through Sissinghurst (Revised)*
Is it treasonous to have pulled for Andy Murray, a Scot, over Swiss-but-almost-seems-American Roger Federer in the Wimbledon finals? Is it wrong to wish for the rain they had? As we bake in the July oven over here in the Colonies I recall with more than a hint of wistfulness a recent cool and drizzly… Continue reading A Stroll Through Sissinghurst (Revised)*
A Stroll Through Sissinghurst
Is it treasonous to have pulled for Andy Murray, a Scot, over Swiss-but-almost-seems-American Roger Federer in the Wimbledon finals? Is it wrong to wish for the rain they had? As we bake in the July oven over here in the Colonies I recall with more than a hint of wistfulness a recent cool and drizzly… Continue reading A Stroll Through Sissinghurst
Postcard From Burgundy – Part 5 – le Fin (the End)
As I was saying, from a bicycle you see aspects of scenery you might otherwise miss from a Ferrari, and there is something to be said for that. Bicycles also have more head room. That you have to wear one of those dorky helmets seems a small price to pay. What I don’t understand is… Continue reading Postcard From Burgundy – Part 5 – le Fin (the End)
Postcard From Burgundy – Part 4 – Market Day
One of the best things about France is its outdoor markets, and every town has one. A centuries old tradition, le marché is the happening place for procuring the week’s privisions and no doubt a good deal of gossip. Like Did you see Pierre? What was he thinking with that beret…? In addition to gossip, fruits, vegetables,… Continue reading Postcard From Burgundy – Part 4 – Market Day
Postcard From Burgundy – Part 3 – Bopping Around Beaune
Beaune is a charming town, walkable, manageable, with good little shops, and a bustling Saturday market. Good food too of course. And wine, which you know. One of my favorites was Laronze-Decor, managed by the charming and gracious Nicolas, whose family owns the shop, and come to find out a kitchen shop and bed and… Continue reading Postcard From Burgundy – Part 3 – Bopping Around Beaune
Postcard From Burgundy – Part 2
This scene sums it up: the vineyard, the softly undulating landscape, the church steeple marking the center of a beautiful village, and the backside of a biker. Bikers were always ahead of me because, a) I am slow, and b) I stop to take pictures, which makes me, c) even slower. The good news is… Continue reading Postcard From Burgundy – Part 2
Postcard From Burgundy – No. 1
One of the nice things about biking through the French countryside is that you can stop and smell the horses. And you can come in for a closer look. We visited the Abbey of Citeaux, begun in the eleventh century and one of only two Cistercian abbeys in France that allow visitors. The Cistercians were a… Continue reading Postcard From Burgundy – No. 1
Flew to France, Watched Dancing, Planted Roses, in That Order Backwards
Have just landed in France and driven 72 years to Dijon. Okay 3 hours to Dijon and another 3 to get to the hotel which you cannot get to because every street is one-way opposite the way you need to go and the other streets are closed for construction… So finally I am lying on… Continue reading Flew to France, Watched Dancing, Planted Roses, in That Order Backwards
My Sister the Tango Temptress, Dancing for Alzheimer’s
Did you ever wonder what would happen if you went on Dancing With the Stars? Me neither. Okay maybe a little. Well now I have a pretty good idea thanks to my baby sister who has been working her bo-hiney off in a local charity’s take-off on DWTS called “Dancing Stars of Atlanta.” The purpose… Continue reading My Sister the Tango Temptress, Dancing for Alzheimer’s