Hang in there...

Photo credit: The Conran Shop

Recently, I received my SELETTI UNDERWEAR DRYER from the Conran Shop as first suggested at Pigtown-Design. Constructed from real wood and in Italy, this clever hanger possesses delicate European- style craftsmanship different from that mass produced in China or elsewhere . This assistant to your laundry chores includes a travel/storage bag and two extra clothespins, similar to replacement buttons for a shirt. The hanger expands and contracts to accommodate different suspension locations. Because of the central placement of the single hook/hanger, suspension can be awkward. I found the best place to hang it was over the shower curtain pole, which could leave puddles on the floor if the dangling "foundations" are quite wet after washing and rinsing.

Upon checking Conran's e-commerce site today, it seems delivery dates are now projected for 10-12 weeks out.

embarrassing tunes

I have been tagged to disclose five songs which I listen to which are embarrassing. How about four, instead?

1. My Ding-a-ling Chuck Berry

Just drives me back to those raucous, late night dance and music fêtes in the frat house, circa 1972.

2. Barry Manilow hits

I read recently where Barry Manilow’s concerts are attended solely by women of a certain age (more specifically, 50 and 60ish) and a small number of men that have consented to be dragged along. Barry wrote the songs that made the whole world sing, Mandy.

3. Oh Babe, What Would you Say? Hurricane Smith

Once again, back to the Seventies in a quirky, longing manner.

4. Amy Winehouse songs

By no means am I one to encourage, sensationalize or laud abuse of illegal substances and skanky lyrics, but I do pause to listen to the melodies of this waifish, beehive-crowned, eye-lined, train wreck of a gal. I suppose the retro 60’s influence must be the explanation for the appeal.

Amazing how music activates the past.

Now, to tag others. This is similar to ringing doorbells to peddle raffle tickets for the high school football team. Anyone care to step up to the plate?

Trip notes: Pacific coast

Shortly after arrival in Seattle, the Colonel and I supped at Matt's in the Market located in the Pike Place Market. Offerings here are made from fresh, locally grown and caught veggies, fruits and seafood all for sale in the market. I had a salmon entry with a cherry based reduction that was awesome.

Vibrant displays of fresh, locally-produced fruits and vegetables are on display in the market. I'll take one of each, please.

I ordered an unusual hanging display of peppers and garlic from Choice Peppers to be delivered to my home after my return.

Beware of the applanche!

Signage at the flagship Starbucks.

Scenic views and vistas as seen from atop the Seattle Space Needle.

Snow-capped Mount Rainer in the background.

An American flag is spotted waving above a skyscraper.

To follow was a 36 hour train excursion to Los Angeles aboard Amtrak's Coast Starlight. Quarters were tight, but fun! A sign in the bathroom states it is best to sit on the toilet while showering! Traveling by train allows one to see the topography, geography and aspects of culture in America along the way. Noted were: bald eagles, sod farms, rivers, streams, waterfalls, gorgeous and expansive lakes, tundra as well as agricultural settings such as vineyards and strawberry farms, all manned by migrant workers.

While in Los Angeles, we took a mainly tourist-oriented tour to Venice, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and such.

Signage and luscious, suspended floral baskets attached to lanterns on Rodeo Drive.

With scenic and panoramic views of the city (as seen through the haze of smog), the Getty Center is a magnificent spot to visit while in LA. After a short tram ride up to the center, I listened to an orientation tour of the architecture which was informative. Then off to the gardens for a quick tour there.

Here is a maze surrounded by water and plantings of purple-posied garlic.

Yellow Angel Trumpets

Too hot to wander amongst the many structures at this campus? Grab a museum-provided parasol to shield your head from the sunny rays of Southern California.

Home to many varied exhibits, both permanent and transitory such as European furnishings, illuminated manuscripts and botanicals, my eyes were drawn to several items.

This object appears to be a painting , though in reality is a mosaic composed entirely of minute pieces of glass.

These two silver serving vessels from France are detailed to suggest their contents. This tureen is guarded by intricately-casted wild boar hinting that it is filled with a stew, perhaps following a hunt.Prawns and crabs encircle the lid of this piece which is crowned with a cauliflower handle to grasp and lift.

Fashion Photo Essays from New York

Photo credit: Getty Images


Treat yourself to On the Street with Bill Cunningham, exuberant and
famed fashion photographer for the New York Times.
Fun stuff. Check the archives, as well.

Fun or Fore!!

And once again, Carl Hiassen entertains and amuses readers as he suffers through a recent return to the game of golf. In his most recent release, The Downhill Lie: A Hacker's Return to a Ruinous Sport, Mr. Hiassen smacks rats rather than drivers and sinks golf carts instead of putts.

Franticly seeking the most perfect of golf games, CH seems obsessed with data along the way: numbers of strokes, handicaps, and statistics.

Ever the wildlife observer, CH concludes that golf courses may just be the only lasting setting to view indigenous flora and fauna in Florida.

Always willing to slip in little digs, CH wastes no time poking fun at Paris Hilton, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter and “The Villages”.

True to his technique in previous books, CH uses similes and metaphors to illustrate so very comically.

Here is an easy-to-read account (not necessarily a story) for those who struggle with the game of golf (and who doesn’t at one time or another). It helps to have an acquaintance with the culture of Florida also.

Lime in the coconut

Latest I pod downloads:

Coconut Harry Nilsson

Hold Your Head Up Argent

Dancing on the Ceiling Lionel Ritchie

Something Good This Way Comes Jakob Dylan

Floy Joy Diana Ross & the Supremes

Beyond the Sea Bobby Darin

Thunder Road Bruce Springsteen

Spill the Wine War

Love is Like an Itching in my Heart Diana Ross & the Supremes

Oh, say can you see....

On the Fourth of July, I played a round of golf with the Colonel at a golf and hunt club amongst pastoral surroundings which overlook the Catoctin Mountains . On each hole, the flag at the end of the flagstick had been changed to an American flag for the occasion, a tribute to the United States on the anniversary of its independence. Once golfers approach the green, the flag is removed and dropped on the ground until all have "holed out "or finished putting. To avoid dropping the American flag to the ground, some creative person constructed 18 flag holders from old sawed off golf clubs and inverted horseshoes which were soldered to the side. Wedged in the ground on the side of the green, each served to elevate the the flag while players putted. A wonderful acknowledgement to the Star Spangled Banner on this day.

Happy Fourth of July to you all.

toot, toot, tootsie goodbye!

On two occasions, I have suffered from heel pain resulting from wearing flat shoes including flip-flops (leather) for long periods of time. The pain is excruciating and drags on for months before it completely disappears. This morning, I heard this piece on NPR which interested me.