The leaves are falling

in August not October.

This old giant ash in front of my house is slowing dying.

Without its leaves the wide summer shadow is gone,

the ground is covered with its detritus.

Impressive trunk

The tree and Edward M. Kennedy,

both dying in the same week.

Both long and productive lives.

Both strong with big shadows.

If you did not see Senator Kennedy's funeral Mass

listen to these two eulogies here

Powerful, inspiring, and worth listening to.

"...Statesman, master of the legislative process and bipartisan compromise,

workhorse of the Senate, beacon of social justice and protector of the people...

...He was not perfect, far from it, but my father believed in redemption

and he never surrendered." EMK, Jr.

The Lion of the US Senate

"...he became the greatest legislator of our time. He did it by hewing to principle, but also by seeking compromise and common cause - not through dealmaking and horse-trading alone, but through friendship, and kindness, and humor" President Obama

via

The New York Times

click here to see the full post

a short history of the world

love these maps

i have a few in my house

this lady seems just right for welcoming new citizens

one million people become citizens every year

i did not know that

think small

take care of your part of the world

be a good citizen and a good human being

kind, compassionate, honest behavior will inspire others.

As President Obama said of Ted Kennedy yesterday:

"Ted Kennedy's ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws

and reflected in millions of lives -

in seniors who know new dignity,

in families that know new opportunity,

in children who know education's promise,

and in all who can pursue their dream in an America

that is more equal and more just"

have a twirl and a cupcake

and look what else I found today

an interview with Maira Kalman

on a blog called

Inspiration Boards

Amazing September issue of Harper's Bazaar

UK edition

just arrived in today's post

The magazine measures 9.5" wide by 13" long

beautiful and luxurious,

almost seems decadent

in these times of crimping and saving.

I feel like I am reading a giant coloring book.

Style piece on Christian Louboutin

What fun to sport some red soles.

I just love the

LO Ve

from his 1992 collection

see below

So did everyone else

this shoe made up 85% of his sales in 1992, his second year of business

"In 1992 I incorporated the red sole into the design of my shoes. This happened by accident as I felt that the shoes lacked energy so I applied red nail polish to the sole of a shoe. This was such a success that it became a permanent fixture." Christian Louboutin

and then there is the other guy...

When I lived in London in 1985-86

I lived just around the corner from

I had no idea who he was

but his window displays in his Chelsea shop were over-the-top-fabulous.

I regularly detoured to go by the shop

and was always intrigued

by cool shoes that I couldn't imagine wearing.

Who knew how popular they would become.

Manolo Blahnik's self-portrait

CONSIDER

"instantaneously evolving public record"

Photo Gridlock by Verlyn Klinkenborg, NYT 8/28/09

"It feels, some days, as though the whole purpose of our species is to create a perfect simulacrum of the life we lead even as we're leading it"

Have you noticed the proliferation of the clover leaf pattern?

"tini" tables

more "tini" tables

as seen on habitually chic

Did it start with Van Cleef?

The alhambra pattern from the seventies

was reinvigorated in the last few years.

I remember when I noticed the beautiful clover leaf necklace years ago

and decided it would be perfect for my big b'day.

Now the necklace and knock-offs are everywhere.

Tory Burch shift & clover pattern

I found a 4-leaf clover when I was a girl.

My aunt put it in her bible.

I wonder if it is still there?

The clover leaf pattern is often seen in church,

Many of my fall 2009 fabrics are inspired by the clover leaf design.

New fabrics coming in the next few days.

i am back

our college tour was a whirlwind

from north carolina to new hampshire

and then to the "cod"

loads of fun with cousins and round two of "the aunts"

ie: my sisters & me

this was a funny sight

old cadillac with bicycle and fishing rods jumbled in the back seat

crazy parking spot

the guy jumped out of the car and started cleaning the hood

a seagull...

i worked on a lot of small projects

one was knitted wash cloths.

some of my family members thought i was nuts

to spend so much time on a washcloth.

zoom in to read the wash cloth pattern.

i use them all the time instead of a sponge.

just pop into the washer at the end of the day

and use a fresh one in the morning.

here is another lady doing the same thing.

she was set up on the street in woods hole.

zoom in and read her sign.

she had great sweaters and hats for children.

if you need a perfect baby present and you don't have the time

nor inclination to knit

send sarah graham mann an e-mail

she doesn't have a website yet

DiscoverNE@aol.com

funny looking sight

that is the drawbridge in the up position

with brother, daughter, niece, nephews watching the activity

the temperature was high

and the water was perfect

i've flown the coop

back in couple of weeks