Sunday, August 30, 2009

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

Thursday, August 27, 2009

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
on a blog called

Tuesday, August 25, 2009


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

Sunday, August 23, 2009



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"

Thursday, August 20, 2009


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

Saturday, August 1, 2009

i've flown the coop
back in couple of weeks