Odds and Ends

Garden Question

Unless you grow winter wheat, the warm winter in North America has been wonderful. We haven't had a hard freeze yet and I still have roses in bloom. As my ex told me, "I'll get mine."

Walking around the garden yesterday afternoon I noticed that too many plants and bushes were beginning to bud. Forsythia is always too early around here, but Iris, hydrangeas, azaleas were beginning to sprout. Surely the weather will change eventually and not for the better. Shall I let nature take its course and plan for a late or stunted spring bloom as these buds die, or do I need to protect these plants somehow? If so how?

shawl collared cardigans

I have the unfortunate habit of wanting some article of clothing I saw last year, this year. Know the feeling?

I'm on the lookout for shawl collared cardigans. Last year they were as a common as leaves in fall. This year they are either made of gold, as is this number from Ben Silver , or

somewhere, somehow just not quite right, like this from wool US Army replica with the too small shawl from What Price Glory.

The more I look though, the more I like this cotton sweater from Orvis, but not enough to buy.

Available in 4 colors, each one slightly wrong.

My favorite thus far is from J Crew. Perhaps a bit too much like a Lands End Canvas I already have but I've waited too long and now it's gone.

Any recommendations?

Screaming yellow linen pants

I know it's early in the year, and it's not really my place to say, but I gifted these Ralph Purple Label screaming yellow size 42 linen flat fronts to my buddy Giuseppe of An Affordable Wardrobe for his store. Look for them in a few weeks, or if interested get in touch with G.

Keep in mind they are Purple Label thus trim and short rised.

And finally

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Ferry

Best wishes to the happy couple, who were married January 4. My sole regret is that no one told me the rules had changed. Once upon a time it was accepted, and taught at boy school as fact, that the ideal age difference between a man and his mate was that she should be half his age plus 7 years. The 66 yo Bryan has 37 years on his bride. He's got shoes older than her.

Toad

Canvas for fall

A constant battle raged each fall at my once future in-laws between the 2 oldest sisters. The eldest, my future wife and mother of my children, made it her custom to stock up on each of the newest flavors of Villager cardigans. Her sister, a year younger, as all sibs do, raided her sister's sweater drawer whenever the mood hit. Her preferred style was the backward cardigan. That's what started the fights.

"You've stretched my sweater out, now I can no longer wear it." "Then give it to me." "Over your dead body."

Given the perspective of time and distance, I don't recall sweater stretching attributes , but still sisters must tussle. Had only Lands End Canvas', new for fall, Back-Button Sweater existed way back then, it would have saved so much acrimony.

I enjoy the idea of LE-Canvas more than the reality. If you are much out of high school, it's not meant for you. They do provide hope for the future however. In the men's section is found a selection of club collared oxford cloth shirts with white collars in stripes and solids and chambray shirts.

For $50 I just may take a flier. It's hard to find a club collar anymore.

Toad