OBITS

To paraphrase F. Scott Fitzgerald, the English are different from you and I, and no its not that two countries separated by a common language nonsense.

To American eyes many English people are just plain strange. Their habits, humor, mannerisms and occupations are simply foreign to American tastes. As an a devoted Anglophile I find this disturbing.

For instance, according to The Telegraph two people who were quite famous in their field died recently. Each had stellar, long lasting careers. Both would have starved in the US.

To wit:
Margaret Gelling, age 84 when she passed, was a noted historian of English place names. If you have ever wrestled with a map of the English countryside you may have noticed that towns and villages names are generally very place descriptive. Anglo-Saxons had more names for hill, than Inuit have for snow. Over millenia, invaders and languages came and went, and names changed as languages changed. Margaret knew the how and why of many of the places on the map of England, having spent a distinguished career as a scholar and researcher. Later she served as President of the English Place Name Society. Sounds like a Monty Python skit, doesn't it?

American place names are too young, and often too egotistical to merit a place name society. Someday maybe, but not yet.


Peter Dennis: Mr. Dennis was a character actor who gave voice to the stories of A.A. Milne. Imagine making a career of presenting Winnie the Pooh on stage, and providing the voice for numerous books on tapes, and their successors? Mr. Dennis realized that Christopher Robin, Winnie, Piglet and gang were as much children stories as Sesame Street. Milne didn't believe they were either. The Hundred Acre Wood came alive in Mr. Dennis's retelling.

I have spent several happy hours this week, replaying Mr. Dennis's cherished stories. They are more real to me than today's newspaper.

My condolences to both their families.

Toad

photo from The Telegraph

As easy as a knife through butter

Ever have a good knife blade snap while cutting butter?  I have.

Toad

The Beacon

Ever had a hankering for a menu item that's likely to cost the last shred of human decency you have? I used to be a travelin' man. The phone would ring and I would find myself somewhere that wasn't home. Every now and then I would wake up in or around Spartanburg, SC.

What's to do around Spartanburg you ask?

The Beacon Drive In. That's what.

My o my what a dive.

Looks can be deceiving though. For almost 100 years you'd be greeted by the same man at the end of the counter. "Call it out" he'd bark. In Yankee, he's asking what would be your pleasure today. "Move it down" he'd then say. In your heart of hearts you knew this order was going to be messed up. It never was.

Plates were more a metaphysical concept than a reality. A Plenty was generally served in the middle of a bar tray, smothered in fries and rings.

Their real claim to fame is their home made iced tea. Its The Beacon's claim that they sell more iced tea than anyone in the country.

To put things in perspective the Beacon weekly shopping list includes:
1.5 tons of sugar
3 tons of onions
3 tons of potatoes
4 tons of meat and seafood.

And only heaven knows how much fat.

Sometimes late at night I get a need for a Beacon fried chicken aplenty. Later I dream of meeting my cardiologist. I do love it though. Stop in if you happen to be near.

Toad

something for Mrs Blandings

This top left number, Mrs. B?


Photo from Heavy Tweed Jacket

Toad

Patch Mad

For it or agin it? Either way blame the guy below, on the right. He is credited with inventing patch madras. His name is Sidney Winston, and he was tailor to the man on the left. Mr. Winston is also credited with several other preppy wardrobe staples. Embroidered corduroy pants and

the god awful 4 panel pants.

That sound you hear is that of our British friends leaving about now.

I was well into my dotage before encountering patch mad in the wild. The spring before Katrina, I attended my bonus son's Tulane University graduation. Outside, in the smokers section was a Ted Turner looking guy. Good looking in a way, appeared to know his way around a beer bottle and probably a G&T or two. Looked liked the sort you see hanging around the bar at the country club.

He was wearing a well used pair of khakis, polo shirt and a patch mad blazer. I thought he was the best looking guy I had ever seen. Having never seen a patch jacket before, I had to have one for myself. NOW.

It wasn't to be. Took me a season to find the name of what I was looking for. Longer to locate one.

Mine is the one above. Its an off the peg Jos Banks. Took a lot of fixing to get the Banks out of it, but I get lots of compliments every time I wear it. Naturally, I wear it a lot.

Deep down I suspect PM is really for the young, trim, and tanned. Looks especially fetching on young trim, tanned girls. Actually, all girls look better than all boys in PM.



Unfortunately,as labor cost for a cheap cotton jacket are the same as that for a fine wool, it doesn't pay to have one made, so blazers are catch as catch can.

If you are crafty the following sell the cloth.

Just Madras

or


http://store.fabrics-textiles.com/index.php?cPath=42&osCsid=27fde0ef8e7779af4758cfc70a0bfe48

I take a size...

Toad

A red letter day X 2

Desperately in need of good news I present for your consideration our family's red letter day times two.

First, today marks the annual celebration of th birth of my beloved son in law, darling daughter Katy's husband, Gary. Better known to many of you as the chap who saves me from myself on blogging issues, especially correcting white fonts on white backgrounds. He is the tall lad in the white shirt. Happy Birthday to Gary.

More importantly today is also Katy and Gary's third wedding anniversary. They were married in a beach side service in pre-flu infested Cancun, Mexico.

On that most special day I wished them much happiness, and hopes for many splendid years together. I redouble those wishes today. They make a cute couple,and since each knows they are in charge, they should be happy for many years to come.

Happy Anniversary to two of my favorites. They always make me smile.

Toad

All ideas gladly accepted

Choosing to ignore technology does not make it go away, it merely postpones decision making. So once again friends I solicit your help.

I need to replace our CD player, why do they only last a year? I don't necessarily need to replace it with a CD player though.

The new device has several requirements.

1. Needs to be fairly cheap.
2. I need to be able to connect it to our A/B box, so I can hear it wherever I want.
3. A shuffle feature would be nice.

Sounding to me like I finally want an IPOD, but do they hook up to external speakers? Would magic box 442 make it work?

Sorry to be back to the well so soon, but y'all seem to know everything.

Toad

Grumble

So I'm laying in bed, mentally preparing for the day.

As beloved granddaughter Paige says, "it's a beautiful sunshiny day".

Working through my mental list. It's dry and I can hear the grass grow. Why not start by cutting the grass. Sounds like a plan.

So I spend an hour catching up on my friends and then mosey down to the barn, open it up. Seems unnaturally bright. The mind reels. Did I leave the light on again? No. Why is it so darn bright?

Then it hits.

Yon tree has tumbled through roof.



So then the litany begins. What's damaged? How's the Bentley? (first things first) Everything seems OK. Then I see the jeep. Suddenly, I'm wishing it was mine, so I wouldn't have to call the owner.







Owners are not as understanding when your cars are ok.

Toad

Nupts-An irregular series Part 1

Does this count?

From Sunday May 10, 2009 New York Times

Toad

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs

Wanna liven up your party mix? Getting tired of Roy and the Buena Vista Social Club? Jimmy Buffett sounding tired around the pool?


The most popular band in the world is one you may have never heard of. It's Los Fabulosos Cadillacs


They are a 9 piece South American band from Columbia, Argentina, and Brazil. Tunes are a mix of ska, rock, big band, and traditional Latin music.


In Spanish and Portuguese speaking locales these guys are the bees knees, yet obscure enough in the US to impress your Hispanic friends.

Follow the link and try out the LFC radio channel. YouTube has disabled the enbedded link so I can't post a video, but I think you'll like it. If nothing else I think you'll find the upbeat music will brighten a gloomy day.


Toad

Shopping

I'm rarely allowed in grocery stores. Mrs. T contends she would rather supervise a kindergarten field trip to the store than go with me. That my friends, as Mark Twain would say is a statistic.

Grocery shopping is a competitive sport for Mrs T and her family. Her mother is out at the crack of dawn. She'll then call her 4 children to let them know what's on sale today. A day without the grocery is like a day without sunshine.


While I am not allowed to go, I do get to hear about it though, and for the past year, a constant refrain is how much soda has gone up. I've figured out why.

Let me take you back to the summer of 2007. Everything was expensive. Gas, milk, soda, corn, beef. Much of the grain and beef prices could be laid at the feet of the ethanol debacle. Farmers grew fuel instead of feed.

So all the sudden sugar is cheaper than corn. Want proof? Notice the soda ads lately. Pepsi Throwback, Mountain Dew Throwback. Snapple with better stuff? Pop is being made with sugar, not high fructose corn syrup.

For years Mexican markets have run a gray market for Mexican bottled Coke. Those bottles have always been made with sugar.

It is hotly debated and vehemently denied by the corn syrup makers that fructose turns off a receptor that says I've had enough. That is one reason Super Big Gulps are possible. It's possibly another reason why we are as big as houses.

I prefer the taste of sugar, and hope it hangs round a while. Happy Mother's Day moms.

Toad

Tree Art?

Tree faces are a popular method of adding whimsy to an otherwise staid garden setting. My grand daughters gave me one for Christmas, and we spent an enormous energy selecting just the right tree to become king of our Ents. It was worth the added effort, and now we know who is boss.

Yesterday, I was enjoying breakfast, minding my own business, thumbing through the Plow and Hearth catalog and came across these little items. I have a whimsical side, and believe in fairy gardens, unfortunatly this particular need passed me right by.

If you have the need, and your trees are look a little bare, you may want to pick one or two of these little treasures. If you have enough trees, perhaps one for everyone. It would be like having your own hobbit village

I haven't a clue how to decide, and no, my granddaughters are not available to help.

Toad

Wedding Season

Remember the first time you did hand to hand combat with champagne?

Probably someone's wedding reception. Had too much didn't you? The smell, the bubbles. Took years to overcome the memory of the memories. A couple of years at least before you could go back to the well.

Mayhaps, you tip toed back into the fray via Cold Duck.

Cold Duck was the unholy marriage of NY sparkling wine with California red. It wasn't as bad as it sounds. Went down easy, came up fast. Fortunately, I haven't seen it in years.

So now it's wedding season. You're big and supposed to enjoy Champagne. The drug of choice for celebrations. Only in moderation for me please. The memories come back when I least expect them.

Toad

Scream

Its been said that theatre goers who heard Olivier's scream as the blinded Lear were haunted by it until their dying day.

The Man in Black's scream, the sound of ultimate suffering, was heard across the sea.

Trifles my friends.

The scream of Toad, who woke to find his prized deciduous Azaleas, eaten to the ground. That was screaming which will forever set the standards of screams. Did I mention they were a day of two from flowering? Did I complain about the hundreds of eaten hostas? No. Nibbles on the peonies. Hardly.


This photo is from the world renowned Exbury Gardens. It shows the effect I was going for. Now imagine mulch where the bushes are.


Toad

Let us Remember

Gentlemen, let us remember that Mother's Day is Sunday.

Shirts part 3

I suspect you would have never guessed me as a man of pet peeves. Well, you'd have been wrong.

I seem to acquire them every wherever I go.

Last week Kathy asked how I came to know so much about clothing. The real answer is I have pet peeves.

Look closely at the picture above. My second greatest clothing pet peeve is shirts that ride out of a waistband as you stretch, sneeze, shift,reach and grab. There are two reasons this occurs, and each have to deal with sizing.

The two shirts in the picture above are the same size, and are hanging at the same length. But the gingham shirt is 2 inches longer. Why? The manufacturer cares. Longer tails stay in place.

I have only found long tails on American shirts through bespoke shirt makers. Lands End custom does a very good job. The white shirt is off the rack Brooks Brothers OCBD. The gingham is British shirtmaker Harvie and Hudson. English shirts come this way. They are a pleasure to wear. I'd happily pay a couple of extra bucks for a shirt that stays put.

As you can tell, Harvie and Hudson came through, customs received their duties and the shirts arrived Saturday. Well made, good fabric, nice details, no fit.

Returned on Monday. I was impressed enough by the quality to consider their bespoke service, but not soon.

Toad

The Mint Julep

Some people just love their work. While its hard to hide incompetence, a professional can never hide his light under a barrel.

Watch this pro, the barman at the NOLA Ritz Carlton at work. Being Cinco De Mayo the video has some excellent tips to improve your Mojito, as well.



Toad

Nupts

This weekends paper was a bit thin, but I have several observations, I'd be happy to share.

1. I'd hate like hell to have planned a Mexican wedding for this month.

2. Is anyone married in Churches any more?

Toad

She may be on to something

I suspect that this may be more of a girl thing, at least socially. Boys don't operate this way. Business maybe. Boys night out-NO.

Immediately follow the link to News Reading Wife I'll wait.

Sign up genius might save your day.

Toad

Ya buy him books...

The dog is not bright.

For 3 years he's been warned almost weekly.

Ted, there are 3 things you are not to mess with. Turkeys will kick your ass, so look up periodically. A roosting turkey leaping from a tree limb will knock you cold.

Number 2, if looks sorta dog like but not really keep away. It's probably hungrier than you, and maybe willing to take a nip. You wouldn't care for it much.

Lastly, not only are owls our friends, they can be mean. Don't attempt to come between an owl and its dinner. You'll lose.

So what does he do?

He snatches an owl.

Without explaining what "it" is. Owls do it. Somewhat territorially. Whoa be the owl who elects to do it, in another owl's territory.

This little guy tried. The big guy in the first picture would have no interlopers while he "ited", and whupped this lad right out of the sky. That's when Ted the Wonder Dog got him.

The whole event was over in seconds. The trespasser had the wind knock out of him and came to, in Ted's caring mouth, then let out a screech that sounded profane. Startled Ted let him go.

After bragging to his friends for a bit, he quietly went to the back of the barn and spit feathers for several hours.. Both the owl and Ted survived. The pecking order understood. Ted is a wiser dog.

Toad

Why did I ask?

Thank you all for your comments. They helped the discussion a great deal. Mrs. T and I are meeting with the dutch uncle who manages our investments Friday.

At the beginning of 2009 the DJIA fell from almost 9000 to the mid 7000 range, rose to almost 9000 fell and rose again in the same range. I made a very expensive wager when the Dow was at 8900 the second time, that we would see the Dow at 6500 before we saw 9500.

I won, although I'm not terribly proud of that. Now the Dow is back in low 8000 territory again.

In my view of the world, the big banks are still broke, massive layoffs are still occurring, another commercial real estate lending shoe is about to drop, housing prices still fall. The historian in me remembers that during the Great Depression most folks didn't go broke at the crash. Shortly after the crash, the NYSE rallied for almost 8 months. Then the bottom fell out. Not likely to happen again, but...

For the time being I am unhappily content to sit on the sidelines and watch our humble cash reserves dwindle. Mrs. T feels we are missing great investment opportunities.

I badly want to play, but needed a reason to. That's where you came in.

Toad.

How's Your World?

Today's topic is somewhat self serving. Mrs. T and I are trying to come to an investment decision and fundamentaly disagree on our world view.


Lest I cloud your opinion, I'll wait until tomorrow to describe my view of the world.


So how are things in your part of the world? Any signs of housing improving? Is anything being built? If you had a truly great idea, could you get a loan to implement it? How are things at work? Company growing? Do you fear for your job? Are your kids working, plan to this summer? Is your local newspaper full of doom and gloom, or is everything coming up roses? Are you shopping? Malls full? Rents holding up? Farmers happy? Restaurants occupied?


You get the point. I seek your biased view, of life in your town, wherever that may be.


Feel free to respond anon, but give a general idea of where you live.


I appreciate your responses.



Toad

Snuffed

There is nothing even remotely funny about this story.


From every angle it's a tragedy, personally, for his family, for the community.


On the other hand, he was a believer, if it was OK by God, it was OK by him, and his God wanted him dead.

NOW.


Through some flaw in my character, this story just cracks me up. My condolences to his family.


http://cjonline.com/news/local/2009-04-25/biker_killed_by_lightning_idd

Toad

Vanity Cards

Do you know from Chuck Lorre?

Chuck is the creator, producer, god, of such television staples as The Big Bang Theory, Two and a half men, Dharma and Greg, Cybil, etc. etc. etc.

At the end of each program, after the credits he publishes a vanity card. You never see it because your TIVO stops too early, or you think its all the legal stuff and don't pay attention. You are missing a lot.

Chuck is twisted. Painfully. His vanity cards are a brief look into every guys mind. I recommend you pay more attention in the future. Or find your favorites here.

Toad

But is it ART?

Jim Bob and his lovely wife Linda Bob had asked Mrs T and I to join them on a progressive dinner. We were there in a flash. On the way towards destination #2 Jim Bob says, "turn here".

Why I didn't know, but a good evening was about to become better.

We turn into your basic early 70's suburban neighborhood. Pretty houses, well kept lawns, mature flora, kids in good schools.

Left at the next intersection. I follow his instructions.

Then it hits.

So ask yourself. Is it art? The neighbors are not amused. Especially the guy with the deck overlooking the mess

My guess is that he is REALLY PISSED at somebody.

House sales have slowed in the 'hood, as there is no other home with an art installation.

Toad

3 Lunch Apple

For over 40 years Robert W. "Johnnie" "3 Lunch" Apple Jr. was a fixture on the staff of the New York Times. The nickname 3 lunch came from his propensity to schedule multiple lunch dates when he was hot on a story. Political reporter, foreign affairs analyst, culture, travel and food writer. Johnnie has a true gift with a pen. Admittedly I had temporarily forgotten Johnnie, until a 3 part coincidence landed in my lap.

First and most importantly I located my copy Apple's America, his 2005 memoir and distinguished travel guide to the 40 best cities in North America. Should you hit the road with any frequency this guide is indispensable, although it is becoming a little long in the tooth, it will tell yoiu where to go, what to do, and where to stay.

Second, I was clearing out old magazines and came across Calvin Trillin's New Yorker profile of Mr. Apple. If you are a fan of Trillin, you may enjoy this send up. The profile also led me to Harvie and Hudson and the gingham shirt fiasco.

Finally, I looked up his Times obit which directed me to the last story printed under Mr. Apples by line, The Global Gourmet an exposition of Johnnie's list of the top ten restaurants in the world.

Skinny food writers always scare me. 3 lunch was, anything but, he was one of the best. He died in 2006.

Toad

Banned in Boston

Newcomers, this is my bonus daughter Mindy. She is a college junior matriculating in Boston. Today is her 21st birthday. Her mother is hoping that upon reaching her majority, Mindy may be at least half way through the I know everything, you know squat phase. Another 10-15 years ought to put that argument to rest.

On the other hand, not for a minute will I suggest she is new to spirits, but just in case you happen to be in Beantown today, and thinking about taking your life in your hands on public highways and byways use extra caution, especially after sundown. Classes are over for this term, and she starts late.

Just sayin'.

Toad

Nupts- a regular series - Maybe

Guys, you have no idea how many television channels are devoted to weddings. The deck is stacked against you and you have no clue. Considering the state of marriage in the world that is either incredibly hopeful, or deeply cynical. I prefer to look positively.

To honor a boys look at marriage I propose to run an infrequent series called NUPTS. Nupts are quick review of many of the wedding notices in the Sunday, New York Times. My view may be snarky, biased, disbelieving or just plain wrong, but hopefully always respectful. If they can be optimistic and so can I.

Let us begin with April 26's paper.

Elaine and Nirav: She's a travel editor for Modern Bride magazine. No mention of where the honeymoon was, but she elected to be married at home in Charleston. For a travel editor I thought this was tres cool. Charleston is pretty this time of year.

Anne and Gerald: She is 80, he's 84. They met at Harvard in 1947, and had wait for their spouses to die.

Catherine and Kevin: She's a nurse practitioner. He is a free lance financial analyst and works on spreadsheets. Unemployed?

Laurie and Joel: Married Saturday by Joyce ordained by the Church at Your House Society. Joel's father, a Methodist Minister, also took part. I'm feeling a little tension between Laurie and her in-laws.

Carlin and Andras: Cute couple. His mother is an art psychotherapist at Yale-New Haven Hospital. She's seeing like, Whistler's mother?

Pauline and Miguel: She operates a home based dessert catering business in Manhattan. Seems kinda limiting to me, but maybe I misjudge the need for dessert in NYC.

There are 8 million stories in the naked city. These are only some of them.

Toad

Is this a great country or what??

While I was busy slamming Oprah for ruining a perfectly good movie, she had two young inventors on her program. Their creation? Baconnaise.

What you inquire is Baconnaise? Why it's bacon flavored mayonnaise, of course. There are some health benefits as compared to regular mayonnaise, but that is not why anyone does anything.

You eat it becasue it tastes good, silly.

A jar is resting comfortably in our fridge, and I give it high marks.

Toad

Did Ralph change Lauren?

OK, I didn't do my homework. I relied on my fragile memory, and trusted my retailer. I think I screwed up big time.

First, let me state unequivocally that Lauren is my favorite women's fragrance. It buckles my knees, every time. Mrs. T doesn't wear it, and I felt the need to rectify that situation.

So a suitable event occurs, and I take in a supply. Wrapped nicely I present my prize, anxiously awaiting Mrs. T's oohs and ahhs. She opens, does the reluctant spray bit on the wrist, and I gag. That's not Lauren.

Oh it's fine says she.

To humour me, occasionally she'll wear it, or spray it around. It's ghastly, and I'll never be able to replace it with a good batch. They didn't reformulate it did they?

Toad

PS: I find all of Ralph men's fragrances awful.

Part 2

Stop me if you have heard this before.

We have been awarded a Your Blog is Fabulous Award by the News Reading Wife. Thank you, ma'am. It's a gift that keeps on giving, in that it comes with rules.

Recipients are asked to:
Post the award on your blog. Nominate 10 other blogs and link to them. Send some love back to the person who bestowed the award on you by: a/telling them who you gave it to and posting a link to their site. Let your nominees know that they've received the award.

I take all challenges seriously, sorta. That said, many of my favorite bloggers are black and blue from being tagged more often than a girl cousin at a family reunion. So forgive me if I pass by some of my favorite blogs, and let you in on a few secrets I really enjoy. If you are truly miffed that I did not specifically include you, please include yourself, or complain to me, and I'll publicly apologize and send an award of my own devising to you. No harm done.

In no particular order I nominate the following great blogs for regifting the "Your blog is Fabulous Award".

My first place goes to Gladys of Gladys Tells All. should you ever find yourself feeling a little blue, or in need of a bust upside the head or a belly laugh go see Gladys. G has seen and done more things than anyone else alive. Should you doubt me, ask her.

Rechelle, the Country Doctors Wife of My Sister's Farmhouse deserves this award, if only for posting pix of ribeye steaks being cut off the bone. That day was a carnivores delight. Rechelle is a mom, gardener, friend and and her blog reflects that.

Maxminimus runs a pretty tight ship. This award is self serving since I will soon need to refer to him as "my Liege". Pretty cool guy, with a blog full of cool guy stuff.

Giuseppe of An Affordable Wardrobe: G's blog centers on how he built an incredible wardrobe via thrifting. Pretty tough do as a budding architech, husband, father of two. Always looks sharp and has an opinion he is not afraid to share.

Meg of Pigtown Design. I know you all read her blog. A woman of taste and refinement with a fabulous eye for detail. She is also a good sharer.

Laurel Street Blog: this is a new one on my radar, but since I was so well advised on my recent trip to NOLA, I couldn't pass them up. Part design, part food and spirits, always a good read.

Daryl of Southern Gent is another displaced soul from NO., and one of 3 DC'ers who made the list. Good old boy with a good heart. I believe you will enjoy his writing.

Allie of Summer is a Verb writes a beautiful blog but I fear for her. Too often she turns up in some very unsavory places. Just Friday, she was seen hanging around Maxminimus. Never a good sign, for a stylish attached young woman.

Denise of Eat Play Love. I met Denise at Katy's wedding almost 3 years ago. She probably doesn't know I lurk around her blog with unseemly frequency, and comment most unfrequently. But its true, I do. Denise is a Denverite young mother with a world traveling adventuresome husband. Eat Play Love mostly focuses on a part of my life long over, but she brings back great memories.

Tucker, Longwing, Chris, Admiral Cod you're all in my heart and deserve your own awards. Until then pour a short one on me.

Toad

We get to share several awards- Part 1

OK, I'm late, but this is harder than it looks.

When I began writing, I had no other goal than to fill my children in on a bit of what happened before their time. Then I drifted. Today marks my 300 post and sometime today the 10,000 visitor will show up. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate each and every one of you more than you will ever understand.

AWARD DAY

As promised earlier, today we have two awards to bestow upon several lucky winners.

The Lemonade Stand Award is presented to people with a good attitude or sense of gratitude.
However, it comes with a few rules:

Receipients are asked to:

Post the award on your blog
Nominate 10 other blogs and link to them.
Send some love back to the person who bestowed the award on you by: a/telling them who you gave it to and posting a link to their site.
Let your nominees know that they've received the award.


The first award is a slam dunk. We were originally awarded our Lemonade Stand award by Rebecca Woodhead of From Brain to Bookshelf. Rebecca is a novelist, searching for an agent, as well as Channelling Bunny contributor. Our first award goes to Jean of Renovation Therapy. Jean besides making me laugh continuously and being a crafty and caring person is also a literary agent in search of authors. Make Lemonade you two.


The next lemonade stand award goes to our good buddy Sarte of Advice to my Sons. Sadly, its something of a valedictory award, since he has put his blog on hiatus. Over the past few months he has labored, searching new career opportunities. Having done that myself, I know what a toll it takes. Sarte has risen above his troubles and came out stronger on the other side. His Red Sox passion troubles me though.

Kathy of No Rhyme or Reason has been the most frequent commenter at this site. Like the dunce I am, the few times I searched, I couldn't find her blog. How hard is it you ask? Not very I reply. Through my own fault I have missed a great deal, and now spent too much time catching up. Kathy is also the most inspirational of the contributors to Channeling Bunny.

For best performance in a home building project I award the Lemonade Stand to Kathleen, of House Things I Like. It seems like Kathleen and her family have built then rebuilt their home. They have certainly put me off wanting to build. Kathleen is continually making lemonade, mostly out of contractors.

The award for best food, drink and comfort blog is awarded to Martha of Lines from Linderhof. As Martha knows all too well, I'd rather eat asphalt than my veggies, and I will eat asphalt before laying a tooth into cheese, yet I am addicted to Martha's recipes especially for things I wouldn't touch with a fork. I know Martha will make lemonade, and add just a touch of something I would have never thought of, and it will be memorable. Thank you Martha.

My daughter and I are regular readers of David of Midwestern Malaise. David is the guy rooting through your dust bin, and turning your cast offs to very expensive heirloom pieces, for someone else. His blog is quirky, catty, fun and a great read. My hat is off to David, who BTW is a contributor of Channeling Bunny.

My final Lemonade stand award, for Lemonade, with a splash of sour mash and mint goes to that charming woman who encouraged me when I needed it. New's Reading Wife of Breaking News. She does annoy hell out of me when she so subtly adds, oh I was thinking of you as my credit card came out at.... perhaps I am Indian giving, but too bad.

There are approximately 15 other of my favorite blogging friends I would wish to award, but I know they are bombed with awards and cringe at the thought of any more. Mrs. Blanding, Ms Mindless, MOTR, Hovey sisters, Chris the Easy and Elegant.

Additional, part 2 is coming up. My regifting of the Your Blog is Fabulous Award. Not to worry, your time is coming.

Toad

Raffles

Raffles Hotel in Singapore is once again for sale.

I've never been there. I've fantasized going there, lots of times, although I am not certain it really exists. It may only be a state of mind.

My memories though are locked in the teens, 20's and '30's. Somerset Maugham in the Palm Room idling his morning away. Noel Coward or Rudyard Kipling and Joseph Conrad in the billiard room. Beautiful actresses tossing back Singapore Slings. Bette Davis in the 1940 classic, The Letter, white linen and khaki. Explorers, adventurers, soldiers of fortune, planters and missionaries all spent their time here.

The hotel has a glorious history. The last tiger in Singapore was shot under the billiard room. 300 Japanese soldiers committed suicide in the lobby when when Singapore fell to the Americans near the end of WWII.

A modest $450 million will transfer ownership to your name. You get to keep the memories, but the future will never match the past. Sadly, it will never be the same.

Should you happen to buy it, let me know. I'll come.

Toad

Is O now run by men?

Is O run by men now?

I admit to being sappy at times. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books. I find the Keira Knightley P&P movie hauntingly beautiful. I'm misty eyed throughout the last 20 minutes. Every time.

I want to be Donald Sutherland, I want to be Mr. Darcy.

Mercifully, the movie is on television almost constantly. You can choose either the 2 hours too long TNT version or the Oprah version.

Last night I got sucked into the O version. I hadn't caught this travesty before.

10 minutes or so to go. I'm tearing up. Darcy meets Elizabeth to ask for her hand one more time, the music swells "if your feelings have changed..."

Commercial

After commercial: In dad's study.....

WT? The best part of the movie is gone. Where did it go? Is my memory that bad. Have I (O)forgotten the rest of Darcy's speech? Lizzy's reply?

Thank you Oppie. Who knew you needed the money so badly?

Toad

There is a new circle of hell

It's called refinancing.

This is the second time we have refinanced the mortgage for The Park in 3 years. I know, that's too often, but there is a most silly story behind the last one, so once again I hit the bricks searching for a loan.

Mrs. T's siblings are ultra competitive amongst each other. They just can't stand it if one of the sibs found a better deal on something that they want. Her brother has been shopping the world looking for an acceptable loan. He's a finance guy by trade, so he is taking his role very seriously. Ego is on the line, big time.

Me, I'm a bit more laid back. Friday, I called our existing lender and said, what have you got? How 'bout half point lower than your brother in law could find. Send it right out I said.

So you'd think Mr. Banker would say, we qualified these folks 2 years ago, do you think they qualify to pay less per month? Not so fast.

First came the endless demands. Send us the past 3 years tax returns, brokerage statements, bank account statements, copies of the homeowners insurance, etc. etc. etc. Now, I'm not so oblivious that I do not understand the problems caused by NINJA loans, but most of this stuff is already hiding in various departments of the their bank. Would they want to look it up. No way.

So I am faxing 172 pages of soon to be trash. Tomorrow will be another load. The things I'll do to top my brother in law and save $200 per month.

Toad

Odds and Ends

1. I was reading yesterday that Esquire and Architectural Digest probably won't live to see Christmas. I examined my conscience on this and concluded so what.

2. I badly want to blame our good friend Maximinimus for tragic accident, but honesty and good sense won't allow it. He's younger, faster and stronger than I.

In his post on George Mallory over the weekend, I commented that George and I wear the same watch. In this case, an early 1920's Ingersoll Wrist. Mine was my grandfathers.

I've worn mine off and on for almost 40 years, until today. I dropped it on the bathroom floor while dressing and shattered the crystal. The crystal will soon be replaced, but I hate to see it beginning the slide towards the proverbial my grandfather's ax story. Photo shameless stolen from ADG.

3. Ladies and Gent, Boys and Girls we have been awarded a prize. Dear friend, and budding novelist Rebecca have passed on the enviable Lemonade Stand Award.

The rules are the usual, but I am gratified none the less.

Post the award on your blog - Done
Nominate 10 other blogs and link to them.
Send some love back to the person who bestowed the award on you by: a/telling them who you gave it to (just about to do that) and b/posting a link to their site.
Let your nominees know that they've received the award.

Also, and I am ashamed to publicly admit at this late stage that once upon a time,we were awarded the Your Blog is Fabulous Award.

Frequent commenter News Readin' Wife awarded the prize to our humble missives. I am still flattered and grateful. At the time the award was given I was barely able to type 2 letters without misspelling, and too shy to pass on my good fortune.

What I never said was, that the award encouraged me at time I was about to stop. I'm thankful to her every day. You on the other hand have her to blame.

The rules as I remember are about the same, so I will treat them the same anyway. Fortunately there are enough prizes as followers to go around. I will specificly announce the winners tomorrow and my reasons why. No it is not just because you follow. This isn't the Oprah show.

Toad

Covert Coats on sale

My rant with Harvie and Hudson would easily for gotten if I were in the market for one of their Covert Coats. Mercifully, I am not. They are a thin mans lightweight coat. I do not qualify.

However, I have long wanted one. There is something about the equestrian vibe thrown off by a well made coat. Not many other opportunities for a man to wear velvet collars either.

This coat is on sale for under GBP 300 plus the 'ofjgofgjtoogjtg5gj 20 pound shipping.

Toad

A night out in KC

Date book empty for April 28th?

Should you find yourself in or near Kansas City I might suggest the Riedel Wine Glass Seminar at the American Restaurant.

Chef Debbie Gold allegedly is preparing a perfect match of hors d'oeuvres for the Mantanzas Creek, Byron Nelson and Arrowhead wines, each served in their unique Riedel Crystal Sommelier series glass.

Proceeds to benefit the James Beard Foundation, and guests will be given 3 crystal stems as a gift.

Sadly, Mrs. T and I will be unable to attend. I find that wine spoils my taste for gin, and we are not expected in KC until May 1.

Toad

My Little Chickadee

Boys and girls, youngin's and not so much, set your TIVO, program your VCR, stay home, make pop corn, eat chocolate for tonight on TCM is My Little Chickadee. 10:30 Eastern

If you have not seen it, you must. WC Fields and Mae West at their best. 70 years young and still going strong. It's followed by the original Topper. Cary Grant and Constance Bennett.

Toad

The Brooks Bros OCBD

Regular readers may recall I first mentioned this Brook Brothers Oxford Cloth shirt several months ago. While neither fish nor fowl it has intrigued me ever since, and after a successful visit to Uncle Harry's on Friday I finally popped for it.

The shirt is unusually odd. Contrasting white button down collar on a blue candy stripe oxford cloth body. French cuffs in the striped body color. No pocket, with sleeve placket buttons.

Several things make this unusual. Men's contrasting collars, an homage to the days of detachable collars and cuffs, rarely button down, and are almost never oxford cloth. Button down shirts are very rarely equipped with french cuffs. Finally, purists mark the beginning of BB's downfall to the day in 1963 when BB added a pocket to their oxford cloth shirts. I contend, that a gentleman's shirts do not require pockets.

I was quite prepared to pay retail, but at checkout I entered my card number and corporate code, and BB took $51 off. I almost purchased another. I'll show it off when it arrives in early May.

Toad

Shirts part 2

I've been searching for a navy/white gingham shirt for several weeks, with no luck.

So finally, I check out 3 Lunch Apple's tailor, Harvie and Hudson of St James and Knightsbridge, London. Not only do they have it, its on sale, 3 for 2. My favorite POW check as well. My size too. 3 shirts GBP 100.

So I'm doing my best calculating. Less VAT, plus shipping equals what? Finally it hit me. Shipping is GBP20!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where do they get off. It's cheaper to go there. Know any alternatives?

Toad