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

Dogwood season

It's dogwood season at The Park.

Since we are in the middle of an old oak and hickory forest we look for color everywhere we can. In early spring, color is primarily from budding red bud and dogwood trees.

Since the deforestation begun by the electric company I have been removing all the trash trees surrounding the house, allowing anything that flowers pride of place. The grounds have been wild for at least the past decade, all the nearby trees are spindly, top heavy things. In their search for sun they have grown up, not out.

It's my hope that by clearing space for our flowering saplings, eventually they will fill out and become truly specimen trees.

Mixed amongst the trees are a collection of azaleas and rhododendrons, which will begin to flower within the next several weeks. Each year I plant about 50 of each, which in a year or so should begin to fill in nicely. In my minds eye, I have the beginnings of a southern garden.

I next need to work on scent. My guide is a strong scent memory of the honeysuckle scented drive from Savannah to Atlanta.

Sadly, forest bottoms for miles around here are covered with an aggressive, invasive, non scented honeysuckle species. Virtually everything green in the pictures above are this plague. Adding more, although a less invasive honeysuckle may not be my answer. Any ideas?

Toad

The Movie of your life

Over cocktails Friday evening the question arose, who should play you, in the movie of your life? I stalled for time by asking several qualifying questions. Should they be me as I am, or as I hope to be? The me, as I am now, or when I wasn't so much now?

Your pick, they'll tailor the movie to fit, I was told.

I have two candidates. They are playing some version of me, as I see myself now. Sadly, at least one is dead, but I'm not certain that matters.

I can see the irrepressible Toad portrayed by either Peter Ustinov, or Albert Finney, especially in Uncle Henry mode from A Good Year. Perhaps a later Orson Welles could do me justice.

Who would you like to be you? If only for a movie.

Toad

Strickly a NY thing?

I finally got around to tackling last weekend's NYT yesterday. My routine is to begin with the Style section, head to Business, the Book Review and Magazine then let whatever catches my fancy take over.

My real favorite part is the Vows, at the back of Style.

Last weekend's featured couple were in their mid 40's. He was a nerd who had never married and had never had a lasting relationship. She had just left a 23 year relationship when she met the groom to be.

So they dated a year, he asked, she accepted, they tied the knot.

He likes his man cave of an apartment, she likes her pepto bismol pink apartment with her cats and parrots. What's a newly married couple to do in such circumstances?

You got it. THEY WILL MAINTAIN THEIR SEPARATE RESIDENCES AND GET TOGETHER FOR WEEKENDS!!!!! I asked, Mrs. T said no.

Can you imagine? Is there anywhere on the planet other than NY City where a guy could successfully pull this off? How would the conversation begin? Is this a marriage?

Toad