Category: Personal

Happy Birthday, America The (Not Always) Beautiful

There’s a phrase that’s stuck in my mind  ever since the day I had the enormous (and effortless) good fortune to become an American citizen. Seventeen years ago, the judge who swore in a couple of hundred of us as new citizens told us to pursue our dreams, and to get involved in our communities. Then, she said: “America is not a perfect country. But it is a great land.”

Summer of Love

These days, it’s all too easy to bewail what makes America less than a perfect country. Given the emotional, verbal and physical abuse inflicted by those currently in power on innocents and so many other decent people and institutions, it’s been tempting to look for a way out (yes, those cottages for sale in the English countryside sure look inviting!)  But sometimes — especially on anniversaries like July 4th, or for example, August 31 (my anniversary of citizenship)– I feel I should remind myself of what made me fall in love with this great land in the first place. Continue reading “Happy Birthday, America The (Not Always) Beautiful”

The Fascinators Of Hampton Bays

Question: Where do you get to see as many fascinators in one afternoon as you saw at the very British, very Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan?

Answer:  At a fundraiser garden party for the Hampton Bays Beautification Society on the first Saturday in June 2018.

If you still don’t know — or can’t guess– what a fascinator is, hint: there’s one in almost every photo below.

And, if you don’t know where Hampton Bays is, hint: it’s in the Hamptons, on Long Island, but it’s not the snootiest Hampton. Not even close. That’s despite the fact that the hamlet has sandy beaches on two spectacular bays, Shinnecock and Peconic, and one of the best Ocean beaches in the world over the Ponguogue Bridge. Continue reading “The Fascinators Of Hampton Bays”

Mimosas In New York (Yes At 5 A.M! ) As Harry Marries Meghan

So, here I am with my American BFF watching a wedding, and eating and drinking at 5 in the morning. This morning. Here’s why: Continue reading “Mimosas In New York (Yes At 5 A.M! ) As Harry Marries Meghan”

Just In Time For Mother’s Day

There comes a time, usually around the first day of Spring, when you look out of your windows, see all the drab browns and grays, and you wonder whether any of it is ever going to turn green again?

For me it happens every year, and I always think, no way, I can’t see how all this is going to turn green and bright this year. This year it was especially questionable. Our winter was long and it kept coming. And coming. (Click on photos to enlarge them) Continue reading “Just In Time For Mother’s Day”

Sometimes, An Author Has To Take A Break

I came across this rather graphic quote from Truman Capote the other day: “Finishing a book is just like you took a child out in the back yard and shot it.”

Given Capote’s eccentric personality and oft-times dark humor, I wasn’t quite sure whether he meant he was ecstatic when he finished writing a book, or totally despondent. Continue reading “Sometimes, An Author Has To Take A Break”