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Paperdoll Worlds
I loved paperdolls as a child. I thought they were the most precious things. My mother tore out Betsy McCall’s page from her monthly McCall’s magazine for me and I spent many afternoons…
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Fatherly Advice
Poetry sometimes throws light into the darker corners of existence. It offers truths that are based on intuition, keen eyes, and soulful experiences. Just like good advice. Some days when my thoughts have no…
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Mistress of Herself
I’ve written about her before on this blog, but Mrs. Delany continues to capture my imagination and inspire me as my premier muse. In addition to reinventing herself many times over, she kept living well…
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Belonging to Moonlight and Roses
Recently I read a teenage novel on the recommendation of a friend. It was her favorite high school read and it was lovely, set in the 1950’s. It had lots of the domestic details…
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Secrets of Loveliness
This charming book was a Scholastic Book Selection when I was in grammar school. Every month our teacher passed out flyers for wonderful paperback books which students could order for only a few cents. …
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Emily’s Party
My library hosts a birthday party for Emily Dickinson each year on her December 10th birthday. These are quaint little affairs which include that corrupt pleasure, white frosted sheet cake, along with heaps of…
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The Pillow Book
I’m known for frequent obsessions that often lead me down rabbit holes for weeks and weeks at a time. Whereupon, I must then find books, photos, links, papers, etc. to feed a compulsive need…
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Fairy Tales
One Christmas, I received a sweet little teddy bear. Baby blue and soft, it had a wee golden turnkey on its back and when wound, elicited a charming tinkling version of Lara’s Theme from the film Dr.…
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Birthdays, Slippers, and Serendipity
Yesterday was my birthday and although I cannot say why here, I cried all day. The reason for the tears doesn’t exist any longer but 24 hours ago, I didn’t think that would be possible. …
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Pretty Found
A few years ago I stopped reading most of the glossy fashion magazines. I became bored to tears with celebrity covers as well as endless mini photos from the runway. Also, it seemed as though…
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The Thoughtful Dresser
Are clothes an ally to human dignity? So says Linda Grant in her thoughtful book, “The Thoughtful Dresser”. We all like to be covered up most of the time but do clothes really…
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Lemons into Limoncello
Many of you have written to me to ask about the book recommendation I gave one of my commenters. I love comments and I know it is difficult to leave them and so…
