who let the blogs out?

Sep 4, 2010

The Zodiac Room at Neiman Marcus

What else is there to say but amoeba-shaped silver napkin rings, ten-dollar bottles of sparkling water, tiny cups of broth, warm popovers with strawberry butter, lobster bisque and fruit topped with poppy seed dressing...

Yes, it was a little extravagant. But like the Mastercard commercials say about being priceless...this lunch was!

Why?

Because it was a little respite, amidst the emotions of a funeral, the anti-climax of a wedding, the tribulations of deadlines and the ills of dysfunction, when my mother, my daughter, my son and I shared a moment of genteel grace.

I predict that for years to come we will reminisce of this day.

Sep 3, 2010

In Case You've Forgotten

Wings-Press.com

Sep 2, 2010

Time Off For Dead Behavior

Went to a funeral today for my Uncle Ben. He was a great dad, model husband, all-around sweet guy and really smart, too. But that's not what this is about. This is about funerals in general. Okay, I admit it. I like them (as long as the honoree lived a long, full life.) They are little mini family reunions right in the middle of the week! Everyone stops what they are doing, gets dressed up, heads to the church and reflects on the meaning of life (and death).

Then we all lined up in our parking-lighted vehicles and got a police escort through a bunch of major intersections (cool) and since we were near the end of the procession the police car, lights blazing, would pass me to catch up to the next crossing. And every single time my heart stopped, feeling as though I'd done something wrong. (I had no idea I was so paranoid--or forgetful--I'm going to lay off the Equal.)

The other passengers in my car didn't want to participate in the processional--said it was too slow. But I insisted, assuring them it would be the quickest way. By the time we got to the burial site everyone agreed with me. A police escort can be fun!

A slight drizzle added ambience to the canopy and cooled off what would have been a sweltering 90 down to 70. Did I mention the pall bearers (cousins' sons including mine) looked handsome in their suits?

Tomorrow I'll tell you about going to Neiman Marcus in Downtown Dallas to the Zodiac Room for lunch. Riveting, I assure you!

Sep 1, 2010

Labor (Day) Pains

August--wow--what a month! It's been tough editing the book in the middle of hosting a wedding and trying to get in as much pool time as possible. But I made it!

Now I'm ready to go back-to-school shopping. (No--I'm not a student and I don't have any school-age kids.) But, like ducks gathering in formation and heading south, I can feel it--it's instictive! Even though the high was 92 today, the magnetism of the mall beckons--time to shop for sweatery knits in earth tones and closed-toe shoes. (Goodbye flip-flops--sniff...) Okay, I admit it, there are only about 4 or 5 days in Texas when the weather is prohibitive for sandals.

About the only "fashion don't" I adhere to is no white shoes after Labor Day. So, like the sands through the hour glass, so are the days for my silver-studded, white leather flip-flops (and the cute white bag I got to match at Charming Charlies.)

Do I sound shallow?

Well, I blame that on my mother. How I long for the days when she would take me shopping (read pay for it) every single Saturday while my Dad played golf. At the change of seasons I would come home with so many shopping bags I couldn't remember what was in them. Then I'd have to decide what to wear the first day of school. Did I go for the most trendy outfit which invariably involved long sleeves, ribbed knit and wool plaid? Or did I ease into it, saving my favorite for the third or fourth day, hoping against hope for a cool front to blow in? This was back in the good ol' days when school didn't start until after Labor Day. Summer was three solid months long and seemed to go on forever...

Anyway, after all that shopping during my childhood, I suppose it's fitting I write fashion copy for a department store. But we're working on Christmas right now. My next project is a spring direct mail piece...ahhh...flip-flop season already!