The Side Trek

SideTrekFalls

calaurore9 — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:36:14 +0000

EndMay. Travelled to our favorite Side Trek tableau, Shelburne Falls, a new way. Took a bucolic rural route from Conway past Bill Cosby’s rolling colonial acres. Off off the beaten trek. ”You are not invited” signs on every gate sounded like Coz. His blue wood-framed Garrison is only a couple feet off the old post road. Didn’t take photos, respecting privacy. Mills, inns dot the meandering byway which must have seen its share of Indian skirmishes along the Mohawk trail.

The Bridge of Flowers was in earlier than normal bloom. Town is abuzz. Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin are coming. They will be filming Labor Day based on a novel by Joyce Maynard. It’s about a 13 year-old boy, his Mom, secrets. Set in fictional New England hamlet, Holton Mills. Juno director, Jason Reitman.

We made a stop at Wandering Moon jewelry boutique and hit pay dirt. For me. Silver bracelet by a Manitoba artisan. Owner Laura Roberson’s finely crafted earrings. As we headed out to Route 112, a metal sculpture guy bid us adieu.

Back home through Goshen past the original 1775 Williams House.

Photos by the talented Dr.Husband, including the Richard Russo-esque header – State Street, in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.

MadNotes

calaurore9 — Wed, 30 May 2012 13:38:40 +0000

The funniest thing I’ve seen in a while, the Obama-Dylan show. Best quote, George Will calling Trump a ‘bloviating ignoramus’. Best restaurant continues to be ABC Kitchen. MichelleO just had dinner there. Meryl was a cool sighting. For all who are bored with MadMen discussion, have heart. RHONY starts next week.

A final ‘mad’ note. I’ve had lively interactions with wise and wonderful women over the past days who think my perspective on Joan’s decision was askew. When she took charge of the negotiation with Pete for a NON-silent partnership, that changed the landscape. She took control of her destiny. If she had done it for the money, she’d still have been considered a secretary slut at work. This deal put her in a different arena, using her leverage for a once in a lifetime game changer. It gave her equal status with the boys. Look at their behavior. ‘Whore’ is in the eye of the beholder. I make no distinctions for gender. Only 2 more episodes.

MadWomen

calaurore9 — Mon, 28 May 2012 14:12:59 +0000

1967. Things tipped earlier in Manhattan than in the ‘burbs. Peggy took her shot. Go, girl! Without good looks, she needed extraordinary drive, focus and talent to succeed in the mAd men’s world. Joan made a decision to use her physical assets to control her financial future, rather than continue to have them used and abused by Roger or even her own husband for no return. Megan’s beauty got her Don, and an easy chair at the copywriter’s desk. Making her Peggy’s peer. Megan has ad talent. But, she’s determined to be an actress. So, she’ll need to re-deploy her other skill on a casting couch to launch her new career. ZooBeeZoo.

Poor Don. He’s confounded and befuddled. When Joan strokes his cheek and tells him he’s one of the good guys, it’s clear. He’s not in Kansas anymore.

Here is Matt Creamer’s review. Don’t agree that Joan and Peggy were competing against each other to be Queen Bee. They both ended triumphant this week. If Don had talked Joan out of doing the deed and they got the account anyway, she wouldn’t be a partner. If Peggy had stayed, she’d always be Don’s protégée.

WhiteWeekend

calaurore9 — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:35:39 +0000

Memorial Day weekend. Official start to Summer. Get out your white shoes, pocketbooks (geezer purses), and belts. Do people still do that? Or did the tradition die with leisure suits? Can’t even bring myself to wear white Keds. Scuff ‘em up. I’ll never take a cruise or retire to Florida. Gin Rickies are white. White sailor suits, Fleet Week.

Three days to do home projects, take side treks, read the sequel to Wolf Hall. Hot dogs, hamburgers. No frills. Happy Birthday PithyV. 16 dyslexic candles to you. Frister for near 50 years. Congrats NellieD. MastersEd. Anita Abuelita. Enjoy your Lilly time in Philly. Happy long weekend to all.

Rhubarb RecipeContest- Vegan Panna Cotta or Grilled Pork Chops?

PuppMitt

calaurore9 — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:18:56 +0000

TeaParty’s Norquist says they just want a President who can hold a pen to sign every tax cut put in front of him. Colin Powell worries that a flimsy-spined Romney has surrounded himself with NeoCons. Mitt’s spouting their Cold War notion that Russia is our biggest threat. He’d string-dance us into invading Iran.

PuppMitt should stick to Bain Street. This he understands. Facebook deal slipped by regulators. Too little too late. Why is anybody still surprised? Insiders and underwriters always reap most of the profits long before an IPO hits the market.

Greece bails. Yerp out.

CapitolSteps

calaurore9 — Wed, 23 May 2012 03:18:32 +0000

Connecticut’s capitol is at the heart of major fords. Congrats to Will, UConn Law School grad, moving on to Greener Skies. Colby will soon be creating huskie compositions at Storrs.

mAdBen’s commute from 11th Ave will often extend to a landmark headquarters in the insurance hub.

Steps away from Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe abodes, Max’s Downtown gets a recent NYTimes restaurant nod. JeanJean&Co. rave about la cucina Italiana at Treva in West Hartford. Charter Oaks to all.

MadJag

calaurore9 — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:42:18 +0000

SNL Wiiged out, won’t be the same. Mick killed it. He missed his calling. Quick wit, comedic takes, perfect. He’s no LiLo. MadMen is hurtling through time, it’s Christmas ’66. After ZooBeeZoo Megan breaks Don’s heart and Lane financially craters the agency, will Joan and Peggy be the ones to pick up the pieces?

Newark Mayor Booker stepped in it. But, his point was correct. Main Street did benefit from Bain Streets. Campaigns will necessarily dwell on distractions, avoiding real issues. Austerity vs. Growth. Bring on a discussion with teeth.

Who is Dicky Pride?

WeekendSol

calaurore9 — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:38:27 +0000

Lots of sun, son this weekend. Ben Piccata. RecipeDetours.com.

Taking time out from Facebook, still think it has jumped the shark. How to monetize the advertise to thirteen year-olds? Any money to be made has been. Spanish banks out of pesos. Uh, Euros. Jamie Dimon cannot intervene in every trade. Get real. They take like a nano- second. Joshua voted out, finally. Could never stand his screeching. Love Phillip ‘Cocker’. Philadelphia’s Barnes Foundation collection has moved to rave reviews.

Elaine’s landmark on Manhattan’s Upper East Side is sorely missed and no replacement has yet been found. Wish I could buy it. Those were the days.

RainyRead

calaurore9 — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:08:21 +0000

Lazed by a cozy fire on the porch during a stormy evening deluge to finish Anne Korkeakivi’s An Unexpected Guest. This short novel takes place on one day in the life of Clare, the American wife of a British diplomat. They are living in Paris at the end of his posting there. A successful dinner party on this particular night will be vital to his next promotion. Clare’s past clashes with a series of sudden surprises during this 24 hours as she prepares for the all-important event. Her obsessions with an old boyfriend and youthful sins are out of balance with compelling priorities of her family in the present. Worth a sunny read. 3 Stars.

What’s in your cupboard? Recipes from Carol’s kitchen. Hadley Grass.

WeekDayTrek

calaurore9 — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:15:04 +0000

On a respite before the next rain, enjoyed a weekday side trek. Meandering up Route 5, we happened upon School Street in Hatfield, Massachusetts, where we found an Old Mill Inn and Pioneer Valley Vineyard. Little vineyards are cropping up along the Connecticut River. Will it be the next Napa? Not with our typical winter weather. Some varietals can do well here as in upper New York State.

We continued southeast past our Atkins Farm fave to Andrew’s Nurseries in South Amherst. Lots of garden goodies. In search of a sundial or artwork for our old oak stump as a pedestal. This photo in Hatfield, too. Not bad for a Monday.