I was thinking this morning about the phrase "the crack of dawn." It is (alas) a cliche now, one where the very specific and very cool visual of sunrise is perhaps no longer evoked. And how interesting it is that we don't think about the opposite...

So, a moment with Principal Morgan Stonewood, where we do.

( Crack of Night )

Monday, hiding inside to escape the Pernicious* Heat...

[*Pernicious, a wonderful word: according to the Concise OED, "Origin: ME. From L. perniciosus 'destructive,' from pernicies 'ruin,' based on 'nex'...'death'.)

So, to honor escapes from the heat, and to thank the wonderful mobile_alh for her surprise gift to me to note this journal's earlier ( Read more... )

Two things on this Sunday:

First, a link -- a fascinating review by Deborah Jowitt in The Village Voice of an evening of contemporary dance with Mikhail Baryshnikov. (Also, a picture of Mr Baryshnikov in a white shirt ( Read more... )

Today, for some reason --perhaps because I felt so very heavy on my morning walk-run-- I began to ponder the word gravitas (According to the OED: noun. Dignity, solemnity.) It sounds like something else, doesn't it?

And so, a fic-bit of fun with words: "Gravitas."

( Ms Alice Stonewood is the most effective manager the local credit union has ever seen. )

This morning I woke up to all the signs of an imminent cold -- aches, stuffiness, sore throat-- and now my voice is going. I've managed to do the minimum of work required, but that's it. Alas, alas, alas ( Read more... )

Thing the First: this Sartorialist post, which features a stunning set of photos of Cary Grant.

Thing the Second: bizarre weather this morning, with passing showers which didn't look real.

Thing the Third: a drabble which combines the two.
..............

( “Come on, Dog,” the woman says, pulling her recalcitrant companion through their morning walk. )

Of late I have found myself slightly irritated by various style pronouncements -- One Must Wear X, One Must Not Wear Y, A Woman Should Wear Z or Fear A Fashionista's Wrath. Of late I have found myself gritting my teeth and deleting bookmarks to style sites because I am so irritated... And why invite irritation when it comes so easily and unwelcomed ( Read more... )

This is Mother's Day in the US: a hard day for those who have lost or never had, a joyous day for those who have and are. I send all good thoughts to all of you, and hope the day brings what you need.

I offer, too, a little vignette:

( ice-box )

Although it rained yesterday, I still added a little water to my new rose bush this morning -- cherry blooms, purple-edged foliage, bright against the light cypress mulch.

And then I wrote this 182-word vignette, on the theme of roses:

( Miss Night )

La la, it's Friday! The allergy-headache is only a mild roar, I've got time for a nap and a workout after one more bit of work, and yet... I've been thinking about the blues.

ITEM: So, see, I have lately developed this admittedly strange passion for Top Gear presenter (and novice wine-enthusiast) James May, and I've been rather baffled by it. (He ( Read more... )