In my last “View,” I considered General Lafayette’s life and crucial role in America’s War of Independence and reviewed his first visit to Old Lyme in 1778 (also see below.) My inspiration for this topic was the installation of Lafayette Trail markers commemorating stops he made in what is now known as his “Farewell Tour” in Old Lyme and my hometown, Fredonia, N.Y. in … [Read more...] about A View from My Porch: More on the Marquis: Lafayette’s Farewell Tour— The Bicentennial
Columnists
Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for February—’the Border Between Winter and Spring’
This winter, as in other winters; when I need a blossom boost, I enjoy the fragrance of paper white narcissus that I planted in tall glass vases. I surrounded the bulbs with seashells from White Sand Beach here in Old Lyme and kept them in a dark cool area keeping the shells and the bulbs moist as the roots developed. When the bulb foliage reached about six inches, I … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for February—’the Border Between Winter and Spring’
A View from My Porch: “Lafayette, We Are Here!” An American History Refresher
George Washington’s Birthday Edition In August, 2022, the Lafayette Trail marker on Old Lyme’s South Green that commemorates a visit by General Lafayette to the McCurdy house in 1824 was unveiled. The marker joins another on the Green that recognizes Old Lyme’s role in the women’s suffrage movement—American suffragist and activist Old Lyme resident, Katharine Ludington, … [Read more...] about A View from My Porch: “Lafayette, We Are Here!” An American History Refresher
Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for January, ‘The Month for Dreaming’
Happy New Year, everyone! Well, here we go, as you sit in your arm chair and dream about fragrant bloom and delicious vegetables in your garden. However, it is never too early to plan for this season in your garden. My motto has always been to plan, before action and production. Mother Nature is waiting for us with her gifts of renewal, growth and nourishment as we begin … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for January, ‘The Month for Dreaming’
Letter From Paris: Three Major Exhibits Dominate Parisian Art Scene This Winter
Tragic link between the featured artists is that they all committed suicide PARIS, FRANCE -- The art scene in Paris during the last month of 2023 was quite intense. Three major exhibits of artists—coming respectively from France, the US and the Netherlands—attracted a sophisticated, international public. These artists have nothing in common, except that all three of them … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Three Major Exhibits Dominate Parisian Art Scene This Winter
A View From My Porch: My Father’s January 6th—in 1941
We are three divisive years after the shameful and violent January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol that transpired on live TV. As the title indicates, this essay considers a very important historic event that occurred 80 years earlier on the Sixth of January in 1941; and is presented here as something that better reflects America’s values and world view … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: My Father’s January 6th—in 1941
Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for December—a ‘Time to Make Amends and Tie Up Loose Ends’
Hello everyone; so much to do and so little time in this holiday season ... Remember, to breathe, stretch and take time out for yourself each day. On a pleasant December day, go out into the garden. There is still time to plant your spring bulb; the earth is still workable so enjoy the fresh air and the gentle exercise. Plant the bulbs three times as deep as they … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for December—a ‘Time to Make Amends and Tie Up Loose Ends’
A View From My Porch: Reflections on the Election
At long last, I am devoting this “View” to a few thoughts and observations on Old Lyme’s November 7th municipal election, which included a recount; aka “recanvass,” for positions whose margins were less than 20 votes; — required in CT unless the losing candidate waives the recount. The recount, which was held on Monday, Nov. 13th, did not change any elected positions, though … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: Reflections on the Election
Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for November, When There is ‘A Sort of Delightful Menace in the Air”
We have been fortunate here in New England to have the pleasure of a lovely summer not too hot with adequate rain. Followed by a warm fall with more than enough rain into November to encourage healthy root growth for a vibrant spring next year. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this weather foretells a mild winter – we can only hope, but then again, this is New … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for November, When There is ‘A Sort of Delightful Menace in the Air”
The Movie Man: Quite Simply, ‘The Holdovers’ is a Must-see
The Holdovers is a must-see, there is no other way to describe it. Paul Giamatti delivers alongside Da’Vine Joy Randolph and newcomer Dominic Sessa (who is certain to have an extensive career with this debut) in Alexander Payne’s newest film depicting the in-between period of life on campus for a boarding school during Christmas break. This film struck a personal note … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: Quite Simply, ‘The Holdovers’ is a Must-see
The Movie Man: Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ Highlights Terrible Time in American History the US Would Prefer to Forget
Not Scorsese's Best Film, But Sure to be Showered with Awards While I do not consider Killers of the Flower Moon to be a “must see as soon as possible” movie, I definitely consider it “worth seeing.” To quote from an article in The Guardian by Greg Palast titled, Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon describes the struggles of the Osage people. Here’s why they are … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ Highlights Terrible Time in American History the US Would Prefer to Forget
A View from My Porch: Children’s Literature for the intrepid — Let Freedom Read!
The American Library Association (ALA) has proclaimed “Let Freedom Read!” as the theme for this this year’s “Banned Books Week,” which just ended this past Friday (Oct. 7.) This “View” is written to acknowledge the rationale for such a week, and reflect on why it is especially pertinent in 2023 Old Lyme. Stepping back, I said at the end of “Surfing with Gen. Alpha,” which I … [Read more...] about A View from My Porch: Children’s Literature for the intrepid — Let Freedom Read!
Gardening Tips for Late September/Early October from ‘The English Lady’
Rain through August and September has been quite plentiful, that said, our gardens need rain as do our reservoirs. In the meantime, if you are planning to plant evergreens; late September going into October is the best time to plant evergreens in our zone. Evergreens planted now can begin to establish strong roots before winter and providing them with … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips for Late September/Early October from ‘The English Lady’
Letter From Paris … or, in this case, Saint-Émilion: A Day In Wine Country
Saint-Émilion is a small village perched on the hills overlooking the Dordogne river about 28 miles east of Bordeaux It is surrounded by some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world and in 1999, the "cultural village"of St. Emilion was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. In winter, the population of Saint-Émilion is not more than 200 but in summer … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris … or, in this case, Saint-Émilion: A Day In Wine Country
A View From My Porch: The Beach Boys Redux — Surfing with Gen. Alpha
I hypothesized in a “View” published in early August that “The Beach Boys,” whose music regularly celebrated muscle cars, the power of the internal combustion engine, and California car culture had an influence on Americans’ early reluctance to buy electric vehicles. I did not expect to ever consider their music in another essay, or in this case, a little bit of their … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: The Beach Boys Redux — Surfing with Gen. Alpha