First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

A Passion That Endures

A few weeks ago, I flew to San Francisco to have dinner with old friends. We’re a group of foodies, and at this annual event, everyone gets a course, and creates something special. (Since I’m now an out-of-towner, I’m stuck bringing artisan bread.) As a kid, I was mostly indifferent to good cuisine, but nonetheless, absorbed the lessons well from my mother and grandmother. Even during lean times, I’ve had a well-stocked kitchen, with first-rate tools and raw materials. I take pleasure in every phase; shopping, prepping, hosting loved ones around my table. Cooking keeps me company.

What’s Your Secret?

At dinner last night, an acquaintance visiting from the East Coast was telling me about her spinster aunt, who died at the age of 93. I’m fascinated by stories of women of that vintage, because it was so much harder to be single then. I asked my dinner companion if she knew why her aunt had never married, and when she said, “not really,” a surprising question spilled from my mouth: “Do you think your aunt was gay?” I had to laugh at myself, imagining how MANY times through the years, others have asked that question about me.

Image: Lawrence Zeegen

Getting Psyched for Valentines Day (Yeah, right)

Image via newyorkshitty

Talk About a Dry Spell

Tim Gunn, the charming mentor of Project Runway, recently admitted that he hasn’t had sex in 29 years. Wow. That makes me feel so much better right now. I’ve had my share of sex droughts, and strategized how to get through them. But this is a whole other category. Gunn seemed quite chipper about it. Do you think money and fame make it easier to be celibate?

Image: White Kiss by Escif

A Room of One’s Own

“So when I ask you to earn money and have a room of your own, I am asking you to live in the presence of reality, an invigorating life.”

From A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf, who was born on this day in 1882. This painting of Woolf is by the artist, Roger Fry, a fellow member of the Bloomsbury Group.

Here’s to Yellow

Primary colors. I’m going to make that #19. (See yesterday.)

Manufacturing Hope

During buoyant times, hope and gratitude are no-brainers. But in a funk, faking it works, too. It’s a mechanism for appreciating the trivial. As a remedy, this weekend, in the midst of feeling blue, I forced myself to come up with 20 things to be happy about. I got to the first 6 pretty easily – family, friends, health, ballet class, dog, having a Democrat in the White House. But I slowed after that. Reaching beyond 12 was a real struggle. And that’s when it gets interesting.

Image: Pandora’s Box by Andrew Junge

How To Look Good in a Hat

I look awful in hats, kind of like a pinhead, and was often called as much during my childhood. This could be why I moved to Southern California, so as not to be in a position to have to wear them. I was reminded of this last weekend, in a chilly San Francisco, when I borrowed a friend’s puffer jacket, and stuffed inside was a wool Giants cap. I put it on as a buffer against the wind, and my pal got a big laugh at my expense. On quite the other end, there’s sheer elegance, by the legendary fashion illustrator René Gruau.

Exit Stage Left

I’ll be honest. There have been times being single that I’ve wanted to disappear. Most repeatedly and vividly, after seeing the disappointment in my mother’s face, with no son-in-law in sight. Also, at a wedding, when all the guests, with the exception of several old ladies in the corner, paired off for a dance. Or as the 23rd wheel at a holiday dinner, with my only compadres being the preteens at the kid’s table. Happily, this is not one of those days.

Image: Exit by Flying Mouse

Internet Goes On Strike

Image swiped from this isn’t happiness