First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

The Magnificent Julia Child

Julia Child, one of my goddesses, would’ve been 102 today. While prepping for a dinner party this Sunday, it’s good to be reminded of her no-nonsense advice:

The young hostess should be advised never to say anything about what she serves, in the way of ‘Oh, I don’t know how to cook, and this may be awful,’ or ‘poor little me,’ or ‘this didn’t turn out’…etc.etc. It is so dreadful to have to reassure one’s hostess that everything is delicious, whether or not it is. I make it a rule, no matter what happens, never to say one word, though it kills me. Maybe the cat has fallen in the stew, or I have put the lettuce out the window and it has frozen, or the meat is not quite done…Grit one’s teeth and smile.

Make ‘Em Laugh

At times, I catch a glimpse of my face reflected in my iPhone and I look so grumpy. It’s frightening. Maybe it’s just the angle making my features droop. In any case, it’s a wake up call to smile more.

Masks made from toilet paper rolls by Junior Fritz Jacquet

Looks Can Be Deceiving

This is the entire text of the story Housekeeping Observation by Lydia Davis.

Robin Williams, thanks for everything!

“I used to think the worst thing in life is to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone.”  – Robin Williams, 1952 – 2014

Kicking Back

Home soon.

Marine Girls by Virginie Morgand

End of Week Zen

Here’s to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. Happy weekend!

Illustration by Lisa Congdon

Where Do You Fit?

Bottom middle near the cronut and chicken and waffles. Only a few days left to enter our contest.

Dietary Restrictions by Michelle Rial

What Are You Putting Off?

It has taken me too many years to revisit my brother’s home by the lake. I get so entrenched in the city. Finally, tomorrow, I’m off to bask in nature on the other coast. I might not respond as quickly as usual to your comments and my posts will be brief. But I’ll be refreshed and back next week.

Andy Warhol via MIchael Mulvey

When You Need to Add a Pop of Color

In a couple of days, I’ll be traveling to New England to visit my brother. On a previous visit, I remember my sister-in-law remarking that I don’t wear a lot of color. Eager for everyone to get along (and because I couldn’t resist the name), I’ve decided to get a pre-trip pedicure using this

Artwork by Anatol Knotek

Cleaning Up

I’m relatively tidy. Or so I thought. Today, the new housekeeper I just hired cleaned my apartment for the first time. I prepped over the weekend by wiping down baseboards and even using a damp rag to remove the dust from underneath the sofa and the TV console. I was trying to make a good impression, because she is highly recommended and has a packed schedule. 4 hours after she had started, I returned home to see how things were going. The housekeeper looked at me, shook her head and somberly said, “your place is very dirty.” The good news is she’ll be back.

Camden Maid by Banksy