Four Little Words. . .

Regardless of the cut of one's sports jacket, odd pants, suit, or shirt collar, four key words spring to mind when it comes to being intentional about our attire, personal habits, daily interactions and so much else. Here they are:

Polish -- Good manners and ease with people.

Sophistication -- Refinement, good taste, and subtlety in not only a social context but also the cultural and intellectual senses.

Finesse -- Sensibility, grace, and social competence.

Awareness -- Perspective, empathy, and emotional intelligence

And my point? We should strive to cultivate these qualities in ourselves with (more) conscious intent. More of the four within and from everyone would make the world in 2024 a far more pleasant place in which to live and operate. Best of all, these four things cost nothing, making them accessible to everyone regardless of education level or income bracket.

-- Heinz-Ulrich

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The Power of Ideas. . .

T he end is nigh! The autumn semester/term approaches. And while we still have almost two months of summer left according to the calendar, "Summer is over and gone," as the crickets sang in Charlotte's Web . At least for those of us who head back to the classroom in less than a month. In advance of a meeting with my program director late Monday morning, I spent about 40 minutes total during the weekend to jot down several ideas about planned workshops and related activities for the coming 2024-2025 academic year. At an opportune moment, I mentioned "I have a few ideas," and opened my leather portfolio. My director was highly receptive to almost everything I suggested, and we had a very productive planning session for just over 90 minutes. Just about everything I sketched out on Sunday aligns with his own ideas. It's nice when meetings go that well, and two related things occur to me in hindsight. One, it pays to exercise...

CSA Pick-Up Style. . .

I t's getting to be that time in the summer! Yep, the garden fresh vegetables are starting to come in. Picked up the first half-share of the Grand Duchess' Summer 2024 community supported agriculture allotment late yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. Some delicious looking items that will make a nice salad for dinner this evening. Meanwhile, the Grand Duchess and Young Master are across Lake Michigan in Wisconsin visiting cousins for the next several days and attending a large annual airshow. while yours truly holds down the fort. More of the usual summertime fare in the attire photos featured. This particular shirt, while it has not appeared here in quite some time, is one of my favorites. An item that has been in the seasonal rotation for a dozen years or more. It ironed up nicely before I put it on and tucked it in. The chino shorts (with a 6" inseam. . . I know, I know.) are one of many such khaki pairs currently occupying the bottom...

A Box of Mercer Goodness. . .

D uring a day already full of pleasant surprises, these arrived via UPS late this afternoon. About a month before I expected them. Yes! Looking very forward to their inaugural wearings in just a few weeks when we're back on campus. -- Heinz-Ulrich

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