Classic Style

  A fast moving, torrential thunderstorm knocked out our power for several hours this afternoon.  And along with it the air-conditioning to keep the house comfortable.  Since I was unable to continue working on my computer until the problem was fixed some four hours later, it seemed like a good time for an afternoon lie-down with a handy cat nearby.  Just one more variation of the summer uniform here. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  Another variation of the green and tan that work so well together.  Today's attire taken for a very warm and humid spin around the neighborhood following the evening meal and coffee. I spoke this afternoon via a Zoom call to my maternal uncle, who lives outside of Providence, Rhode Island.  A retired professor of Theology and Philosophy (one of the family's genuine ivy leaguers), he is well into his late 70s now and struggling with a variety of health issues.  But he continues reading subjects that interest him. Of particular note, Uncle David is teaching himself Danish to read Kirkegaard in the original, takes the occasional online graduate course in Philosophy, and somehow manages to maintain a  positive attitude about everything happening in the world.  And on a more personal level.  The fact that he was in younger days also an Episcopal (Anglican) priest in the U.K. and here in the U.S. might have something to do with that. At any rate, we be...

  A nyone who has had a child in, oh, the last 5000 years or so, will recognize the drill.  Said child -- teenager don't forget -- has a routine appointment.  Parent must interrupt day to take child to appointment. Child told to be ready by certain time in advance of appointment.  Child asked several times and finally told to put on shoes so the two of you can leave for the blasted appointment.   Sigh. Two photos of yesterday's attire shot while hanging around waiting for the Young Master to get his shoes on to leave the house and journey 10 minutes up the road for an appointment Wednesday afternoon.  A slightly more casual variation of the typical uniform around these parts.  I am especially fond of the way this particular jacket goes with this particular pair of khakis.  Parenthetically, I came across the latest Ben Silver catalog while gathering a few things from the floor on my side of the bed later in the day, and deposited it quietly in...

  A quick stop by the library's Mermaid for a coffee before the later coffee.  A pleasant 30 minutes.  Quiet jazz and only one other patron working on his laptop.  A far cry from the chaos of the academic year. O ne of about 25 faculty and staff to meet the new dean of our college this morning over coffee and some kind of dried out pastries.  Relax.  It's not an exclusive group.  There are actually several such opportunities during July for faculty and staff across the college to meet the new guy.   My impression?  Nice enough, and he talks a good line as someone friendly to the Humanities.  Time will tell.  But I suspect our new dean is someone who has, ultimately, been chosen to make steep cuts given the entire institution's ongoing budgetary shortfall.  A situation made more urgent given the last six months. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  A n oppressively warm Sunday here by all accounts, relieved late in the afternoon by a passing thunderstorm with s ome heavy rains.  Helped by the quiet hum of the air-conditioning in the background, a perfect opportunity for a 90 minute lie-down before the evening meal. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  H aving just returned from our family vacation up north, things are relatively low key here in the Grand Duchy today, but still dressing with intent.  Wine and some Scrabble, Yahtzee, or Gin Rummy with the Grand Duchess after fireworks this evening. -- Heinz-Ulrich

    J ust returned from a delightfully relaxing week "Up North" as they say here in Michigan, where we enjoyed cycling, sailing, kayaking, and yoga on the beach among other activities.  We stayed at our usual house outside of Traverse City on the Betsie River.  Not quite Salt Water New England ;-) but plenty of "big water" as the Grand Duchess remarked in conversation one evening over the Scrabble board and a glass of wine.  -- Heinz-Ulrich