Classic Style

  M oving reluctantly toward the kick-off of classes for Spring 2025 next Monday the 13th with a summit this morning on teaching general education courses in challenging times.  Besides the typical start-of-term announcements and reminders, discussion focused on how to handle hypothetical difficult situations that might arise in the classroom given rising and emboldened hostility among certain segments of the population toward informed knowledge and expertise at odds with their ultra-conservative world view. On a more pleasant note, attire for today included a new pair of corduroy trousers given to me by the Grand Duchess for Christmas two weeks ago along with additional variants on the usual cold weather theme.  While rose-colored cords are not for everyone, a couple of different colleagues expressed their approval at different points.  As I remarked to some students 20 or so years ago, "If what I say is not interesting, at least you can enjoy looking at me."  ...

    A lthough classes do not reconvene for the Spring 2025 semester/term until next Monday the 13th, I eased myself back into early rising with an 8am appointment for a routine check-up the the eye doctor this morning.  What was I thinking??!!  The only saving grace, besides a good report from the doctor, was that the early appointment provided an opportunity to shower, shave, and toss on something a bit more than the usual cold weather at-home uniform of either a Rugby jersey, or a plaid flannel shirt and a pair of corduroy jeans. -- Heinz-Ulrich      

  H ere's to continued and consistent efforts to improve our approach to daily life in 2025.  The key term to adopt for the coming 12 months is "growth mindset" when it comes not only to appearance and grooming, but also to intellectual pursuits.  While appearance is vital in how we interact with the world around us, and keeping in mind that I am a vapid popinjay after all, it ain't just about the clothes we wear.   Kidding aside, I hope we can get through the coming year(s) with a minimum of the now daily discord, strife, willful ignorance, and general ugliness that we have come to expect in what now passes for acceptable sociopolitical discourse.  As that fantastic band The Kinks intoned 40+ years ago, and I may be misquoting their song a bit, I hope we'll find better days for 2025 and beyond. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Just yours truly mugging for the camera  before enjoying not one but TWO pre-Christmas cinnamon pastries with coffee.  Tan or cinnamon corduroy jeans and L.L. Bean boots with Nordic patterned Smart Wool socks on the lower half by the way.  Nothing more, thank you.  I'm in good shape. O n the Friday before Christmas, the Grand Duchess and I escaped for a parents' day out in nearby Ann Arbor before the Young Master began his 14-day and then some Winter Break from school.  Most of our Christmas shopping done already, we nevertheless enjoyed window shopping around downtown, a visit for a couple of hours to the art museum on the University of Michigan campus, combined with visits to our favorite cafe and bookstore before heading for home about 2pm although the Young Master now has his own house key and is fine on his own in the afternoons.    At the conclusion of this particular visit, we could not for the life of us recall where we had parked the car ...

  U p and at 'em early yesterday (Friday) morning to shuttle the Young Master to a doctor's appointment, so a perfect excuse to shower, shave, and dress like a reasonably civilized person once again.  Even when the appointment is not your own, it's best to avoid showing up in a windbreaker with white socks peeking out from between pants and shoes.  As I have, no doubt, mentioned here many times before, professionals and service people alike tend to react and speak differently to you when you are well-dressed.   Anyway, I liked the combination of items pictured so much that I kept everything on once home again and engaged with my own leisurely pursuits.  Some hours later, the Grand Duchess suggested we run a few errands together, dangling an invitation to one of our favorite local cafes before me.  How could I refuse?   Conveniently enough, we also dropped by my tailor where I took a wonderful new pair of J. Press corduroys for hemming.  ...

  A bit out of sequence, but here is what yours truly wore for Christmas Dinner mid-afternoon on Christmas Eve before we cleared the table, loaded the dishwaher, stowed the leftovers in the refigerator, and headed to church for the 5:30pm Christmas Eve service.  My goose was not quite cooked, sartorially speaking, but I did commit the cardinal sin of mixing two plaids.  Given the low lighting in the church and the waning daylight outside, I hope no one noticed. The shirt was one of my pink OCBDs though the color does not show up that well in the photograph.  I paired a Black Watch necktie (wool) with it.  The wool trousers (Bill's Khakis), while not a specific tartan as far as I know, feature a pleasing combination of dark red, dark green, and (I believe) navy.  These make several appearances during December and early January each year. Solid forest green wool dress socks peek out at the bottom.  On a more amusing (?) note, I caught a bad case of the ...

  N o sartorial surprises for Christmas Day at home.  Truthfully, we were in pajamas until midday enjoying gifts, music, and nibbling on various goodies, but then it was time for everyone to head upstairs and dress.  My go-to combination of items, probably in common with many others, is a herring bone tweed jacket (J. Press), pair of tan dress cords, and one of several various ODBD shirts hanging in the laundry room closet.  Very easy to toss on the usual braided leather belt, loafers, socks, and and tartan necktie for a pulled together look. that is both comfortable and seasonally fitting.   There is a bad pun in there somewhere, but we'll overlook it in view of the general festivities of the season!  You'll forgive the low, rather German expressionistic lighting of these photographs I hope.  But they were taken in the living room next to the larger tree, where we had the lights down low to enjoy the tree lights and candles as we had Christmas Di...

  A nd here's to a well-dressed and groomed festive season wherever you are, however, and with whomever you celebrate. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  The 2024 Stollen fresh from the oven, buttered generously by the Grand Duchess before the Young Masted dusted it liberally with confectioner's sugar. My own contribution, a cherry pie, which is Sonja's favorite.  Not as spectacular as her annual stollen, but I tried my hand at a woven upper crust this year, which worked out reasonably well I think. M erry Christmas Eve everyone!  And pardon the bad pun,  Just a quick post before Young Master Paul joins me at the breakfast table for some Raisin Bran and cantaloupe (for him), and stollen with coffee (for me) while we listen to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College Cambridge via BBC Radio Four online.  How things have changed since I used to tune in to hear the service via BBC World Service on the shortwaves 20+ years ago!   A shower, shave, and dressing for the occasion will follow breakfast with Christmas dinner mid-afternoon, so we can attend Christmas Eve service at Sa...

  W hile the Grand Duchess baked cornbread for the stuffing/dressing to go with the Christmas goose yesterday evening AND her annual authentic Dresdner stollen, yours truly took up space by the hearth in the library after finishing gift-wrapping in my basement office, known around these parts as Zum Stollenkeller .  We enjoyed soft Christmas music, mulled wine, and a bit of eggnog much later in the evening, sitting up until almost 1am.   Staying up late like that is something we never do anymore, but I hope for more of during Christmas Week.  I used to be a night owl for most of my life until the Young Master came along in 2009, which understandably changed the narrative.  Since he is now 15 and largely more self-sufficient here at home, well, hopefully my internal schedule might be able to right itself and return to pre-child habits.   But what's on tap for the 23rd as we near Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?  Well, while I've got a few last...

  Bad Dad and the Young Master at sunset on Christmas Day 2017. E very family who observes Christian tradition, whether avid church-goers or not, has its own way of celebrating the Christmas season.  And as many of us do at this time of year, I've recently been thinking back over various Christmases past, how old I was, where I was, the people involved, and what we did to mark the holiday.  Here are a few highlights that come to mind. . . 1) Christmas 1972 (Saint Louis, Missouri) -- I was just six and received one of the most wonderful material gifts ever from Santa Claus. No, not a C+ for my Christmas theme, or even a Daisy Red Ryder Carbine Action Air Rifle, but rather a Lionel train with a figure eight of track!  No one had to worry about me shooting my eye out Christmas Morning though.  Instead, I played with the train set all day, throughout Christmas Week, and into the new year, enjoying the train and adding a few things to the basic set-up for several yea...

  As a nod to the Silly Season, the Grand Duchess and I began the tradition of the Solstice Pineapple several years ago, possibly 2020, during the depths of the pandemic with all of its uncertainty.  And since the uncertainty continues, albeit for different yet oddly similar reasons (cough-cough), we have continued celebrating the arrival of winter with the fruit and lights on the kitchen countertop.  You know.  Looking toward brighter times. This year, the Young Master changed the batteries, modeled the crown of lights on his head as we decorated the trees, and later arranged them atop the pineapple.  We'll enjoy it in a few days once ripe and go through another Solstice Pineapple or two depending on how quickly they ripen.  It's one of those many fun little things we laugh about and enjoy doing each year at this time and adds some brightness to a corner of the kitchen. Happy December 16th everyone! -- Heinz Ulrich 

  The dining table all set for the Young Master this morning just before he arrived for breakfast. D ecorating the Christmas trees today/this evening and heading just up the road to our little Episcopal (Anglican) church for a seasonal concert mid-afternoon.  Kind Advent regards, everyone! -- Heinz-Ulrich   The upper half for today, joined by my feline buddy Onyx the Cat, who typically hangs out in the seat of my desk chair and then moves to the back once I arrive to do something at the desk.  He has been part of many Zoom calls since Fall 2020 much to the amusement of students and colleagues! And the lower half for at home although I will don a tweed jacket, socks, and penny loafers for our later trip out for the Christmas concert up the street with a quick errand to the supermarket afterward.  

  T hings are beginning to calm down a bit following the end of classes on December 8th.  In addition, the Grand Duchess had a meeting for this morning cancelled, so we had time for breakfast at our favorite quick and greasy about 10 minutes from the house in an adjacent village.  You'll forgive my apparent giddiness, I hope, but I clearly don't get out much these days. -- Heinz-Ulrich

W hile today has been largely a "No Day," I did drive up the road briefly to pick up a few things for the Grand Duchess at the supermarket.  A perfect excuse to have a little seasonal fun with my long stocking cap, purchased many years ago in Norway.  Attired thusly, I bear a striking resemblance to the Scandinavian nisse or tomte.    Humorous, yes.  But the general visage never fails to draw smiles from and kind exchanges with random strangers and cashiers in stores, parking lots, and the like.  And isn't that what it's all about?  Bringing a few smiles to the people we pass by in our comings and goings.  Routine and pleasant human interaction.    The older I grow, the more I am aware of how vital that is for all of us.  And as I mentioned in a recent post, why not? Finally, as a reminder to any younger bucks out there reading this, keep the following in mind.  Women of all ages notice and express their approval when a man p...

  A rare photograph of yours truly and the Grand Duchess together on campus.  Our paths almost never cross although our offices are separated by one floor in the same office building right smack in the middle of campus.  And I swear, despite my crooked grin, nothing medicinal was present or consumed at yesterday's meeting. J ourneyed the 15 minutes into campus yesterday for the final department meeting of the fall semester, once called "retreats" but no longer under the guidance of our new chair.  As 90-minute meetings go, it was reasonably pleasant and was followed by a retirement send-off for the senior faculty member in our program.   Of the remaining 13 faculty (plus our chair), that leaves yours truly and two others as senior members of the program.  And although those two colleagues have taught here longer than yours truly, I am actually older by some years than they are.  In the blink of an eye, I have become. . .  The Old White Guy...

  T he Young Master, whose school had its first snow-day of the the 2024-2025 school year yesterday (Thursday), and I ventured out late yesterday afternoon for his usual Thursday appointment across town.  The roads had been cleared by that point, but it was quite cold.  I killed time during his business on my laptop with a huge hot chocolate at a nearby cafe where these quick snaps were taken.   Once again, the pictures illustrate that a guy can be casual and comfortable (an apparent obsession in this country) yet avoid resembling the ghost-of-sweatpants-should've-been-relegated to-the-long-past when in public spaces.  Know what I mean? Almost hidden by the long scarf is a well-worn light blue OCBD shirt from L.L. Bean that I've had for a dozen years or more.  The usual dark green duffle coat was on the chair to my right as I waded through the never ending sea of email.  -- Heinz-Ulrich

T hree quick shots taken from the front door this morning just after 8am while I waited for the coffee water to heat.  Possibly just enough on the ground to ski on my old, well-worn Madshus skis purchased many years ago in Norway.   They are no longer my sole, or main pair of skis.  And the bases are deeply scratched and scarred at this point.  I keep them for sentimental reasons, however, and as so called 'rock skis' for thin snow conditions in the early and late season. Now, many complain routinely about the weather regardless of season with winter baring the brunt of it.  Not something I understand since there is beauty to be found at any time of the year and in most places.   And while mid- to late fall has always been my favorite season, there is no denying the special beauty of freshly fallen snow.  It just makes you want to get outside and play in it.  Of course a large mug of hot chocolate or spiced tea by the fire once inside a...

  M uch colder with heavy skies here today.  According to the weather forecast, we are to have high winds and a few inches of snow beginning late this afternoon, lasting until Friday morning.   So, off to the vacuum cleaner repair shop and cobbler to drop a pair of boots belonging to the Grand Duchess before a 1pm Zoom meeting.  And remember.  Even when winter weather is on the way, one can still dress presentably for those inevitable last-minute trips out ahead of the snow and treacherous driving.  We don't want to look like a shambling mound of soiled laundry now, do we?  Before you ask, the trip out did not include a run to the supermarket for milk, bread, and bathroom tissue as seems to be the case with so many others ahead of winter weather.  Something I noticed years ago when I managed a department for several years in a supermarket outside of Philadelphia and was wryly amused, as an early 20-something, by the shopping habits of the gen...

  U p and at 'em early again today, Tuesday, but there is always time to dress somewhat presentably.  Today's combination of items might, admittedly, stretch a bit to far toward holiday season sentimentality however.   Still, it's hard to go completely wrong with a tweed sports jacket, cords, suede brogues, and a vintage bow tie from J. Press.  Above all, I enjoy my clothes along with the simple act of wearing them.   Back on campus Friday morning for a department meeting and a retirement party after that, so already daydreaming about what might leap forth from the closet early in the morning at the end of the week.  I'm thinking a tartan necktie of some kind first and foremost.   And why not? -- Heinz-Ulrich

  A variety of photographs from Thanksgiving Weekend and today back on campus for the final week of classes.  Managed to nail the Robert Talbott bow tie on the first attempt in the semi-darkness at 5:45am this morning.  Not an easy feat.   More than three feet of snow fell around Gaylord, Michigan in the northern part of "The Mitten" (three hours north of East Lansing) during the weekend, and our favorite ski areas are already open for the season!  We had only about three inches in our neck of the woods on Friday night and throughout Saturday, but it was/is beautiful. The Grand Duchess enjoyed it with me during a mid-afternoon walk around the neighborhood on Saturday. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  The Young Master (clearly the star of this particular show) has a brand new pair of khakis that feature a medium break, but he decided to put on last year's pair for a no break, ska revival look on the bottom half.  Overall, he looks pretty good  though and even revealed, when asked, that he likes his tasseled loafers and braided belt.  No easy feat, let me tell you. A nd I am not referring to the old, bluesy rocker by Led Zeppelin.  Why, oh why is it that adolescent and teen-aged boys simply will not calm down and smile without criminally deranged grimaces for just one or two quick shots before a holiday meal??!!  You would not believe haw many attempts it took just to get these two usable pictures.  Or maybe you would?  Jeeze Lousie! -- Heinz-Ulrich