A Snowy Tweed Suit Wednesday. . .

It has been two years or more since I last wore this heavy tweed suit by Chipp. 15 months and 40+ pounds of weight loss plus a few very recent alterations, have, however, made this a very comfortable and warm item to sport on a snowy December day in Mid-Michigan.

With a highly respectable collar roll today, thank you very much!

The cranberry waistcoat was one of three given to me last year by The Grand Duchess for birthday and Christmas 2020. It goes so well with the suit, that I think I'll make it a permanent addition and hang them all on the same hanger as an effective three-piece ensemble.

The Merino wool socks from Dapper Classics are a fun seasonal addition. I made sure to purchase two pairs a few years back.

Last, I stopped on the way home, under instructions from The Grand Duchess, to pick up this year's Christmas trees from our usual vendor given the apparent shortage and supply chain problems so many places this year. Mr. L., the man who heads up the operation, has his tree farm way up north in the mitten of the state, not far from Lake Michigan.

He actually remembers me each year, comes over to say hello, and we chat for 10 or 15 minutes about this and that once every 12 months. About my age. Mid-50s. Maybe a year of two older.

Anyway, Mr. L. mentioned how nice he thought my gray fur felt fedora looked as the trees were bailed up and I paid. We both agreed that men of a certain age could pull off the look in a way that younger guys might struggle with in 2021.

The kindness of strangers at work once again. It was a lovely transaction and very pleasant exchange all the way around. The first time this season I have actually felt like the calm Christmas spirit is approaching. We -- all of us -- need it more than ever I think.

The trick comes in trying to maintain that goodwill throughout the rest of the year. As Ringo once sang, it don't come easy.

And so, if you'll excuse the obvious sentimentality, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless us (and Godspeed) everyone!

-- Heinz-Ulrich

The Pleasaures of a Well-trained Dog. . .

A few final photographs from my visit to my sister in Washington, D.C. last week. These include one of 'Mr. Beau,' my sister's meticulously trained and truly wonderful Doberman, another of my sister, second cousin, step-father, and yours truly on the steps of the church outside Lexington, North Carolina just after our late mother's interment service, two of me solo at the National Cathedral, and a final one of my sister and me hamming it up during a long evening walk the day before I returned to Michigan. My sister routinely walks to the cathedral, about three blocks from her place, to enjoy the grounds and gardens. The Bishop's Garden, in particular, is a place she likes to sit for quiet contemplation and internal dialogues with our late maternal grandparents and mother, very much in keeping with the Episcopal side of things. Our grandfather, who was raised Methodist, became an Episcopalian when he married our grandmother. Before you ask, I am not sure tha

Avoid Careless Chatter. . .

E specially about the personal details of our lives. There is a lot that OUGHT to be kept more private in 2022 than has become the accepted norm for many. With the conscious and intentional cultivation of classic style in mind, however, we want to avoid oversharing and keep a bit more of ourselves to ourselves. Exactly what personal information and how much of it to keep private seems to be a slippery concept though. Here’s my take based on what I was told and observed as a child and young person at home. Basically, one should keep oneself to oneself in all respects (finances, personal worth, accomplishments, politics, sex, dirty laundry, etc.). As my late father used to advise when we were very small, and I am talking preschool and kindergarten, there were particular subjects that were not discussed outside the immediate family. There is a time and place for sharing certain details of one’s life, but most of the time, those should be played very close to the chest,

CharlottesvilleDecember 9, 2021 at 8:11 AM
What a beautiful suit and, as you say, it goes so well with that vest. And the Ivy-Style tie is a great compliment to both.

We too buy our tree from the same tree farm every year, and enjoy chatting with the farmer and his wife as he cuts down whichever tree we pick out, bundles it up and helps us tie to the roof of the car. It is a lovely annual tradition, and well worth the 50-some mile round trip.

God bless you as well.

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