Classic Style

  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

  A mong the various family photos taken before, and just after dinner, I managed to get the Grand Duchess to snap a few of yours truly between making faces at her that she described as "demented."  And after only a glass of Italian red wine with dinner.  Imagine what two might have done. It also occurred to me that a bow tie is the perfect neck wear for a holiday meal in that you are less likely to dribble food or condiments on it, or inadvertently drag it into your soup, or plate of food.  Seriously.    Happy Thanksgiving Night everyone! -- Heinz-Ulrich

  Our own table on the late morning of Thanksgiving Day just before a few minor corrections were determined and made for cutlery placement.  We began setting a fourth place for absent friends and family during Fall 2020 after my mother died in late August that year. A ll showered, shaved, dressed, and no place to go just yet.  Goofing around online until the Grand Duchess needs me upstairs in the kitchen.   But the dining table is all set.  Took care of that right after breakfast while still lounging in my pajamas before heading upstairs to clean up.   Wherever in the world you might find yourself this Thanksgiving holiday, I wish you calm and tranquility if only for a few moments.  Goodness knows we need more of that in the 21st century. Happy Thanksgiving 2024 Everyone! -- Heinz-Ulrich

    A chilly, gray, and damp Monday for the start of Thanksgiving Week.  Perfect weather for a double-breasted blazer and a job candidate interview.  Some students around today, but much thinner on the ground than usual for a Monday, which means the library is actually quiet for getting various small things check-ed off the mental To Do List out ahead of the long holiday weekend,   Once, again, should've hit the blazer with the ol' clothes brush before dashing out the front door in the dark this morning. Grrr.  Likewise, the vamps of the shoes, I assure you, do not look as bad in the flesh.  Not sure what the iPhone did here, but obviously some attention is in order with an application of Renovateur, a dab or two of shoe cream, and a good brushing.   Not a terrible effort, but it does illustrate why attention to detail is so vital to presenting a polished (ahem) appearance.  Still, onward, and upward, eh? -- Heinz-Ulrich

    A chilly, damp Thursday of meetings on campus to learn more about how we might integrate artificial intelligence into our teaching and learning practices plus a few meetings with students, who have only now (the end of Week 13) chosen to worry about -- and attempt to renegotiate -- previous project grades.   Keep in mind, next week, Week 14, is very short due to the US Thanksgiving holiday weekend, which on the calendar is four days.  For many students, that has morphed into 10-14 days, and they simply are not around.  Once we return, it is Week 15, courses end on Friday, December 6th, and Finals Week follows that.  After which, the university, in all its wisdom, leans on us to evaluate everything quickly, tally course grades, and post those through the online system used by the Registrar's Office.   The final weeks of any semester are a real gallop filled with every possible reason why people wouldn't, couldn't, didn't, or shouldn't ha...

  A rainy, chilly day here today.  Perfect November weather and ideal, as such, for tweed, corduroy, and oxford cloth.  The first wearing this season for this particular jacket and necktie by the way.   The jacket was purchased a dozen or more years ago at the thrift/charity shop run by the big hospital in town, a few blocks away from our old Craftsman house (1925).  The shop must have procured their merchandise from all of the deceased doctors, attorneys, and the few other white collar professionals lurking around Bloomington-Normal, Illinois because it reliably had quality items for very reasonable prices.   Proof positive that you can assemble the basics of a professional wardrobe, along with a few less commonly seen items, without the need to splurge.  While there really is not anything I "need" now, I do miss occasionally perusing that establishment since we have nothing like it here in our part of Central Michigan.   But mayb...

  B rown in town for a Monday with a vintage J. Press bow tie to liven things up a bit.  The suit is by  Samuelson, shirt L.L. Bean, and the shoes by Allen Edmonds.  The socks are Merino wool (with a bit of Lycra) from Dapper Classics. Not one of my most interesting ensembles, although a passing student complimented today's combination as I exited the building, but not a bad effort for late in the semester when fatigue begins to take over for faculty, staff, and students alike.  Come on Thanksgiving Weekend! -- Heinz-Ulrich

  One of many old Laurence Fellows illustrations of which I am so fond.  I've always referred to this particular one as "Rex and Jeffrey in Discussion."   A lthough I know very little about stoic philosophy, it strikes me that there might be a few interesting points in its basic teachings that we can apply to our own efforts to cultivate more pleasant, positive, and I dare suggest gentlemanly thought and behavior during what promises to be an otherwise unpleasant stretch.  Here goes:  1) As much as we might like to think so, we don’t live in isolation of others.   Rather,we must learn to cooperate and even collaborate with them.   That point occurred to me during the height of the global pandemic a few years ago, during all of the daily politicized back and forth about masks, vaccines, along with the embarrassingly uninformed speculation about injecting other chemicals into people to cleanse their systems.  Against that media backdrop, I finall...