MOOD BOARD

 

 Another day to recover...then it's back to work! Whatever that is!!!! Now my mind is going to Christmas...granted I cant eat anything. May be the first holiday season I don't gain weight.

Happy Monday All!!! 

Now a favorite singer of mine Julie London. I find her voice sublime. Sure couldn't hurt.

FONTHILL

 Now for something different.

One of my favorite places when I lived in Doylestown to escape and walk, to contemplate, was a place I have featured before, Fonthill Castle. I used to walk there many times each season. It always enthralled me. To describe this European castle as a gingerbread castle of an enchanted prince is probably not far from the truth.  These pictures I took when there back in September. The builder was Henry Chapman Mercer, a handsome and interesting man.

The Chapmans and the Mercers were both prosperous and prominent in the area. Mercer himself, an archeologists, author and collector, and single all his life though he had a relationship with a debutant who would stay with him somewhat regularly, and there were also rumors of men he may have also been involved. He was very private, eccentric and an avid dog lover and lover of all creatures. Before his death he destroyed files, dairies and other things that may have given us more background on him. Fonthill, just one of his masterpieces was built between 1908 and 1912, by just himself and 8 to 10 tradesmen who knew nothing about concrete to help him build the castle. The castle itself is a fantastic object, but I wouldn't classify it as a work of architecture partly because there was no architect really. Mercer himself designed the thing, as he did with the nearby Mercer Museum, and the Moravian Tile Works. Mercer himself designed the castle, one room at a time, molding each of the rooms from blocks of clay, which he then stacked in a pile with little regard to interior traffic patterns or exterior appearance. Fortunately, the result is fantastic, considering it's mostly reinforced poured concrete, not the warmest of building material, yet the place is charming and stunning and undeniably appealing. 

On the same grounds is the Moravian Tile Works for which Mercer is so famous for. They are pretty unique tiles and are currently on display all over the PA State Capitol Building, the Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the Casino in Monte Carlo and many others overseas. His museum also located in Doylestown, is a huge structure, and houses one of the largest collections of pre-industrial American items.  The tile works is a pretty cool place to walk too.

FEELING GOOD

 

You've got to climb Mount Everest to reach the Valley of the Dolls. It's a brutal climb to reach that peak. You stand there. Waiting for the rush of exhilaration; but it doesn't come.

Four hours of surgery.6 Meds. Recovering nicely. Mostly some swelling and numbness now, some pain but recovering nicely. Two more days home to recover and Meds. 

YIPPPEEEEE!

RETURNING SOON....

I''ll be out for the week and will return soon. Today my nervousness and anxiety come to a head as I go in for a hours long oral surgery. Most from issues from a car accident years ago, now showing some results from it, making some teeth a bit mobile, and other dental issues in the back teeth, I broke one in half. I opted for all implants. I must be nuts!!!! Having never been under anesthesia or ever had any kind of surgery...for anything...I'm extremely nervous. I don't know when I'll be up to blogging or how the pain will be after...but I'll return soon. Unless I pull a Joan Rivers on the table! Just remember, I adore you all!

 In lieu of recovery flowers, send gin instead!

💋

HAVE YOU MET MY NEIGHBORS?

Lucinda Blaisdell...the poor dear.

She had everyone in over the Thanksgiving holiday for drinks and hor d'oeuvres. As you can see, the Spam appetizers didn't go over well.

GIFT OF GIVE

Every year, after the rush of Thanksgiving and all the consumerism of Black Friday, which I refuse to partake in for some years...there is actually something more powerful that happens. Some people all over the world choose to pause, reflect and choose to give. Giving Tuesday isn't just another day on the calendar- it's become a global movement that turns gratitude into action, and it could be for people in need, animal charities, nature or conservation groups or so many other charities too numerous to mention. That generosity is more than symbolic, it's essential. Giving Tuesday started in 2012 as a simple idea, a day to consciencely give to a charity. It has grown worldwide, Individuals, families, companies and nonprofits join forces to support causes in need of help and ones that matter. And it doesn't always have to be money related. Donations of many kinds are needed in every form. It is so sad to see the current condition of the US right now, with so many hurting, in need, with food, basic needs, and medical issues. The administration sure doesn't give a damn about anyone thats for certain. You can donate time to food banks or donate two grocery bags of food to a food bank. That was one reason I had two families in for Thanksgiving dinner. You can also fling open the closet doors and dresser drawers and donate all the swell clothing and cold weather items that just sit for a few years...and take them to a charity donation shop. It can also be as simple of making someone smile, helping a neighbor or strangers out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help. 

I give to several different charities a few times a year. I sometimes wish I had more to give like MacKenzie Scott, but alas, I don't. So, I give to a couple donations to the charities I love and close to me, mostly animal and environmental related ones. But On Giving Tuesday I generally pick a new charity to give a donation too, instead of giving an extra donation to the several I give to during the year. Sort of like spreading the Love so to speak. This year with World AIDS Day, I'm making a donation to the Alder Heath Service a local service. And I'm also making a pledge to myself to take a full bag of groceries each weekend to a food pantry. Another way to give to a charity is to shop their site shop. The dearest cause to my heart, the Sheldrick Trust has a shop, where all proceeds go to the trust. A win win...the money goes to a good cause, and you get a few gifts or in my case, cards and stationery- elephant related!!! 

Giving Tuesday- generosity goes a long way. 

TOM DICK OR HARRY

 ...or any Tom Harry or Dick. It's like a scene with the Mistress by pursuit of The Lad, Warbucks and the Lumbersexual. It's a scene from my dating life dears. Now, if I could get them in leotards...

And people wonder why Ann Miller is one of our Patron Saints.

Fun fact...the safety gay in red leotard is none other than Bob Fosse.

MOOD BOARD

How cool is the tree above? In the past when I didn't feel like putting up a whole tree, I did the above as an alternative with great results. Its fresh, different, and the only packing required is for a few ornaments. But today is World AIDS Day and serves as an important reminder that we must remain steadfast in our commitment to prevent new HIV infection and provide essential services and education to all people living with HIV globally, not to mention teach the youth how to use condoms not only for HIV protect but for other unwanted issues. World AIDS Day is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic and mourning those who have died of the disease, way too many deaths to date since it's outbreak. Contrary to the criminal administration and their lack of backing anything good and positive... most governments and health officials, countries and individuals around the world will STILL observe the day whether they like it or not. Wear your red ribbon proudly today.

 Happy Monday All!