Fast Away the Old Year Passes

So here's to us, for the rest of our beautiful days...

Alarums and Excursions

So there we were last night, the four of us, two large and two small, sleeping quietly in our little room...

Forget Christmas...

...I'd like someone to get me this for Boxing Day.

Mamie Christmas!

What does it say about me that one of reasons I treasure the holidays - not a major one, granted, but an annual moment to cherish nonetheless - is the opportunity to appreciate again the Eisenhower's 1960 Christmas card?

Heavenly Peace

Another time the year goes 'round; another chance to revisit one of my earliest memories...

Keep It Together... (Holiday Edition)

Oh, God - even Liza's got her shopping done!

Ho Ho Ho

I always think of Finland as such a Christmassy kind of country, don't you?

Ya Gotta Do What Ethel Does

After yet another day of enforced office festivities, this is just exactly what I needed...

Shopping Daze

Well, I'm glad to see that Alice Faye, at least has finished her Christmas shopping...

Distinctly Not a Fruitcake

In many ways, I truly don't feel like the holidays are upon us until I've seen this a few [dozen] times.

The Younger Sister Says Goodbye...

Last night I dreamed she went to Manderley again...

Shameless Saturday Camp Explosion: Accept No Substitutes

"...the Camp sensibility is one that is alive to a double 
sense in which some things can be taken." 

- Susan Sontag, "Notes on Camp"

In the recent televisual Sound of Music, Poor Miss Carrie Underwood was given the unenviable task of filling the shoes of the likes of Miss Martin and Miss Andrews.  The phenomenon is hardly new.

Gloria in Excelsis

Tiny Gloria Swanson and her great big Christmas tree...

File Under "Architectural Ornamentation, Unlikely"

The dogs and I, in the course of our daily 6:00 a.m. morning constitutional (a time I generally devote to heartily missing the Villa Muscato's small but exceedingly convenient garden, a household feature that rendered 6:00 a.m. morning constitutionals an extremely rare feature of life), regularly pass this formidable gentleman.

Nice Rack

One means the antlers, of course...

My Head So High Above the Clouds

If you remember this song from childhood, and then remember being surprised/annoyed/bereft when it suddenly disappeared from the annual broadcast, you're probably about my age, more or less two-score-and-ten.

Question Time: Ask the Oracle #7

Well, who knew?  Turns out some people - even serious researchers - really do Ask the Oracle.

Make My Spirits Rise Again

Oh, kids, I won't lie to you...

Why Don't You...

...don you now your gay apparel?

Shameless Sunday Camp Explosion: The Divine

Taste has no system and no proofs.

- Susan Sontag, "Notes on Camp"

Since it's Bette Midler's birthday, herewith, Dear Readers, a gift for you.