Airports, Airplanes, traveling First Class

 About a week ago, my sister, Louisa, and I flew American Airlines, out of DFW  to Pheonix, Arisona airport, for a family visit. Used to fly often, not anymore, I am older now, but still, negotiating going through security, after valet parking our car, a hundred miles away, and then trying to find your gate is a hassle, trying close to an eating place is ridiculous, there is waiting, pick a number, go through the buffet line, and find your booth/table/ carrying your food till everything is cold. anyway, waiting in line to board--a nightmare, oh wait! I had priority seating. I enjoyed the ride, it was was smooth and nice. The serving leaves a lot to be desired. Champagne, a good thing. Your choice of chips, cookies, nuts, in a basket, passed around several times by the flight attendent, not a good thing.  Return trip, same hassles at the airport, just worse.  We flew the Flag Ship #737 So cool.... here it is.... we boarded in the back of first class, 'and what to my wandaering eyes should appear......? but tall cylinders, arranged 1 -2 - 1 across the floor of the plane, as barrels of oils, imported from the east. I had reserved an 'aisle seat' on the left. so proceeded to the cylinder marked 3C, peaking around the open side I found a seat, a small movie screen, all sorts of outlets and electronic play things; I small diagram on the side panel, showed 4 positions of the chair, and much to my delight as I tapped each one my chair moved in a downward motion, the last one found me totally streatched out in a sleeping berth as my chair moved down and  under the space at my feet. By the way I did have a very good rest. Thank you American Airlines. 

 

Out door coffee

 Following a meeting, someone said, who is up for coffee? That would be me and three friends--quickly deciding  on 'Timbers' - We found a small round table for four just outside the shop. What a delightful moment for everyone. Reminding us all about the European lifestyle of taking time to visit with friends during a busy day, before heading for home. Being energized by the fresh air, watching the outdoor scenes; we were fortunate to have a shy, somewhat fearful to approach, dog, stop by. Our friend, Belinda, immediately got up from her chair and went inside to purchase a couple of small hot dogs. She placed them on the cement a away from us and the grateful dog had her fill. We discovered later, she was a neighborhood street dog; her sister had been captured and placed in a shelter, this beautiful dog was having no part of that!     

What I Want to Become.....

 Samuel Johnson, when he died, embodied that old humanist ideal. He had become a person of taste, of judgment and a person of culture. I realy admire him; an essayist, playwrite, poet, one of the greatest critics of all time. I, in turn, have become a top high fashion runway and print model, a published author, and writer. Have I become a person of taste? yes. I admire those I deem admirable in works of art, in sculpture, paintings, and authors. Judgement? Yes. I have the ability to make considered decisions.  A person of culture? I have not become a total person of culture. The person I know to be totally cultured  was my mother, may she rest in peace, she embodied the cultured life. She was always kind, she visited the sick and the housebound, spoke more than one language, she was formally educated, dressed beautifully, entertained with style and possessed impeccable manners.  She was an inspiration and admired by all who knew her.    

Memories That Last a Lifetime

Pamela Stella made such a list that included 'went to school and walked back'. One of my most vivid memories and in all kinds of weather; I remember walking up Main street in the snow and wondering if the water that always settled in the corner lot where I would turn to go on to school, had frozen over, so I could do an impromptu iceskating show wearing my snowboots, which in reality, would be sliding from one side to the other. Several times I almost missed the bell. And after a heavy snow, I remember, Mr Hobbs, guiding his horse, who was pulling a V shapped hand made wooden plow, clearing the sidewalk, moving  the snow off to eithr side.  Let me know about your memory that has lasted a lifetime.... 

Cataract surgery is a breeze (most of the time)+

 For those of you that are thinking about having eye surgery but are apprehensive, or scared, like I was. don't be, please. I talked to so many people that had it done and all gave an easy thumbs up. My sister, and brother-in-law both have had it, and talked about how wonderful it is to see true colors again, it is magical and amazing to read signes, admire farm animals in their pastures on our drives. and it is all true. Had my left eye done first - everything was perfect and was realy looking forward to having my right eye done. so 30 January, be there time: 6:45, saw Dr. at 8:00, proceeder done, come back at 2:30 to be checked. Wait a minute. I have a sharp pain in my eye and there feels like some thing is in it or loose or s o m e t h i n g!!! I am telling this to the Dr. whom I totally trust, and he goes, 'Oh. I forgot to tell you, you had a small leision on your eye, so I removed it, I didn't charge for it. (never mind) I forgot to tell you, I'm sorry, so there is a scratch you are feeling;' he quickly went after a med, and placed a drop in my eye, and I was to continue puting my perscription drops in 3 thimes a day. Well, my eye was blood shot today, so called and said Whats' up with that? He said besides your drops 3 times a day, use your regular drops for dry eye.......3 PM in the afternoon and I am feeling mellow, My eye sight is glorious, and my eye is almost cleared up.  So every eye is different. I am telling you this tale, so go ahead and "Just do It'  You will not regret it. Happy days.....

  

 Camile Thomas asked me to do a photoshoot, and booked Lisa Martensen to do my make-up. It has been a while since I retired from couture fashion shows and fashion photography--we were exausted after 3 hours; had forgotten how much energy I needed, in keeping focus, to 'get the shot'! I was very pleased with the outcome and will use a couple of the photos for my new book: 'In the Wake of Broken Hearts' 

When are girlfriends of famous boys stop looking at camera, sticking their tongues out??!! 'Daily Mail' called it a sweet post. Are ;you nuts??

Listen up, everybody.... that stupid gesture is OVER, gone, soooo last year, so never in!

Stop it - or you will all hear these remarks. 

Dad, " Honey, why are you sticking your tongue out? I've never seen you do that.'  

Mom," Look Honey, here is a picture of me and your dad".

Daughter, "Why are you sticking your tongue out? You always told us not to do that."

I could go on and on. I'm sure you get the picture. 

12/14/2022