Queen Victoria came to the English throne in 1837. The River Thames was the wide meandering river then, just as it had been for centuries. Twice a day the River ebbed and flowed as far up as Teddington. The Victorian age saw many improvements, including the umbrella, flushing toilets, letter
The brilliant piano virtuoso Ludwig van Beethoven has provided the world with glorious music. One of his most beautiful piano pieces is Fur Elise, “Bagatelle in A minor” composed in 1810 for a lady love who rejected him. His “Moonlight Sonata” is another outstanding melody. Both I never tire of
What did you miss the most during March and April when you were home-bound? The hugs from loved ones? The ability to come and go as you pleased? Meeting friends for lunch at a favorite restaurant? Tickets to a concert or event that you had purchased? Visiting loved ones in
The Tang Dynasty (618AD to 907AD) began panda diplomacy. According to a Japanese royal yearbook, the Chinese emperor sent the Japanese ruler two white bears and 70 pieces of their fur in 685. They were two giant pandas. The panda is a bear, native to south central China and part
The walkers at the Fox Valley Mall are a diverse group of mostly seniors. The regulars usually walk prior to the stores’ opening. Sometimes the guards will open on time and sometimes they do not. Ramon asked for their phone numbers and if the guard is late, he phones and
Good night, Orson, sleep gently with the angels forevermore. When I read that a car accident had killed 91- year-old actor-comedian, Orson Bean February 7 in Los Angeles, I felt a loss. When I first saw him on television, I thought he was handsome, funny, debonair, and delightful. He had
An extraordinary life lived with energy and determination was the life of Svetlana Alliluyeva who was known as Stalin’s daughter. When I finished reading author Rosemary Sullivan’s outstanding book on Svetlana, it occurred to me that Svetlana was caught in the crossfire of history, but managed to live her life.
A remarkable sun-filled April day dawned. The sky was filled with color amid the golden ball coming over the horizon. Green shoots could be seen all over Clara’s garden. Time for an oatmeal breakfast and then leave for the workday. The lovely Clara worked for the All-Steel Equipment Company in
It is always a pleasure when the unexpected good happens, isn’t it? If you are looking for a new purse and find exactly the size, price, color, and shape of the one you desired, it seems to be serendipity. If you have been thinking of a friend and suddenly see
Do you recall those moments when someone, possibly a stranger, paid you a compliment or helped you in some way? Do you remember when you helped someone in need, or gave a true compliment to a stranger? Simple, human, kindness. I recall the pouring rain when I was leaving the
The Spring edition of Bits and Pieces contains interesting information and observations. Enjoy! And let us rejoice that we have traversed another Winter in good spirits. Pieces: The pinnacle of styling in 1936 included high neck blouses for the lady with rows of tiny buttons, a “Cravenette” men’s hat and
The morning was as silent as a butterfly’s wing. I opened the front door to the golden silence of early morning. A fog has settled in over the night so the entire scene seemed clothed in gauze. Isn’t having a front door one of the more delicious pleasures of owning
“There are only two kinds of people on St. Patrick’s Day. “Those who are Irish and those who wish they were.” —An Irish saying Living in Belfast, Northern Ireland for a year in 1979-1980 meant that we could enjoy all the holidays there. I was particularly interested in seeing how
“She may be the face I cannot forget. She may be the beauty or the beast, the famine or the feast.” “She” was composed by Charles Aznavour. Shahnour Variag Aznavourian was born in Paris, France May 22, 1924 to Armenian parents. His father sang in restaurants in France before opening
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” —Mary Oliver I wish we could have met. It would have been a meeting of the minds. In writing, Mary Oliver could create her own world with nature as her teacher. Just as do
An interesting book entitled “The Axemaker’s Gift” was written by James Burke and Robert Ornstein and released 25 years ago. Their premise is that axemakers, their discoveries and innovations, significantly improved and changed lives. In the ancient past, we all came out of Africa and began to inhabit the planet.
“Haste and bow at Cupid’s shrine and welcome in St. Valentine. “All be merry, frank and free and form the Lover’s Jubilee.” —From a Valentine writer, 19th Century British printers produced the first ready-made valentine cards in 1797. Images of popular love tokens were combined with inscribed verses. Fancy papers
This week we will revisit naturalist and author Beatrix Potter and her magical creations. In 2014 I wrote an article about her, but a friend gave me a book recently entitled “Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life,” and there is much more to tell about her enchanting life. Beatrix was born July
“Non, je ne regretted rien. No, I regret nothing.” —Edith Piaf The high drama of Edith Piaf’s life brought her 47 years on this earth to a place where her singing of chanson and torch ballads gave love, loss, and sorrow, a deep resonance. What a beginning! Edith Giovanna Gassion
“Lavender’s Blue, dilly, dilly, Lavender’s green, When you are king, dilly, dilly, I shall be queen.” — An English lullaby January is the month when the heart begins to think of gardens, and swimming, and outdoor pleasures. We are weary of Winter and look forward to Springtime. Thoughts turn to
