Appraisals of African Adventures











Well this was a long time coming. I don’t think I have ever taken such a long sabbatical from the Sugar Dandy Diary, but then again, I have never taken such a long trip.

I so wish I was back in Africa. You have no idea. Really. Coming home to the chaos of fashion week, covering 35 events, dealing with winter weather, with friends, family, bills, bugger it all. Of course I missed everyone and not talking to my mother for a month was terribly frustrating. But to have a month JUST for yourself. In ones own bubble, with no newspaper, phone, TV, internet, f****ing Facebook. You know what, I really don’t need to know so and so just ate a sandwich on a profile update. And I don’t care if it was good.

I certainly hope this doesn’t sound cermudgion-y. But I had a taste of what I feel like life is supposed to be, ideally of course. So many of us on the trip mentioned the word ‘Human’ almost daily. Yes, I felt human.

I would wake up at 6am every day, save the day after the wedding (that day was about noon!). I went to bed almost every night by 10. And I never had an alarm clock. The most incredible sound I have ever heard was at 6am every morning. It was that perfect moment when the night animals sing their last song and the morning animals wake and begin their melody. For just several minutes, when all the animals were at fever pitch, it was the loudest, most magical orchestra I have ever heard. It’s hard to not wake up with a smile on your face when you hear such sounds.

Most mornings I would bath in our outdoor shower. In Mozambique it was fancy and had running water. I would wash myself up while a massive monitor lizard sat and watched in the already intense heat. But in Botswana I would bath by filling up a bucket, hoisting it up a tree and turning the spigot to have a fresh cold shower outside. The most memorable shower was on my last day at Mena a Kwena when I was showering and heard massive plunges in the distance. I looked out and saw the elephants had decided to join me in my morning ritual.

Days would consist of delightful meals with friends, quick chats with locals and in Mozambique a constant ‘Buondia!’ to any local you may run into. That’s a variation of Portuguese that means- Good day! We would then take a hike up a mountain taking paths that had been forged by Arab slave traders thousands of years ago to majestic peaks or local villages.
Interesting fact- Of course America was not the first country to take slaves from Africa, but do you know why there are no Africans in the Arab world even though they brought thousands of slaves over? They castrated all the men.

The rest of the day woulnd’t consist of much but what we fancied. Taking a mokoro out in Lake Niassa or grazing at the bar for hours with friends imbibing gin, champagne, tequila or whatever suited our fancy. Even though it was the rainy season (it only rained one day in 25) we did see a fair amount of game. On safari in Botswana we saw a giraffe and her baby, a heard of zebra, a lonely old bull elephant, vultures, loads of spring bok, whart hogs and a very rare sighting of the great eagle owl. Sadly no lions were seen, but we heard them roar late at night.

Evenings were always consumed in amazing food and an abundance of drink. No wild drunken nights (save for the wedding!) but just cozy times with friends and sometimes all alone. I made sure to have me time at least once or twice a day. I would venture into the wild and just sit. Sometimes I would hang out on the river in the Okavango, sometimes on the beaches of Lake Niassa and sometimes in a canoe, alone with the water lapping and my paddle idle. And you know what? I didn’t think of a damn thing. I asked Chloe at the end of the trip if I sounded shallow that I didn’t think about one thing for a month. She smiled, patted my arm and said, “That’s Africa.” She admitted to being asked some in depth question and giving the most mundane response. It’s not a place to think or do, just to be. I should clarify. I did think. A lot. I thought about what that Vervey monkey was doing in the tree. I thought about where that hippo was going when he plunged under water. I thought about the millinea of migrations of these animals that white people came along and fenced, off, destroyed, and ruined not even 100 years ago. I thought of the amount of racism that is still such a part of South Africa and I thought about a life as simple as the one’s lead in many of these small towns we saw. It’s the kind of thinking one should do more often.

Since the trip was such a long one, such an intense one and so life changing I don’t think I can really transcribe my diary all onto this blog. Half of it wouldn’t make sense probably and it would take weeks to do. If only I could go back to Africa just to have the time to do it! Instead, I hope this gives a little insight of what Africa was and is to me. Yes, I have put on the rose tinted glasses. I have become a total stoner hippy and when fashion week got too wild, the wind beat to hard and my body was about to fall apart I just closed my eyes and thought of that elegant boat ride we had on Lake Niassa after a three hour hike gazing at the hills dotted with rondavels, drinking an ice cold Coca Cola, barefoot while my river soaked shoes dried. And I think of wonderful and amazing Francis, our guide and our friend who in the thick of the bush, turned on his phone to play Michael Jackson’s best hits as we trampled past ancient Baobab trees and dodged massive spider webs and simply felt alive.

Africa Itinerary

Well kids, the time is almost here.

Another epic journey is about to begin. I am beyond excited, curious, the slightest bit nervous (snakes in my tent!).
But no matter what I am sure it will be life changing as Egypt and India both were. And this trip has the added bonus of an amazing wedding of a dear darling friend.

In case you would like to follow along I have attached my tour below with links to hotels/resorts/etc.

I dont leave until next Thursday but I'm already drifting towards the Dark Continent in my head. I just finished reading- The Bolter, am about to start on a bio on Denis Finch Hatton and recently bought Nelson Mandela's auto bio. Needless to say I'm loving my new Kindle!

Since I am not bringing my laptop with me I wont be posting until I return. So until then- Re Tlaa Bonana!

Mr. Sparks on Safari:

January 14: Depart city of origin

January 15: Arrive Johannesburg in the afternoon where you will each be met by a driver from the Safari Club and taken to the lodge
January 15-16: Stay at the Safari Club



January 16: You will have an early start back to Oliver Tambo International for your flight to Lilongwe
January 16: Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and taken to Heuglin's Lodge
January 16-17: Stay at Heuglin's Lodge


January 17: 8:00am flight departure on a private charter will take you to Likoma where you will be met by Manda Nkwichi Lodge
January 17-22: Stay at Manda Nkwichi

January 22: Fly to Lilongwe
January 22-23: Stay at Heuglin's Lodge and enjoy a half day tour of the city

January 23: Arrive Johannesburg from Lilongwe and carry on to your 1Time flight to Cape Town
January 23: You will be met at Cape Town International and brought to Liberty Lodge
January 23-24: Twin occupancy at Liberty Lodge

January 24: Road transfer with Winelands Experience (about 1 hour) to Franschoek and the Winelands
January 24: 7:30pm reservation at Le Quartier Français - The Tasting Room (three minute walk from Les Chambres)
January 24-25: Les Chambres Franschoek



January 25: Earlish morning transfer will take you back to Cape Town and the Liberty Lodge
January 25-27: Stay at Liberty Lodge in Cape Town
January 26: Cocktails at Planet Bar and Dinner at Cape Colony at The Mount Nelson Hotel

January 27: 6:30 am flight to Johannesburg (lodge departure around 5:00am)
January 27: 10:10 flight on Air Botswana to Maun Botswana where we will meet you

January 27-28: You will stay in Maun

January 28: Fly to Nyoga Island with Delta Air
January 28 - February 1: Stay on Nyoga Island at Oddballs Camp for the wedding



February 1: Fly from the bush into Maun
February 1-3: Stay in Maun

February 3: Road transfer to Kalahari
February 3-5: Stay at Meno a Kwena Lodge

February 5: Road transfer will take you back to Maun
February 5: Fly from Maun to Johannesburg and onwards home

Christmas Recap 2009












This Christmas was more on the low-key end of the spectrum. But they can't be all swinging now can they?
We had the annual Sisters lunch at Angle's house downtown, then Happy, Mother and I took a gander around the new 'meat packing district' of Atlanta where I made my pilgrimage to Sid Mashburn's shop. We sat on nearly every chair and sofa at Knoll and checked out the pate at Star Provisions. Later we went to Jacqueland to check in and discovered they had ripped out the kitchen and were modernizing it, which is quite exciting.
That night we had dinner with Dabney in the Highlands before heading home

The next morning I headed to the farm for a ride. It was Cator's first time back on a horse for a year so it was exciting for her. I took Fancy out for a spin and all was fine until she decided to leap over a tiny puddle (that we walked through 10 min before) and I went flying. Weeee! It was actually quite amusing. I've never been thrown and it was all simply because Fancy was trying to have some fun. My Aunt reminded me- if you weren't on one of those tiny band-aids of an English saddle you would of been fine! True!
I hoped back on and we headed to drier pastures.

For the big day it was a smaller affair. Happy spent the big day in Florida and Pop & Dot were at her family’s house. But it was fun all the same. Ashley came with her finance and Gordon and Kendall brought their newborn, Lily. Having a baby around at Christmas is always a crowd pleaser. We ripped, we drank, we ate and they left. It was a world's record in efficient Christmas crowd control.
Speaking of gifts- I love my new Kindle!!! Perfect for the trip to Africa! I also love my pony skin diary mother bought me for the trip AND my UGA bulldog embroidered pants from Athens.

Boxing Day was spent, as usual, at Connie and Ben Knights during the day. That evening I headed downtown for my second annual impromptu Class of '94 reunion. Good times! But boy we getting old- we weren't nearly as wild as last year. And we were so excited our mentor and favorite teacher Mrs. Humbert came down to party with us. She looks amazing!
And I got a chance to see Kathy's new home and baby. Adorable!

Sunday was spent relaxing at home. Gay dropped by to have a proper catch up since Christmas was so gummy. And that was that kids! I hardly drank; I passed out before 12 most nights and had lots of down time (believe it or not from what you just read).

Onward to Charleston!

Five Festive Events/One Wonderous Night









Last Thursday Rod, Lucy McIntyre and I hit the holiday party circuit hard. How did so many parties fall on one night? Maybe because New York Magazine said Thursday's are the best nights to go out. Maybe because it was the week before Christmas and people were getting into the frenzy. But basically I felt like I was back at Art Basel.

Rod and I met up at 6pm at the castle dressed to the nines. I was excited that my tailor hemmed my new Brooks Brothers holiday pants with two hours notice that morning. Going to so many events deemed a new pair of pants totally necessary. We both had a small dinner before hand. Who knew what kind of food lay in our future...

First stop was Hamish Bowles book launch, The World In Vogue. He held the book party at Carlton Hobbs home and showroom. What kind of antiques does Carlton show? "Only the best" as Rod said whilst sipping champagne. His home is one of the last great Upper East Side mansions. If I had been on reporter duty that night I would remember who used to own the house. But Hamish was ecstatic, "Oh you know Mrs. X used to live here and she was a great collector of Dior. I can just see her now descending that amazing spiral staircase in a nip-waisted couture gown!"

Indeed the staircase and everything else was amazing. We chatted with Amy Fine Collins, ran into Stephanie La Cava and had a good giggle and the entire 1stdibs.com crew was there rolling deep. Lucy arrived and we whisked her upstairs to check out some of the stunning objects. We ran into Carlton and James Reginato from W and Carlton exclaims, "Cator Sparks! The one and only!"
We have never actually met but he is a great friend of Philips. Apparently he inherited a chicken and PHJ told him of my love of the animal and we were planning a trip to the house to see said chicken until a hawk swooped down and took the poor chicken away. Alas.

After several more bubblies we depart down to Melanie Brandman's annual Christmas bash on Park Avenue. She owns my favorite travel PR firmand she is one of my favorite people as well. Her home is like Auntie Mame's brought to life. Packed to the gills with amusing people, Hi Horacio! Hey Colin Cowie! Greetings Bill Keith! and there is always so much champers the apartment could explode if they were all popped at once. We spent a good hour there before heading further downtown to Anthony Haden Guest's bash on the top of some building on Park. It was quite amusing! Loads of people I haven't seen for ages and lots of purple neon. Who is that over there in the glittering kimono? It's Daphne Guinness! I give her a light tap on the shoulder and she turns to me, eyes wide and purrs, "Darling, Cator!" We have a good catch up about Art Basel and then Lucy and I invite her to come downtown with us to Lorenzo's party at Chandelier Creative. She is all for it and we follow her out and pile into her car.
"Daphne can I hold your train? I hate to see that vintage kimono get scrubby on the floor"
"Cator, clothes are to be worn, not to be kept in boxes!"

And there you go. How I adore her thinking.
We arrive at Chandelier and it's like New Years Eve at Studio 54. There are at least 1,000 balloons of pink and gold floating about with ribbons cascading down to eye level. The help are all gym bunnies in saucy Santa outfits and the music goes between a gospel choir clapping and shouting and my handsome Alex Malgouyres DJ'ing.
Rod finds drinks, Lucy finds friends and Daphne and I take a tour admiring the 30-foot tree and the Jeff Koons like balloon animals behind Santa's throne.
Lorenzo is well pleased to see us. YAY! We miss him. A whole week with LM in Miami was delightful so we all had a proper squeeze and catch up. After chatting up Rudolph (yes, well not really, co-owner of the agency Anthony Keegan dressed up as him) and stealing his head for a shot I escort Daphne out to her car. She's being so good! We still have one more event to hit!

I find Rod, I round up Lucy and Claire and we bring Miguel from Interview and pile into a car for the final destination- Boom Boom.
We arrive and the place is popping. GQ had just finished their holiday dinner and loads of other editors, assorted gays, and saucy ladies were zizzing about in a holiday tizzy. Hey Justin and crew! Hey Adam 'Grawl' Shapiro! Marc Kroop is that you?
Rod has never been so I gave him a tour, and then we order drinks (ouch $40 for two drinks!) and mill about catching up with kids.

At 2am Rod and I decide it's time to turn into pumpkins. We sneak away and when our elevator hits the lobby and opens Lorenzo is staring back at me and bellows, "Oh no you don't! Get back upstairs!"
Balderdash, foiled again.
We get back in the lift with his posse including Terence Koh and head up for a nightcap. They all pile out of the elevator and charge the main room. Rod and I look at each other, wink and close the doors again. We just can't do it! Lolo I owe you a drink!

And that's how we got through one very long, exciting, eventful holiday party twirl.

Seasonal Sappy Thoughts



I love writing. Not only do I get to learn something (or a plethora of things) daily but I really enjoy being able to support and promote friends. I of course never expect anything in return. As the iconic Daphne Guinness said to me last week through her lace veil (natch), "Darling if you can't give freely, why bother giving at all?" Those words really stuck. Even in her surreal filtering of life, she can really hit home. I was impressed. It just goes to show ONCE AGAIN that fashion people aren't all frocks and feathers.

Today, toiling away at my desk filing two stories, arguing with an editor about another and trying to sort the chaos of post Basel piles, the buzzer rang. I got to the door to find a gentleman with a giant orchid in hand. I pulled away the plastic and ribbons to find a note from J Alexander. I had interviewed him for The Moment when his book launched several weeks back and had an amusing time doing it. He is always such a treat.

Frankly, the note brought me to tears. What wit! What thought... and it's just what I needed as I coast into a world of writing full time nervous, anxious and totally excited. Thank you Miss J.
Indeed- MORE, MORE!

Turkey Day at The Castle














Success!
I had 23 people at the house and we got everyone around the table!
Well, Oscar and his crew ran late so by the time they came we were done and they got in on seconds but we SQUEEZED in and got our turkey on.

Justin came over Wednesday afternoon and we made the mad dash to Fairway (which wasn't bad amazingly) got our 18 pound turkey and punkin pie ingredients and headed home to set up and get to cookin. We had drinks with Rod, ordered hot wangs from Pizza 123 and passed out at 10:30!

Thursday we got going at 8am and started drinkin at 10! People trickled in from 3-6 (ahem!)
Food was heated, turkey stuffed and we got everyone seated before we got our feast on.

Alistair and Bea stuffed their faces and then were glued to Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving.
Later we played two party games:
Where is the weirdest place you had sex?
What do you want for Christmas?

The answers caused lots of good giggles and scandal!
Around midnight Anne rolled in with Rebekah Maysles (you know her- her dad made Grey Gardens!) and finished off the rest of the wine. Yale made a special appearance too all the way from Canada.

At 2:30 the pah-tay wound down, the sink was full and so was I!
A good time was had by all.

Now on to Christmas!

Nicky Haslam's Book launch and other sordid events







Last Thursday I had quite the night. After an interesting studio visit at Nicholas Caito’s for Full Frontal, I met PR guru Rachel Shechtman at Bill’s Gay 90’s for martinis and fries before we popped by EBay’s pop up store (cute!).
Then I peeled off to The Pierre for Nicky Haslam’s book launch.
I was excited to attend because:
1) I have heard so much about Nicky in Vanity Fair and from Philip
2) I was uber curious to see the new Caprice

Upon entering the bustling bar area I bump into Fran Leibowitz, knock into Elsa Klench, nearly step on Mica Ertegun’s slipper and nearly spill champagne on Bob Colacello. Wheew! What a crew to see in the first minute and what a small bar area to slither through! What a great group of people. A dying breed really. Just think, not one of them has a reality TV show!

But I made it out to the other end where I find photographer Todd Eberle. Hooray! Todd is one of my favorite people and we always have a blast together (enter foreboding!)
Next up we spy Rebecca Guinness who is tragically leaving our shores next week back to Blighty. I am so glad she is here so we get a bit more one on one time together before she sets sail.

Then there is Nicky. At 70 years old he has gone full leather daddy. Black blazer, black skinny jeans; white studded belt and black riding boots with Cat of Nine Tails whipping about from each side. Daring! He signs my book and sends his love to Philip.

Todd gives Nicky a big smooch and they trade books. Todd has a copy of his new book of photography he just launched that is fab! A funny, jolly older man comes up and starts rattling on to Becca. Who was that? “Barry Humphries, an old family friend!” explains Beccs. Yay Dame Edna!

After having a very Annette de la Renta dinner (i.e. five bites of passed tuna) and quite our fair share of bubbly, Todd and I bid the party farewell. We end up at the National Arts Club for a Terrence Koh reading where he spoke in gibberish for 30 minutes. It was funny at first but I had to go to the bar for another martini after about 5 minutes. But love him for being so whacky! Then we ended up at Maries Crisis Café for a drink, AND THEN we landed at the Boom Boom where I got to spend quality time with Joey, Camilla Staerk and Brian Coates. We rounded out the night with a giggly moment in the elevator with Bridget Berlin who is back out and about on the scene. Thank God. We need more old fun Warhol babes like her to keep it real.

I’m not telling you what time I got home but I will say, Nicky would be very impressed.

Lucy and Cator's Punchy Pernod Dinner Party
















People may remember several years back when Lucy and I hosted a Pernod party. A friend in the liquor industry owed me a favor and sent over ten cases of Pernod and a waiter. The night was a success! But we had about 9 cases of Pernod left to consume. It's not a hugely popular drink of choice and as much as we gave it away and offered it at parties, the Pernod was still lurking in bars, closets, under beds and in the kitchen.

Several weeks back we had a smaller dinner party and decided to take the plunge and have a full fledged Pernod dinner party to use up vast amounts of the stuff. Huzzah! We developed an amazing menu, we sent out invitations and dragged out all the bottles of Pernod we could find. And of course in typical Lucy/Cator fashion, it had to be a dueling townhouse event.

We started off with appetizers at my house.
Lucy rolled out some dumplings into shallot pancakes and I made an apple salsa (from the NYT recipes!) consisting of chopped apples, onions, ginger, parsley and soaked in Pernod. YUM!

Then we trekked to Lucy's for chicken marinated in Pernod with figs and olives, Fay's salad with Pernod dressing and french bread with Pernod lemon butter.
Treat!

It was all quite civilized until we headed back to my house for dessert. John (Lucy's new roomie who we love!) made a lemon pound cake but ditched the lemons for Pernod. Zing!

By this time several bottles of Pernod had been consumed by guests as well as beaucoup booze and wine. The dance party started then conga'd down to Rod and Philips for champagne and singing then back up here for fun with the inflatable turkey (!) and the nerf gun I bought for Justin. Nik was in town from DC (he's a buddy from Charleston who I spend every New Years with) with Sarah and it was so great to have him as a surprise guest.

Stephen and Tina swung by after their dinner party wrapped up and brought Steve's new action figure from Avatar. COOL! Fay got very excited...

After they left mayhem ensued, costumes were changed and SOMEONE rode a bike through my living room in his underwear. NOT me!

Alas, a good time was had by all!
Sadly as I was cleaning up today I opened the hall closet and found three more bottles of Pernod. Zut Alors.

Mexico Night One





Hola Y'all! Im back from Mexico and had quite an eye opening time. Ok I admit I admit! I never had a desire to go to Mexico. Isn't it polluted, dangerous and dirty?
I found it beautiful, lush, hospitable and FU U UN!

I am posting my daily Full Frontal Fashion hits here as well. But here is my first nights entree to Mexico City society.
Oscar, my host, invited me to an antique dealers home that was beyond lush. Champagne flowed, dinner was divine and an impromptu floral photo shoot wrapped up the incredible evening.

Ole!

Colin and Angela in Atlanta!











Last weekend I took my British besties to ATL for a speedy education in culture and my kin folk.
Boy did we twirl. And eat...And drink...

We landed last Thursday and instantly hit the Varsity- the greasy V!
That night mother made a home made Southern dinner
Dad brought out the moonshine. We sat on the dock in the dark and sipped and giggled. Heaven.

Friday was Cracker Barrel then a MOMENTOUS OCCASION- A visit to the Bass Pro Shop! We bought flannels for $10 (bite me Ralph Lauren!), practiced on the shooting range and gazed at the massive fresh water aquarium. Then we took a quick trip to Jacqueland and later a breezy boat ride. I dont think I have ever seen Colin's eyes grow so wide than when he saw dads boat. A floating living room! We polished off a bottle of red on that trip.

Friday night we went to the club for dinner and, inspired by all the boozy club members, decided to carry the party home where mother, Angela, Colin and I all imbibed Stingers until 130am. Zing!

Saturday was a day in town doing the Grandparent circuit seeing Yaiyai for Greek food and Pop & Dot for cocktails then Laura and her girls for dinner.

We ended the night at a loft party with a very festive Genene, Rosalind and Anthony.

Sunday we spent the day with mom and my Aunt Cator in Athens starting off with a big brunch and then a surprise bottle of champagne.
HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY COLIN AND ANGELA!
It was a year ago that day I flew from Russia to Bristol to celebrate their wedding.

After a tour of the campus and town we headed downtown and dropped them off at the apartment they had rented for the night to celebrate and then I headed to the airport.

Sadly we never made it to Chic-Fil-A.
Oh the sadness! They must return!!!!

Cracklin' Kinderhook












People always make fun of me for planning things so far in advance. Ill send a save the date two months ahead and an invitation a month ahead. Obviously these people simply aren’t as busy as I am. But Lucy is. We planned this trip in July to visit her parents in Kinderhook. With all her weddings to attend and my social swirling this was the only time to squeeze it in!
Alas, it was well worth the wait.

Her parents moved up here from Bedford last February and love every minute of it. Their house is the Old Columbia Academy, built in 1797 and was later turned into a residence. Tina has done a fab job with the interiors with nary a corner untouched with something creative and cozy (and I mean that with the utmost respect! Copper candle sticks and vintage family photos abound!). And the yard has the best garden in town, so I discovered last night at dinner.

We drove up yesterday morning and it took us no time to drop off the bags and walk into town for a fall festival. There was kettle corn, local produce and a banjo/kazoo crew jamming out in the town square.

In case you didn’t know, Henry Hudson named Kinderhook when he dropped anchor in his now Namesake river in 1609 and a gaggle of Native American kids perched at the corner of the river to watch- hence- Kinder Hook- Children’s Corner. This is also the birthplace of Martin Van Buren, our countries 11th President. We didn’t have a chance to visit his house but we did pop by his grave on our morning walk.
After our time in town and a quick meal of hamburgers, hotdawgs, cheese soup (score!) and apple muffins, we headed back to the house to collect Lucy’s father and headed over to Hudson. As you all know I am quite familiar with Hudson and adore it. We tooled around the shops, found some great finds (shhh Christmas presents!) and even stumbled upon Hunt Slonem’s auction of his upstate mansion. Hunt is a favorite painter of mine and I’ve always ogled at images of his densely furnished Gothic Revival homes. Randomly we found a pile of Henry Hudson mask's commemorating his sail up the Hudson. He was a great addition to dinner!

Around 6pm we headed home, popped open some wine and started cookin.
Pork Tenderloin
Brussels Sprouts from the garden
Kale and Spinach from the garden
Purple potatoes from the market.
Yum!
Afterwards Lucy and I read our Vogue’s together commenting on errant fashion choices and layouts before having a good goss before heading to bed in the comfy country at 11pm.

This morning I peeled myself out of bed to watch my favorite show in the world- CBS Sunday Morning before downing another apple muffin and then taking a speedy walk through orchards and farmhouses and graveyards (Hey Martin!) with Lucy for an hour.

Not people to sit on our Laurels we bathed, dressed and popped by their neighbors home for a Bloody Mary. Tim and Nik have an amazing house, and in keeping with my Hunt Slonem moment yesterday, have decorated in a Neo-Gothic period (maybe with a splash of Gothic Revival?!). THEN we made a big ole frittata from last nights leftovers, imbibed a bottle of white and then headed out with Tina and Stephen to the Thomas Cole home.

Ole Cole was one of the founders of the Hudson River School movement (with Frederick Church, whose home Olana is another fave up here). It wasn’t as grand as Olana but interesting all the same. And the views he had of the Catskill’s are quite enviable. The house just received a big grant so they will be rebuilding old studios, revamping gardens and sprucing up the interiors. Can you believe after all that we had to dash to the train station for the 4:40? There we ran into a gaggle of gays who I know from Manhattan who have houses up here. We boarded, sat down and passed out.
I know, I know, it doesn’t sound like a relaxing weekend to most, but hey, I can watch the leaves turn from my urn one day!
Thank you La Lang’s for a most pleasurable weekend away. Can’t wait for the next.