Happy Driftwood Day!

Photo circa1976 courtesy of MMB.

 I love this picture because I remember so much about that moment: the burn of the sand, and the lightness of the driftwood and the bliss of a little time alone.  

Not a brother in sight...

Lunchie Lunch

I'll send the rest by email; Old birds at Friday lunch...

Believe in Love

I

Taking a picture with a teenaged Teuton- spawn of Thomas- is similar to getting the yeti on camera, but here is proof of life for his grandmother (and aunties and cousins). 

We got some very good intell out of him- oh but I cannot share it! even on the top secret blog.  I will say there are some shenanigans going on at Wentworth Hall, est 1925: wholesome expressions of rebellion in the very early hours of the morning that do not involve drugs or alcohol. Let's just say they are exactly the kind of things I would have done; and his father and I approve wholeheartedly.

Little F does not seem to be stressed: more like on high alert: and he does his homework before 8pm which makes him a bit of a nerd legend over there.

Most kids don't start til after 10 (!) pm.

He had a meeting with his advisor who actually said something about me, like "your mother isn't a worrier is she?" A reference I believe to the fact that I did not contact her all semester.  Oh don't judge! If the grades are good and he isn't crying to come home, what is there to talk about?

Anyway he seems to love it- the weekends are occasionally boring, (says he prefers the week); the classes are exciting, the kids are more stressed than the first semester; he misses us and Albert; he is going to bed early and has friends from China to the Bronx. He also seems to have more knowledge in his head much to his father's delight.

Little known Thomas fact: he won a kilo of gold krugerrand when he was in grade school for something called "general knowledge", basically a very Anglo Saxon award celebrating the ability to cite facts; presumably at parliament or a dinner party. Then 13 years later the gold price went through the roof and he sold it all. This is why, despite his parents comfortable situation, he paid for his own business school and was seen at Chez panisse while the rest of us were eating Cheerios for dinner. Anyway Frederick seems to be well on his way to a head full of fun facts.

For instance, did you know a blue whale can drink 100 bottles of vodka an hour and still legally drive? Or did you know the exact difference between a pond and a lake? Well ask Frederick.

Boo wrote yesterday and asked me how I was - (good old Carneys- they have always hated Sunday nights) and I admit  it is hard dropping him back there. We have a ritual now: I go up with him to his room and help him change his sheets and tidy up, and then I kiss him and go. But It's ok. It's really ok. We don't cry anymore. 

Anyway we are back at the hotel watching the super bowl in bed with mini bar treats, crying over the jeep ad. See below. ( omg!! Jeb! has a super bowl Ad??!). Thomas is watching the game like a foreigner-confused by the rules and making the mistake he has made for 20 years, i.e. thinking I know them. He smells conspiracy in the panthers defeat and thinks they will never let California host again with our "Believe in Love" half time sign. Very un-super bowl. By the way, did you know the military is irritated they have to do those fly overs for free? That it costs the military money for this idiotic NFL posturing?

 Ok enough of my liberal drone.

If you haven't already, you must watch the north face "this land is your land" ad - the long version.

No super bowl ad compares.

It is my all time all time favorite- and I cry every time. (Thomas too) Because you can say what you want about America- the richest country to have such poor people still inside; uninsured; obesity; bad urban schools; mediocre roads; high infant mortality; Donald Trump; poisoned water. 

But you can't dispute we are the most beautiful- our real estate, our actual land is so bloody beautiful, so plentiful and so diverse. Who has California and the grand Tetons and New York City? Who has desert and swamps? We do!  Now go buy some north face and play outside! 

See? I told you it's a good ad.

First Ever Mid-Air Post

I believe this may be the first of its kind-an entry from the air. Forgive me but I am too bored to do anything else- having contracted MSNBC poisoning from over use. Blame Thomas, who can give a long, running lecture through any political talk show I may be enjoying, but becomes mute the minute we get on an airplane. And on an airplane is when I need chatter the most. 

He claims that by ignoring me and reading his newspaper, he is gathering information for his next drone.

He is presently reading a magazine on "secrets to a healthy heart". First article looks promising: "Dont blame fat". 

I will send photos of prodigal son when I get my mitts on him. Below photos of how Boston looked when we landed, and then a few minutes later when the sun came out.

 (Ok I know this is boring, it's for MMB only, the rest of you avert your eyes..) xx