The best laid plans...............

..................of mice and men...............and girls trying to get to New York City in a snow storm!

Robert Burns penned those famous words as "the best laid schemes o' mice an' men (from 'To a Mouse').

Confucius said "plan ahead or find trouble on the doorstep" ~ I think we tried that. Even Will Rogers told us "plans get you into things but you must work your way out".

Found solace today in these words though. "When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal". Napoleon Hill, American Author, Speaker, Motivational Writer.

I had already asked my angel to watch over us knowing how wings get slick and need de-icing this time of year. As I loaded the bags and heavy jackets into the car this morning, the phone rang and Delta announced flights from here to New York canceled. Thick fog and very warm here, huge storm headed toward New York with up to 6" of snow in Manhattan today, more 'wintry mix' tomorrow and then a second storm following close behind. Weather Channel showed 2,000 snow plows at the ready, tons of salt to spread...............and smiling faces of the natives thrilled to be getting a white Christmas perhaps. Lucky them, sulky us!!

However, we are fortunate compared to many others around the country who are having extremely severe weather and loss of power.

Snow is falling, blanketing the grimy streets and sidewalks of the city. It will be pretty. I'm sad we'll miss it.










And where is my dear husband? He's already up there in New York City. Left yesterday for a business meeting and is now trying to get home as our weekend is canceled! I'm beginning to believe there is no place like the safety and warmth of home.

Adventurous Women Travelers

"All of life is a journey.

Which paths we take, what we look back on, and what we look forward to is up to us. We determine our destination, what kind of road we will take to get there, and how happy we are when we get there."

~ Anonymous ~

This week I've read several blogs where the writer has been tagged and one of the questions responded to has been about the places they've been. I've learned that several women have visited places many of us would never dream of going to..................this has made me wonder why, and how, they got to see countries off the beaten track or rarely touted as vacation destinations.

In Barbara Hodgson's book she traces three hundred years of world travel by both celebrated and unknown women who endured bed bugs, scorching heat, exotic diseases, etc............all in the name of adventure. Globe trotting women tore down boundaries leaving as their legacy a world wide open for today's women.

Original pen & ink drawing of Fingle Bridge, Dartmoor, Devon

~ Edward Pemberton ~ c. 1935 (my Uncle)

My first real personal journey took me from the quiet Devon countryside of England across the Atlantic to the bustling city of Washington, D.C.

Starting in the 17th century, Barbara says, "the best reason to travel may have been no reason at all......................and British women, more than any other group, abandoned themselves to this passion................". Well I certainly kicked over the traces in a much later century. But why? Was it adventure or passion? Perhaps I'll tell you on Valentine's Day.

Vintage Images from Secret Leaves - go here to see their incredible offerings.

Accouterments......just stuff!

Leonardo truly was an amazing person - he always seemed to get it right.

A trip abroad is a cathartic experience - it cleanses your mind of all that 'stuff ' which clutters daily life when in one's home. I lived in an apartment (more on that wonderful place soon) for eight days with some one's beautiful stuff. I survived with a basic wardrobe rolled into one suitcase. I really need to simplify and I'm starting right now!

The written word - clean, mostly short, forthright. I love words such as pegs - why did they need to become clothespins? This was my purchase at the kitchen shop because I couldn't carry the china teapots home. And do I need another teapot? No of course not.

Bag - a simple. short word - it can contain anything. This beauty found in England has a zip (yes the word over there is not zipper) on the side to take out a spud, no need to take the bag off it's hook.

My new loden colored, paisley patterned clogs with the soft, comfy insoles deserve a special simple cotton bag for travel. A Devon castle gift shop find..............and on sale to boot!

These clean, crisp neutrals seem the way to go toward simplification.

Dusk is falling and DH is in New York. This evening is mine alone. I'm off to my chair (wish this one was mine) to make lists on how to simplify yet remain sophisticated.

The sign is out - take notice if you arrive at my front door. Where do I start? The list may say ~ just a single white pumpkin next year ~ simple and sophisticated.

Words in Place

Those of you who have known me for a while will remember my penchant for the written word in all it's many forms and guises. My recent new blog friends are hereby informed that I really LOVE words, type, lettering, calligraphy, signage, and you may often find them displayed here as I add to my collection.

Today I've been busy so I'm just sharing some recent photos of words and signs that caught my eye during my Summer travels. It has been another scorcher - 96 degrees by noon - but I was chilled to the bone from 9 AM until 2 PM in the freezing cold county courthouse! This is the third month of my six month Grand Jury term and I have to serve two Mondays a month. In a way it's better than being stuck on a long drawn out case as a regular juror - one can plan life around these Mondays.

This was a window display in Asheville, NC. Such exquisite handcrafted vases.

Wonder if the local hot shots really hang out in this neighborhood eatery?

Yes, life is definitely worthwhile. Don't you just love it?

My dear friend Loretta doesn't own this little bakery but I loved seeing her name across the window. Yes, those are snowflake decorations - taken this Summer - guess they won't need to decorate for Christmas! And now I'm off to indulge myself - an early to bed night with my new book, Anne Patchett's award winning "Bel Canto" - because I had to get up extra early today to drive into town, find a free parking place (Grand Jury only pays $20 a day so don't want to spend half on parking), and then sip my morning wake up coffee at the Port City Java.Goodnight moon...........................................