"I don’t know.  I think she has been watching too much HGTV.  Just yesterday she told me she thought her ‘space had become boring’ and she was going to update with new lighting.  Can’t wait to see what color her trunk is going to be."

Well, as far as the knife sharpener goes, when we lived in Pasadena it was a weekly event.  Then we moved and I didn’t see one anyplace so I bought an electric knife sharpener.  So much for that.  When we moved for the last time I sat in our hardware store, waiting for information in a back room and lo and behold a man with knives, scissors, etc. appeared from the alley behind the store and said he was the knife sharpener (apparently thinking that I worked there).  So, since that day it was out with the electric knife sharpener and in with the real deal.  He even sharpens my gardening tools.

As to the penny candy that was the highlight of my elementary school days.  Somewhere around fourth grade a new girl appeared in our classroom.  She said her Dad was the tennis pro at courts behind our school and that he owned the little store that was adjacent to them. WELLLLLLLLL, not only did he sell tennis shorts and restring tennis rackets—he also had a penny candy counter in the store.  However, even though it was behind the school you had to cross a rather busy street to get there and the school had a rule that you could not do that.  We used to debate that rule with each other and finally appealed to the new girl at school.  The next day she told us that the only good time to break the rule was at 12 noon because that was the time the teachers were all occupied with their lunch.  At 12 noon we were all at the back gate waiting for the chance to go but nobody had the nerve.  The next day was the same thing.  We were all hiding behind the Magnolia trees when we saw this man coming across the street with a big box and he introduced himself.  It was our new classmate’s father. In the box were licorice moustaches, red wax lips, little wax bottles with "something colored" in them and malted milk balls.  He said he was proud of us because we hadn’t crossed the street and this was a present for the whole class. His name was Lynn Shampine and I have always remembered his kindness (and indirectly his marketing skills).  I can’t begin to tell you how many of us took tennis lessons from him, bought our tennis clothes at his shop, our tennis rackets and tennis balls.  Kindness to children goes a long way.

As to the doilies, one of my bridesmaids moved just outside of Wellington when she married and we visited her two years ago.  There were no paper doilies on her table but she had hauled out all the Madeira and there was nothing on the table that didn’t have a Madeira doily under it.  I really felt guilty since I had chucked all of mine that had been previously owned by an  Aunt of mine who treasured them.  I just got sick of starching all of that stuff and ironing all of it on a bath towel.  I guess if it is not microwave safe, dishwasher safe, or needs ironing I don’t bother anymore.  Maybe the grandchildren will love the Waterford, the china and the silver.  Who knows?

As to the paper legs on the rack of lamb I want to say they are called"panties" but that can’t be.

I think the English and the Irish are the  only ones who still observe mandatory tea.  However, I took my granddaughters to a very lovely tea (didn’t know they still existed) at the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware a few years ago.  I almost died laughing when the server asked the five year old what kind of tea she preferred and she asked him to please bring the tea box.

I must get something done now.  This is the Question of the day that has intrigued me.

I miss good manners, people dressing for dinner, Chasens, Perinos, the original Hamburger Hamlet (the lobster bisque was divine) and the "vegetable man" (came by every day at 4 p.m—grew his own—Senor Coronel), the Helms Truck (bread, pastry, etc.), the "milk man" (oops, I need some sour cream for dinner), etc.  Most of all I miss that wonderful plane (L.A. to New York) with the beautiful upstairs, grand piano, open bar, comfy upholstered furniture, a library, etc.  With all of our technology we have really made life uncomfortable. I suppose those were the good old days,bad old days-however for me they were wonderful and I didn’t even know it at the time but we certainly had a lot of fun.

Ah, yes. I forgot steak tartare and Breck Shampoo.

SHE DIDN’T!!!!

I wonder where the nearest place is to get my highlights done?

Paul Bocuse restaurant just outside of Lyon.  Only had the opportunity once but is the most memorable restaurant experience of my life.  If you are fortunate enough to go, order the tasting menu—a zillion different things—all perfect.  As the hours pass beware.  Just a bite of everything will do.  When they wheel out the cheeses you’ll be glad.  Beware again. A cart the size of my dining room was wheeled out—you guessed it.  Mai Oui, the dessert cart arrived.  The beauty of the location, the service, and yes, the food are all impeccable. Only one seating available and you will spend hours dining and drinking the appropriate wine to go with each "taste".  Unsurpassed in my opinion.