Suzanne, thank you for posting this.  It will be fascinating reading about the life and experiences of Bill Gates, Sr.

Hello Nanchan, thank you for the great tips!

I used to have a real ‘English Garden’ in my home in Chevy Chase prior my divorce.  I loved it!  There were beautiful flowers blooming year round.  I also kept many varieties of potted flowers on my porches and patios.

Now that I live in an apartment, there is nowhere to grow flowers.  Instead, I purchase potted flowers and plants, and I treat myself to fresh cut flowers [preferably, long stemmed varieties] as often as possible, to appease my aesthetic sensibilities.  In fact, having fresh cut flowers in a beautiful vase has become my favorite indulgence.

Thank you Suzanne.  I’ve been to COSTCO.  Yet, I don’t buy much in bulk now that I live alone.  But, there is a small clean supermarket nearby, ALLAN’s which has organic meats and vegetables at great prices.  Also, I patronize most of the smaller speciality stores in the Brandon area.  Best of all, there is a small strip in North Jackson - HIGHLAND VILLAGE, which has more upscale clothing boutiques, shoe/accessories stores, and other smaller specialty retail stores - gifts, housewares, jewelers, etc.  Fortunately, HIGHLAND VILLAGE is holding on.

ABSOLUTELY.  It is the reason I never shop at WALMART- because of my strong political and social biases of how WALMART has been more instrumental in the disappearance of many smaller private and corporate owned businesses in mid-America than any other mega corporation.  I also fervently disapprove of WALMART’s blatant violations of employees human rights; particularly in their warehouses in small and isolated towns and cities in foreign countries, China for example.

For those who strongly disagree with me, please know that I am already fully aware that WALMART’s presence in Americas cities is based on far more complex economic/demographic/political circumstances than my opinion suggests.  I also am aware that TARGET or KOHLS, etc. might not be any better.  However, the many mega WALMART SUPERSTORES in smaller cities are by far the pariahs, which are pilfering the financial lifeblood, and retail entrepreneurial venture opportunities out of many communities.  And, these horrible looking mega warehouse type stores diminishes the once aesthetic look and unique style of so many of America’s once thriving communities. 

Not too long ago, I used to have a choice when wanting to purchase a lamp or home accessory - at a small friendly store in the community.  But no more.  Instead, I now become very annoyed and agitated that a favorite women’s accessory store, a favorite lighting [fixture] store, a favorite record/CD store, a favorite nursery/garden supplier, a favorite [private owned] hardware store, a favorite bakery, etc… - that all are going out of business, or are vanishing forever because of ‘WALLY WORLD’ - as WALMART is known by the locals in BRANDON, MS. 

It is my opinion that the SUPER WALMART’s are an affront to our once beautiful cities and communities.  The retail strips of private owned shops, offering great products and services are no longer feasible in many hometowns, as these mega eye-sores loom in the background. 

Yet, I am hoping for the day of when the all the ‘WALLY WORLDS’ which now reign in our once thriving communities will no longer exist.

Ha!  I no longer have assets [to speak of], therefore no will.

Thank you Suzanne.  It was truly a ‘magical’ and beautiful moment for my son and daughter-in-law.  The photos I have are stunning.  I’ve shared a little [history] here on wOw about my daughter-in-law’s late mother, Anne.  She [Anne] was born in Kenya; her mother was Kikuyu, her father Irish.  She passed away on New Year’s Day this year.   I attended her memorial services held at the Sant Bani Ashram in Sanbornton, New Hampshire this past January.  Afterward, I flew back to San Francisco with my son, daughter-in-law, and grandson to help them cope with her loss however I could.   Anne and I became close and dear friends over the years.  We were the same age, and we shared similar experiences.  Yet, Anne was truly an inspiration for me.  I’ve mentioned here on wOw that two years prior her death she taught English, German, and Arabic in China.  Also, Anne was in China during the earthquake last year.  I really miss her, and the many stories she shared with me about growing up in Kenya, Ireland, London, and India - home to her first husband’s family.

Suzanne,

My eldest son’s wedding reception was held in the home of Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixson in Kenya.  I was too ill to attend the wedding, but my mother went, and we have lots of photos of Dinesen’s home.  It’s a beautiful home, set in a beautifly location.  Dinesen’s home is [was] frequently used for private parties/celebrations.

Suzanne, I enjoyed reading your post.

 Your mentioning that among your favorite categories of books are fiction and non-fiction cookbooks, including, THE FRENCH LAUNDRY, brought to mind one of my favorite movies … BABBETTE’S FEAST. 

Thank you for sharing.

PS:  [A confession.]

I never attempted to baked desserts.  Instead, I used to order cakes, pastries, etc., from SUTTON PLACE GOURMET, in Bethesda, MD, not far from Chevy Chase.

Ha!  Cooking was never my ‘forte’.  Yet, I had five sons to feed.  Soooo, I had lots of cookbooks on my kitchen bookshelf, and the one I used more often was, BETTY CROCKER’S COOKBOOK. 

I never had a favorite receipt ‘per se’.  Yet, what I referred to more than the many recipes in my numerous assortment of cookbooks were my monthly BON APPETITE magazine subscriptions, from which I often attempted a recipe that appealed to me.

Oh my!  I now read many of my favorite magazine subscriptions online … or, their web newsletter update versions.  Among them are THE NEW YORKER, TIME, BUSINESS WEEK, and many others.  I’m down to three [3] monthly magazine subscriptions I receive by mail, from a high of twelve!!

Um… Should I feel guilty?  After all, isn’t everyone reading their periodicals online these days?

E., You wrote:

"I hope that she’ll be alert to opportunistic ‘friends’ and suitors - if only there were professional agents working to sniff out the predators in the lives of good people."  

 

I was thinking exactly the same thoughts, but didn’t have the courage to write what you’ve stated for fear of being reprimanded. 

Considering the world we live in opportunism abounds, and I would hate to see this courageous and talented woman fall victim to media predators!  Thanking you for posting your comments!

Los Angeles February 1971. 

The Fernando Earthquake was the most frightening natural disaster I’ve ever experienced.   The entire left common wall of our duplex tilted violently, throwing us [me and my ex-husband] out of our bed in the bedroom, tossed the china closet in the dining area on to the dining table, and thrust open the doors of the kitchen cabinets tossing out all contents, which crashed loudly on the kitchen floor, counters, and stove. 

When I recall how frightened we were at the time, I feel thankful.  Yet, I can not help wondering how the citizens of China coped last summer in the devastating earthquake they suffered.  My late dear friend was teaching in China at the time, and although she was not in an area adversely affected by the quake, she emailed me.  She shared the tragic and sad accounts suffered by family members of many of her students.

Having experienced only a fraction of loss in the Los Angeles earthquake of 1971, I think of the countless citizens/victims who have loss family members in a natural disaster.  And, I better understand the depth of pain they suffer, and the lasting frighting memories, the trauma, and PTSD, which lingers for so many years.

Phyliss, I’m so happy that the video ‘touched’ you, and comforted you as much as it did me.

All the very best to you.