F.L. Woods Shirts - Made in the US

Photos by Salt Water New England

There is almost a false dichotomy when it comes to clothing today.  If you want lighter and brighter items, your options are too often rather vulgar (too bright) and cheaply made (such as "Made in China").  Meanwhile, more substantial and well finished items items are often only available in colors that are a tad drab.

It wasn't always that way; back to the 1980s, it was so easy to get clothes that were brighter but also very well made.   This is of what I think when I wear F.L. Woods shirts today.  At a time when everyone seems to be wearing graphite and black, these shirts are a breath of fresh air - light and bright and still very well constructed.  (And at a time when more vendors who had touted "Made in the US" are quietly shifting to "imported" garments, F.L. Woods' are still made locally.)

I find that these Men's shirts are easy for a woman to wear, as their full cut is more forgiving around the hips and the tails are not too long.   And while the sleeve length is perfect for me, they can also be rolled up.  I wear them in a size Medium, which is slightly oversized, which is my preference.

Men's Shirts, Made in the US (shown below from left to right):

• http://www.flwoods.com/product/pink-windows
• http://www.flwoods.com/product/blue-check-seersucker
• http://www.flwoods.com/product/oxford-shirt-pink
• http://www.flwoods.com/product/oxford-shirt-blue
• http://www.flwoods.com/product/blue-check-seersucker (in Pink)

Frame in a Frame...

Photo by Salt Water New England

Readying the Pool's Salt Water System

Photo by Salt Water New England

The horrid green of a newly opened pool for the season...... An initial hit of shock by the pool company (unfortunately) is followed by several blocks of salt, which will then take over the job of keeping the pool clean and clear until autumn.  As a bonus, one leaves the pool smelling vaguely of salt instead of chlorine.

Mid-coast Maine

Photos by Salt Water New England

Question for the Community: How do you raise children who are comfortable around the arts?

A Question For the Community

What are the best ways to raise children to be comfortable around classical music, art, books, and architecture?  I know part of the answer is being a role model, which my wife and I both are.  Are there specific tips, places to go, or other thoughts, especially around what is best for different ages?  

Long Sleeves in Summer

Photos by Salt Water New England

Around Town

Photos by Salt Water New England

Life on the Connecticut Shore - 1960s

Photo by Salt Water New England

Looking for Shorebirds in the Wayfarer Jacket from Cordings of Piccadilly - Made in England

Photos by Salt Water New England

The weather was ideal today, bright and sunny, for wearing the outstanding Cordings of Piccadilly Wayfarer Jacket but with a cool and steady wind off the water.   The shorebirds have returned and their activity was brisk.

• Khaki Wayfarer Jacket <https://www.cordings.co.uk/khaki-wayfarer-jacket.html> 

Boat Shoes (2019 Edition)

Photos by Salt Water New England

Questions about boat shoes typically include:

1. Who makes boat shoes?

2. What makes a shoe appropriate for boats?

3. Can you wear boat shoes with socks?

4. Can you wear boat shoes as everyday shoes?

5. Are Sperry Boat Shoes still the standard, and how do the various boat shoes compare?

1.  Who makes boat shoes?

Some boat shoe providers are:

• Quoddy
• Men's Classic Boat Shoes <https://www.quoddy.com/collections/mens/products/classic-boat-shoe-1>

• Dubarry 
• Women's Sailing Boots <http://www.dubarry.us/womens-footwear/sailing-boots>
• Women's Boat Shoes <http://www.dubarry.us/womens-footwear/womens-boat-shoes>
• Men's Sailing Boots <http://www.dubarry.us/mens-footwear/ultima-leather-sailing-boots>
• Men's Boat Shoes <http://www.dubarry.us/mens-footwear/boat-shoes, <http://www.dubarry.us/helmsman-boat-shoe>

• Sperry 
• Sperry Site <https://www.sperry.com/en/home>
• Amazon <http://amzn.to/1sC31ZH> 

• Sebago 
• Sebago Site <https://www.sebago.com/en/1366/Man/Collections/Docksides>
• Amazon <https://amzn.to/2LJu4RB>

• Rancourt <https://www.rancourtandcompany.com/men-s/boat-shoes.html>

• Orvis <http://www.orvis.com/store/product_search_promote.aspx?keyword=boat+shoes>

• L.L. Bean <http://www.llbean.com/llb/search/?freeText=boat+shoes> 

Around Town

Photos by Salt Water New England

Three Questions

Some articles for consideration:

Should museums and schools accept filthy lucre?

• Money, Ethics, Art: Can Museums Police Themselves? The New York Time <https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/arts/design/museums-ethics.html>

Is Nantucket now just a resort, having made their Faustian bargain?

• The World & Nantucket, American Heritage (1965) <https://www.americanheritage.com/world-nantucket> (Sent by a reader)

"Volvo gave all automakers free license to use the belt design."  If you were a Volvo investor, would you approve?

• Crash Scene Investigations, With Automakers on the Case <https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/business/crash-scene-investigations.html>

What to do?

Photos by Salt Water New England

Saturday is dump day, and with it the concomitant decisions of what to do with various things.  Today a few shirts and cups found a new home with friends, a stack of old framed prints had already been put by the side of the road with a free sign (they went immediately),  but this item continues to vex.  It is an old Abercrombie & Fitch hamper, with most of the pieces intact.  One temptation is to gut the disagreeable innards, and use the wicker.  But that seems wrong somehow, so it will likely be put away until either some great fit arises or, more likely, just a Saturday hence.

Lilacs

Photo by Salt Water New England

The Braided Leather Angle Tote from Lotuff Leather - Made by Hand in New England

Photo by Salt Water New England

It would be difficult to overstate the exceptional handwork, quality, beauty and sheen of this Lotuff Leather Braided Leather Angle Tote.  And it is easy to imagine that for some people, this bag would be their everywhere bag.  It fits in at a gallery as easily as the office, it is big enough for an event or travel, and it makes for a perfect gift.

• Lotuff Braided Leather Angle Tote <https://lotuffleather.com/products/braided-leather-angle-tote>

Substantial enough to stand up on its own.

Tilley Hats - Made in Canada

Photos by Salt Water New England

A core item for many wardrobes is a Tilley hat.  Critically, they provide protection from the sun, even reducing glare.  They are also lightweight, come in a variety of styles (everyone has their favorite), and, of course, float.  Despite their lifetime guarantee, many sailors keep a few spare around, as the possibility of being without one is just unthinkable.

• Tilley <https://www.tilley.com/>

• A variety of Tilley Hats on Amazon <https://amzn.to/2ZXVxSC>

Around Yale Today

Photos by Salt Water New England

 One might wonder if beautiful spring weather makes one of the most bitter sweet days of the school year, moving out, better or worse?

Early Signs of Spring

Photo by Salt Water New England

Old Norwegian Chairs

Photo by Salt Water New England

(And our quite dusty floorboards...)

Oh My! Around Town Today...

Photo by Salt Water New England

Spring Boats

Photos by Salt Water New England

Reader Question: Leather Saddle Bag

A reader question for the community:

This question comes a bit out of season as I’ll use a straw bag or canvas tote for most of the summer. However, I would like to find a brown leather saddle bag for daily use (fall through spring). I’ve looked at Coach and Dooney Bourke but dislike the prominent “C” clasp on the Coach bag and I'm suspicious of the leather quality at Dooney Bourke after reading reviews online. Is it impossible to find a discreet (no loud branding) saddle bag of medium size that is equally appropriate for a trip abroad and a farmer’s market at home? 

A frustrated millennial

Morels Growing by the Roots of Our Old Apple Trees

Photo by Salt Water New England

Reader Question: What is the ideal length for a houseguest to stay?

Photo by Salt Water New England

Peter Mayle's many thoughts on guests include:

"All visitors, even the most charming and well-behaved ones, cost money; not vast amounts if you take them individually, but enough collectively to make them our single biggest annual expense.  There is also a hidden cost, impossible to calculate, and that is exhaustion." 

"Relatives don't arrive at your home; they invade it.  They kick off their shoes and unpack expansively all over the living-room floor.  They pounce on your phone as though they have been starved of contact with the outside world.... And yet... all must be forgiven.  They're family."  

 These set the table for a recent reader question:

What is the idea length for a houseguest to stay?  How long should invitations be for a summer house visit compared to a New York apartment?  And how long is absolutely too long?  Any guidelines would be appreciated.

The Road to the Boat to the Island

Photo by Salt Water New England