A soundtrack for all things possible?

 

From a reader:

It is often said that, after smell [pace Proust], nothing stirs the memory or tugs the heart-strings so much as music.  In the 70s I would often return late on a summer's night to my Oxford college to be met by the sounds of Riders on The Storm and Gerry Rafferty's Baker Street blasting out through open windows.   Motown was also much in vogue.  As life passed I learned to like other genres, such as jazz and, to a limited extent, opera.   But nothing quite presses the emotional buttons like a blast from the past, when life was golden and all seemed possible.  Me and Mrs Jones continues to  send a shiver down the spine and you still can't beat Bacharach [yes, I've said it].  My children think I'm crazy, but nothing IMHO holds a candle to the 1970s. 

A question for the community: what is the soundtrack of your life?

 

In Town This Weekend

Photos by Salt Water New England

House Tours: If, When, To Whom, and How?

Sent by a reader:

A question for the community - when, if ever, is it appropriate to give a tour of your home to house guests? What's appropriate to talk about and what's better left unmentioned?

Summer Stripes

Photo by Salt Water New England

Today, Around Town

Photos by Salt Water New England

 

To Serve Lobster

Photos by Salt Water New England

I have a question for the community.  We will be driving to Camden, Maine from New York for a wedding and we want to eat some lobster along the way.  So maybe it is actually two questions.  Where is the best place to go?  And how do readers like their lobster - in rolls, from the shells, or something else?

 

Photo by My Father

Photo by My Father

 

Kayaking

Photos by Salt Water New England

Two questions for the community:

• What is your favorite place to kayak?

• What advice would you give people who were interested in taking up kayaking?

 

The Blue Mogganer for Men from Bosie - Made in Scotland

Photo by Salt Water New England

My husband lived in his Navy Blue Mogganer last winter.  Thick, warm, light, and comfortable, it became a favorite amongst some considerable competition.  This new Medium Grey Blue Mogganer will likely by the most-worn sweater this upcoming season.  The shade of Grey is perfect - bright and with wonderful subtlety and depth.  

• Blue Mogganer North Sea Shetland <https://www.bosie.co/blue-mogganer>

 

Exchange or Tailor?

 

I just received a Cordings jacket that I ordered online. I ordered it in my usual suit size and the sleeve and back length are perfect but it fits very close (tight) in the body. Very fine fabric, but now I'm faced with a dilemma; do I exchange it for a size larger, with sleeves that would be too long, or do I go to a tailor and have the jacket let out so that I actually have some room to breathe?

 

Haying Season

Photos by Salt Water New England

 

Launches, ferries, or dinghies?

Photos by Salt Water New England

 A question for the community:

Do you spend more time on launches, ferries, or dinghies?

 

Favorite Home Office Purchase?

 

The Home Office This Morning - Photo by Salt Water New England

Two recent home office purchases, an all-in-one computer and a Blue Yeti microphone, have been well used over the past few months.  

• Blue Yeti X USB Microphone  <https://amzn.to/3kkUF7b>

Given that, several readers have asked:

What have been favorite home office purchases over the last year?

Snob or High Standards?

What is the difference between being a snob (wine, clothes, food, cars, etc.) and just, as one friend put it, having "very clear preferences"?

 

Favorite Classic Hotel or Resort?

I am a concierge at a classic old resort on the coast of Georgia, which attracts many guests and members from the northeast. I'd like to know what other great old hotels and resorts the readers enjoy going to. Thank you! 

 

Midday Steam

Photos by Salt Water New England

Lotuff Pouches in their Natural Habitat

Photo by Salt Water New England

• Lotuff Womn's Accessories <https://lotuffleather.com/collections/womens-leather-accessories>

• Lotuff Men's Accessories <https://lotuffleather.com/collections/leather-accessories>

Breakfast Part Three - Strawberries and Watermelon

Photo by Salt Water New England

 Breakfast, Part 3.

Hanging

Photos by Salt Water New England

Compared to the lampshade, the big frame doesn't look so bad.  (Design tips from Muffy.)

 

Mercer + Cordings - Made in Scotland, Made in the USA

Mercer Shirt Delivery, Photos by Salt Water New England

Shown from Mercer, Made in the USA:

• Cornwall Country Tattersall Brushed Cotton Flannel <http://www.mercerandsons.com/swatches_and_pricing-larger-checks-and-plaids.htm>

• Pink Pima Cotton Oxford Shirt from Mercer & Sons <http://www.mercerandsons.com/swatches_and_pricing-solids.htm>

Shown from Cordings, Made in Scotland:

• Green Heather Lambswool V-Neck Jumper <https://www.cordings.co.uk/green-heather-lambswool-v-neck-jumper.html>

• Soft Pink Lambswool V-Neck Jumper <https://www.cordings.co.uk/soft-pink-lambswool-v-neck-jumper.html>

• Bright Lavender Lambswool V-Neck Jumper <https://www.cordings.co.uk/bright-lavender-lambswool-v-neck-jumper.html>

• Gold 4 Ply Lambswool Cardigan <https://www.cordings.co.uk/gold-4-ply-lambswool-cardigan.html>

 

Land Rovers/Range Rovers

Photos by Salt Water New England

Two Questions for the Community:

• What are your thoughts on current Land Rovers/Range Rovers? 

• What is your all-time favorite Land Rover/Range Rover?

 

A Wee Bit Different From Last Year

Photos by Salt Water New England

 

The Spacey Sweater from Bosie - Made in Scotland

Photo by Salt Water New England

Unusually chilly and damp weather found me happily reaching for this lightweight and super soft Donegal Merino Spacey Sweater from Bosie.  Made in Scotland.

• Donegal Merino Spacey Sweater for Women <https://www.bosie.co/womens/spacey-p2zay-hxntp-76pnl-3akd7-3jgdc-7n6g4>

• Donegal Merinos for Men <https://www.bosie.co/mens/norseman-yhxw8-x75tj-x6bmj-9zrdf-z69f9-7hwy2>

For What Do You Have Backups?

 

A reader question:

Happy Fourth, Muffy!  I just ordered a backup coffee maker, and have followed some of your early advice to stockpile some great sweaters when they were available.  Here is my question for the community.  In what areas do your readers make sure they have backups?  This can be clothes, but also appliances, books to lend, even food.  (I always have about three weeks of coffee on hand.  Hmmm, I am sensing a pattern!) 

Thank you, and enjoy the holiday! 

    

Happy Fourth of July

Photo by Salt Water New England

One way to connect to historical events is to learn more about one's family members who participated in them. 

A dozen of our direct ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War:

Obadiah Scott
Timothy Brandreth
Abel Corson
Joseph Neal
James Perkins
Samuel Neal
Jeremiah Smith
Abraham Batchelder
Jonathan Locke
Edward Eastman
Daniel Bean
Joel Judkins