Suuzi and I had a big out-of-town photo shoot planned for tomorrow, but it turns out it’s the one day in this whole month that looks like rain! So instead, Graham and I took the two minute drive up to historic Empire Mine- one of the oldest and most prolific gold mines in Northern California- with ten of the prettiest dresses I have scored for the shop in the last weeks.

What’s inside this 19th century greenhouse you ask? Why, antique gardening implements, of course.

It is definitely my favorite photo shoot yet, thanks to Graham’s keen eye and willingness to scale walls and sneak around in second story alcoves that are closed to the public

I can’t wait to start listing these dresses, and it looks like tomorrow’s drizzle will provide the perfect opportunity to stay home and do just that!

I’m guessing you’ve heard this song before. And that, therefore, you love it. There is really no other option.

A few nights ago I was aching to hear it and searched for it, and this video came up. It was made in 1967 and shot at Witley Court in England, a relic built in 1655, and in London. It’s not a spectacular, or really even a good, video, but it’s so worth it to see the style- the clothes, the hair, the ’stache. There is a definite ‘67 mod hippie London feel to the whole thing. And really, as long as this song is playing in the background, I could watch anything and feel happy and serene and wistful and in love with life.

The discovery of the video sent me in search of more info on the song, and I found out that there were originally four verses that were culled down to two for radio friendliness. I haven’t yet found a recording of the entire song (please, for the love of god, send it to me if you find it), but I did find a recent performance of the song that includes one of the extra verses.

It’s so crazy seeing people age.

The song has been played on the radio and in public places in Britain more than any other song in the last 75 years, was #57 on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and has been recorded by 900 other artists. (Thank you Wikipedia).  Continue Reading... (288 words + 0 images, estimated 1:09 mins reading time)

The tip of Manhattan, mid 17th century, everything to the West was unsettled

Lately I have been on a bender, reading and watching everything I can about New York City. And for two reasons. One: I haven’t been to a city bigger than Sacramento in FIVE YEARS. I drove out of San Francisco in December ‘05 and haven’t made it back since, despite the fact that it’s 3 hours away. And I am starting to feel crazy crazy stir crazy in my idyllic rural little town. I need people, movement, actions, and shops and restaurants that open before 11am and close well after 6pm. (I have never been to NYC. In fact, as far as America is concerned, I haven’t been further east than Idaho).

And two: I recently discovered that I am the direct descendent of folks who were among the original settlers of New Amsterdam, later to be named New York (when the English realized that the key to the continent lay in conquering that one tiny island, and quickly did so). Roelof Martense Schenck was born in the Netherlands in 1619 and emigrated to “Nieuw Amsterdam” in 1650, where he soon found himself a wife. They are my great great great great great great great great grandparents.

 Continue Reading... (1167 words + 10 images, estimated 4:40 mins reading time)

Not me (not at this moment at least), but my dress. The darling 60s white lace empire waist dress that I have held onto for a while now but have only worn once, and then just for a few hours. This last November 1st Graham and I renewed our vows at Empire Mine with Suuzi as witness and spontaneous officiant (meaning not that the choice to have her there was spontaneous, just that we didn’t really plan any aspect of the ceremony, instead we all brought objects that are sacred to us and spoke words from our heart when the time seemed appropriate).

(The red sweater that I am wearing here is the first piece of clothing Mycie and I truly share- it is a child’s size 4T but is stretchy- the perfect little shrug for mama!)

We are not legally married, but 5 years ago on November 1st 2005 we had a Handfasting ceremony with our dear friend Munsai as witness and officiant. It was truly a spontaneous ceremony, but we knew in our hearts that our paths lie together and trusted in it. Years later realized what an auspicious day it had been, for many different cultures- Samhain, Day of the Dead, All Souls Day, Devali, and it was the new moon. Samhain has come to be especially meaningful for me, as he and I both have plenty of European ancestry, mine being especially concentrated around the Celtic Isles. Samhain was the beginning of the new year for the peasants who lived close to the earth, and it is fitting that we began our lives together on that day. Plus, there’s something to be said about beginning a loving relationship under the sign of Scorpio  Continue Reading... (396 words + 3 images, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)