Friday, September 4, 2015

City Views, Country Dreams

Hello from New York on an overcast, hot and humid afternoon.

A few miles away from here, lots of talented athletes are competing in the US Open Tennis tournament.  The weather conditions this past week have been tough for players and audiences alike.

I've been content to watch some of the matches on television, while actually continuing on with my current knitting projects, doing a little reading, drinking lots of water and ... taking a few afternoon naps.

My energy level has been reduced; however, I did manage to make one visit to the farmers market.  How could I resist buying more tomatoes and peaches?

I thought it might be interesting to show you some pictures of stands featuring items that I did not buy.

Pickles.


Bread.


Healthy bread.


Bread crumbs.


Cakes and muffins.


Cornbread and quick breads featuring fruits and vegetables.


Large and heavy containers of flowering plants.


A parade line up of mums on the verge of full bloom.


Multi-colored beets.


I was greatly tempted by the delicate pink petals of these dahlias.


The creamy ivory dahlias next door also called my name.


Actually, this stand's entire display of flowers was very tempting.


And yet, I resisted.  My several tote bags were already quite full of tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, peaches, green beans, zucchini and red-leafed lettuce.  I could only carry so much on my subway ride back to my neighborhood. 

I will have many more days off next week, and might have to re-visit the dahlia situation.  As I have been typing on this lap top's keyboard, it seems as if the temperature has risen in my apartment.  I am now yearning for a thunderstorm to clear the air.

Thank you all so much for your visits hereabouts and your excellent comments.  I wish you all a happy early September weekend, even if, like those tennis players and myself, you will be working.

73 comments:

  1. I'm watching the tennis in my far flung corner of the world too Francis!
    I was not impressed by some of the court behaviour - what did you think?

    Your market looks amazing, I enjoyed seeing the produce in season - what an amazing choice of interesting beets.
    I think I would make a warm beetroot salad with them - what did you do Francis?
    Our markets are full of wonderful Spring flowers like Paper Whites, Hyacinths and Freesias with their glorious perfumes - a sure sign that Spring has arrived!
    However the weather is still inclement with cold wet days.
    I'm longing to sow Sweet Peas and other annuals plus perennials but the earth is not ready, I have to be patient and wait!

    Lovely to hear you will have more days off next week - those soft pink Mums are exquisite , you'll have to buy some!

    Enjoy your weekend dear Fran

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    1. Thanks for your comments. Truly the atmosphere at the US Open is very different from Wimbledon. If I ever might be able to afford a ticket to an evening session (without the sun as a danger) I would promise to be on good behavior.

      Your ideas for those multi-colored beets is grand...but I didn't buy any this week. My tote bags were already too heavy.

      Lovely to imagine that you are now welcming beautiful paper whites, hyacinths and freezias. Hoping that you will be sharing those blooms in your posts.

      xo

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  2. Sorry my iPad froze and wouldn't let me finish!
    Love
    Shane x

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    1. Shane, you are fortunate to have an iPad...hoping it doesn't freeze up on you often. xo

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  3. What a fabulous market that is. I don't think I could have resisted those beets, and the pale dahlias are beautiful, I hope you go back and buy some :-)

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    1. Su, sometimes the farmers' offerings are so beautiful, they are difficult to resist. But I always think...there is another opportunity next week.

      xo

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  4. What a fantastic selection of gorgeous looking foodstuff and flowers. It all looks so tempting.
    Our summer here was definitely taking a back seat the last or so days. There is a definite chill in the air in the early morning and in the evening. So much so that I had to resort to a hot water bottle in bed on Thursday night and today we have lit a fire. Still it doesn't worry me being a winter person I am ready for the clocks to go back and for it to be dark earlier so we can close the curtains and snuggle up..........bliss.
    Hugs from the UK.

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    1. Sheila, I do appreciate your comment about the seasons. I actually also prefer the cooler months. The best part of summer over here is...delicious tomatoes and other produce that truly require sunny, warm days to develop their flavors.

      Please visit again.

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  5. Yes, Frances, do go back and treat yourself to the beautiful dahlias!

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    1. Elizabeth, I do think that I will. Promise to post a picture to prove this promise. xo

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  6. I've been browsing happily round your etsy shop, Frances, and admiring the lovely array of knitted items - may there be a great deal more tennis to keep your needles clicking so artistically and productively.

    But afternoon naps are of overriding importance, so make sure you still fit them in. Without mine, my grouchiness is unparalleled.

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    1. Mise, I very much appreciate your kind words re the knitting. There truly is something very relaxing about knitting...even it hot weather, when that relaxation begins to lead one down the inevitable path to napdom. What a marvelous place it is.

      xo

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  7. it is really cold here in North Wales!I am off to look in your Etsy shop.Bx

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    1. Cold in the first days of September? This sounds rather wonderful to me. (That expected afternoon thunderstorm never showed up.)

      Hoping you liked what you've seen in my Etsy shop.

      xo

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  8. Oh, so lovely. I am nearly drooling over all of the goodness that you have captured. I have never been to your part of the country. What a vibrant and wonderful city. I so appreciate your sharing it with us.
    I hope that your September is lovely.

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    1. Ellen, it is my pleasure to share a bit of New York City with folks who might not otherwise see it...except in tv shows and movies. The real life version is quite different.

      Please do continue to visit hereabouts. xo

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  9. You have such a variety of gorgeous looking vegetable and fruits at your market. We have a market in our town Square on week-ends. Last week I bought some red okra – I had never seen them before. I am not sure if I should cook them as I do my green ones – a veggie stew I made up.
    Dahlias are such splendid flowers with quite a variety of colors and shapes. Several years ago we spent one day in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and came upon a garden in the middle of town full of beautiful dahlias. We spent many hours admiring them – I need to make a post on them some day. We do not see them much around here; maybe it is too warm for dahlias in Georgia. I tried planting some in pots but they died very quickly.

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    1. Vagabonde, I know that you would love visiting the Union Square farmers market. There is something new to see...and perhaps sample every week.
      I'll try to remember to ask the folks who sell green okra if they know about the red variety...and let you know what I find out.
      Ahhh...to see an entire garden of dahlias must have been grand. xo

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  10. I think the pale pink dahlia is calling out for you to paint it's portrait! And those beets grated would make a fabulous refreshing salad with a splash of lemon juice and honey and some sultanas and walnuts.
    We are learning to live with the firey heat and sun of Provence - cooler and fresher today but still so different from East Anglian warmth ... returning to the misty chill of Autumn will be a shock! xx

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    1. Maybe next week, Celia. I'll see if the market's still featuring beautiful beets and dahlias. I have drawn and painted dahlias before...and they do make great subjects...lots to see in those petals.

      Late summer in Provence sounds rather wonderful. The colors there must be fantastic, but I'm sure East Anglian air will be energizing! xo

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  11. What a fabulous market - those beets are stunning. Hope your energy levels pick up soon Frances

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    1. Gina, the air did cool off a bit overnight. Temperature shoul only reach about 82 F today.

      I'm guessing you saw some marvelous markets in Italy? xo

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  12. Here it is sunny and breezy but there is a distinct Autumnal nip in the air.

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    1. Your Yorkshire air sounds just perfect to me! xo

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  13. Dear Frances, I hope by now that you have gone back to the market to bring home those gorgeous dahlias. I know that I could not have resisted them.

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    1. Gina, I'll have to wait until next week for another dahlia opportunity. Not only were those dahlias beautiful...the flowers were quite large, too. Quite a handful to manage along with heavy bags of produce. I think the dahlias deserved a gentle subway ride. xo

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  14. Frances, you have the beautiful city and I have the beautiful country side...thank´s for your sweet comment and I love visiting your blog!
    Have a great weekend, take care...
    Titti

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    1. Isn't it grand to have these glimpses into other parts of the world, Titti?

      xo

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  15. What a wonderful market.I am glad that I am not the only one to have an occasional afternoon nap!

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    1. Thanks so much for your visit and comment...and the solidarity on the topic of naps. They are a luxury, time wise, but I always find them beneficial. Even a short one! xo

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  16. Oh, what wonderful pictures of beautiful food! And those flowers! I sympathize re the lack of energy -- we have been having hot, bone dry weather and I have to stop and rest and drink iced tea about every half hour. Finally we had a thunderstorm this afternoon that cooled every thing down delightfully.

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    1. It's so odd, Vicki, that we have forecasts of thunderstorms...yet somehow they just pass us by. Perhaps the weather doesn't want to throw the US Open matches off their schedule!
      Ice tea is such a good way to cope with the heat of August...and now September. xo

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  17. New York summers must be tough. It has cooled off quickly here in Suffolk and the nights are chilly again, which is rather refreshing as the weather has been very humid recently.

    I can never visit a farmers' market without coming away laden down with produce I hadn't even realised I needed but at least, being in the country, it goes straight into the car and I don't have to wrestle with it on public transport, so I can see why you had to let things go. I do hope they still have some pale pink dahlias next week for you though.

    Do let me know if you are visiting the UK, Frances x

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  18. Marianne, your cooled-off Suffolk does sound rather refreshing!
    During these glory days of the farmers markets, I do sometimes visit them more than once a week. It's a pleasure, not a chore, to visit them and see what's available. That extra trip during a week's time does offer opportunities to more easily take some flowers or perhaps a fragile plant home along with the produce.

    I do promise to let you know of any UK trip. At this point, I don't think I will be coming over there before next year, though. It gives me more time to anticipate the fun!

    xo

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  19. Hope you got your thunderstorm, Frances. That humid heat really does sap energy. I feel sorry for the tennis players. I love the bounty you pictured, especially those beets. I bought a big bag of Alaska carrots at our farmers' market yesterday, because Alaska carrots are the sweetest of all.

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    1. No thunderstorm has shown up yet, Carol, but even so the air today is less humid...still warm though. Summer does not wish to leave us!

      Sweet carrots from Alaska sound lovely. xo

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  20. Gorgeous pictures of so much produce! I hope you got the thunderstorm to clear the air, and I hope you get some pretty dahlias this week too, dear Frances. Wishing you a happy week ahead enjoying your free time.
    Helen xox

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    1. Helen, I definitely have dahlias on my list for the next market visit. Today is Labor Day, a national holiday here...and I even have the day off, though my workplace will be open for business. Might just take a chance on the farmers market being set up today with some dahlias in the mix. If not today...then perhaps on Wednesday. xo

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  21. Frances, you are going to have to treat yourself to a basket on wheels and then you can carry home more goodies. Dahlias come into their own at this time of year, prolonging summer with their beautiful blooms. I think a return visit may be in order. x

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    1. Val, thank you for the suggestion, but I think I will hold off on that basket on wheels...there are many stairs involved in the subway system, and it's actually easier just to carry only as much as you can carry.

      Here's an update on the dahlia front. I did visit the market today and that dahlia flower stand had not a single beautiful pale pink large dahlia bloom for sale. Of course, I had to ask the farmer if there might be more of the lovelies available later on the week.

      What I learned was that the farm had supplied gobs of those flowers for a weekend wedding! What a perfect choice. Apparently, there just might be more available by Friday. I will keep checking. xo

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    2. I forgot about the subway and the stairs, too bad! Hope you get the dahlias you desire. I have some yellow ones with very dark leaves, almost black. I have them in the garden and they have flowered non stop for the past month or so. They were bought for less than a bunch of flowers and have given such a lift to the garden, I only hope I can keep them safe till next year. x

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    3. Val, lucky you to be growing your very own showy dahlias...hoping that they will be producing blooms for many years to come. xo

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  22. Lovely photo's from the market Frances. Those dahlia's look beautiful!

    I heard about the high temperatures in NY. Hope it will get a bit cooler soon!

    Wishing you a lovely week!

    Madelief x

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    1. Madelief, it's much less humid today, which makes the warm temperature much easier to endure.

      You might enjoy my reply to Acornmoon, just above your comment. More dahlia info. xo

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  23. I love your pictures of the farmersmarket. What a nice colors of all the food and flowers. In Holland we had not very nice weather for the last week, lots of rain and low temperature for the time of year. Lovely greetings

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    1. Jolanda, I think that you would love this particular city farmers market. There truly is something for everyone there, all through the year.

      xo

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  24. I'm so pleased to see these photos! I'm completely tomato-phobic so I had to hide from your previous post! Hope all is well with you. cx

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    1. Chris, I do know some other folks who cannot abide tomatoes. It's the flavorless winter pseudo tomatoes that I ignore.

      Our little break from the humidity has vanished...it was luxurious to have an afternoon nap today. I will be well rested to watch some of the exciting US Open Tennis matches to be televised this evening.

      (I really do have some sympathy for the players having the weather as an unseen opponent.)

      xo

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  25. Frances, definitely go back for the Dahlias! How does one pick only one loaf of BREAD! Why is bread so darn beautiful and yummy these days?! We have plenty of farmers markets here, but none so interesting as yours. Wishing you a Happy Birthday in advance!

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    1. Jeri, I am pleased to give this dahlia update report...I did brave the heat this morning for a quick round trip down to the dahlia farmer's stand and bought a bunch of those large pale pink blooms. The farmer told me how to care for them, and warned me that even with that care they would not last beyond several days.

      I'm already doing some color pencil sketches of the petals, leaves, and buds to learn how dahlias are constructed. Hoping to also get out my water color equiment tomorrow. They really are most amazing flowers! xo

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  26. Such a wonderful farmers' market lovely Frances...I think you really must return for those very pretty dahlias! x I hope the storm arrived to clear the air...we have a definite autumnal feel in our corner,
    Hope you enjoy the rest of your week,
    Susan x

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    1. Susan, I am glad to report that I've got some of those beautiful dahlians in my apartment. They are very fragile and will only last a few days...but they are lovely! I'm trimming the stems and changing the water in the vase to prolong the pleasure of seeing them. xo

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  27. Your farmers’ market is a joy to behold.
    We live in the depths of the country but have nothing like it. It takes living in the big city to have wonderful produce in abundance.

    I am glad to see you out and about, make the most of everyday and take hold of every pleasure available, wherever you are and whatever you do.

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    1. Friko, I am imagining how much fun it would be to stroll through this market with you. Perhaps we might manage that some day. Meanwhile, I have good memories of Ludlow's market...even if I only saw it in cooler weather.

      I so appreciate you kind wishes. xo

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  28. your writing is simple and perfect. This is my first visit here, but i already think i've found a new firm favourite. Thanks for the vicarious market trip - I had a lovely time! :) x

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  29. Many thanks for your visit and comment, Sara. I look forward to seeing you here again soon. Cheers!

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  30. What a lovely market trip! The bread, the flowers...love it!
    You share a lovely NY city with us Frances!
    Warm hug,
    Titti

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    1. Thank you so much Titti. Yes, NYC does have some great opportunities. xo

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  31. I do hope you enjoyed the rest of your days off Francis and that a storm passed over to clear the air.

    I doubt I could have resisted those pink dahlias, they're beautiful :)

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    1. Annie, as I type this, I've still got one more day off before returning to work. Before a bit of rain did arrive late this afternoon, it was possible to meet a friend at the...yes, the farmers market and let the dahlia farmer know how much I have enjoyed the life span of the lovely dahlia I bought from her on Wednesday. My sketchbook even accepted some sketches from me of those complex blooms.

      xo

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  32. Happy Birthday Frances!
    We who have had the pleasure of knowing you
    wish you an enjoyable day and will celebrate with
    you soon.

    Kitt & Michael

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    1. Many thanks to you, my dear friends! I have to figure out a new blog post to begin my newest decade. xo

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  33. Your local market is wonderful. You clearly love good food and eat well. I hope you did go back for a bunch or two of dahlias. We were watching the U.S. Tennis finals last night, well I was sewing with half an eye on the blue court and red dress. Perhaps I will be more focused tonight when Roger is playing!

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    1. Oh yes, Sarah, I did go back for a bunch of those incredible large pink dahlia and have enjoyed having them in my apartment.

      And oh yes, tonight's US Open Men's Final match should be incredible, too.

      Please do visit here again.

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  34. You most certainly deserved those dahlias for your birthday Frances. I hope the humidity is easing now. Our weather is all over the place! A wedding next weekend is causing some sartorial anxiety. X

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    1. Lucille, I thoroughly enjoyed having those dahlias here in my little home...big dahlias seem even bigger in a small place! It was lots of fun to do some sketches of them.

      Good luck with that wedding weather. It's really cool here today...but back to summer heat tomorrow. Bizarro changes. xo

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  35. What wonderful photos Frances. I love how the farmers' market brings so much produce into the city. We are getting very excited about our visit now. I have all my packing laid out on the bed upstairs! It is all seeming quite real now! Can't wait to meet you.

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  36. Oh Elizabeth, I hope that the weather during your visit will be just as beautiful as it was today. Just that pleasant touch of fall crispness...but clear blue sky overhead.

    xo

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  37. It's nice to carry home bags full of health!:) Vitamins is what me need in the cold seasons, so we eat lots of vegetables and fruits just as you do!
    I suppose the dahlias continued whispering your name during the last week... Did you go to see their display again?
    Knitting, watching TV and having a rest - it sounds so cosy!
    Have a lovely new week, Frances!

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  38. Oh yes, dear rossichka, I did return to the market and bought a bunch of those pale pink, very large dahlias. It was fun to do some sketches the flowers, the buds, the leaves, the backs of those blooms where the petals connected with the stems.

    I have become a very sporadic artist, and must, must, must try to keep my sketchbooks at the ready for more drawing. it is such a pleasure to connect the eyes with the hand holding the pencil or pen, I wonder why I do not do it more often.

    The future is an open space...akin to a new sketchbook page. Cliche, yes, but perhaps also true.

    xo

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    1. There's nothing wrong in the cliches, if you've discovered their real meaning in your own way.
      It will be nice to follow your impulses and sketch! I hope you'll find more time for that...:)

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  39. helloo frances! i've been thinking of you, we have had the most difficult summer, SO HOT. and we're going to england and scotland soon and that always makes me think of you. will try to make a post soon. sending hugs. xoxo

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  40. Hello back to you, dear Lori!

    I know that your summer has been quite a busy one...but the fiercely hot weather has surely added an uninvited element.

    I do keep an eye on what you and yours have been up to by clicking into your instagrams even though I have net to join. Fabulous photographs and spirit as always.

    Have a wonderful time in the UK...and particularly in Scotland. Have you read Nan Shepherd's The Living Mountain, or any of Robert Macfarlane's books...like Landmards or The Old Ways. I think that you and Chuck would love them.

    More to tell you, but this box does have its limits. xo

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