Every once in awhile, despite having had a busy and productive week, nothing
that I have done readily translates into an interesting column (which is always
written and submitted a week in advance). Last week, for instance, a trip to the
Litchfield area and the Hopkins Inn and winery at Lake Waramaug should have made
a good read. But if you’ll recall, a week ago, Friday, it poured all day, and
our Guilford library trip to see the fall colors, a historic house and garden
and the winery was a bit of a “wash out.” By the time we arrived at the winery,
we were more than ready to down seven varieties of wine in the sampler tasting
part of the program.
This past week, I did get into New York City to see
a preview of the soon-to-open play, “The Heiress,” which, if you recall, was a
movie by the same name with Olivia de Havilland and Montgomery Clift. It is a
wonderfully dramatic story of the heartache of a shy woman, jilted on the eve of
her marriage.
The play, with Jessica Chastain, David Strathairn and
Judith Ivey, is a brilliant example of great ensemble acting. Also enjoyed one
of the exceptional Metropolitan Opera simulcasts at a local movie theater (in
this case, “Otello”), but again, not sufficient material for an entire
column.
With no specific subject in mind to write about, I find my mind
has a rare opportunity to wander where it will and odd thoughts surface
unexpectedly. For example, does it strike anyone else as not just inconsistent
but downright absurd that in a time of worldwide crisis and budgetary woes and
election mania in America, Saks Fifth Avenue has run a full-page advertisement
announcing the opening of a 10,022-square-foot salon so big it even has its own
zip code, devoted exclusively to shoes?
Whatever happened to the one or two pairs of shoes for everyday wear and one
pair for dress, concept? Now, women have shoe wardrobes, with many pairs
commanding stratospheric prices. When did American women get infected with
Imelda Marcos Syndrome and require hundreds of pairs of shoes, most of which are
not suitable for walking?
The other luxury item that seems to be in great
demand are fancy wristwatches. The last time I looked, I only have two wrists,
on one of which is a nice serviceable watch I bought 15 years ago. The younger
generation tells time by looking at their iPhones, so who is buying all the many
fancy, expensive watches I see advertised?
While thinking about time, my
brain does a natural segue to remind readers that unfortunately, today, Nov. 4,
daylight saving time ends, and you must set your clocks back one hour, a sad
reminder that it will get dark early and fall will end soon.
Which
reminds me that there are those who can’t enjoy the moment, but must rush the
seasons. Shame on
QVC, the home-shopping network, has already started a
“Countdown to Christmas.” And my last reminder to everyone, after hoping you all
have gotten your shots for flu and shingles, is to check on your senior
neighbors during any bad weather or emergency period.
Next week, I shall
try to control my meandering mind and stick to one subject.
Contact Jean Cherni, certified senior adviser for Senior Living Solutions and Pearce Plus, a helpful, full-service program for seniors contemplating a move, at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds at 101 Hotchkiss Grove, Branford 06405.
