Nostalgia

The July 21, 2006 entry presents my curriculum vita. There you will learn that I graduated from Pawtropolis.

What you may not know is that I took a summer session at Oxford University, Jesus College.

Now, as the weather begins to cool, I think of that brilliant Oxford summer: the intellectual stimulation, the fascinating history of the town & of Jesus College, the diversity of experiences, and yes, the ever changing, always lovely weather. Trips to London, to the Cotswolds villages, to heritage sites, and more. How I long to walk again the nooks & crannies, to find the unexpected used book store or charity shop. How I value the small mementos with which I returned.

I have visited England several times and accompanied Mama to Paris & Versailles. But it is that summer at Jesus College that remains a cornerstone of the best times of my life.

I can wish nothing better for you, my loyal friends & fans, the opportunity to visit England and, if possible, to study in Oxford.

Papa['s] Plants

Every other day Papa endures the early morning humidity to water the dogwoods [beautiful name] he has planted this year & last. Which would be fine were it not for the fact that he imposes on me as a sort of jobbing gardener. Don't get me wrong. I love well-tended gardens. The parks of Paris, the home gardens in England including the famous, beautiful garden at Blenheim Palace, the manicured walkways in Williamsburg. But as for tending them myself! As Mama would say, "I don't think so." Here I include 2 pictures of Papa's dogwoods (there are 4 in all), planted & lovingly (by Papa if not by me) attended, for your pleasure.

[& please follow the links above for more information/pictures of Paris parks, English gardens, Blenheim Palace & colonial Williamsburg.]



And, by the way, a 75-year old heat record was broken in Athens, GA yesterday when the thermometer topped 102-degrees [F]/ 38.888 Celsius. That combined with the high humidity-- can anyone blame me for rejecting yard work in toto?