The Patio at Hugos Restaurant, James Beard and Giotto

"...wanted good marijuana from Oaxaca. Back then we called that coveted weed Oaxacan Gold. Now I’m an old broad who gets giddy over Oaxacan mole sauce.."

Console Tables, Italy and Jayne Wrightsman

"Why, you might ask, do I give a damn about a frou-frou gilded, curly-leg, marble-top table, the sole purpose of which, is to be displayed against the walls of grand rooms..."

Custom Made Shutters, Italy, and Other Things

"...Caesar would have looked through shutters to scrutinize torch lights below, while augurs read sheep’s livers for indications of trouble..."

Long Live Irma Thomas

"...she deepens her voice, brings it to a lower range, intentionally makes it wobbly, with saxophones backing up. The first time I heard it, over 40 years ago, my throat felt tight..." (Photo by Sophia Germer. Credits below.)