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, Queen Marie of France, King of Poland, Jayne Wrightsman and Italy

Chatsworth: The Attic Sale October 2010, Italian carved giltwood
console table, made in Rome, mid 18th century, Sotheby’s Auction

"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, Mark Morales Interview

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

Long Live Irma Thomas

Irma Thomas 2019 The Advocate.com
Photo by Sophia Germer

"...The first time I heard her do that, over 40 years ago, my throat felt tight..."