CA Heritage Museum, Santa Monica.

Museum volunteers Barbara and Ethyl took Jason, Poppina and me on a fab tour of the impressive little history museum on Main Street in Santa Monica.

It may have been pouring rain outside on 12/23 when we leaned about art, architecture, furniture of the post-victorian period in CA, but inside the Heritage Museum smiles were ear-to-ear, as the lore and history came alive at the telling by our former school teachers turned docents.

This is a must-see place in Southern California. Ad it to your destination list. And be sure to ask the ladies about their personal histories -- as fascinating and relevant as most anything you'll learn about the house itself!

Curbside Art Takes Hassle out of Parking.

736 Raymond Street is an average kind of house and lot for this part of Santa Monica. Nice place to live, not too big, not too small. It's a quiet street, in a respectful and responsive neighborhood. And art is everywhere in bloom on Raymond, including the street kerb.

The combo of stenciled house numbers, palm trees in vibrant green, and a sun that shines all day long -- what car wouldn't be at home here?

Somebody's Wearing a SunBody Sombrero!

Ben's Saddlery in Wickenburg features cowboy hats of many descriptions, but one of the most unusual is the SunBody brand, made by busy craftsmen down in El Paso, TX.

The straw is more thickly woven than lots of other sombreros this cowpoke has tried, and the SunBody weighs a lot more than other hats of the same size.

The price is good, to: maybe $26? Not bad. Full disclosure here: I've been trying to persuade Jimmy Pryor from SunBody to run an ad or two in Wild West magazine.

So far? A proposal at his request. Maybe if I buy one of his hats he'll buy one of my ads?

Holy Snow Day!

12" of the white stuff. Driveway clear and the walkway is next. Doesn't look as bad as the last snowfall we had a few weeks back. And, as for this one, the communities to the east of Minneapolis, and into Wisconsin, really got clobbered.

IKEA Comes to Vietnam.

Intrepid Cyclo-travelers Carolyn and James Terman from Boulder just returned from Southeast Asia. James snapped the pic above of a massive new armoire being delivered by bike from the atelier of its craftsman-maker to the living room of its new owner. Asks Terman rhetorically, "How can this guy see where he's going, let alone steer the bike? And what about the brakes? And balancing?"

These Boots were Made for Looking!

Check these babies. Now, here's a pair of boots!

On display, and under glass at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, OK, a pair of limited edition commemorative Luchese's that you can have for, oh, maybe, $5000?

The idea is to order a pair -- "End of the Trail" iconic sculpture has been recreated in hand-stictched leather on the boot front -- and a portion of the proceeds will go back to the museum in a highly original development idea.

Poppina and I paid a visit to the Museum on our "Western Heritage Road Trip" over the weekend. Loved what we saw, and will definitely go back for more. I don't think the boots will make it into our closet, though we plan to ask Santa to see if his elves can come through for us with something a little more modest!

Cambodian Bike Repair Shop.

The Termans just got back to Boulder from a bike trip through S.E. Asia. This once-in-a-lifetime pedalthon took James and Carolyn through Viet Nam and Cambodia, big cities and small towns.

James T. said the people could not have been nicer, warmer, and more inviting and accepting. The locals were curious why gringos would come all the way from the USA and ride bikes along Asian highways and byways.

There was a flat tire episode with Carolyn's machine, and some local tech entrepreneur took care of it, on the spot. The price was fair and the work came with a 100% money-back guarantee.

How cool is that?! More pictures from James in the near future, no doubt.

Join Lydon + Friends on December 14th!

Yale '65 classmate Michael Lydon is an indefatigable and original troubadour. He's been singing and strumming his way into the hearts of New Yorkers for years, and he's better than ever!

Just got an e-invite to join "Michael and Friends" on December 14th at Cornelia Street Cafe in NYC. Ellen Mandel, Michael's wife, muse and performing partner, anchors this must-see ensemble for a performance that's sure to please.

I hope it's a great nite for you and friends, dear Michael. Break a leg!

Here's to Your Good Health!!

Do without the Dom.

Forget the Freixnet.

Can the Cold Duck.

We're here to tell you that Thanksgiving dinner goes down mighty easy with sparkling pear juice from Knudson.

Yumm.

Marble Collegiate Honors War Dead.

The iconic Marble Collegiate Church in Manhattan was the local parish of the legendary Rev. Norman Vincent Peale. From the pulpit of MCC the late Dr. Peale influenced generations of the faithful as he preached peace, love, restraint, respect, turning the other cheek, and so many other qualities so many of us admire.

The church today ventures a little more into anti-war activism. As this picture shows there are innumerable silk steamers hanging from the wrought iron fence surrounding the church. Each green banner, for instance, might honor a dead US soldier from the war in Iraq or Afghanistan. A banner of another color pays tribute to indigenous dead from this horrific conflict.

I've read Dr. Peale's books. I can't remember him being against war and its impact on combatants and victims, but I think he'd be pleased that his parish church was taking a stand and paying tribute to every side in this dreadful affair.

Might I have missed someone's b'day?

Just saw the yummy chocolate mousse cake from Woulette's in Wayzata. Terrell ordered it up for Mom's b'day last month. I'm thinking I may have forgotten to post this soiree on the blog?!

Liz and Lisa flank Sammy and toast her -- with plenty of cake all around -- on this special occasion.

Many happy (belated!) returns.

Turkey Time in Long Lake

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all! Hope you had a grand holiday.

Check out our celebration. 14-lb. organic bird from the local co-op in Long Lake . Yum. Sam (Poppina) (Nancy) cooked it up just-so.

Neighbors Mary and John Pagnucco joined us for the pilgrim-like feed, which included a Bardstown, KY-recipe for baked oyster souffle, mashed taters from Costco, corn bread stuffing (home made), and a Nancy-special salad of fresh greens and succulent raspberries.

John Pags -- a skilled carver with professional training at the Cornell Hotel School -- offered to slice up the bird, leaving Poppy to snap the shot of the day!

Three Up on A Hog.

For just a moment you might think that Charlie sold the Saab and made this sweet Harley here the family vehicle. Nah. Though the motor's captain, plus two passengers, seem to fit just fine.

It's good that Junior has a helmet on, though the other two could use some noggin protection themselves, just in case ....

Keep the shiny side up!

Driving Miss Sky, Gator Version.

The Wustmans squired me from their lovely home up to "Farmer's Daughter" nursery and landscaping in Kingstown, RI. While we were hanging out a certain young man spied the Gator, and we all took turns getting in behind the wheel, tuning it like mad, saying zoom-soom in a subdued voice and imagining ourselves to be lairds of the land. Poppy gets the royal treatment from his lovely daughter, and obviously enjoys the ride!

On our way to a b'day dinner in Brooklyn.

Chris, Jess, Nancy and I feasted on the best dinner in all New York not too many Thursday nights ago. Our destination was Saul restaurant in Carroll Gardens, and boy, did we have a good time.

Great appetizers, entrees, superb service, and lively chatter. Highly recommend the place and hope WE get the chance to go back soon.