Being Thankful

It's Thanksgiving - a time to share, and a time to reflect on all our blessings.

Gratefully yours,
Marjorie

Yellow Bus Yellowstone

This antique luggage label was found among the belongings in my father-in-law's steamer trunk. It is a memento of his college summers working as a waiter at the Yellowstone Old Faithful Inn.

So when we spied this yellow tourist bus on the way to Yellowstone last month, we just had to follow it into the Park. Amazingly, two of those 1930's era tourist viewing buses still exist today.

Where the buffalos roam!

Yellowstone's Old Faithful Inn

Old Faithful - Ready, Set...

Go!

Faithfully yours,

Marjorie

A Little Graveyard Humor

Happy Halloween 2011!!
Marjorie

Cody Round-up

Tourist Stop No. 1 on our trip across the US was Cody, Wyoming. A cowgirl and her cowboy could be very happy here for days. Buffalo Bill Cody (the famous turn-of-the-century showman, known for his Wild West show), was one of the founders of this town. In 1902 he opened the "Irma" hotel named for his daughter.

The Irma's interior is filled with game trophies and family mementos from Buffalo Bill's time, including the famous long bar a gift from Queen Victoria.

You can "chow" down in the saloon/dining room with the other tourists, or dine "al fresco" on the porch with the locals, and listen to country western music.

Then mosey on over to the 'art deco' style theatre across the street to catch a live cowboy revue.

Yippee - the "Traditions West" shop, a source for vintage Western style in all its manifestations, is just a few doors away.

And if you come to Cody in the Summer...don't miss the nightly Rodeo!

Happy Trails Partners,
Marjorie

What I Brought Back With Me

A wee bit weary from a long cross-country trek, but busy unpacking my souvenirs. I will be back shortly with some "happy snaps" from the trip.

(The above New Yorker cover by Mary Petty has particular signifiance to me. As a graduate student I worked at the Syracuse University Art Collection, organizing the archive of husband and wife New Yorker cartoonists Alan Dunn and Mary Petty). How sweetly Petty's illustration has captured the delight of collecting "treasures" while on holiday, and the joy of bringing them back home!

Memories,
Marjorie

P.S. Le Garage Sale was a huge success. Thankfully, no rain. Many sales, but more went home as gifts to family, friends, and new pals Sophie and Bernadette. The antique French wine bottles went with young James who will display them in his new wine bar in downtown Geneva. Sweet Pea, our adorable stray cat, went back to his original owner, but after only one night away, he has found his way back to our family cottage. His next move is going to be to rural Vermont, with my three little nephews.

I Can't Take It With Me Sale!

I may have brought it all back home with me, but I can't take it with me on the road trip. Here is a notice for my upcoming end-of-summer garage sale.

Still tagging,
Marjorie

The Summer Parasol

That's my grandmother, Florence Hubbard, (holding the second parasol on the right) at her Wellesley College Reunion.

I don't remember her, but the family cottage is full of her mementos.

Her school books, mostly on the subjects of Art and Natural History, have always resided on a shelf next to the fireplace. And in a dark corner in the hall, as if waiting for her return, is her parasol. It is there that I discovered it one summer, and it soon became a constant childhood companion. How did that fragile paper confection survive its career as a prop for my daily whirling, twirling and dancing on the lawn, fashion shows, theatre productions and dress-up parties? In quiet times, it shaded and guarded me from the noonday sun. This is one special family keepsake which will definitely not make this summer's garage sale. So its back to your corner, Dear Friend. Be patient, the next generation - little Emma, Mila or Lila Grace will soon discover your hiding place.

Still Whirling and Twirling,
Marjorie