High Tea with My Sister

Bergdorf Goodman, playground of the rich and stylish.

Sis took me to Bergdorf's gorgeous seventh floor restaurant to clink cups for my 50th birthday! [It was in January, and she toasted it then, too.]

It was so nice to sit with her in a serene spot and be waited on. It's been a rough year, and not so long ago, we were side by side talking to a funeral director. Today we had a flute each of fine Champagne [the tiny bubbles looked sparkly and festive, rushing up in a stream, as if to say, Light, happy times ahead!], nice teas, crustless sandwiches, treats and sweets. We settled into big, beautiful blue chairs and drank in a view of Central Park South.

Then, since Sis was captive in my favorite store, I led her by the elbow and made her look at the carefully edited candy alcove [Vosges, MarieBelle, lovely little sugar cubes and more] and the Tory Burch and Milly departments [and sale racks]. She kept trying to slink off to the elevator! Then we went down to the Beauty Level, where we met a nice salesman named Robert, who sprayed and spritzed until Sis settled on a Jo Malone fragrance I will give her for her birthday, this coming Tuesday. [She loves Jo Malone scents, and chose one mysteriously called 154.] On my wish list: Scent Surround, a gentle, heavenly fragrance to lightly douse your pillow and sheets at night. Hadn't heard of it till Robert showed us. Sweet dreams for sure.

Have I ever told you how generous my sister is? [Have I ever told you that her real name is quite elegant? It's MaryAnne.] She's been generous ever since I was a girl. She treated me to my first plane trip; got me a sterling silver charm holder necklace when they were the rage; bought me a skirt and blouse when I got my first magazine job. But more important than that, she read me nursery rhymes, left me notes on my pillow when she had to go baby-sit at night, and sewed me things, like a cheery red felt Christmas stocking, which "Santa" magically left to replace the little ratty red and white striped one I put out every year. I soon found out it was Sis who did the Christmas Eve swap. And it was doubly good because it was bigger, so it held more loot.

Thank you to my dear sister. I am grateful for your presence. My life is so much richer because you are here, and I do not mean just luxury wise.

TCOY

1. Walked Sug around block twice, once in sunny morning with H., once in chilly dark, just me and my fluffball.
2. Raked and hauled leaves for 45 minutes. Making lots of progress! And I feel it in my arms.
3. Took a few minutes to care for teeth properly and smooth on a little self-tanner for a glow.
4. Walked 10 minutes in town on way to catch bus.
5. Walked 40ish minutes in NYC from Bergdorf's to Port Authority. [Slowly, wearing heels, too stubborn to change back into sneakers.]