Early to Rise & Late to Bed

Above, standing by Clarks Pond, 
where Punchy’s grandparents live. 
We joined for the lovely feast 
and Punch stayed for the weekend.

One treasure next to another, 

the tiny $3 lamp from a thrift shop 

on the Cape and the snowy white popcorn-knit headband from Le Willow 83.

I was in a dark mood on Black Friday over hurt feelings near tail end of 2.5-hr. drive home. I was lost.

But we did a lot w our Punch-free time today. I got to early yoga. Dan went to Home Depot to get mini blinds for our bedroom and bathroom, and installed them. He caught up on our laundry. I went to Gina’s Bakery for a sunflower-shaped loaf for the family and to my support group--and found comfort there. I zipped to the farmers market for pickles and then carried out a fashion mission*, drove to CT with Sug to see Sis’s pretty Christmas tree, walk our dogs by the marina and eat dinner at the Water Club, where I got to see her colorful Cuba pictures.

Then I drove home in a downpour and Dan and I went to see the 10:05 p.m. showing of "Can You Ever Forgive Me?"--starring Melissa McCarthy as Lee Israel, a down-on-her-luck writer who forged letters by famous authors, from Dorothy Parker to Noel Coward. It starts in 1991 and is based on a true story. Now I’m curious about Ms. Israel’s book.

The film was a great NYC period piece. But did we women really dress like that in the 90s? Not like Lee, whose wardrobe was frumpy and masculine, but the other women? I can’t put my finger on it, but It seemed peculiar. Maybe because most of the female characters owned little bookshops--maybe their style was unconventional and artsy. I was wearing short skirts, tights and opaque black tops in the early 90s.

Good night to you.

*I did not complete my fashion mission at the Montclair Farmers Market, which by now many vendors had abandoned. I could not find accessories among the cured sausages and pickle barrels. I was hoping the beeswax candle vendor would still be there, with those buttery yellow treasures, but no--after all, it was a holiday weekend. I had some fashion money from Dan, earmarked for something pretty, and went to nearby Le Willow 83. It’s a luscious edit for toddlers, women and men by chic Christina, who runs bustling Le Salbuen Cafe [w. her husband, John] around the corner, by the firehouse. Oh, the ultra soft, long pastel alpaca wool belted sweater with snowy popcorn knit pocket! Breathtaking. But over $300, so even the small-biz Saturday sale discount couldn’t get me in it. Yet there was the snowy popcorn knit headband, which I love, and beautiful long gold chain dangle earrings. [You also get a 10 percent discount if you eat at the cafe and then purchase something in the boutique.]  I know I can be superficial and materialistic but these purchases lifted my spirit big time. Sometimes a Hail Mary or a walk can work, but sometimes, accessories are the answer. Call me Shallow Al?