Sir Michael

While I was blog surfing tonight, WT was watching The Good
Shepherd (2006) and I heard a voice I easily recognized. "Is that
Michael Gambon?" I asked. Suddenly, the movie had my attention.
The first time that I really noticed Sir Michael Gambon in a film was
his great portrayal of Father Jack Mundy in Dancing at Lughnasa
(1998). Since then, he has been one of my many favorites. His
powerful, yet understated performances are superb, in my book.
Dignified and comfortable, with a soothing, recognizable voice, he
takes on roles easily, as if he was portraying himself. I am always
thrilled to see him in a film, because he adds a special excellent
quality, giving it substance. Gambon started as a teenager in theater
in the UK in the 1960's and since been in 106 films and countless
theater productions. Among my favorite Gambon films are The Last
September (2000), Charlotte Gray (2001), Gosford Park (2001),
Sylvia (2003), The Omen (2006) and Amazing Grace (2006). Lately,
he is best well known for his roles in the Harry Potter films. If you are
unfamiliar with this master performer, take note! He is way up there
in my little book of Manor Favorites.

Too Cute Not to Share

Edward from From The House of Edward


from Pappy's Balderdash

You are entirely welcome, bloggy friends!! :)
Willow xo

Spectacular, Spectacular

I mentioned Moulin Rouge in very fine print on my Hamlet post

and it caught Stevie Wren's eye. She and I had a chat about how

much we like the movie. It is one of those films that you either

absolutely love or absolutely hate. Well, I'm one of those who love

it and I have watched it more times than I care to say. It has a

wonderful intoxicating quality which entrances me every time.

Director Baz Luhrmann took a bold step by making this dynamically

unique film. Set in 1899 Paris, it is just like stepping into a vividly

colored Toulouse Lautrec painting. It is truly a feast for the eyes,

with it's fabulous costumes and extraordinary sets. Yes, it's a silly

musical with lots of singing and and dancing, but all the music is post

1899 with a quirky mix of Rogers & Hammerstein, Elton John,

The Police, Madonna and even Nirvana, among others. It sounds

odd, but it really does work, in fact it is unbelievably captivating.

Nicole Kidman shines as Satine the "Sparkling Diamond" and

speaking of diamonds, she wears the most expensive piece of

jewelry ever specifically made for a film, a diamond and platinum

necklace totaling 134 carats. The handsome Ewan MacGregor is

perfect in the role of the innocent penniless writer and this man

can really sing! He absolutely makes me melt. John Leguizamo

is a hilarious lisping Toulouse Lautrec, and I'm not quite sure how

they did it, but they made his legs look about 12 inches long! The

funniest scene in the entire movie is a scene where Jim Broadbent,

outfitted in a fat suit, sings "Like a Virgin", complete with dancing

waiters. "Roxane", on the other hand, is one fantastic and very

steamy tango dance scene that leaves me completely limp. So, to

make a long story short, this film is funny, visually and musically

stunning and well, I think...spectacular.

Manor Statuary

I was chatting with Rebecca over at Ladies' Historical Tea Society about vintage statuary. She posted lovely photos of her gorgeous garden statues and mentioned how she liked them to be ancient and look as though they came from an old cemetery. Well, those are my sentiments exactly, so I wanted to post pictures of my two old pieces. My little girl, (or maybe she's Pan? I can never decide) is over one hundred years old and comes from an old Ohio estate. I was so thrilled with her, that I went back to the antiques dealer and purchased a dog, which was also part of the same estate's collection. This spring,WT moved the girl to the back patio and it was no easy task. She is filled with iron and weighs a ton! So this is where she is going to stay, forever, according to him. Rebecca, there were no angels helping him move this one, at least visible ones, that is.

Hamlet

Those of you who know me, know that I am totally* (toh-ta-wee) in love with Kenneth Branagh. He proves that he is an absolute genius by starring in and directing this magnificent 1996 film version of Hamlet. This wonderful interpretation brings this Shakespeare play (which also happens to be my favorite) to life and to the 21st century.

It is thrillingly entertaining, holding the integrity of the work, without becoming too Hollywoodized. Branagh, himself, is a handsome and powerful Hamlet. Okay, his hair is bleached blond, but it suits him well and, besides, he is supposed to be a Dane in this roll. The versatile Derek Jacobi is a dashing Claudius, meticulously manicured for this studly role. The gorgeous Julie Christie came out of retirement

and does an outstanding and delightful job in the role of Gertrude. Kate Winslet portrays a perfect blend of strength and sweetness as Ophelia. One of my favorites, Brian Blessed is a gallantly haunting ghost. There are so many incredible actors with small roles in this film, including Richard Attenborough, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Jack Lemon, Charlton Heston, Gerard Depardieu and Judi Dench, (whew) among many others.

Branagh insisted that this stunning piece of cinematography be shot in high resolution 65mm, which gives the

film a sweeping feel, like David Lean's 1960's epics. Part of the movie was shot at the stunning monumental Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, the birthplace of Winston Churchill and home of the Duke of Marlborough, who actually has a cameo role in the film.

If you are a fan of Shakespeare, like I am, you will love, love, love this film. You will have to own a copy for your movie collection. And if Shakespeare is not your particular cup of tea, you will still love it for the fabulous acting, sets and costumes. This one gets three thumbs up in my little book of manor favorites. Oh, and one more thing, the run time for this film is 242 minutes because it is the full text version of Shakespeare's

play, but so worth it. Every word is a gem.

* I just watched Moulin Rouge

Blackberry Muffins

photo by Willow

I love that old fashioned taste and wonderfully moist texture
that whole oats give to baked goods. These muffins are so
comforting...they take you back to the good old days. They
are right up there on my list next to cream colored ponies.

Whole Grain Blackberry Muffins

2 cups flour
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ tsp allspice
1 cup milk
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 cups fresh blackberries

Whisk together the dry ingredients. Mix together the wet
ingredients and gently blend into the dry. Very carefully
add the blackberries, folding them in gently, so they don't
crumble into the batter. Fill muffin tin cups to the top.
Bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Makes 12 large muffins.

*****

"But Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail

had bread and milk and blackberries

for supper."

The Tale of Peter Rabbit,

Beatrix Potter

Willow's Eden Roses

Beauty never slumbers;

All is in her name;

But the rose remembers

The dust from which it came.

Edna St. Vincent Millay

photos by Willow

Janet Frame

Until I saw the talented director, Jane Campion (The Piano) and screenwriter Laura Jones' beautiful film adaptation of Frame's three volumes of autobiography, An Angel at my Table, 1990, several years ago, I was totally unfamiliar with Janet Frame(1924-2004), leading New Zealand writer of novels, short fiction,
and poetry.

A twice contender for the Nobel Prize in literature, her works were noted for their explorations of alienation and isolation. Frame's early years were traumatic. Her childhood was marked by poverty and the drowning deaths of two sisters, and in 1945, while studying to be a teacher, she suffered a breakdown. Misdiagnosed
with schizophrenia, she was in and out of psychiatric hospitals for ten years. In 1951, while Frame was still interned, New Zealand's Caxton Press published her first book, a slim volume of short stories titled The Lagoon and Other Stories.

The work won the Hubert Church Memorial Award, at that time one of the nation's most prestigious literary prizes, and thankfully resulted in the cancellation of her scheduled lobotomy. Frame was awarded the title of Commander of the Order of British Empire (CBE) in 1983 and made a member of the Order of New Zealand, the country's highest civil honour, in 1990. She also held foreign membership of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, received honorary doctorates from two New Zealand universities,
and achieved recognition as a cultural icon in her native country. Her collection of poetry, The Pocket Mirror, published in 1967, is absolutely brilliant.


I Do Not Deny the Sun

I do not deny the sun
that denies me.
I leave the door open,
wheat on the table,
apples in the pantry.
I was warned from the first hour
that the sun did not care,
tearing seasons with his tongue
while maudlin snow ran down his cheeks;
that he snored in a deep white bed
and waking did not as we do
--tell his dreams and embrace callers.

My Handsome Young Visitor

This morning while I was typing away at my computer, I got the feeling
I was being watched. This handsome young guy was intently gazing at
me through the french doors. I grabbed my camera and he didn't flinch
as I took several photos. His tail was wagging and he looked as if he
wanted to come in for a cup of tea!

Willow's Cairn

I was chatting with Dave over at osage + orange this week about
cairns. I have often wondered about the significance of these three
stacked limestone rocks at The Manor. My youngest son told me
yesterday that he remembers playing a game with them when he
and his sister were small. They would take turns sitting on top with
their eyes closed, waiting for the other one to push them off! He said
they enjoyed the thrill of the scare. Good thing they hid their little
game from me. And thank goodness there weren't any injuries, at
least that I knew of. The sillies.

So, what do you think? Are the rocks a cairn of some sort? Were
they left here by the Wyandot Indians to mark the location of the
Scioto River or burial ground? Could they possibly mark the location
of the execution of Chief Leatherlips on June 1, 1810? Or are they
simply a natural geological occurrence?

Summer

Wheat Field with Rising Sun, Vincent Van Gogh, 1889

Summer

At midday when the sweltering mother

bedded in wheat and wharves rose

to give food

gold sea and salt bread to the city.

Deep from her blue apron pocket
she drew a ripe orange to slice
and squirt light
---your mouth was stained with sun.

Janet Frame, The Pocket Mirror, 1967

.....

The Hoosier Poet

The phrase "Noon-time, June-time, down around the river" has been in my head all week. It's from the poem by James Whitcomb Riley, known as the "Hoosier Poet". Hoosier is a term used to describe those of us from the state of Indiana. The word is derived from a pioneer days greeting. When approaching a home, you shouted, "Hello, the cabin!" to avoid being shot. The inhabitants would then shout back, "Who'sh 'ere?" Hence, over time the slurring became "hoosier".

At the end of the nineteenth century, when he was at the height of his career, James Whitcomb Riley was the most popular poet in America. Few literary figures have ever become so popular in their own lifetime. His poetry anthologies were best sellers and his public live poetry readings were sellouts.

As a little girl in Indiana, I fondly remember sitting in the big green vinyl covered rocker, on my grandmother's lap, listening to her read such poems to me as Little Orphan Annie, The Raggedy Man and When the Frost is on the Pumpkin. Despite dismissals by intellectuals, Riley has often been referred to as the Charles Dickens of the Midwest. Of his thousand poems, over half of them are charmingly written in the dialect of the day. I always keep my eye out for volumes of his vintage poetry, published by Bobbs-Merrill, which are often graced by lovely illustrations by Howard Chandler Christy.


vintage book from Willow's collection

Breakfast Treat

Home, Carlton Alfred Smith
(notice bright copper kettle, but no warm woolen mittens)

I made some of this delicious stuff this week. It's a new
favorite thing here at The Manor, right on par with crisp
apple strudels. It is heavenly on crusty whole grain toast,
with tea, of course, for breakfast. And it’s easy, peasey to
make!

Plum Butter

1 pound fresh plums, sliced
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 t. cinnamon (optional)

Slice fruit, combine with sugar and water, cook
slowly in deep saucepan over low heat for one
hour or until thick and dark. Stir in cinnamon (optional).

Makes about one 8 oz. jar.

Great Scott

(Dashing and brave, but not this one.)

It was movie night at The Manor and one of the film's male
characters bellowed out, in a thick British accent, "Great Scott!"
I began to wonder exactly which Scott they might be referring to.
At one time it was common to say "great God", but during the
Victorian 19th century, a prudishness fell on the English speaking
world and it was replaced with expressions like "great sun",
"great Scott" and "great Caesar's ghost". The "Scott" in question
is not Rob Roy, or even the author Sir Walter Scott, but a popular
U.S. general, Gen. Winfield Scott, a hero of the Mexican War.

Yep, it's this one they're all shouting about!

My Antonia

Tonight I finished reading the beautiful and touching novel, by

Willa Cather, My Antonia, 1918. This book is truly a tribute to the

heroic lives of pioneer women and paints a haunting portrait of the

spirited daughter of Czech immigrants, who settle in Nebraska. One

of WT's ancestral lines made their way to Nebraska during this same

time period, eventually settling in Missouri, so this book was

particularly intriguing. Cather’s vividly descriptive, flowing style made

this book a joy to read. Considered one of the great figures of early

twentieth century American literature, Pulitzer prize winning author,

Cather (1873-1947) was inspired by her early pioneer life on Great

Plains, especially her native Nebraska. This novel gets two thumbs

way up in my little manor notebook of "A Few of My Favorite Things".

A big thank you to Phil and Blog Princess G for recommending this

book. Loved it.

Clematis and Kahlo

My clematis is finally blooming here at The Manor! It is growing
up around a wooden bird feeder which is completely hidden by the
vines. I love it's amazing deep shade of violet. The strong winds
we experienced in late winter tore most of the brittle little vines away
from the post. I was afraid that it might not come back this spring,
but amazingly enough, it resurrected with a vengeance!

After seeing the Kahlo exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art last
month, I checked The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo, 2005, a PBS
Home Video documentary, on my Netflix que. I finally watched it
last night and it was very well done. A perfect blend of personal
accounts, history of the time period and, of course, her fabulous art.
There was some thrilling time travel through original old video clips of
Frida and Diego Rivera. If you are interested in Kahlo, or just
appreciate art and history, you would enjoy this documentary.

Serpent Siestas

This lovely old metal mailbox is outside the front door at Willow
Manor. It's no longer used for mail. The industrial size mailbox we use
is 200 yards up the driveway at the main road. Since this one is quiet,
dark and cool, little snakes love to slither up the ivy and use it for a
napping spot in the spring and summer months. I found out a few years
ago when I randomly stuck my hand inside one day.

Black Narcissus

I borrowed our local library's copy of Black Narcissus so many times,
that I finally decided it was time to let others view it, and bought my
very own copy! It is another beautifully remastered, luminous copy from
The Criterion Collection, by that dynamic duo, director Michael Powell
and screenwriter Emeric Pressburger. An adaptation from Rumor
Godden's 1939 novel, it is the story of five Protestant missionary nuns,
led by Sister Clodagh (the magnificent Deborah Kerr), who establish a
school in the Himalayas. The amazing thing about this film, is that it is
filmed entirely in studio, which lends to the feel of the secluded,
mysterious mountain nunnery. The stunning mountain views are
actually painted backgrounds! This effect paid off, because art director
Alfred Junge and cinematographer Jack Cardiff both won Oscars for
their breathtaking technicolor work. The plot contains a subtle, yet
intense love triangle between Sister Clodagh, Sister Ruth (brilliantly
portrayed by Kathleen Byron) and Mr. Dean (the earthy and hairy
chested David Farrar). The strong eroticism felt here is not necessarily
seen, which in my opinion, makes it even more powerful. And adding
to the tension of the plot, Kerr was director Powell's ex-mistress and
Byron his current one! This elegantly crafted piece, weaving a tale of
the spirit vs. the flesh, is one of my very favorite vintage films.

Deep Forest, Lighted

I am really into Emily Carr today and just finished putting this painting
Deep Forest, Lighted, 1935, on my sidebar. You have to see it larger.
I think it's fabulous. (Be sure to scroll down and read the Morley poem
I posted this morning, too.)

Tree Trunk, Emily Carr, 1931, Vancouver Art Gallery.

Sonnet in a Knothole

We idled at our doings, heart and I.
We watched the puddle lose its glaze of frost,
measure the April in a pale March sky
And saw the birch tree root all newly mossed.
Filling our fingernails with spring, we raked
And burned and swept, and breathed, and chopped some
wood;
And even in that easiness, heart ached
To keep this noon forever, if we could

But no one guessed (we made no outward stopping)
The sudden woodsman stroke that we incurred
When down through fiber, grain, and knotted wit
The oak of language shivered, cleanly split
By the flashed ax blade of the perfect word.

We tightened steel to helve, and went on chopping.

Christopher Morley, The Ballad of New York, New York,
and Other Poems, 1930-1950


I found this little vintage volume of Morley's poems last
month in that marvelous second hand bookstore with
the creaky hardwood floors and scent of wood and
old books.

Toodle-oo

My daughter and I were saying toodle-oo the other day on the

phone and it got me to thinking about the origins of the word, which

I often find fascinating. Here's what I found at Take Our Word For It.

Number two is my guess.

Toodle-oo was originally tootle-oo and first appeared
in writing between 1905 and 1907. There are several
theories as to its origin:

1. It comes from the word tootle meaning "to depart",
which itself comes colloquially from toddle "to walk
sometimes", as a toddler does;

2. It is a Cockney corruption of French à tout à l'heure
"I'll see you soon"; or

3. It arose as an onomatopoeic imitation of the old
bulb-blown horns found on early motor cars
(like the one that Harpo Marx used so effectively),
which were often sounded on departing.

Roses, Mud and Tosies

One of my favorite books, as a child, was Poems to Read and to
Learn, Golden Press, 1955, a cheery pink book with charming
illustrations by Grace Dalles Clark. It included 80 well known poems
by Robert Louis Stevenson, A. A. Milne, Christina Rossetti, Walter
de la Mare, Hilda Clonkling, Rachel Field, Kate Greenaway, Vachel
Lindsay and many others. I attribute my love of poetry to this
wonderful little book.

I've had this sweet poem in my mind all week and decided to post on
it, since my yellow roses have started to bloom. There is a certain
perfect consistency of mud, smooth and pliable, that is marvelous to
plant your feet into on a hot summer day.



Mud

Mud is very nice to feel
All squishy-squash between the toes!
I'd rather wade in wiggly mud
Than smell a yellow rose.

Nobody else but the rosebush knows
How nice mud feels
Between the toes.

Polly Chase Boyden

Weekend Treat

I made this today at The Manor and believe me, it is to die for. The
recipe is from this month's issue of Gourmet magazine. Hope you try it
and be sure to let me know what you think!


Stone Fruit Cobbler

For filling:
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
3 lb mixed stone fruit, pitted and cut into 1/2 inch thick wedges
(I used fresh cherries, apricots and plums)
1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp pure almond extract

For topping:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cornmeal (not stone-ground)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1 cup heavy cream
2 tsp sugar

Make filling: Preheat oven to 400
with rack in center. Butter a 3 quart glass or ceramic
baking dish. Toss together filling ingredients in a large
bowl. Spread out in baking dish and bake until just
bubbling. 25 minutes or so.

Make topping while filling bakes: Whisk together
flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt, then blend in
butter with your fingertips or pastry blender until
mixture resembles coarse meal. Add cream and
stir until dough forms. Turn out dough on lightly
floured surface and lightly dust with flour. Then roll
out 1/2 inch thick. Cut out biscuits and arrange
1/2 inch apart over hot filling. Brush tops with
cream, then sprinkle with sugar. Bake until topping
is golden and fruit is bubbling in center. 15-20 min.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

The Transplendent Woody Allen

As I mentioned in my previous posts, the brilliant Woody Allen is a
favorite here at the Manor. A multi talented director, writer, actor,
comedian, playwright and musician, he has garnered countless
awards, nominations and distinctions.

But it all boils down to one thing. I like him because he makes me
laugh. As soon as his familiar black and white credits, set to jazz,
start to roll, I know giggles are in store. In most of his older films, he
portrays himself, a neurotic writer, wearing his trademark thick,
black 1960's style glasses, corduroy pants and tweed jacket. He
pokes fun at his own neurotic persona and phobias by often including
a funny psychoanalysis scene in his movies.

Allen’s films span a wide range. His earliest films are full of screwball
comedy. Annie Hall (1977) includes more sophisticated humor and
Interiors (1979) introduces his darker dramas. Many of his works in
the 1980’s combine both comedy and tragedy. Born Allen Stewart
Konigsberg, in Brooklyn, to a Jewish family, he often portrays his
ethnicity, as well as bases many of his films in his beloved New York.

And have you ever noticed that he often includes an opera in many
of his films? The L.A. Opera is fortunate enough to support him in his
operatic directional debut in their 2008-09 season! Love and Death
(1975), Annie Hall (1977), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) and
Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993) are a few of my personal
favorites, that star the hilarious Woody, himself. In more recent
films, he has cast other actors in the roll he would normally play, but
in my little book, no one can quite fill his shoes...or should I say his
glasses?



Click (here) for Woody's opening monologue in Annie Hall.

Raindrops, Roses and Bob

Are any of you out there as crazy about Robert Osborne as I am? I
watch a lot of the Turner Classic Movies channel. At the end of a
busy day it is so comforting to have the dashing and upbeat Bob there
to introduce the evening's eight o'clock movie. He is the consummate
blend of friendliness and sophistication. And he always looks so
handsome and put together in his classy suit and tie. Not only is he
there before the movie, but he comes back to chat with me about it
when it's over! How nice is that? I hate to admit it, but when I watch
a DVD from my own collection, I feel a tad lonely when it’s over,
because he is not there to add his intriguing comments. Here's to
you, Bob. Thanks for sharing so many evenings with me, dear friend.
You are right up there with raindrops on roses.

Million Dollar Mug

AFP Photo

Did you hear in the news about John Webber, whose grandfather
gave him a mug to play with, when he was a child in 1945, and found
it to be an ancient artifact worth almost one million dollars? He had
always assumed the 5.5 inch mug, decorated with the heads of two
women, was made of brass. When he decided to have it appraised last
year, he was told it was actually a rare piece of ancient Persian
treasure, beaten out of a single sheet of gold, hundreds of years before
the birth of Christ.

The auction house, Duke's, in Dorchester, England, will put the cup
up for auction on June 5, with an estimate of 500,000 pounds.

Webber admitted, as a child, using the cup for target practice with
his air gun! Notice the little dents? This reminds me of some of those
featured on Antiques Roadshow, who find out the item they have
been using as a trash can for years is worth a fortune. Okay, now if
you will excuse me, I need to go give all my vintage stuff a good
second look...

Pie is King

Cakes and other desserts are fine, but in my book, pie is king!
I love all kinds of pie. So, when I saw this old family recipe over at
Julie King Art, I had to give it a whirl. It was just as I imagined. It
took me back to a different time, a different day. If you like old
fashioned comfort food, as I do, you will love, love, love this recipe.
Thanks, Julie, for sharing!

Grandma J's Butterscotch Pie

1 firmly packed, heaping cup of light brown sugar
2 T butter
2 T flour
2 eggs
2 cups of milk (at least 2%)
1 baked pie shell
2 T of water
handful of granulated sugar

Separate 2 eggs by putting the whites into a medium mixing bowl.
Place the yolks into a 2 cup glass measuring cup. Fill the
measuring cup up with milk (slightly less than 2 cups) and beat the
yolks into the milk with a fork. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan or preferably an iron skillet, melt the 2 T
of butter. Add the brown sugar and cook on medium/high until
the mixture begins to bubble and caramelize. The color will turn
to a darker brown. Take off the heat and stir in the 2 T of flour.
Slowly, a little bit at a time, add the milk/egg yolk mixture.
Immediately put back on the stove and cook on medium
until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency.
Pour into the pre-baked pie crust.

Add 2 T of water to the egg whites in the medium mixing bowl.
With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites on medium/high until
peaks form. Add a handful of sugar and beat until well mixed.
Use a plastic spatula to spoon the meringue onto the top of the
pudding in the pie crust. Make peaks on top of the pie so it looks
nice. Bake at 350 degrees until the top of the meringue is a nice
golden brown. (about six minutes) Let pie cool before cutting so
the pudding has a chance to set up.

I increased the recipe by 1/3 for a 10 inch pie.

Tree Huggers

Last week, Eleanor from Thatchwick Cottage was mourning the
loss of a noble tree. And Blog Princess G at Food Film Fiction has a

lovely new photo of herself with a tree on her sidebar with the

caption "shameless tree hugger". I come from a whole family of tree

huggers. Most likely, it is sap we have coursing through our veins,

instead of blood. We have never met a tree we did not like. This

photo, is of a very special old tree. It was taken in August 2005 of my

aunt, uncles, oak tree and I at the old family homestead farm in

Howard Co., Indiana. The tree in the picture is the same one in the

vintage photo of our grandmother/great-grandmother Ida Belle

(left) and her friend Lois Allen circa 1920's.

As the poet said, 'Only God can make a tree,' probably
because it's so hard to figure out how to get the bark on.

Woody Allen