The Ural Pass

This is what my street looks like when the cherry trees are in bloom. The trees are rather old, and at some point are going to have to be replaced with spindly little new trees. I'm glad I happen to be living here while they're still big and magnificent.

The little pedestrian walkway in front of the church is technically a park. At one time it was a street, and connected what is currently Salem Street with Mattoon Street. The residents of Mattoon refer to this park as the "Ural Pass," and sometimes I do feel I'm on the other side of an unbridgeable divide.

When I was shopping for houses, I looked at a beautiful home on Mattoon Street, and one on Salem. I chose Salem Street, and I don't regret my choice.

Retromodern

If I decide to reinvent myself yet again, it may be as a designer of retromodern furniture and/or lighting. Finishing my degree in electrical engineering technology and conquering my fear of plugging things in would be an asset for the latter. Cordelia is embarking on a career as an industrial designer, so maybe I can just try to fill her head full of my ideas.

Meanwhile, if I had a million dollars, this John Brauer table is one of the first things I would run out and buy (figuratively speaking, of course. With the net, nobody has to run anywhere any more). And maybe a few of those polycarbonate chairs designed by Philippe Starck for Kartell. They looked great in the Fondation Cartier ballroom...they'd look equally great in Cicily's kitchen.