Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts: Old Lyme, CT- 12/12/2011- 10:25 EST

Yes this is an art school, but you would think the students would know to rinse in the studios, not the bathroom.  Clearly not! I was here to participate in a brain storming session run by the state to gather ideas for a WPA type project to install outdoor murals in several of Connecticut's largest cities by June of 2012. Ambitious and exciting.

I-Park: East Haddam, CT- 12/11/2011- 18:07 EST

You don't normally see a thermometer in a restroom, but I-Park is that quirky kind of place where nothing is too surprising. And it was a cold night. This was the last Open Studios presentation for this artist residency program for the year.  It is the brainchild of one man and has grown from a 450 woodland lot into a series of houses, studios and art trails.  A fantastic place to come and explore either as an artist or as a viewer.  Check it out at www.I-Park.org.    

Food Works: Old Saybrook, CT- 12/11/2011- 12:53 EST

Back home for the holidays and happy to be able to once again go fresh and organic. So happy to have this healthfood store in my neighborhood.  It's great and offers frequent shopper cards! This seems like an appropriate decoration for it to have in the restroom.

Roti Palace: Main St, Road Town, Tortola- 12/5/2011- 13:38 CT

On the way to the house from the airport we asked our driver where the best roti on the island could be found. I had heard it was at Struggling Man's Place- don't you love that name! No, this was supposed to be it.  Can't say I agree, but the experience of talking with the solo proprietress of 35 years of this hole in the wall was well worth the mediocre rotis.  And the bathroom was like none other I have been in there.  It gave punk funk a new meaning.  It did have toilet paper and was not actually all that dirty.  Just old like its owner, but trying to keep pace.

The Dove: Road Town, Tortola- 12/9/2011- 19:56 CT

This won best restaurant on the island for 2010 and it was, indeed, a fantastic meal.  Inventive, subtle tastes and reasonable portions, if not prices.  We were glad to while away an evening of torrential rains in warm ambiance of this converted colonial house.  Are those old ceiling tile samples on the restroom wall or what?

Jolly Roger: West End,Tortola- 12/8/2011- 21:02CT

 This place is right on the water- even has a small dock if you want to come by launch. It's very casual with a lively bar and good food, especially the barbeque.  I adore the ribs and so did my friends.  The only place I ever eat them these days.  Many nights there is live music and dancing. I think you can get a good feel for the place by the sign in the bathroom!

Sage Mountain Rain Forest:Tortola- 12/8/2011- 10:03 CT

When I decide I need ro vary the beach walks on the island- and get motivated to get in the car rather than just march up and down the hill I live on- there is this lovely rain forest to trudge through.  I always forget how wet, and cool, it is and how caked with mud my sneakers are going to be.  It is not the most spectacular of rain forests, but it does have a variety of habitat and some spectacular views.

Club House at Frenchman's Cay:Tortola- 112/6/2011- 19:19 CT

This place has had its ups and downs over the years, but it is on a definite up right now. We had one of the best meals of the week in the newly redecorated restaurants which features an open air setting with bamboo blinds that can be unfurled on overly windy or rainy evenings, but keep the air circulating on warm nights. They have rooms if you want a charming place to get away from it all with a small private beach, a little pool and lounge chairs that look like rattan peapods.

Long Bay Resort:Tortola- 12/6/11- 14:03 Central Time

This is supposed to be one of the better resorts on the island and the rooms are fine and those right on the beach must be spectacular if only for the surf affect. The beach itself is a mile long and has also been cleared of rocks this year making it easier to get into the water. The food is good enough and there is a pop up beach bar half way down which gets more expansive every year. Yet the rest rooms remain old and dirty looking and barely functional. Probably because the bus loads of tourists off the cruise ships DO come here!

Josiahs Bay:Tortola- 12/5/11- 14:41 Central Time

This has always been my favorite pocket beach on the island. Never crowded, a destination for afternoon surfers and a perfect little cresecent beach with a dotting of wooden unbrellas for shade. Every year it gets better. Last year they cleared the beach of rocks, made it wider and added some lounge chairs. This year the building which houses the bar has been fixed up and painted, the sandy restaurant has added a tiny gift shop and they have spiffed up the bathrooms in the out building which now are under lock and key. A lovely use of indigenous product for decoration in this one I'd say. Don't tell anyone about this place. I'd hate for the tour buses to start pulling in.

Long Bay:Beef Island, BVI- 12/04/11- 15:17 Central Time

I had heard many times about the lovely beach near the airport, but this was my first visit. It was deserted, probably because of the showery day and it was nice enough which is hard to see by this photo.

Peg Legs:Nanny Cay Resort, Tortola, BVI- 12/04/11- 13:58 Central Time

I found a lot of fun art work in the rest rooms on Tortola. In general the art was nicer than the facilities. There was also a lot of good food to be had on the island. At this spot I was especially taken with the mango slaw salad and the rum and pommegranate juice drink the bartender concocted for us.

AA Lounge:San Juan- 12/03/11- 11:25 Central Time

Okay, so no one is actually going to sit on this little bench which is placed against the wall between the toilet stalls, but it makes for an attractive decoration and I also like the painting.

American Airlines:Hartford to San Juan- 12/02/11- 7:25 EST

I snuck into the business class lavatory just before take off. Nothing superior about it. Notice there is a pool of water in the sink. I did manage to get an emergency exit aisle seat with no one next to me. Divine except that I was in the first exit row, so I could not recline my seat even one inch. Don't make that mistake if you plan to nod off.

Sole- New Canaan, CT- 11/30/11- 17:51 EST

If you look closely, you will see the photo in this restroom is of a naked woman's behind. Daring, but tasteful. What baffled me was the inclusion of an upholstered chair facing the toilet in this oversized stall. Thankfully there was nothing baffling about the menu. Great food which was especially appreciated as a stop to dine with friends on the way back to CT after a long day in NYC.

Gourmet New York:680 8th Ave,Manhattan- 11/30/11- 15:57 EST

There was nothing to recommend this place except that it was convenient as a meeting place for my ride to collect me after I went to see Seminar with Alan Rickman. Everything to recommend this play.  One act, well acted all around, smartly written and just a pleasure to experience.  Nothing earth shattering, just good, intelligent entertainment.  And great fun for anyone who has ever taken or thought of taking a writing class.

Carlyle Hotel:New York- 11/29/11- 19:05 EST

My aunt turned 97 today and we took her to her favorite restaturant for dinner. What a dignified place it is. Old world style with quiet opulance, a dressed up clientelle, a maitre d who knows to put a candle in the dessert without being told and to take it off the bill because it took too long to arrive.Despite almost choking to death on a piece of lamb, she loved it. Think the plate of multiple chocolate delights made it a very Happy Birthday!

Private Home:Lyme, CT- 11/20/11- 20:08 EST

So cute. No surprise this bathroom belongs to a decorator. At her home for a reading of Noel Cowrad's Private Lives by a group of friends who have been gathering bi-monthly for 10 years for play readings followed by dinner. Whoever hosts the evening chooses and casts the play, someone else brings the dinner. Excited to be a new member of the group. Sorry for the fellow who had to pass on to make room for me.

Private Home:Brooklyn, CT- 11/29/11- 13:54 EST

My friend Abby has been talking to me for years about her college classmate who is an artist in Brooklyn who she wanted me to meet. We finally made the trek from Manhattan to her home and studio. What a treat. I certainly don't have art like this in my bathroom.

Child & Family Agency:New London, CT- 11/28/11- 14:27 EST

Just what a good social service Agency should be- green. They not only protect the environment, but also some 13,000 children and families in southeastern CT. A terrific organization.

Madison Art Cinemas:Madison, CT- 11/26/11- 16:26 EST

The space in this ladies room  gets so crowded that the automatic paper towel dispensers keep being set off by people waiting in line and spitting out towels with no one there to use them. Makes the wait amusing and gets us talking and bonding. This chest sits in one of the two stalls and is totally out of sync with the 'decor" (which is lacking), as well as being useless (notice my purple purse on the floor in the right corner). Saw The Descendents and was underwhelmed except by Clooney's performance. Yes I have, and have had for a long time, a crush on him though I imagine it is unwarrented except for his acting talent and fabulous looks.

Mikado:Middletown, CT- 11/25/11- 19:26 EST

Had an hour at home to collect my daughter and her friend and head out towards Hartford where we had tickets to see The Mother Fucker With the Hat at Theaterworks. Guess mother's shouldn't be taking their children, even 26 year old ones, to things with nudity and FOUL language. Okay play with some thought provoking themes, but mainly it was interesting to see what a mostly white, mostly affluent audience will laugh at these days. Had not been to this restaurant in years. It has been totally redone and is now lovely inside and still has a vast and decent sushi menu. Delicate artwork abounded, even in the ladie's room.

Private Home:North Salem, NY- 11/25/11- 12:54 EST

Went to my brother's country house to see my Austin,TX based neice and her family at a post-Thanksgiving brunch.Some bagels, smoked salmon and egg salad is alway welcome after a turkey feast! (There were healthy fruit and quinoi salad options.) I had forgotten how charming the house is and I especially like this ox halter cum mirror and the Saturday Evening Post cover framed on the opposite wall. A beautiful day and a hectic visit, but I got to read and do needlepoint in the car as I had help with the driving and it was a gorgeous, sunny day.

Tissa's Le Souk:Old Saybrook, CT- 11/22/11-

This sink looks just like many I saw in restrooms in Morocco. Maybe the Moroccan owner of this little Medditerranean/Middleastern restaurant (with inherited icecream parlor designation as well)- brought it back from one of his visits home. Don't be put off by this look, the food is wonderfully spiced and fresh and there is also a terrific little "souk" with many things Moroccan both wearable, cookable and edible.

Private Home:Lyme, CT- 11/19/11- 20:03 EST

I was not at this home gathering decorating tips, though this is a cute sink arrangement and the owner is a decorator. I was there as a newly invited participant in a decade old group of drama lovers who gather every other month in someone's home to read through a play. The homeowner picks the play and assigns the roles, one of the "audience" members brings the dinner. Wondered how I finally managed an invite. When notice was made of the passing of a long time member and how he will be missed, I understood. Skull and Bones (Yale's secret society) has nothing on this group.

Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center:Old Saybrook, CT- 11/19/11- 21:43 EST

I'm sorry the photo doesn't show the texture of the stall door. It is rather like a smaller version of those raised circles you see on funky linoleum floors. I was at The Kate, as we call this gem of an arts center, for a performance by J Geils with Jeff Pitchell & Texas Flood. Should have been billed the other way around as Giles only played 3 songs. (Also strange that all the guys in Texas Food are from CT.) It looked like a Saturday Night Live skit with Giles dressed like he just came off his yacht, minus the ascot, and Pitchell like he just left his barcalounger. But the music was some of the best blues and rock and roll I have heard since the 60's.

Private Home: Branford, CT- 11/18/11- 21:16 EST

I think this wall paper is pretty sweet, but I am mostly amazed at the titles of the reading material. Most powder rooms that even offer such things veer towards catatlogs or magazines or small curiosity books. Not this one.If you can't see the titles, let me help you out:
PEN America and Kenyon Review (literary magazines)
Womens Letters
Vanity Fair's Prominent Profiles

I see some editing in my future.

LongHorn Steakhouse:Crystal Mall, Waterford, CT- 11/18/11- 13:57 EST

This is the Ladie's Room sign. What do you think the Men's Room sign was? Give up?
BULLS. 
Go figure. Lots of meat and fried foods on the menu, which is not my thing, but the decor had some cute touches such as real bridles hanging on the wall and photos of people like Annie Oakley. Still, don't think I will be grazing there in the future.

Great Cedar Exhibition Hall:Foxwoods Casino,Ledyard, CT- 11/16/11- 11:11 EST

Not as garish as one might have expected for a casino in the middle of Nowhere, CT and it was spotless with plenty of stalls. No, I was not here to play the slots, though one of the ladies I had lunch with did stay on to do so. We gathered to see DIANA:A CELEBRATION which runs through Jan. 15. The exhibition of Spenser family history and Diana memoribilia included home films of her childhood (adorable), items she owned as a child (kind of creepy), her actual wedding dress (awful), a room about her funeral (simultaneously sappy and moving) and a display of her clothing from start to finish (most look better in the photographs of her in them than on the mannequins). Part of the proceeds of the exhibit go to Diana's foundation which is a nice thing.









Dr. Jeffrey Klass:Guilford, CT- 11/17/11- 11:05 EST

I hope this random assortment of items does not relate in any way to the professional skill of my naturopathic doctor. I especially question the choice of putting the oriental carved piece on the bottom shelf opposite the urine sample containers. I didn't ask for an explanation, not did I offer any professional advice. Just hope the remedies he gave me get rid of my hoarse voice which has lingered for 2 weeks now. All kidding aside, I think he is a good doctor and a wonderfully compassionate person.

Amy's Bakery Arts Cafe:Brattleboro, VT- 11/14/11- 12:14 EST

The flowers may look real, but they were not- contrary to what I would have expected in VT. The manuscript was also a reprint- no surprise there. Sort of an odd combo, especially for a soup, salad, sandwich, home baked goods crunchy sort of place. Maybe this is how they justify the "Arts" in the name of the cafe or maybe it has something to do with the number of artists who seem to frequent the place.

Green River:Vermont- 11/14/11- 10:45 EST

Had to happen taking off for a tour of the area after 2 cups of tea at breakfast that nature would call.Not a bad rest stop.The hamlet of Green River itself is beyond charming.A covered bridge,a meeting house which is only used on Christmas Eve,a wooden dam and several appropriately restored homes and farms.Just lovely,if somewhat too remote to live in full time for me.

Brattleboro:Vermont- 11/14/11- 9:42 EST

After months of invitations,I finally made it to visit my architect friend and his spouse at their totally renovated home in VT.Bet not many bathrooms have a Sol LeWitt in them in this town or any other for that matter.Love the dialogue between the red candle,the red swirls and the sand dollars.

LARK Play Development Center:New York-11/10/11- 16:42 EST

Despite the sign,the restroom is not under construction,just the plays which get readings here are.This is the kind of place that a city like New York offers to new playwrights like my friend Bonnie who has written one called "Whoops...I Forgot to Have Kids".She has been working on the script for about 7 years and has rewritten it several times.After this reading,it may be in for another transformation,including a new title.What an incredible gift to a playwright to hear professionals read their words and workshop it aftrerwards.How lucky was I to be asked to participate?

Brooks Atkins Theater:New York- 11/9/11- 20:00 EST

Waitied until just before curtain time to use the ladies room.Kind of strange that it was being mopped up during a performance, but you have to admire the thought.Saw Relatively Speaking which was fun enough,but probably not worth what a broadway ticket costs these days.Liked the Ethan Coen play best.Thought Marlo Thomas was terrific in the Elaine May play.Woody Allen had some funny stand up kind of one liners,but the play was uninspired.No surprises there.

Braai Restaurant:New York- 11/9/11- 18:46 EST

Doesn't this make you think you are in a sophisticated mud hut?It should as this African restaurant has a thatched ceiling and other indigenous decorations and menu.It is one of my favorites for pre-theater dining.good inexpensive wine list too.

Fashion Institute Technology: New York- 11/9/11-17:12 EST

Shouldn't the Fashion Institute be able to come up with a better sign for their toilets?And shouldn't fashion students be aware of keeping the stalls clean??This was the most colorful part of the rest room which was otherwise very academic utilitarian.The exhibit of clothing and jewelery belonging to Daphne Guiness at the museum, however,was amazing.Almost on a par with the staging and brilliance of the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum.It runs to Jan.12 and is worth the trip.

Hendrik Thijsen Hair:New York- 11/9/11- 16:12 EST

 My cousin has been going to Hendrik's apartment for 20 years to get her hair done.Why in a city with so many hair salons one does this,I don't know,but was curious to see.He did wash my hair in the kitchen sink,but in  a proper salon chair and the cutting room was set up as a salon also.He was an engaging gay guy from Belgium and gave me anwas an excellent cut,though I am undecided about the styling.LOVED the objects in the restroom.Also learned that the reason Le Pain Quotidien is so inflexible about things like not toasting their bread is that it is a Belgium company.I had always thought it was French.

Park Avenue:New York- 11/8/11- 20:59 EST

From one extreme to the other.No this is not my bathroom, but that of my hostess at an after art opening dinner for my friend Tim.The entire apartment is filled with paintings and tasteful mixtures of old and new, all in a soft palette and just divine.This is the kind of thing I love about New York.

Park Avenue Basement: New York- 11/8/11- 17:28 EST

This is the toilet that the staff in my building in New York get to use.Charming.I was using it because someone pushed the bottom lock on my door which I tell everyone not to do because it is finicky.This was the day that the spring decided to sprong so my key was useless and I had to call a locksmith.Of course I desparately had to pee,hence the basement photo op.FYI it took the locksmith 45,not the promised 20,minutes to arrive and cost me $55 for the service call and $280 for the 5minutes it took for him to screwdrive the lock open.I missed the 6pm info session on diabetes that I was going to,but had some extra time before the art opening at 7pm.Sometimes I don't love New York.

R.J.Julia Booksellers,Madison, CT- 11/7/11- 19:10 EST

Trust my friend Roxanne to have a New Yorker cover about a bookstore in her rest room.I was here to listen to Daphne Merkin talk about "To The Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf.I had never read any of Woolf's novels I am embarrassed to admit, so signing up for this class in "The Art of Reading" series seemed like a good idea.What a dense writer she is.I admire the work, but was not motivated to finish the book.Maybe I am too dense to enjoy it.

Il Riccio:New York, NY- 11/3/11- 12:02 EST

Isn't this a cute idea for a small bathroom?Plus they had lovely porcelain tile signs about employees washing their hands and not flushing things down the toilet.Took an artist friend here for his birthday lunch.Delicious but pricey.You can check out his work at www.timalovejoy.com.  

Morgan Library:New York,NY- 11/2/11- 13:57 EST

A friend saw this photo and said "I know where that is...its the MoMA.Nope!This museum is a gem and just blocks from my pied a terre in NYC.Love the cafe in the bright glass enclosed central court.Mostly adore the variety of exhibitions in the manageable little galleries.This day I saw 17 drawings by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780–1867).The first was done when he was 13 years old.My sons couldn't even set the table at that age.

Cleary,Gottlieb,Steen & Hamilton,LLP:New York, NY- 11/1/11- 11:07 EST

Clean and corporate as you would expect.

Courthouse Center for the Arts:South Kingstown, RI- 10/30/11- 14:05 EST

My friend Richard recently became the director of this little gem of an arts center and for his first big event he staged an elaborate reading of Pippin.I couldn't make the dressy fundraiser on Saturday night due to the October snow storm, but wnet for the closing Sunday matinee.It was as magical as all the vases of roses which seemed to adorn any available surface, including the sink in the restroom.

Dr.Rotella:Essex, CT- 10/24/11- 11:21 EST

This print is hanging in my dentist's office.Last summer I took a face plant running down 34th street towards Penn Station and chipped my fake front tooth-also got a black eye and a sprained wrist.No problem to get the tooth patched once my dentist got back from his week's vacation.Sadly,I forgot that it is now rather fragile and I like to knaw on bones and I served veal chops one night and lost the fix.Naturally the dentist was on vacation again.

Johnny Rockets:South Street Seaport, New York- 10/23/11- 10:17 EST

My 30 year old son has type 1 diabetes and he gathered a dozen friends and family into team "Darth Pancreas"-yes he is a Star Wars afficinado- for the NYC ADA Step Out and Fight Diabetes Walk.The walk starts at the Seaport, goes over the Brooklyn Bridge, around a few blocks and then back.Knew I wouldn't make it but wasn't sure I would find a willing locale.Turned out there was a line of walkers and, surprise, it was a charming and clean restroom.Not so lucky on the way back when I poked my head into the port-a-lets they had set up by the bridge.TOO GROSS even for me.

New Haven Lawn Club:New Haven,CT- 11/22/11- 14:22 EST

So elegant.Love old clubs, especially when they are now dominated by women and open to letting you bring a dog into the meeting room.I was here for a board retreat for the literacy program READ TO GROW which was started a decade ago by my friend Roxanne Coady when she discovered that CT had one of the worst literacy rates in the country.Check it out at www.readtogrow.org.

New England Aquarium:Boston, MA- 11/15/11- 19:33 EST

Should have showed more floor.It was really fun.Unlike the wedding reception I was attending here.Should have known how bad the dinner would be when I had to spit out the hors d'oerve I tried.Loved the juxtaposition of real penguins and men in penguin suits all strutting around and eyeballing each other.No.The best part was walking around the massive fish tank which stretches up 4 stories.Glad I came late AND left early.

Museum of Fine Art: Boston, MA- 11/15/11- 10:16 EST

This may look like a presentable restroom to your eye, but let me assure you that it was pretty disgustingly dirty, as were the other 2 restrooms I used.Yes I was there for several hours exploring the new Art of the Americas wing,theNew American Cafe,the Chihuly installation and various exhibitions.My two favorites were Degas and the Nude and Beauty as Duty: Textiles and the Home Front in WWII Britain.I love this museum and vow not to let years go by before I return.Might bring a sani-wipe when I do.