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.