US Open:Flushing, NY- 8/28/12- 10:58

Love going to the Open. This year my friends and I left extra early so we were in the gates and ready to watch tennis at 11am rather than arriving late and needing to eat lunch immediately. Think the restroom could have been tidier considering the hour. Watched lots of great stars crush their first round oponents and went to our usual haunt, Mojitos, for yummy Cuban food, though passed on the pitcher of drinks this year due to the excessive heat. It helped that we hired a driver to make the long journey less tiring. Will never drive ourselves again.

William Hand Double Cabin Express Cruiser:CT River- 8/27/12- 20:18

It is hard to see how adorable this little head is. A long time since I spent an evening on the river and never on such a charming boat. Funnily enough I had kayaked by her a few days beforehand, not realizing who owned her, and was full of admiration. As relaxing as the ride up to Seldon Creek was, the ride back with an almost full moon playing hide and seek with the layers of scudding clouds was a real treat.

River Dog Yoga:Old Saybrook, CT- 8/25/12- 7:58

Such a treat to do yoga with my soon to be daughter-in-law. What can I say other than Namaste?

Maple&Main Gallery:Chester, CT- 8/26/12- 11:12

Couldn't resist printing both of these signs. So many directives and so little time when you are in a rush to go.As you can see, I did not manage the correct door lock procedure. I was sparing with the t.p.

CT Tennis Center at Yale:New Haven,CT- 8/24/12- 11:24

Every time I go to this tennis tournament, which is now called the New Haven Open, it is blisteringly hot. I try to find the least heavy- read fried- thing to eat and to drinl lots of water, which leaves me perspiring freely in my seat in the sun. Usually it is worth it to see top players in a small venue. This year I managed to snag a fan from The First Niagra tent which helped a bit. Saw a great first set between Kirilenko and Wozniacki, only to have the latter retire, leaving us having spent $80 for one set of tennis. Saving her tweaked knee for the USOpen I guess. So what do you think of the pattern of water on the floor between the stalls? Kind of disgusting eh?

Social Security Office:New London,CT- 8/23/12- 15:22

Lost my soicial security card eons ago and now, if you want to renew your driver's license so that it will get you through airport security, you have to have all kinds of proof of identity. So off I went to get a new card. It was actually a painless prcedure in a clean, cool office with only a 15 minute wait. Hello DMV... it can be done!

CT River Artisans:Chester,CT- 8/22/12- 15:02

An artistic toilet paper arrangement befitting this gallery's array of local talent. Finally they have moved into the center of town where they are more visible and get much more foot traffic.

Florence Griswold Museum:Old Lyme,CT- 8/21/12- 15:49

I have some of my grandmother's fans. This one must have belonged to Miss Florence. A fan was a must accessory for all women back in the days before air-conditioning.early. It was fun to have out of town guests to whom I could show off this gem of a museum. The house seems now to be just waiting for all the guests to return from a day en plein air and one expects Miss Florence herself to come bustling through the kitchen doors at any moment. In fact, Anna Lathrop of Gourmet Galley is the one doing an excellent job of feeding guests at Cafe Flo on the veranda overlooking the Lieutenant River.

Private Home:Lyme, CT- 8/19/12- 20:14

Love a bathroom that is packed with art. These gems are all about 6 by 8 inches

Middlesex Clinic:Essex, CT- 8/19/12- 11:27

Could be a new Damien Hirst art work if this was taken at a museum or gallery, but it is just a wall of extra supplies at the clinic.Notice the progression of the purple gloves from tightly packed to partially out to spilling forth. I promise I did not stage this.

I-Park:East HAddam, CT- 8/17/12- 13:27

Don't know why this photo looks so funky. That is a feather on top of the painting and it all looks a lot better in person. This artist's retreat in the woods at the end of Hopyard Road is unknown to most people I tell mention it to, but not to the art world. There are composers, writers and artists in all mediums from all over the world who come in groupls of 10 for one month throughout most of the year.An e

Milagros:Stonington, CT- 8/13/12- 20:52

Resisted the urge to have a drink at lunch, but the three ladies decided to stop for a marguerita and some spicy Mesican food on the way home. This is a little slice of Mexico. Tiny, loud and fun. Sat at the bar and talked to the owner/bar tender and got a lesson in picking tequilas.  They havde about 60 different bottles lining the walls, along with Mexican tiles and other native decorations. I love this place!

Watch Hill, RI- 8/13/12- 16:45

Forgot to revisit the restroom at the Tea Room before leaving, so had to resort to the public toilet above the carosel at the end of the street.  I have been in worse. Nice to know they have toilets and showers and changing rooms which are free for the public to use since the Ocean House is not likely to let you in without paying the $850/night for a room. It is stunning in its new incarnation I must say.

Olympia Tea Room: Watch Hill, RI- 8/13/12- 15:28

In case you didn't know how old this Tea Room was, they have documentation of past staff to inform yhou. Like all "camp photos" from your childhood. I wonder if working here is as much fun as diving into the freezing waters of Maine as my counsellors huddled on the dock in their sweat pants and shirts? Like the pink door! Food was okay, but not as good as past years.

Anoho Asian Noodle House:Middletown, CT- 8/9/12- 21:12

Been a while since I had dinner in Middletown and this place has opened since I was last there. Pretty Zen look in the restroom. Some interesting wall hangings including a coconut "hair" rain hat and coat from the 1940's. The food was pleasantly authentic and the two other tables of diners were friendly and happy to share their opinions on the choices they had made.

Block Island Ferry- 8/15/12- 17:22

You might get a royal flush playing poker or on the QM2, but I felt lucky to get any flush on the ferry.  Whenever I spend any time on Block Island, I am reminded of what a gem it is and how lucky I am to have it such a short way away. Even being there for only 4 hours- as I was to be part of a surprise 70th birthday celebration- felt like a holiday.

Juice N Java:Block Island, RI- 8/15/12- 14:33

I was going to take a picture of the quaint vine wreath studded with seashells as it seemed indicative of the setting, but could not resist shooting this poster instead. How far from seashells can you get? 

Barberry Hill Farm:Madison, CT- 8/10/12- 19:37

I can't even tell if this photo is right side up or not. Certainly was dim in the port-a-potty, but the food at this Farm Dinner, prepared by Jonathan Rapp and co-chef Thomas Peterlick, was as luminious as ever. This is the 6th year for Dinners at the Farm and every one I have been to has been an amazing combination of that days local produce with on the spot inspiration. No perconceived recipies in sight. Plus they have donated $79,000 to local non-profits from the proceeds. So don't let the hefty price tag deter you, make the investment in your palatte and the local food movement.

New Britain Museum:New Britain, CT- 8/9/12- 19:28

This is one of my favorite small museums. I know nothing about the city or really why this gem is located there next to a glorious Frederick Law Olmstead park. I have seen many well curated shows here and enjoyed selections from their own collection. The shop has a small but interesting inventory and the cafe is yummy. Who can resist smiling while walking through a glass passage lined with a Mundy Hepburn gaseous glass installation. I am delighted that they have purchased an encaustic by my good friend Judy Cotton which is installed next to a Muybridge series of horse photos- the artist who partially inspired her series of dogs titled "The Fates"?

Maimi's Cafe:Roxbury, CT- 8/4/12- 12:15

I loved this combination high on the wall of the restroom of this quaint cafe. Can you imagine entering a 3 holer? Talk about a lack of privacy.
Everything about this cafe was charming from the local antique farm equipments and signs used as decor to the heavy, slightly rusted urns used to hold sweetners to the old metal-caged string of lights on the deck to the fact that the owner gave us an avacado to take home for the soup we were preparing for dinner. Well, my friends do go there every weekend for a meal, but still...

Frelinghuysen Morris House and Studio:Lenox, MA- 7/27/12- 16:27

Talk about a folly. Don't know what ancient temple this was raided from, but it provided good cover for me. Actually, this was a fascinating place with it's Bauhaus inspired house, studio and furnishings. The art collection is a combination of 1920's masters and the two owner's works. Well worth a visit on its own or when going to Tanglewood which is just next door.

Mom's Cafe: Egremont, MA- 7/27/12- 12:41

How appropriate that a place with this name would want to provide a home to all nesting creatures. Actually, Nest and Rest Inn sounds like a euphemism for a funeral parlor to me. A suprisingly good breakfast burrito was had... or maybe it was the 12 miles I biked to get here and the thought of the 10 ahead of me.

Jacob's Pillow:Becket, MA- 7/26/12- 20:24

A simple arrangement of flowers from the garden and a dramatic piece of cloth draped from the window. Reminds me of Swan Lake for some reason. An elegant touch in this rather bare bones, but wonderful center for dance. Saw a performance by a new trouple headed by Jessica Lang... No not THE Jessica Lang of Hollywood fame, but one of the few successful female choreographers. A former member of the "Thwarp" company, she now has her own company. Find a performance and go.

China Cafe: Manhattan- 7/24/12- 21:19

Love the tone this poster sets and how about that chandelier!   This small reataurant in Murray Hill was reported as having some of the best Shechuan food in the city. I am no connisseur, but I know that 7 of us had a might fine meal with about 12 different dishes all of which were devoured over a leisurely 3 hours. Check it out for yourself.