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As a child amongst my favourite books were the Prairie ones by Laura Ingalls Wilder (note: these are so much better than the TV version leads you to believe -- run away from the telly whenever Michael Landon threatens to appear). The books have a deeply absorbing way of talking about the life of everyday -- cooking, cleaning, cutting and sewing fabric, gathering wheat, tending horses, organising cupboards -- that I think accounts for the eccentric passion I have for these activities now. There's something so appealing about the solidity of middle-American life (at least in the good version) -- its tradition of thrift, proportion, self-sufficiency. The life of Grant Wood's paintings, such as 'American Gothic' (1930). So very different from parts of America now, which has foolishly gave up those skills at a very poor price.

So it was very restful to move out of the crazy world of Miami's South Beach into the elegant sophistication of the Wolfsonian Museum, which knew just how to display its modest-feeling, and moving, art-pieces and welcome pride in the technological innovation of mid-century material goods. I recommend it very highly -- plus the cafe does great food, including cheese plates (a rarity in that locality). These are some parts I managed to capture on film.

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today we are very tired indeed (all three of us). doglet has been taking anti-histamine for a pollen allergy on her tummy, which has left her super sleepy; co-owner and i have been doing what we both love to do -- 25-hour travelling trips. what a way to spend the day... this was to bring us back to the sleet in scotland after 2 1/2 weeks in the blazing sunshine of florida, georgia and south carolina. we may be unusual in being ecstatic about this trajectory. this coming straight after 'leg-gate' has rendered this blog a little lonely. normal service will try to resume for the rest of april...

and to begin, here is miami. home of very loud music, very small bikinis, cars, and overblown cocktails, glistening tanned skin and people for whom socialising is more looking- than listening-based. which is fair enough if you've spent as much time and energy on looking fantastic as these guys do. this might be the worst place on earth to have stitches in your leg and very pale skin. but we had a lovely time nonetheless in south beach. here you can admire the ice-cream colours of the art-deco buildings in blissful escape from the Flo Rida (or also, funnily enough, dexys midnight runners) soundtrack so widely provided by the kind sub-woofers of miami.

next up -- the cool interior calm of the wolfsonian...

s c a r y d a y

Today has been a bit scary. Featuring the hospital, results, operations, stitches, pain, and fear. But also some relief, appreciation, reassurance, and gladness for good doctors, wonderful nurses, a good healthcare system (don't destroy the NHS, please (please!) politicians), supportive, informed and loving family, caring friends and colleagues (who'd have thought?!), an EXCEPTIONALLY lovely and much-loved other half and an exceptionally sympathetic and well-behaved doglet. She knows everything... I don't think things will be precisely the same again, and it's certainly been a wake up call to prioritise, be careful, and be thankful. But, suffice for today to note just how beautiful these lilies are, sent by my cousin for my birthday. Gorgeous, white, clean and scented -- perfect.

a t r i p o u t

We have had a very busy month in the city -- lots of work, some entertaining of friends, buying a beautiful new flat (!), trying to sell our old one (...). There is lots to look forward to, although the slamming rain, the dark skies and the workplace politics can make us forget that sometimes. So it was very good indeed to get out of town on the weekend -- the sun shone ALL day, for TWO days. A miraculous record -- for which we are now paying. The doglet loved having the warmth on her face, and was very attentive as look out on the loch edge at Inverary...