CarolJoynt.com

Trunks!

I'm in the market for some storage trunks. I'm getting rid of STUFF but also trying to put some things away in safe keeping. My friend Myra Moffett yesterday sang the praises of trunks. She has five children and so I give her creds as an expert. This evening I started to surf trunks and there are so many many choices. Do I want cedar or steel? The cedar look more attractive but perhaps the steel are stronger? Do the cedar keep away moths? The steel come in colors like blue, red and green. Do I want medium or large? I think large. I think two large trunks will get the job done.

If I google "trunks" in Washington it comes up empty. I so hoped I would find a "trunk showroom." Ha. But can this city really be without a trunk depot? My online choices are diverse. The large cedar trunk is here. The colorful steel trunks are here. The basic black trunks are here. And then, of course, Amazon has trunks, too. 

My weekend task: to become a trunk expert.

Washington Kastles Tennis

TENNIS ON A SMALL SCALE AT WASHINGTON KASTLES STADIUM ON MAINE AVENUE

The Washington Kastles Tennis operation certainly has a pretty setting. The new stadium is on Maine Avenue by the river, looking across the marina toward Haines Point. The views are relaxing and there's actually a breeze ... though sometimes tinged with a hint of fish and fry from the nearby seafood wharf and Phillips restaurant. Not entirely horrible. After all, it is waterside.

A VIEW OF WASHINGTON KASTLES STADIUM FROM HIGH UP. THE WATER IS TO THE RIGHT.

Their big tennis extravaganza kicks off next week, running from July 5-21, featuring some big times like Venus Williams, Serena Williams and John McEnroe mixed in with those who are lesser known but up and coming. There's a schedule and ticket sales here. Catch the terrific John McEnroe-Bjorn Borg documentary running on HBO right now and then go watch Mac himself on July 12 at 7 pm.

A MIX OF COCKTAILS  AND TENNIS AT KASTLES STADIUM

Yesterday evening team owner Mark Ein invited friends to the stadium for Pimm's Cup and canapes. While the big court was roped off, guests were able to play on a mini-court adjacent to the stadium. There were cupcakes from Sprinkles and people dressed like tennis balls. The swag included more Sprinkles cupcakes, the British flag, scones and tea and a key chain.

SUNSET ON THE MAINE AVENUE WATERFRONT

There's a metro stop near the stadium and adequate street parking and Phillips also has a lot.  Make time to walk along the marina. Its not the most beautifully designed waterfront -- a lot of aging, cheap concrete -- but it's what we've got and the setting and tennis make for some fun during the slow days of summer in the city. 

Carol Bought A Suit...

...and started to look for a job.

The luxury of choice may not be there but ideally not just any job. A job in which to grow. A role that will make a difference. A job that has an impact on how we live our lives. Something meaningful. A grown-up's job.

Goal: Not to go backward, but to use the experiences of the past. To be in this century.

Doesn't have to be in Washington, but Washington probably a sensible place to begin. 

 

 

TAKE A TRIP TO BERMUDA

 CORAL BEACH, BERMUDA

Last July my son and I took a trip to Bermuda. It was a wonderful getaway. We celebrated my birthday and enjoyed pleasant hours doing not much more than swimming, sunbathing and reading. USAirways made it an easy trip; we flew out of Reagan, nonstop round trip. Alas, those flights don't exist anymore, which is a drag, but Bermuda's still there, and I imagine the water temperature is at the 80 degrees it was last July. Simply perfect and crystal clear. 

During our trip we stayed at the beautiful Coral Beach Club. I took photos and wrote a story for New York Social Diary. I noted that the CBC was about to be taken over by Four Seasons Hotels, that it was scheduled to be renovated to fit the chain's standards. Members of CBC were not happy. Now that deal has gone away, and NYSD today re-posted my story with an update. It's the next best thing to actually being in Bermuda. But be warned: it will make you want to go tomorrow. Read it here. 

"Innocent Spouse" Talk/Q&A at Rivers Now On YouTube

 

These clips were recorded on Tuesday, June 21, at Rivers at the Watergate and recorded by autographaroo.com. 

 

Solo Moms: The Sisterhood of Getting It Done

First a big thank you to Adriane Alfred of Peace Thru Culture who invited me to be be the keynote speaker at their fundraiser yesterday. It was a lovely event and I was so happy to be there. The purpose was to raise money to send deserving kids to culture camp in Costa Rica. We gathered at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase. The program included a "peace meditation" from board member Arlene Reichter, a buffet lunch, prizes, an entertaining video by Caitlin Alfred and my thoughtful introduction from Carla Harmon. Because the focus was children I made my talk about the challenges of raising children alone, which falls more often to mothers. It's a thread that runs through my memoir, "Innocent Spouse." 

I talked about raising my son alone from the time he was 5-years-old. I also read relevant parts from the book and then took questions. They were great questions, from women and men, and most focused on the issues of the solo parent. Later, several of the women approached me to say they, too, were raising children on their own while also managing careers and their lives. It's just what you've got to do. There are no options. We are the sisterhood of getting in done (brothers included). 

It costs $300 for Peace Thru Culture to send a kid to culture camp in Costa Rica. If you would like to make a contribution, please visit their website here. 

 

USA TODAY: "INNOCENT SPOUSE"

Well, I'm in MONEY (if not the money), but nonetheless, this is groovy. Front of the "green" section of the very newspaper where I once worked, serving as Washington bureau chief of the one-time USA Today: The TV Show. (But please understand one is not related to the other).

The story is important and covers more than my book, including other spouses and their stories, but I'm grateful for the good play for the book. Read the full story by Sandra Block: IRS INNOCENT SPOUSE RULES CAN BE TOUGH.

What's It Like to Party In An Aquarium?

I found out tonight at the annual gala of the National Geographic Society, @NatGeoScoop. Best of all, it was about explorers and the room was full of them. If there were politicians at the table, who cared? Not when in the company of explorers who take actual risks, and by that I don't mean tweeting privates. Gorgeous party. Interesting moment: a humble James Cameron.  More later on New York Social Diary. 

Story Of The Week: If You Don't Get It You Are Out of Touch or Filthy Rich

James Verone  / The Gaston Gazette

GASTON GAZETTE --

For those struggling to hold on to, or get, health insurance, this story might hit home. Others might find it downright ingenious. What do you think?

On June 9,  an unemployed North Carolina man left his home, took a ride to a bank and carried out a robbery. Sort of.

James Verone, 59, walked up to the bank counter and handed the clerk a note that read: "This is a bank robbery, please only give me one dollar." Then, as he later told the local NBC news station, he calmly sat in the corner of the bank having told the clerk: "I'll be sitting right over there in the chair waiting for the police."

Prior to committing the bizarre robbery, Verone sent a letter to his local newspaper: "When you receive this a bank robbery will have been committed by me for one dollar. I am of sound mind but not so much sound body."

He invited the paper to send a reporter to interview him in jail, where he is now in custody facing charges of stealing from a person. Prosecutors say they would not be able to hold up a bank robbery charge since only $1 was taken. 

So why commit this peculiar act? Verone says he recently lost his job as a delivery man. He was employed for 17 years and when his employment ended, so did his health insurance. With no medical coverage, he was left without care for his arthritic joints, pain from slipped discs and a growth on his chest, among other health issues.

Verone's decision to calmly and politely rob his local bank was a desperate attempt at being seen by state health care workers. His hope was that robbing the bank of $1 would lead him to the punishment he needed, medical attention courtesy of the state. He got it.  Since being in jail, Verone has been seen by nurses and will likely be seen by a doctor soon.

Read more of this story at The Guardian 

A Washington Evening In Photos, With Captions

THE SIMPLE PLEASURE OF LIFE IN GEORGETOWN: A RED ROW BOAT, NO DOUBT LAUNCHED FROM JACK'S

My evening began at 5 o'clock, with a meeting to talk about my future. Then Scott Sforza picked me up and we drove downtown to a party on the rooftop of the Hay-Adams Hotel hosted by Jim Justice, owner of the Greenbrier Resort. They served excellent Woodford Reserve Mint Juleps. The purpose was to introduce new train travel between Washington and the Greenbrier. One guest said, "I hope they'll use an Acela engine." I don't know about that, but however you get there the Greenbrier is a great getaway.

After I returned home and changed there was time for a walk along the Potomac. That's when I caught the pic at the top. It's the photo of the day.  

 VIEW FROM 600 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVENUE

 ABOUT TO BANK RIGHT ON APPROACH TO REAGAN NATIONAL

 VIEW FROM THE OFFICE OF A VERY SMART MAN, WHO TALKED TO ME ABOUT MY FUTURE

 PICTURE OF MY MINT JULEP AT A HAY-ADAMS ROOFTOP PARTY HOSTED BY THE GREENBRIER RESORT

 LOOKING UP 16TH STREET

 THE ROOFTOP BAR OF THE W HOTEL

 MY GOOD FRIEND SCOTT SFORZA, SNAPPING A PIC OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH

 THE "PRESIDENTS CHURCH," ST. JOHN'S; ALSO WHERE MY SON WAS BAPTIZED

 THE MONEY SHOT AND, REGARDLESS, A BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF WASHINGTON

"Spencer and I" - A Sweet Moment On 31st Street

Spencer and I were walking up 31st Street, having a discussion about his weekly paycheck and income tax (a debate but not an argument) and a handsome young man came up beside us. "I can't believe this," he said. He held up his smartphone, put it right in front of us, and on it was a chapter from Innocent Spouse that begins, "Spencer and I..."  It's what he's reading, he said, and likes it, too, and we all laughed at the synergy of him reading about us and suddenly being with us. It was a sweet moment. Unfortunately no introductions were made -- it began and ended that fast -- but Spencer and I won't forget. 

I was touched yesterday by the strong turnout for my "Meet The Author" appearance at Rivers at the Watergate (and thank you Liz Sara for setting that up). There was a luncheon before my remarks and the husband and wife seated next to me said they are reading the book together on Kindle, side by side in bed, but wanted to get a hard copy, too. It is a good side-by-side book. I also liked that the appearance was streamed live and, in addition to the audience at Rivers, we got questions from those who were watching in Kansas City, Idaho and Florida. Bring it on. 

This Saturday I'll be in Chevy Chase, MD, at the National 4-H Center, speaking at a luncheon that will benefit Peace Thru Culture called "not" Just Lunch. Proceeds will help send city kids to camp. A great cause. For more info go here. 

Innocent Spouse Encore on Huffington Post

This is the second write-up of Innocent Spouse to appear on Huffington Post. Much appreciated:

Jamie Stiehm

Journalist

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A Woman's Tale Of Survival In The Surf Of Death And Taxes

First-time author Carol Ross Joynt, a disarming, dishy denizen of Georgetown in the heart of the nation's capital, is a woman in full. I heard her say so at a Ritz-Carlton lunch during an interview on her captivating memoir, Innocent Spouse, about running afoul of the IRS when her husband died with the saloon he owned deeply in hock.  John Donvan, the ABC News correspondent, did the honors of the Q & A -- opening by questioning whether the book was just "chick lit."  Very nice.

Well, Reader, it's fine Vineyard fare, but more than that. And I do mean captivating -- for Joynt's stylish frankness in covering every step of the way in an odyssey of loss, struggle, spirit and reclamation. If I chose a few contemporary autobiographies of women to send back to the beloved 19th and 20th century suspects -- Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf and George Eliot -- Joynt's book might make the cut. A literary masterpiece? No -- but a taut yarn not easily put down, by a media maestra who worked as a writer for Walter Cronkite early in her career. Later, she worked as a network news producer for Charlie Rose and Larry King. I enjoyed every moment of this tale, which was like a refreshing dip into a cold surf of reality: (with death and taxes churning like an undertow.) 

(CONTINUED HERE)

 

A Wedding(s) Celebration at Hillwood

THE HILLWOOD DINING TABLE, SET FOR A WEDDING LUNCHEON

Hillwood museum opened the vaults and pulled out the extravagant wedding attire worn by Marjorie Merriweather Post and her daughters at a dozen of their marriages. The silks and lace and other memorabilia have been transformed into an exhibition called "Wedding Belles," which opened this weekend, another good reason to visit the museum house on Linnean Avenue. Read about it here. 

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND DAUGHTERS GRAB FATHER'S DAY ICE CREAM AT GEORGETOWN'S THOMAS SWEET

 THOMAS SWEET ICE CREAM PARLOR SOON AFTER THE OBAMAS STOPPED IN

The Secret Service arrived quietly at Georgetown's Thomas Sweet Ice Cream shop at approximately 7:30 Sunday evening, asked the customers just to go about their business, and then  President Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia walked in to grab some Father's Day scoops of cookie dough and vanilla.

 THOMAS SWEET IS OFTEN CROWDED THIS TIME OF YEAR. MAYBE POTUS GOT TO JUMP THE LINE

I was nearby, walking the dog, and noticed the motorcade. For the President, it was a discreet motorcade; as lengthy as usual but without sirens or flashing lights -- a caravan of black SUVS, one that had a video cameraman perched through the top hatch, a few DC police cars, an EMS vehicle. As I said, the usual. After the ice cream stop they cruised P Street toward Dupont Circle, which is an easy route back to the White House.

MOHAMMED ALI, THOMAS SWEET'S OWNER, SMILING AFTER THE OBAMAS' VISIT

Thomas Sweet is one of Washington's most popular ice cream parlors. It is located at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and P Streets and is almost always packed on warm days and evenings.  

 MR. ALI AND CREW, BACK TO BUSINESS AS USUAL AFTER FIRST FAMILY VISIT

Are the Obamas falling for Georgetown? Just a week ago Sasha and Malia and friends were at Georgetown Cupcake's Potomac Street studio for a private birthday party for Sasha. At the very least, they seem to like our sweets.

Georgetown Cupcake to Host "Innocent Spouse" Signing June 29th

THE INNOCENT SPOUSE CUPCAKE CREATED BY GEORGETOWN CUPCAKE (Tony Powell)

Georgetown Cupcake owners, and "DC Cupcakes" stars Katherine Kallinis and Sophie LaMontagne will host a selling and signing event for Innocent Spouse on Wednesday, June 29. The exact hours are still TBA, but will be posted here when they are confirmed. Assuming mid-day. We'll have books for sale. I'll be there to sign. Lots and lots of great cupcakes, too.  

The July InStyle magazine lists twenty "must haves" for the beach. Innocent Spouse is item No. 4 and the editors call the memoir "addictive" reading. Georgetown Cupcake has been considered addictive since the day it opened. This is a perfect match; one good addiction deserves another. 

Coming up this week: a "Meet the Author" luncheon at Rivers at the Watergate on Tuesday, June 21, at noon. Lunch and discussion for only $25. For reservations please call 202.333.1600.

INNOCENT SPOUSE Hunt Country Book Party

A PRETTY SETTING FOR A BOOK DISPLAY; IN THE BACKGROUND, THE MELLON ESTATE

My friends Jean Perin and Sally Hosta hosted a lovely book party for me yesterday evening at Jean's incredibly beautiful home in Upperville, VA. The party was on her southwest facing terrace, overlooking the Mellon estate, which amounted to acres and acres of lush green. Fortunately, the rain held off until almost all of the 72 books were sold. The few left already have been claimed. So, a huge success.

Sally prepared a range of delicious finger foods. The guests were more than 50 of Sally and Jeannie's "hunt country" pals, including several women who sat with me for a spell to tell me their own marital stories. Intriguing. Confidential.

Later, Sally, Jeannie and I headed into Middleburg for a delicious dinner at The French Hound. Thank you, S & J. 

 JEAN PERIN'S GARDEN, ONE OF THEM, IN THE RAIN

 PARTY FLOWERS COURTESY OF ELIZABETH LOCKE

VIEW TOWARD JEAN PERIN'S HOME, NESTLED IN THE TREES

 MY MORNING WALK ON A COUNTRY ROAD NAMED ROKEBY

Such A Fun Georgetown Party

INSIDE ANTIQUES OF GEORGETOWN WEDNESDAY EVENING

I suppose in the end we didn't really care whether we sold much, and we were happy to sell whatever we did sell, because the party was such a fun Georgetown party. Bill Donohue's O Streeet neighbors stopped, including Parking Enforcement's "Officer Stark,"

MYRA MOFFETT, RANDY ROFFMAN, OFFICER STARK, NICHOLAS SHEETZ

Emmy and Harry from Georgetown Dinette, David Friedman from Susquehanna Antiques; Bob Woodward stopped in with his daughter, Diana; Nicholas Sheetz; Andrew, Jonathan, Kathy O'Neill, recently arrived from Shelter Island, Susan Rappaport, Ande Tomasso (formerly of Georgetown, now Bethesda), and so on, plus co-hosts Myra Moffett and Randy Roffman.

BILL OF ANTIQUES OF GEORGETOWN WITH EMMY OF GEORGETOWN DINETTE

We had good sales but there are still some fine nautical and lacrosse prints available -- EXCELLENT FATHER'S DAY GIFTS -- that would handsomely adorn the walls of a den, library, seaside abode, yacht club or office. The prices are fair. I say FAIR. Basically, cost. The America's Cup triptych by Tim Thompson is especially nice and with elegant framing. 

THE BUFFET, WHICH ALSO INCLUDED PRINGLES AND GOLDFISH

We had quite a spread of food, including fruit and cheese, cashews, Goldfish, Pringles and crackers, accompanied by French rose wine, French white wine, Heineken and Stella Artois beer, rum and coke, water. Haha. It couldda been the Edgartown Yacht Club.

 MYRA MOFFETT COMES IN TO "MEET THE AUTHOR"

Those who showed up included friends, of course, but also fans of Nathans and readers of this blog. (Thank you very much). One man bought "Innocent Spouse" and proceeded to begin reading it right there, in a comfortable chair. We liked that a lot. He was able to recommend it to new arrivals. 

MARSHA AND PETE, WHO BOUGHT THEIR HOME FROM BILL, WITH BILL

No one ever seemed to know precisely when the party was supposed to begin or end, so we sorta started at 3ish and went to almost 8, fueled by fresh Mojitos. They were very popular. I think only Myra and I stuck with wine. 

TAKING A MOMENT TO SELF-PIC WITH MYRA MOFFETT

ANDREW, THE EXPERT WOOD FINISHER, FLANKED BY TWO NATHANS FANS

Again, please think about buying one of the prints. Bill will have them in the shop for a few days. You can phone him at 202.965.1165. One guest considered them her Christmas shopping.

NYSD Today: The Italians Live Like Guggenheims at DC's Villa Firenze

 DOIN' ALRIGHT: THE ITALIAN AMBASSADOR'S WASHINGTON SPREAD

In the 21st century, with communications technology advancing at warp speed, leaders of nations can communicate with each other almost effortlessly. The role of ambassador, once so vital to these communications, has become more ceremonial, social and pro forma. But, at least for some ambassadors to Washington, it can be a very grand life. Just regard the photo above of Villa Firenze, the grace and favor home to Italian Ambassador Giulio Terzi di Sant' Agata. Not bad digs at all for company housing. We're talking acres upon acres of beautiful lawn, a mansion with dozens of rooms, and a large pool, and gardens, and guest houses. Once upon a time it was home to the Guggenheims. 

Imagine attending a late spring lawn party there. Read on in my New York Social Diary column today here. 

SASHA OBAMA'S GEORGETOWN CUPCAKE BIRTHDAY PARTY

SPOTTED: THE OBAMA DAUGHTERS AND FRIENDS ARRIVE AT GEORGETOWN CUPCAKE

Casually walked by Georgetown Cupcake today and noticed what looked like discreet Secret Service activity. When I say "discreet" I mean only discernible from the average male Georgetown tourist by having focus and flat abs while still clothed in generic tourist mufti - cargo shorts, ill-fitting t-shirt, track shoes. (With the exception of one big dude planted out in front. Wouldn't have wanted to mess with him). Hmmm, I thought, something's going on here.

Then also noticed the GCC Range Rover as it arrived packed with heaps of pink balloons, which were carried into the old shop, which now serves as the studio for their TV show, "DC Cupcakes." Soon after the arrival of the balloons a squadron of black cars and one long van turned the corner from Prospect on to Potomac and parked at the front door. All those buff men dressed in "plain clothes" snapped into hyper security mode, quietly telling casual motorists to "move on" and making sure the way was clear.

From the big black van marched a dozen or so young women, including First Daughters Sasha and Malia Obama. Since today, according to Wikipedia, is Sasha's birthday, I think it's fair to assume this was her birthday party. Look closely at the pics and you'll see them both, growing tall, and pretty as ever.

 

The party included "DC Cupcakes" stars, and Georgetown Cupcake's owners, Katherine Kallinis and Sophie LaMontagne. I would imagine there was some cupcake decorating involved. Note: it's a great location for a private party such as this one. Happy Birthday! 

LATER: President Obama, Sasha and Malia stopped in Georgetown's Thomas Sweet for ice cream on Father's Day. MORE HERE.

Georgetown Cupcake is hosting a book signing for "Innocent Spouse" on June 29. Please stop by. Here's background:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 

 

 

Tony Powell's Cool Pix From The Q&A Cafe

All of these good shots were snapped by photographer Tony Powell at the season finale of The Q&A Cafe, when the remarkable John Donvan of ABC News "Nightline" interviewed me.  By all means have Tony and his cameras at your next event! Georgetown Cupcake provided the dessert: cupcakes adorned with a replication of the cover of my memoir, "Innocent Spouse." Nice job. The show will air tonight at 8 pm on Channel 16, DC Cable. 

Of Interviews, Photo Shoots and a Heatwave; The Day in My World

NY PHOTOG MARTHA CAMARILLO ASKED ME TO "LOOK SERIOUS," AND SO I OBLIGED

First off, thank you to the folks who made today's Q&A Cafe a sell-out. And thank you for buying so many books. And thank you for coming out in the brutal heat. And very big thanks to neighbor and friend John Donvan. 

 MARTHA FUSSES WITH ME AS I MELT IN THE 100 DEGREE HEAT

My day began with a walk, a work out, a blow dry and then an early arrival at the Ritz Georgetown to be photographed by USA Today, which was easy and fun, especially thanks to the air conditioning. Then we did the Q&A, and mucho mucho thanks to the smooth as silk Mr. Donvan for such an engaging interview (audience opinion, too.)

 MARTHA: "GOTTA GET THE HAIR OUT OF YOUR FACE." I'M THINKING: "WHAT ABOUT THE SWEAT?"

Then on to the challenging part of the day: an outdoor photo shoot with the London Sunday Times with New York photographer Martha Camarillo.  They wanted to shoot me with the Nathans building in the background. I wasn't crazy about that idea, but it was their shoot and so long as I didn't have to stand in the same block as the Nathans building I was like, whatevs. However, Martha and her team arrived at Dulles and got set up outside Benetton and did not exactly factor in temps of 100 degrees. But they were so dedicated and sweet and into it I just stood there trying not to faint.

 I'M NOT ANGRY, ONLY LOOKING AWAY, THINKING, "IN TEN SECONDS I'M GOING TO DROP FROM THE HEAT." PLEASE NOTE: NO BOTOX!

Thank you to the Benetton staff for letting me duck into their shop for a/c breaks between "poses." Gave me an excuse to invest in a couple of discounted rockin' tank tops. 

Martha and her team were out in the heat more than I was ... but, man oh man, look how cool she is?

MARTHA CAMARILLO, LOOKING COOL, GETTING THE JOB DONE IN DC IN A HEAT WAVE

All the above photos, except for the last, are by Sally Hosta ... spotted in background above. 

Chef Art Smith Welcomes His New Chef To Washington

ART & SOUL'S NEW CHEF, WES MORTON, SURROUNDED BY ADMIRERS

Art and Soul restaurant owner Art Smith invited assorted friends and foodies over the other evening to welcome the bistro's new chef, Wes Morton, and to try some of Morton's additions to the menu. Art boasted of Morton's cajun roots and they showed in the foods offered at the party, particularly a stunning pork skin stuffed with Andouille sausage, which should be on any Washingtonian's "must try" list for this summer.  "He's outstanding with charcuterie," Art said, and that seems to be so. 

 CHANNEL 9 CO-ANCHORS MIKE HYDECK AND ANGIE GOFF WITH ART SMITH

I've written about Art and Soul on New York Social Diary (read it here) and think quite a lot of the owner, the food and the location. It's an especially lovely place to dine al fresco, with the Capitol dome as a backdrop. While the food is southern it is not necessarily a heavy meal. In fact Art, who is serious about fitness and staying thin, is committed to a menu that has something for both the big and small appetite. INCREDIBLY TASTY PORK SKIN STUFFED WITH ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE AT ART + SOUL

Sent to me via email by Art's always helpful publicist, Diana Biederman: "With the exception of Art and Soul’s world-famous Maryland-style fried chicken, the kitchen’s deep fryer is for the most part 86’d, replaced with more flavorlicious preparation methods. Says Chef Wes, 'I am very excited about Art and Soul’s new direction. We strive to use as much local product as we possibly can, and now do all butchering, smoking and charcuterie here daily. Bringing a modern approach to the essence of southern food with an emphasis on regionality and seasonality is our vision.' Standouts include stewed sweet pepper hoecake,Jersey Knight asparagus, Garden Path Farm’s Tamworth pig, Chesapeake court-bouillon, country ham 'Surryano' and a vegetarian-friendly dirty rice with mushroom 'bolognese.'"

 CHARCUTERIE AT ART & SOUL

Art and Soul is located at The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel, 415 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, DC. Reservations are recommended; and can be made by calling 202-393-7777. 

One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Four Pills To Go

THE SCIENCE OF TAMOXIFEN

I come to it kicking and screaming to it, but today I must acquiesce and accept the reality of the last phase of my three-part breast cancer treatment. In other words, start taking the Tamoxifen pills, one each day for the next five years, adding up to 1,825 pills.

The first part was surgery, which went well. Very well. The second part was radiation, which also went well. The third part is the med. I want it to go well, too. Because I'm stage zero I don't have to do chemotherapy, but the conventional and standard thinking on stage zero DCIS breast cancer is that Tamoxifen further reduces the chance of recurrence. It's recommended though not required. I believe it brings the recurrence rate to 15-20%, compared to 30-35% with no Tamoxifen. If I'd had a double mastectomy the chance of recurrence would be the lowest at 5%.

That's all the good stuff. The bad stuff, for me, is simply taking a pill. I'm pill phobic. Which doesn't mean I don't take pills. It only means I loathe taking them. They make me feel as if I'm tied down, that I can't runaway to a deserted island and survive (my enduring fantasy). I would need a pharmacy under the coco palms. Ugh.

Also, the research on Tamoxifen shows side effects that are scary: blood clots, high blood pressure, weight gain, sweats. Geez. Five years of that? At least my doctor conceded that if I find the pill untenable we can make changes. 

I've queried dozens of women who take or have taken Tamoxifen. Generally, they noticed nothing. Only one horror story, but then she went off the med and got back to normal. 

I don't take many meds, and I what I do take are relatively routine for a person my age, but I wonder what would happen if I went cold turkey on the whole lot. Hmmm. Oh well.

T-pill #1, down the hatch. 

By the way, Andrea Roane did a piece about my cancer on WUSA-TV. Everything about it is spot on, with one very important correction. My radiation was not "17 weeks" but "17 days." A big difference. My course was what's known as the Canadian regimen: fewer zaps at a higher rate. You have to qualify and fortunately I qualified. Here's the piece:

  

Shame On You, MTV

 JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE FONDLES MILA KUNIS SUNDAY NIGHT. COURTESY OF ONSUGAR.COM

In all the brouhaha about Anthony Weiner, MTV got away with quite a lot this week. Maybe what happened on their air was dismissed because the audience was made up of mostly teenagers, but to me that's the principal point. 

Sunday night MTV broadcast its annual movie awards. From the get go, the jokes were about penises and boobs. All in good fun. Haha. Also, the opening sequence was a spoof of the Hangover movies, meaning a homage to being blackout drunk. Again, all in food fun. In the first half hour, Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis took the stage to give an award. Their scripted patter was a set-up for Timberlake to come from behind and cup his hands over Kunis' breasts and hold on. He said he could do it because they weren't dating but just friends. She responded by reaching behind and cupping his penis in her hand. There was laughter, rolling of eyes, and more laughter ... but otherwise, no consequences. Again, all in good fun.

While I understood this was sophisticated insider Hollywood humor, wink wink, nod nod, I thought about the kids at home, maybe an 11-year-old boy, watching, laughing, thinking how cool that Timberlake could feel up Kunis on national TV and it was okay. She laughed, after all. She didn't slug him or call the police. So, maybe a week from now, or two weeks, or whenever, that same boy tries it on a girl at school, thinking the response will be the same ... but instead she is appropriately shocked and offended, reports it to the school administration, and the boy gets suspended or worse. He's like, "What? Justin Timberlake did the same thing on TV." 

The penis jokes, trilling from the lips of highly paid and glamorous stars, also find their way into the conversation of little kids, because they want to be like the celebs. It's cool. Getting blackout drunk is the same. I mean, you can't be more rad than Hangover II at the moment, and that's all about drinking for the purpose of blacking out. The glamour and fun is in being so drunk there is no memory. If it's cool in the movies it has to be cool in real life, too, right? What impressionable kid wouldn't aspire to that moment when he can emulate a rockin' hot Bradley Cooper? 

How does that apply to Weiner and other politicians who have critically bad judgment about behavior? As I wrote earlier today, they live in a bubble, and the bubble protects them from low self-esteem, that whole in their soul that's never been filled, that little boy who grows up thinking you can get away with stuff if you're in power.

Politicians, I fear, have no concept of normal behavior, at least not if they've been in political life for a while. Moreover, they are protected from consequences--until they get caught. They seem to want to be Jack Kennedy, or whoever they believe he was, though, as far as I can tell, he never raped a hotel maid, impregnated the housekeeper, sent pictures to young women of his half erect penis, came on to another man through a bathroom stall, or queried male pages about masturbation. Seriously. I think he just got laid every now and then, sipped a martini, and got on with business. 

It's interesting to me, though, that the MTV Movie Awards didn't cause a ripple. Oh, Robert Pattinson caused a buzz for an F-bomb. It made news only because the censors failed to bleep it, not because he said it. Every other presenter Sunday night fired off an F-bomb, almost as if part of the script. Utterly inconsequential. 

What could MTV do about it? Aw, script a good show, think about the message, have a little soul. Connect the dots. Maybe next year. Until we start thinking about these things, woe is us. 

Weiner's Woes

 ANYTHONY WEINER ON BIGGOVERNMENT.COM

So, in the end, as so many here suspected, in spite of his denials and obfuscations, it was, according to him, Anthony Weiner's very own private part which he photographed and sent in a tweet to a young woman. 

His public statement this afternoon: “Last Friday night I tweeted a photograph of myself that I intended to send as direct message as part of a joke to a woman in Seattle. Once I realized I posted it to Twitter, I panicked, I  took it down and said that I had been hacked. I then continued with that story to stick to that story which was a hugely regrettable mistake.”

What was he thinking? How many times has that been asked of politicians when they mess up with the inappropriate sexual conduct? And they don't learn. They won't learn from this episode, either. There will be another soon enough. 

After only a decade of many public sexual blunders by many politicians—a list too long to list here—the logical assumption is that eventually everyone in public life would get the message: you’ll get caught. But that disregards the power of the bubble.  The “bubble” is the invisible but real shelter in which elected officials live and work, where layers of staff, friends and even family, innocently, and not so innocently, conspire to protect “the man”-- and it’s almost always a man-- from the public finding out who they really are.

Interestingly, as time and scandals roll on, the power of the “bubble” has strengthened rather than weakened and is finding its sinister way into the executive suites of corporations and private institutions. It’s the lure of celebrity, of making it onto some Vanity Fair power list, but with the need to have absolute control of the image and message. That’s bubble power. Until it bursts.

When the "Weiner's wiener" photo went viral I looked at it and thought three things:

--Those are some really unattractive undies, or boxer briefs, or whatever the hell they are called. Gray? What an unbecoming choice for a close-up. Not hot. 

--I guess that’s an erection I’m looking at, or is it just another cucumber, as Harry Shearer bestowed upon his character Derek Smalls in “This Is Spinal Tap?” (Cukes are bigger)

 --There’s only one person who this picture is really gonna matter to, and that’s Mrs. Weiner, Huma. She’ll know instantly, and that will determine the course of everything.

The way Anthony Weiner behaved last week—everything from absolute denial to tentative awkward contrition--made me think that maybe Mrs. Weiner did have an opinion, and it was strong and not necessarily favorable. And now we know my guess was right, because Weiner in today's public statement said his wife was not at all happy and asked the logical question: how could you do this to me? I feel for her. I would have loved to hear the counsel she received from her boss, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. 

The next days will see a flood of reports from women who were in some kind of contact with Weiner. It will be cringe-worthy. For me, basically pervvy. If his constituents find that okay, so be it. 

As for his insistence he won't resign: Oh, Mr. Weiner, Mark Foley is holding on line one.  

Jack's Boathouse: A Georgetown Sweet Spot

JACK'S BOATHOUSE ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON

It surprises me how many locals don't know about this wonderful Georgetown spot, Jack's Boathouse, on the waterfront just below Key Bridge. Maybe that's good. Those who know want to keep it secret. Jack's is an easy destination from almost anywhere in the village, and when you get there, wow, talk about having a place in Washington to chill. This is it. Oh, and you can rent boats, too. I mean, that is the principal objective, but it's also a charming place to sit by the river.

If I were the Master of DC Liquor Licenses, Jack's would have a beer and wine license, because it would be an ideal spot for wine, something to eat, romance. 

Until that fantasy day, still make it a point to visit Jack's, rent a boat, take a load off on a painted Adirondack chair, watch the river roll by. They have a website here, but it seems to be in the formative stages. 

To get to Jack's: head down Wisconsin Avenue until it hits K Street. Turn right toward Key Bridge. Jack's will be on the left just after the bridge, set back off the street, before the big white building that is the Potomac Boat Club. There's plenty of parking. 

NYSD Today: LEARNING TO DRIVE

THE DAY WE ARRIVED AT THE PACIFIC OCEAN, JULY 2005

Life forced me to learn how to drive, at age 47, but learning how to drive gave me new opportunities and personal strengths, and made possible the best summer trip ever, driving cross country and back with my then 13-year-old son, Spencer.

From LEARNING TO DRIVE: "By the time this long-haul journey happened we were veteran road-trippers, a mother-son team who found emotional recovery and an eternal bond on the highway and, in particular, in a car. It was a milestone on many levels, but especially because I was in so many ways a new driver."

Read more here. 

The Innocent Spouse Cocktail: Where To Find, How to Make

 

"Innocent Spouse" Video Blog

This video blog, or "vlog," was recorded June 2. The text is a speech I gave earlier before The Women's National Democratic Club. The original speech was 20 mins. This version trimmed down to under 14.

 

Innocent Spouse, On "Success In The City" TV

This interview with Success In the City TV was recorded at Morgan Stanley's offices in Tysons, Va. Thank you to Cynthia de Lorenzi, who conducted a very good interview.