The Perfect Salad

I had a salad so perfect in Galveston yesterday that I purchased the salad dressing. Greens, pecans, a piece of tuna, garlic croutons and a grilled apple slice. And that salad dressing. Light and lovely. I liked Galveston, although it was too hot and difficult to get around because of that.

We toured the Bishop Palace, which is one of those historic sites that make one wonder what one would do if she had enough money to build a monument to herself. The wood lining the interior and the fireplaces were unspeakably beautiful. But what does it take to build a home so special, so unique, so luxurious, that only you can afford it? I'm sorry, but there is nothing funnier than the monument that we build to ourselves (see the pictures of our new deck). The builders/owners of the home painted canvasses of their children's faces, which now line the ceiling of the house. She may be the first documented Martha Stewart, what with all of the painting on china and special home decorating efforts. She is to be commended. Eleven servants supported the house and I will now break down what I think their assignments were (this was not explained in the tour): 2 upstairs servants for the Mr. and Mrs., 1 governess, 1 maid for the children, 1 driver/horseman, 2 downstairs maids (non-kitchen) , 3 in the kitchen (scullery, cook, baker/head chef), 1 butler. I don't know whether to count the groundsman. I'm making my assignments from information that I learned so long ago on the television show Upstairs/Downstairs.

It was so interesting to meet Kathy's Dickinson family. Kathy's brother Dennis looks a little like Kathy. He likes her quite a lot (who wouldn't?) His home is on a bayou, a gorgeous setting with a perch jumping, and numerous rowdy birds acting up.

I have nothing new to say about crop pants. I am completely overdosed by them and although I have registered my complaint verbally and spiritually, the trend goes on. People are torturing me with their crop pants. Even Rosemary pointed out this morning that she would be wearing her crops.

You may be wondering how my Orvis safari pants are faring. I cannot say enough good things about these pants. They are so filled with zippers and velcro, buttons, pockets and more zippers, that I am tempted to post a picture of them, fully deployed. Would you like to see that?