Embroideries from Colonial Boston

These are the bed curtains and valances from ca 1750 made in colonial New England. They were essential to provide warmth and privacy but the decorative aspect was not neglected.

Historical societies and libraries are full of books and papers written by politicians, scientist, doctors, lawyers etc. The names of women and young girls often are only found in registers of births, baptisms, marriages and deaths. ....

But we have the embroideries in the collection of the MFA which are now exhibited. The respect for the masterly needle work of these Colonial women rises the closer we look and try to figure out HOW they could create these embroideries.


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Healthy teeth are important

The white high rise is Tufts University's Dental School which is right in Boston's Chinatown.
To visit the dentist is therefore combined with food shopping or - depending on the treatment of the dentist - with food eating.

Living in Europe and in the US is wonderful and enriching. If the admiration is getting too much, may we remind you of the problem with having two dentists....

In the professionalism of Tufts Dental School we have confidence and they have an understanding for 'movable' patients. Another bonus is the wonderful view from the waiting room on downtown Boston.


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"Making History"

On December 5, 2007, the Society of Antiquaries in London celebrated their 300 year anniversary. This was the occasion that they exhibited ca 100 of their objects for the public to see. After many visitors had the pleasure there, the show came for the Fall semester to Boston College and then during the Spring semester will reside in Yale.

Today I gave my first tour for the public and they all admired the beautiful installation of these objects.

The portrait of Humfrey Wanley (1672-1726 and one of the three founding members) in the entrance of McMullen gave us an impression of his place in Burlington House in London, the home of the Society:


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Arranged flowers in the Museum of Fine Arts

Early in the morning, before the Museum opens at 10 AM, Museum Associates are busy to get the flower arrangements in the entrance halls ready to be then admired all day.

Today is the beginning of Autumn and therefore the bouquet at the information desk mirrors the colors of the foliage which soon will appear on the trees outside. This composition is made of roses, different kind of orchids, asters, feathers, hydrangeas and much more - you may go and find out for yourself. The twigs are sprayed with gold color, in case you wonder where golden bushes grow.

Go Green - take action

Now when it is still sunny I 'let nature do the work' drying the laundry. Love the smell of sun dried towels!

Turning off the lights, choose to walk, ride a bike, adjust the thermostat, fix water leaks, reuse bags, use efficient light bulbs, recycle more and use public transportation - already a habit for us.
To plant trees and share rides - that is a little more difficult.

All this advise is given on the stamps printed by the United States Postal Service - nice, but let's figure out what the footprint is of an e-mail and of a 'snail mail'........

Scandinavian Library

A meeting place for all Scandinavian book lovers in the Boston area, is this library which is housed in the Scandinavian Living Center and were we find books and friends to chat in non-English. The best day is to visit on Saturdays.
Heidi and Astrid are the founders and continue to be the 'heart and soul' to this place. Thank you both for your time and dedication!


And the books I chose? "August Strindberg" and "Fraan Helvetet till paradiset" both written by
Olof Lagercrantz. Astrid recommended 'PURGE' by Sofi Oksanen, a Finnish writer, which I just started to read in English. Wrenching.

The West Wing is now the Linde Family Wing

Last year in the Fall the MFA opened on its East side the AMERICAN WING - this Fall it is the West Wing which opened with seven renovated galleries the LINDE FAMILY WING.

For us who worked there for over 20 years (!) the first recognizable change is that instead of the escalators there is now a staircase. As a 'Happening' a young women in a red organza evening dress climbed dignified in slow motion the steps.

She forced us to go around her, slow down and try to read her facial expression - seemingly blank. When we passed her we had to look back and wondered what that was all about.
Like all the objects of art offered - it surprises, makes us wonder and think and forget ourselves for a while.


When the opening ceremonies are over next week, we will have more time to look again at the installation of - for us - new and old objects.
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