this week I did

[ellenkushner]

I was hit hard a week ago by the news of the death of our beloved Diana Wynne Jones.  Meant to write a long post about how I met her (when I was a young editor), and the influence her books and our conversations have had on me - and I still mean to.  First, I had to wait til I was less miserable.  And then the Carnival of Projects hit the fan . . . All week it's been finalizing (and re-recording my host-y bits) to The Witches of Lublin . . . and pulling together fun Sekrit cool things for Welcome to Bordertown.  And seeing hard-to-see friends old and new . . . We took Delia's HS pal Kaye and her about-to-graduate-from-the-same-HS daughter out to tea at Lady Mendl's Tearoom, where I've always wanted to go. (Don't.  Not if you like actual tea, and don't think of it as a pale brown water poured from a china pot by a snooty waiter [and no little sieve! because obviously it was bags! despite the fancy-schmancy menu claiming there were all sorts of different subtle exotic flavors.  Ha.], accompanied by oversweet cake and ritual.  The sandwiches were good, though.)  Also saw the Red and White Quilts at the Armory, and very glad we did - they were the best Public Art since the Gates in Central Park. I took pictures, which I'll have to put up for you.  Wait, no I won't  - because others have.  Which is good, because you can't go; it's over.  Went to the MetMuseum to see members' preview of Rooms with a View: The Open Window in the 19th Century.  You know how I feel about windows.  Also caught the last day of the Roman Mosaic from Lod.  Fish & leopards particularly charming.  Introduced Delia's other HS friend to Korean BBQ, which she'd never been anywhere near.  But game as pebbles, those Chapin girls!  Saw most of Cat Valente's Deathless performance at Madame X on Monday night, and many fine friends were there.  Cat came over for tea next day, and we schemed more cool B'town stuff, including she now has a Welcome to Bordertown ARC in her Prize Basket!  Go look.

All of which is to say that I was very glad to read just now in the NYTimes wedding section that a young man named Walker Forehand has just gotten married in D.C.  Walker Forehand . . . imagine.  It restores one's faith in humanity.

Comments

[elissa-carey.livejournal.com]

I'd go to Lady Mendl's anyway because Lady Mendl=Elsie de Wolfe, who was an amazing woman and designer. If the sandwiches were good, maybe they used her cookbook?

[hilleviw.livejournal.com]

Oh, public art! I was just looking at this http://www.streetpianos.com/austin2011/ which I trust will make you smile. 16 pianos scattered around Austin in public spaces for anyone to play, and then the instruments get donated to local schools and community groups. I checked with a local friend, who assures me that the pianos are adequately protected from weather.

[otterdance.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I heard the news from Sharyn November at ConBust last weekend. I corresponded a bit with Diana a number of years back. She was a delightful, gracious woman.

[deliasherman.livejournal.com]

Plus, Cat taught me how to knit lace. I'm half-way through a scarf. I may even survive the experience.

[emilytheslayer.livejournal.com]

Lace is awesome! It's just making holes, but on purpose!

[kiplet.livejournal.com]

Oh Walker Forehand. Oh that is a name with which to conjure. That is a John Crowley protagonist in two little words, that is.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

I am not sure the world can ever be the same without Diana. She was very special.

[adrienne martini (from livejournal.com)]

...game as pebbles .... ?

New one to me. I must incorporate this into daily usage!

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

Probably another swiped from Georgette Heyer: "She's game as a pebble!" Gotta love her.

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

Aha!
A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English
game as a pebble (, as)
. ‘Courageous, with staying-power (often of horses)’ (Wilkes): Aus.: late C.19–early 20.