October 22nd, 2021
My favorite is #17: “Having to tune two Steinway concert grand pianos (worth $195,000 each) in the spacious living room every year, even though no one in the house knows how to play them.”

It’s a list of problems specific to the very rich. It made UD toddle off to her Schaeffer baby grand and race through Praeludium in C Major BWV 933. So there.

October 20th, 2021
A shadow under the aqueduct.

UD‘s walk today took her to the Monocacy Aqueduct, where she madly enjoyed the perfect cloudless afternoon along the C&O Canal.

The link up there shows you the aqueduct; her own image is a natural charcoal – a towpath shadow that looks like a butterfly chair seen from behind.

October 10th, 2021
Things my neighbors have given me/offered to give me in the last twenty-four hours.
A brand new leather recliner (its color doesn’t fit the decor of the independent living townhouse Caroline and Nick just bought); a donut (my old friend Doug takes a long walk to Dunkin’ Donuts and back every Sunday, and comes to our door with a big box of them); and orange masking tape to wind around the black witches’ hats we put on our bulls for Halloween.
October 6th, 2021
A jeweled web trembles…

… in the wet wind, along the side of UD‘s house.

October 2nd, 2021
Autumn, La Kid, Montpelier Farms.

She’s walking ever-smiling Gus, who she’s sitting this weekend.

Photo, Natasha Vemulkonda, who will never live this down.

September 10th, 2021
La Vie UD, ce matin.

Foreground: Runty, reflective, pitbull mix.

Background: Purple flowers just gathered from UD‘s pollinator garden. This prolific plant had begun to cascade over her stepping stones, making walking there difficult. Particularly difficult, because the cascade sags with bees. Tried to cut it back yesterday afternoon, but there were too many bees.

Far fewer this morning, so with long sleeves, long pants, Mr UD‘s very big hat, and plenty of bug spray, I safely did the deed.

Other flowering plants. A gargoyle.

September 9th, 2021
‘Miller was inspired by ’60s op-art artists, primarily Wojciech Fangor, but also Bridget Riley, Richard Anuszkiewicz, and Victor Vasarely.’

Fashion designer Nicole Miller finds UD‘s friend Wojciech Fangor inspiring. UD‘s Fangor posts are here.

September 3rd, 2021
La Kid Covidienne

Fully vaccinated, she nonetheless got it – probably on the plane she took last week to visit friends in Los Angeles. She has been isolating at super-trendy Andaz LA, and today felt well enough to sit by their pool, views of palmy West Hollywood all around her.

Recovery has been slow, but she seems to be getting there. Here she is, just out of the shower, sporting a brave smile.

**************

UPDATE: She just tested negative!

September 3rd, 2021
Dappled Mantis
On UD’s profusely blossoming hibiscus.
August 31st, 2021
Gregor Samsa Says Hi.

UD‘s house and garden are major mantis-attractors. This one – a Chinese Mantis – is as we speak on one of our screened windows.

Look at the way it’s looking at me.

I love what it’s doing with its brown/green color scheme. The eyes are amazing.

August 30th, 2021
There’s a spider…

… in my frog.

… See its beady eyes peeking out from the mouth? I think it must be a jumping spider.
August 27th, 2021
For two months in 1960, before UD’s father moved the family to London for his immunology fellowship…

… all six Rapps camped through Europe in a VW camper van.

We’ve finally gotten around to updating our ancient glass slides to the twenty-first century, so here are a few images from that time. Thanks go to my sister for getting this done.

The lot of us in a campsite who knows where. Probably Germany. UD’s the only one not eating.
Somewhat posed, with my older sister (pigtails) looking like Paul McCartney. I always think she looks like Paul McCartney. Adorable younger sister offers crinkly smile from inside the camper van.
This picture, of freezing, knobby-kneed, bravely smiling children in the Alps tells you much about UD‘s parents and also UD, who has referred to herself more than once on this blog as the Anti-Martha Stewart. Captain Von Trapp over in the background has the right idea, but I mean what sort of parents throw their kids out of the car in the middle of an Alpine snowstorm and make them pose for a picture? Charmingly spontaneous, adorably clueless, fundamentally underprepared parents …

August 27th, 2021
‘Who the hell are you.’
Dog day cicada looks hard at UD on her deck railing this morning.
August 22nd, 2021
Nature Girl Strikes Again.
Milkweed Bug.

Zoom in. Female Eastern Pondhawk.
August 19th, 2021
Praying Mantis Caught in a Web.

On the side of our house, early morning.

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