"Whatever else I do before finally I go to my grave...
I hope it will not be looking after young people."
John Thorn, Headmaster, Winchester College

E.L.S. returns after 22 months of... Well, I don't know. It's none of my business and certainly none of yours. What is your business is a beautifully written blog from an American lady living in the U.K. for donkey years. I'm not what you'd call a fan of Mommy bloggers because most children under 30 years of age annoy me. They always have which is why I annoy myself but then-- that's none of your business either.

I love how E.L.S. tells a story. I notice she rarely uses, "whilst." which is amazing since so many state side bloggers feel it's required. I guess that's the beauty of her writing. It's informed, correct, erudite, funny and completely lacking in pretension. Go here to check her out -- whilst she's still around less she tries to oil off again.

"Are We Going To Wear It Or Is It Going To Wear Us?"

(click on image to enlarge)

In 1947, James Agate, noted drama critic of the London Sunday Times gave a dinner at the Savoy for Lexington, KY born NYC drama critic, John Mason Brown. Agate asked Brown, "Tell me, why do you Americans, delightful individually, taken collectively add up to a bunch of twerps?" Brown swung back, "All right, Agate, why with you Britishers is the converse the case?"

I listened as the man seated next to me at dinner scold a woman who did not recognise his Eton tie. While the Golf Foxtrot rolled her eyes - I thought it was brilliant. Growing up a wandering army brat I've always been an outsider. Whether it was Hampton, VA or London, I've never felt I belonged. Anywhere. What the Foxtrot thought affected - I thought highly entertaining.

Yesterday I commented to Alice Olive that my use of "pussy" denoted a scarf. But I had no business using that word as I'm as far from Winchester College as I am from the moon. I did want Alice to know that my reference had authenticity. I just had no business using it. I feel the same about clothing. I saw a Royal Navy Submariner parka for sale at Grahame Fowler's shop. Close to pulling out the plastic I had a change of mind. I had no business wearing it.

Charlie Davidson told me, "Are we going to wear it or is it going to wear us." Good advice but that doesn't mean we can't look. At the clothes or the words.