Mrs. Van der Loop's Blog

Wabbit

I am just MAD for this Nymphenburg Hare. Did you know that a Nymphenburg figure can consist of over 100 pieces, carefully assembled by a figure master whose craft runs so deep that they even create the tools they use to work on the piece. Fantastic.

Ms. Plame Testifies Today

Valerie Plame testifies in Washington today.

Naughty

A friend send this movie in honor of St. Patrick's Day tomorrow. Terribly amusing (but rather vulgar.)

I'm feeling JAZZY this Evening

Off to dinner. Good night young ones! Enjoy!

Good news for smokers?

Interesting this. Now you can smoke without...well...smoke. It's called the Nic Stic. Constance, who smokes almost a pack a day might benefit from this invention.

Communist Blockage

You know how I abhor censorship of any kind (except in social intercourse when it's politic to censor one's actions). Well, the Chinese are censoring many blogs like mine. This website called The Great Wall of China will tell you if your blog is being censored by the Chinese government. Chilling.

Best Cupcakes in New York

I just sent Helen out to get me a tofu cupcake from Kyotofu on 9th Avenue. I know it's piggy of me, but they really are the best tofu cupcakes in New York.

This is neat!

I've found the perfect present for Charles' birthday. It's a Radio Control Hammerhead Shark form the Discovery Channel. It can dive up to 8 feet in water!

Brave Woman

I am shocked to hear of the death of Barbara Gittings. I knew Barbara personally through my work with The American Library Association. She was the head of their Gay Task Force. This courageous woman really stepped up to the plate, long before it was fashionable to do so. At a time when few gay men and women dared come out in private, much less in public, Ms. Gittings was a vocal — and highly visible — figure in the fledgling gay rights movement. Please take a moment to read about Barbara's fascinating life here. My heart goes out to her longtime partner Kay Tobin Lahusen. Below is a photo of them together, in happy times. Farewell Courageous Lady!

Oh dear!

My Grandson Charles, as many of you know, is quite an artistic young man. He just emailed me a link to this strange and wondrous website. Everyone must do something, and these people provide anatomical models--I suppose to the medical trade. I daresay the photographs are rather gruesome and may not be appropriate for children or pregnant women. But it is exceedingly interesting.