By: Chrysa Smith I’m at 41 North. It’s the upscale nautical, boutique hotel right in the wharf in Newport, Rhode Island. And (like they say at McDonald’s) I’m loving it. We’ve been to Newport before. And we always enjoy coming back. If you haven’t been, do. What a quaint shore town---home to the Tennis Hall of Fame, various yachting events and rows of mansions from the Gilded Age. Besides being pampered, one of [...]
By: Chrysa Smith Let's see. Hmm. How can I describe my husband? Well, he's tall with deep blue eyes and salt and pepper hair. Not skinny, not heavy, he's got a solid build with nice strong arms, long, muscular legs and slightly ruddy complexion. People used to say (years ago) that he resembled Matthew Perry. He did, sort of, back when he was a few pounds lighter, a few hair shades darker. He [...]
By: Chrysa Smith Have you seen the commercial? An explosion of color, the scene at a tropical mansion looks like something from Fantasia. Bikini-clad women sit poolside with tropical birds and drinks all in bright shades of hot pink and blue, yellow and lime green. A Caribbean vacation? Florida resort? Nope. Just a trip to your local Target. So grab your beach hat because Lilly Pulitzer has arrived. That's right. Lily--the uptown beach boutique designer has [...]
By: Chrysa Smith Growing up, I was lucky enough to have a trio of matriarchs in my family. All sisters by birth, they couldn't have been more different. First there was my grandmother---a quiet woman who liked to sew, brush my hair and make me Tom Collins' and hot dogs with ketchup. She lived in a Brooklyn row house and, except for a few factory-type jobs, was a homemaker. Nonetheless, she always had [...]
By: Chrysa Smith I love adorable animal pictures, wise and clever sayings and seeing photos of friends and relatives who live far away. So that's generally why I'm on Facebook. But let me give you a word of advice---like with all other conversations with complete strangers, steer clear of politics and religion. It can only get ugly. I find it interesting that some people are always posting all of their business, political, religious [...]
By: Chrysa Smith I'm not sure I have that magic touch. Give me an adult plant and I can sustain it with sun and water. But those babies? I've never been great with infants. So here I am once more. Spring is theoretically here, and I started my darling seedlings back in early March. And maybe---just maybe---there's a little magic going on here, because the seedlings not only sprang up, all but one [...]
By: Chrysa Smith Every so often, MaryFran and I take outings. They're not extravagant, because if they were, you'd be the first to know. They're just little jaunts that take us away from our computers, neurosis and worries about our writing careers. (Do I dare say that without laughing?) So, these days help. They help me. They help her. And they always help both of us get a new perspective. Figure things out [...]
