1998 november 16

magazines

for years i would not subscribe to a magazine for fear i would move and then have to deal with all the business of forwarding magazines which never seems to go as smoothly as forwarding the regular mail.

finally, after about 7 years in the same abode, i took the plunge, filled out the little bounceback cards and started receiving both interview and details. this was followed by travel & leisure, bbc music, health [an annual gift from the mama], smithsonian [an annual gift from dad], penthouse [remember, for the articles] and the sun.

yesterday i let the subscription to details lapse; at the same time i renewed the one for martha stewart's living.

if i were dead, i'd be spinning in my grave.

maybe i don't like the new layout, maybe i'm trying to insulate myself from new music news thereby potentially saving the money that would be spent on procuring new music i have news of, or maybe i am just getting older, but details no longer holds the same thrill for me it once did. i have to make myself read it and then i dump it into the recycling rather than squirrel it away for future reference. i rarely read each and every one of the articles either, simply flipping through until i see something of interest; those somethings are fewer and farther with between each new issue.

martha stewart i watch on television when i can, and although i catcall at her through the screen and laugh at her assumption that we are all living on unlimited budgets and can therefore afford $200 sheets or $27/yd silk ribbon with which to trim our pillow cases, i still hoard away her tips and tricks and special projects for future reference. last year i made the most beautiful christmas ornaments for everyone on my list using wire and beads. it was, in fact, a very good thing.

last month, inspired by martha, i made my own outdoor clothesline and baked a scrumptious apple tart. i also came perilously close to making a wonderful shredded chicken dish but i didn't have enough oil to fry the shredded potatoes -- maybe next week. details inspired me to buy a cd that i don't even like.

i realize i may well be rationalizing so as not to admit i am now more domestic than cutting edge, but what the hell, i have cut enough edges for a lifetime.

now it's time to hem some.

flipping through the pages, claire