Designer

……………When ever I see photos of my nephew and Godson Christopher, as a young child I remember why I used to, and sometimes still do…..call him….Christopher Robin…..It’s always a joy for me when he comes to visit his Uncle Louie…..It never fails……I am always surprised to see how this scrawny, gangly, skinny little sweet boy with the blue eyes grew up to be this 6’2″ BIG massive man. He can literally pick me up and carry me around! He is one of the sweetest, most kindhearted people I know….He is loyal to a fault, and always gives 100% no matter what he is doing. He’s just a wonderful, sensitive human being…….Chris arrived on Saturday afternoon, and we went to one of our favorite stores…..”Terrain” in Westport Ct…..We are both suckers for candles and soaps……anything that smells good…He likes anything with lemon……We went for an early dinner at Cafe Silvium in Stamford….considered to be one of the best Italian restaurants in Ct…….Then we went home, and sat by the firepit….It was a perfect night. The day broke records for its’ 80 degree plus temperatures, and the evening was extremely mild……There was a beautiful FULL MOON that kept darting in and out of the clouds….It was magical to look at…..My home has become a respite, an oasis where Chris can get away from everything and everyone, and just be at peace……I am grateful that I can offer this to him……Peace of mind is an important thing…..In the morning we met Lou at a local diner and had a wonderful time….the food was good too!

………………..In my previous post about Jac and her dear friend, ELENA, I mentioned this photo which is one of my most favorites, and was taken by Elena…..We were sitting at an outdoor cafe, in the shade of the trees, enjoying a cool drink and some ice cream…..We had spend the morning at the “PLAKA”, which is the Greek equivalent to the “Flea Market” in Paris……”The Plaka lies in the shadow of the Acropolis and its’ ancient temples, hillside Plaka has a village feel, with narrow cobblestone streets lined with tiny shops selling jewelry, clothes, local ceramics and sandals. Sidewalk cafes and family run tavernas stay open until late, and the Cine Paris shows classic movies al fresco…..Nearby, the whitewashed homes of the Anafiotika neighborhood give the small enclave a Greek island vibe”…..It was a brutally hot day so we started out early in the morning…..We went from one shop to another…..In one of the shops was a well know sandal maker. The wall of the tiny shop was covered with different style sandals all hanging for display, and pictures of ALL the celebrities and famous people who bought sandals from him. It was a who’s who of well know people. I recognized Jackie O’s picture right away…..I thought it was funny that he had it hanging next to Maria Callas! He made custom made sandals  for clients too, but we bought his ready to wear ones and they were great. Typical Greek sandals with lots of straps criss crossing the foot. After shopping and walking the streets of the Plaka it was time for some refreshments and a soft shoulder to rest my weary head upon………Elena caught the moment beautifully!

………………….One of Jac’s dearest friends was ELENA……….Elena was a Swedish model who moved to NYC. They often modeled together and were paired on the runway…..Elena is a beautiful woman with a deep Garbo-esque voice…….Must be something in the Swedish water!…LOL…….Elena became Bonnie Cashin’s muse towards the end of Bonnie’s career. Elena introduced Jac and I to Bonnie, and we were invited to her home. Through this introduction, Bonnie asked Jac if she would do her shows, and of course Jac said yes…….On a trip Jac and Elena took through the south of Greece, on the coast of the Peloponnese….They were traveling with Greek friends of Elena, a three piece band who had gigs at different tavernas…Jac introduced Elena to her future Greek husband….Angelo….At first Angelo tried to pick up Jac in at a taverna that their friends were singing in, but Jac explained she was already seeing someone, and thought he would love Elena, which he did….She introduced them, and it was love at first sight!….Of course Elena moved to Greece, and they eventually had a son……The distance was a great divide, and Jac rarely saw Elena, but we did pay them visits, and we went on trips to different Greek islands with them, and then with their son Yanni…..The photo was taken on one of those trips. Jac and Elena spoke on the phone at least once a month just to say hi, and keep up….When Jac passed away Elena was heart broken. I sent Elena a pictures of Jac and I taken in Athens, with my head on Jac’s shoulder. The photo was taken by Elena, so it had special meaning. It is, to this day, one of my favorite pictures of us. …Elena has told me she has it in a special place in her home so she can always see her friend…I am still in touch with Elena, and we e-mail each other quite often…She and her family are doing well, and Elena is now a grandmother to a little girl!……The years fly by!!

…………………….As the lights came up to the sound of this solo pianist…….the lights did not come up for him…..as he is blind……..Thomas Tvedt, this unassuming young man, began to sing his simple song. There were no dramatic highs or lows, but this melancholic , for me lullaby, hit me like a soft sledgehammer…….His voice completely caught me off guard……As he sand his song, “Endelig Heil” in his native language, I didn’t understand one word….it didn’t matter. His wistful song tugged at my heart strings. One by one each judge turned their chairs to see who was singing this pensive captivating song……One by one they fought to hold back their emotions, and the tears that were welling up in their eyes….but they too were caught off guard…as was the entire audience……and for this listener too…..Thomas had no idea the effect he was having, nor did he know as he continued singing his haunting song, that he turned every chair…..I listened to his song over and over and over again. When I was finished I typed his name in the search bar to make sure I could find him in the vast world of YouTube, whenever I wanted to hear him sing yet again……The melody and the cadence of this song….and his voice! is just heartbreaking. I don’t have to know the words…..I can imagine……..I must make you aware….when you listen to Thomas sing have tissues at the ready, because only someone with the most hardened heart will not be affected……I have listened to many singers who’s songs and voices have touched me deeply…….but none in the same way as Thomas Tvedt.

………………..Brian Justin Crum is one of my favorite singers of all time on “America’s Got Talent”……There wasn’t a sound in the audience when he sang his audition song. He sang “Creep” by Radiohead….You may not recognize the name of the song, but I’m sure you have heard it dung…I’ve heard many different singers sing this song, and none come close to him. Talk about gut wrenching and tortured…..It’s one of the most emotional auditions I have ever scene, and he sang it brilliantly………You must take a listen……Remember, it’s his “audition” song…..Just go to YouTube and search “Brian Justin Crum audition on America’s Got Talent”.