MY FIRST VISITOR

(birds singing in the background, a soft breeze rustles the palms, Matty sips a mint julep)

"Madame, you have a visitor." "Really, Juan; I had not expected anyone today at my new home way up here in Ft. Lauderdale."

"Madame, I asked the fine lady's name and she replied, 'Just tell your mistress that I am a lady of great carriage and presence, immeasurable grace and demeanor, and sizable social magnitude"

"Oh, that must an elephant; invite Mrs. Astor in."

I wish I could take the credit for this, but the lady sent it to me in an email. Had to post it (with her permission) here . . .

It seems everyone loves Broward

For some reason, Miami (Miami Beach, and moreso, South Beach, specifically) has some huge grudge against Fort Lauderdale (Broward County) and the citizens of Miami have this incredible superiority complex toward Broward County (Fort Lauderdale's) and its citizens. Well, about a year ago, when I first let it be known that I was planning on relocating from South Beach (Miami Beach in Miami-Dade County) to Broward County (the neighbor to the north), my dear friend Mrs. Astor said that I couldn't be serious about moving up there. I believe one phrase was, "That's where the elephants go to die."

Imagine my surprise when last evening, while sipping her ___teenth glass of red wine, our lovely New England aristocrat declared again (after first shocking me with the statement on Sunday) that she is considering heading up there herself!

Well, darling . . . either you're time has come and you're joining the great grey creatures or your chasing my tail up there. Hmmmmmmmm . . .

The Big Apple with the Little Kiddies

From June 9 - 12 I took 18 high school students to NYC for a theatre excursion. I think I need to have my head examined! No, seriously, in all actuality, they are great kids and were very well behaved. Half were from South Florida and half were from Orlando.

I arranged (with the help of some extraordinary people who might be reading this) some fabulous workshops for the kids. We ate some wonderful meals (including one at Sardi's) and the trip culminated with the Tony Awards ceremony/telecast at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday evening.

I thought it might be fun to put a few pictures up from that weekend (including me in my penguin suite).