Hello Doily

My Hometown A - Z: Letter D

I had quite a bit of trouble deciding how to do justice to the letter D in my hometown, St Louis. After careful consideration, I decided to highlight the popularity of the DOILY in good old STL.

For those of you who may not have ever seen a doily--officially it is a small ornamental mat placed underneath a bowl or vase or lamp on a wooden table to prevent damage to the table top. The doily is made in a lace-type pattern on purpose. The wood of the table must show through.

Now, why in the world would I choose the letter D to be DOILY as a representative of my hometown? OK, fair enough. When I was growing up in St Louis, among those of us of direct European descent in the Catholic school system there were three main groups: the Germans, the Irish and the Italians.

The Germans had the best doughnuts.

The Irish had the best parades

The Italians had the best food

Each had their own home neighborhoods--but no matter how different we thought we were from each other--lets face it, we all had doilies!!

Better than that--the doily continuously tried to outdo itself--show status and otherwise compete with other doilies. It grew into tablecloths, table runners, dish cloths, bowl covers, gloves, chapel veils and in some neighborhoods--even doily CURTAINS. I had heard rumor of the doily CHAIR--but never saw one.

As a kid, I saw doily wall hangings, doily shower curtains, doily Halloween decorations (yep, spider webs--had to be black) and doily wrappings around African Violet flower pots (leftover influence of Eleanor R) in homes of my friends.

To say I was in awe of the doily-is true.

In my pre-pubescent opinion, a doily-deficient home was a home without love.





The pineapple pattern was the most prevalent--but there certainly were many other designs. My German grandmother had doilies that had rippled edges (the trickiest to make)--my Irish grandmother made the pinecone pattern doilies (which I think I snatched when she died).

Although I never made a doily--secretly, I always wanted to. . .I have recently removed it from the list of things I want to do before I die. . .

since my sons would probably throw it away, or sell it shamelessly in a garage sale (for less than a dime) along with all the holiday decorations they consider silly.



The intricate designs of the doily are a true work of art--and a piece of history lost in modern day St Louis.
Hello Doily--you are certainly worth the Letter D in this blog!
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Coming soon: From my personal library

In Memory of my Extraordinary Friend, Jim

May 28, 1955 - August 21, 2006
Cherished son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and extraordinary friend to me.

Graduate: Washington University, St Louis, Economics, 1977 Studies completed for MBA, George Washington University, DC, 1982
JD, American University, DC 1985
Member of the New Jersey Bar Association 1985 - 2006
Lifelong resident of New Jersey

Jim had an enviable and impeccable sense of style and charm and an incredible command of the laws of New Jersey.
He is remembered as a brilliant criminal defense attorney.


He defended many unpopular people, but treated each one with dignity, respect and compassion. He always felt there must be SOMETHING he could do to help them.

Politically, he was an avowed liberal and would have loved this election year. He didnt have an opinion about Obama yet--but he was anxious to see if Al Franken would win in Minnesota.
We used to argue politics--and we were on the same side!! It was really fun.

Sometimes--with nothing better to do, we just sat around and watched movies (he always got to choose) or watch Court TV--he would have an opinion on both the prosecutors and the defense attorneys.

We both loved reading mysteries. When a new Carl Hiaisson came out in hardback, I used to have to pre-order two at Barnes and Noble's--since neither one of us was capable of sharing--and we each wanted to read it first. It was a little tough ordering only one Nature Girl after Jim died.

Jim was an accomplished musician--French Horn and piano. We would go out dancing on Saturday nights--to a live combo of some sort. He was usually critical of the musicians' arrangements of the songs--but he always ordered dessert before he just "had to leave". ;)

He adored his family and leaves his love of life for his 3 nieces and 2 nephews to perfect. I wish he could see them now--

He was just darn fun every day. Everyone should have at least one friend like him.


The song released last year: WHO KNEW by PINK--could have been written for him.
Here are some of the lyrics and some pictures of him.
**********************************************************************************
You took my hand
You showed me how
You promised me you'd be around
Uh huh That's right
I took your words And I believed
In everything You said to me
Yeah huh That's right
If someone said three years from now You'd be long gone
I'd stand up and punch them out
Cause they're all wrong
I know better Cause you said forever And ever
Who knew

Remember when we were such fools
And so convinced and just too cool
I wish I could touch you again
I wish I could still call you friend
I'd give anything

When someone said count your blessings now 'fore they're long gone I guess I just didn't know how
I was all wrong
They knew better
Still you said forever
And ever
Who knew

I'll keep you locked in my head
Until we meet again
And I won't forget you my friend
What happened?

Jim made my time here in New Jersey an adventure to remember.

We were exceptional friends to the end.
I went to the cemetery today and left a geranium from my balcony garden,
He used to comment that in August, the geraniums were so big--he couldn't see beyond them!


I miss him and always will.
It was magic.

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Coming soon: My Hometown A - Z: Letter D