Sunday, February 28, 2021

New Historic and Stylish Hotel in New Orleans

 The French Quarter in New Orleans hasn’t seen a new hotel in decades. No surprise, considering the city wants to keep this district historically significant. Now there’s a new player on the block that manages to meld historical significance with contemporary stylishness. This is my latest for Forbes Life on ONE11 Hotel. 







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Saturday, February 27, 2021

An Abundance of Nature in Ridgefield, Connecticut

 I’ve continued my explorations in Ridgefield, Connecticut, revisiting some sights and learning more about the landscape.



In Connecticut, the short, mostly suburban Ridgefield Rail-Trail takes on a sylvan vibe along the section where it intersects two trailheads that veer into dense nature preserves.




I hiked in a still woodland dense with mountain laurel, red maple and hickory, occasionally passing a running brook and boulders left from the last Ice Age. Impressionist painter J Alden Weir once owned and farmed this Connecticut property (Weir Preserve-Weir Farm Art Center) that’s traced by stone walls and has long inspired artists.




One of many old barns and other original structures sitting among the boulders and fields at the Weir Farm National Historic Site. This stunning landscape, where Impressionist painter J. Alden Weir lived, has an active artist-in-residence program








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Sunday, February 14, 2021

Wearing a Double, Well-Fitting Mask

Two months ago when I began wearing a double face mask many people thought this was overkill. I also began using tape along the edges of the mask that’s closest to my face to assure a good seal. Finally, also to assure a good fit, I began knotting the ear loops of the surgical mask. Imagine my surprise when I just read that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends double masking and well-fitting masks in order to significantly reduce the spread of SARS-CoV2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.






 
Here’s what I’m wearing face mask wise:


1- two-ply cotton mask with a filter (with a nose wire) made of non-woven, spun-bon polypropylene


2- three-ply surgical mask


3- Cabeau Tape that I use to secure the mask under my eyes, along my cheeks and under my chin


4- goggles

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