Don’t Read This

Several times over the past few weeks, I’ve received e-mails from readers unhappy about what I’ve said in this blog. One person was rather furious that I had negative things to say about the painting of Kate Middleton. I was in good company there, as most major art critics around the world were scathing in their comments on the painting.The second person berated me for my comment about old lady dealers at auctions. She was quite ugly in her e-mail and was personally insulting to me. She didn’t even have the good grace to leave her remarks in an anonymous comment, but sent them in an e-mail, complete with her information. It’s rather shocking that someone would insult me to my face like that, and over a seemingly innocuous comment. Of course, as most reasonable people understand, I am not forcing you to read Pigtown*Design. I am quite pleased that you do read it, and I love that you leave comments and send me nice e-mails. But no one requires you to read what I say. And as most reasonable people also understand, what I write here is my own opinion. Most-times it’s positive, it’s informative, it’s a little bit educational. Sometimes, it’s critical. All of the time, it’s real and most of all, it’s what I think.

If you don’t like what I write, please don’t feel obligated to read it. But don’t send me ugly e-mails demanding that I unsubscribe you immediately. If you look at the bottom of the almost daily e-mails, there’s a place that you can unsubscribe yourself. I can’t do everything for you.

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I attended a wonderful art preview on Friday evening, and it was just the perfect antidote for a snowy evening – the chance to see fabulous photographs of a really special garden. This five-acre garden was created from nothing. Just an old ridge line with loads of rocks, no special features and nothing to recommend it. The owners have worked on the gardens since the mid-1980’s and have created a special place for themselves, and others.

One of the fun things about this party was the live event painter, Patricia Bennett. As the party swirled around her, she painted the event to be saved for posterity. What a terrific idea!

Another highlight of the party was meeting a man who is interwoven with my childhood memories!The one, the only and the original Gomez Addams, also known as John Astin, shown here with my friend Nancy Hill, Director of Cylburn, where the party was held. The Addams Family was my favourite TV show and I loved the wicked sense of humour and sophistication of it all. Mr. Astin is a native Baltimorean and is currently teaching acting at Johns Hopkins University.

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The Auction on Saturday was somewhat successful, although I didn’t get the Governor Winthrop Secretary desk that I wanted. It was in a lot with two huge clunky Victorian pieces that I did not want, and so when the bidding went above my limit, I dropped out. I did get a big box lot of fabrics including some gorgeous ikats and silks, as well as another box lot. David, however, scored like a bandit, getting the amazing sofa that he had his heart set on.

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I came back from the auction to see a big box on my porch and when I opened it, I found the most gorgeous flowers from a friend in California!Lush pink tulips and blue Siberian iris flowers are just the thing I needed on a bitter cold winter’s day! Thanks, Morgan!!!

I know I’ve said this dozens of times, but I am so lucky to have such great friends.