Can't you just see her in this?

NEWS FLASH: DGF GOES WILD IN LIGHT GRAY

Yes yes loyal fans, our dear Dr. Faust was photographed in a gray suit on an outing in Korea. Look how she expresses herself with the subtle piping and eccentric cut of the lapels. No man could get away with that, so eat crow all of you who think DGF will not branch away from man-suits. I wonder if those are her mother's pearls? Their pink blush is so sweet and adds just the right feminine touch.

Now for the challenge. Jane Zhu over at qipaobyjane presented Drew with a "custom-made shirt in the traditional Chinese style of the qipao (pronounced chee’ pau), with a mandarin collar, side closure and fabric knot buttons." according to Jane's news release. When I googled Jane before seeing her newsrelease I was a little shocked at the images of sexy ladies in tight silk and thought Good Lord we'll never see Drew in something like that. But no, Jane struck just the right note, found the exact intersection of Drew and qipao. The jacket is "a warm gray Chinese silk satin, lined with soft floral Thai silk and edged in, of course, crimson." Painted on the fabric is a poem in Chinese calligraphy, couplet by Warring States Period poet and philosopher Qu Yuan (340-287 BC), "considered by many to be the father of Chinese Poetry. 路漫漫其修远兮,吾将上下而求索. It roughly translates to “\'the road (truth) is long and arduous, forward and backward shall I seek.' In other words, veritas."

“I came to the poem after much philosophical discussion and inquiring back and forth with learned fathers of friends,” said Zhu in the news release. “I knew that I wanted something very Chinese, but at the same time it had to represent Harvard, and be appropriate for a piece of clothing.”

The news release reports "Faust’s reaction was enthusiastic and warm, 'Isn’t it lovely!' she exclaimed.'I can’t wait to put it on!'”

And speaking for all of us in the fan club: We can't wait to see you in it!

Elmwood Goat Cheese

Miss Grimke: Why oh why oh why?
DGF: Do you know that 40% of the produce served in the dining hall is locally grown? Why stop with produce? I'm converting garages to dairy barns and shopping for some breeding pairs.
Miss Grimke: Breeding pairs of what, pray tell?
DGF: Goats, dear Miss Grimke. We'll be raising goats on the Elmwood lawn and supplying the dining hall with fresh cheese. Do you know you can now shop for goats on line? Makes my little-ole ex-4-H heart go pittypat.
Miss Grimke: I hate to change the subject but what about that image of you in the Sunday Times, the Crazy Drewdie?
DGF: Actually Miss G I am on that subject. That's going to be the label on the Elmwood Goat Cheese, only minus the insane part, and minus the low prices part, and well, minus all the words. We are working on the text, but frankly, it's on the back burner until we have at least some goats on hand. Don't want to put the cart before the horse!
Miss Grimke: Or the label before the cheese. I'd love to give you a hand with the marketing. Does this mean all is forgiven?
DGF: All what?
Miss Grimke: You know, the book about the book.
DGF: Oh that. Like I need more fans.
Miss Grimke: I'll try not to take that the wrong way.

Ladies of the books

I must confess an act of betrayal. On the very day DGF was hawking This Republic of Suffering at the Coop, Geraldine Brooks spoke to budding journalists at Boston Latin Academy about People of the Book. I caught Geraldine and came home so exhausted with happiness I couldn't muster the strength to attend DGF's signing. I know I know I betrayed not only DGF but all the many many loyal members of the DGF fan club. But as I told my DH when I got home from communing with GB, "I can handle only one peak author experience per day!"

I bought a copy of P of the B and watched GB autograph it. Oh what grandeur in that fabulous swirl of ink with which she inscribed my book!

Another confession. I haven't been able to read P of the B because I always eat or drink when I read and I'm afraid to sully it. I've never felt this way about books before. Pasta sauce! Wine! Tuna drool! Who cares? It's the words that are important. (To Drew's many fans in the library community: Just Kidding!)

Passover is coming, and the Book of the book is a Haggadah, for reading at the Seder. It is timely that I should now read People of the Book, perhaps with a small glass of wine set carefully to the side.

Meanwhile I've ordered This Republic of Suffering from the BPL. I'm number 33 in the queue. In contrast, were I to order PoftheB from the BPL I'd be number 80.

I wonder does DGF have on the back burner a piece of literary fiction she will share with us someday? I'll ask her next time I run into her, if she will ever speak to me again.

On the couch with Allston

Miss Grimke: Are you or are you not rethinking Allston.
DGF: I am definitely rethinking Allston. Allston is such a lovely place, but a tad shabby. Do not repeat that please. It could do with a total update, building on what's there but giving it some polish, some sheen.
Miss Grimke: To what extent do you think you can make do with what you have and to what extent do you need to throw out and start over?
DGF: Definitely the colors are right the way they are. Very colorful, very multi-cultural. You know I like that.
Miss Grimke: Yes, yes. I know that. So you want to keep what's there but punch it up a bit?
DGF: Mostly, plus we need to pull down some walls, open up the space, let in some light. The place has really good bones. We need to pull that forward. Structure, plus color, plus light. I think we'd have what we want then.
Miss Grimke: Then Harvard can move right in?
DGF: Goodness no. Then we'll see what we have once we can see what we have.
Miss Grimke: Are the neighbors amenable?
DGF: Well, you know change is difficult for everybody. Renovations are murder for everyone involved. They've been known to destroy a marriage. You have to plan carefully, you have to be ready for the disruption, you have to make sure everyone buys into the process and can see the payoff, the reward for all the mess.
Miss Grimke: You have to involve the mental health professionals.
DGF: Yes, most definitely, they are on the case.
Miss Grimke: And you have to check references. Don't just go with the first contractor who acts like he knows his stuff.
DGF: One must not shirk the due-diligence.
Miss Grimke: Speaking of Larry.
DGF: I will not trash Larry. If I've told you once I've told you a thousand times.
Miss Grimke: Yes m'am. My bad.

Elmwood, Sweet Elmwood

I swung by 33 Elmwood, Drew's new home, the other day. Wow! It is bigger and more beautiful than in its pictures! It is easily the finest house on Tory Row. Oh envy envy envy! But if anyone deserves to live in a magnificent mansion it is our dear Dr. Faust.

Two Cambridge constable cars sat next the curb in front of the fence in front of the vast lawn in front of her huge house (actually appears to be several buildings that go on forever). No constables in sight. So I walked up the driveway to the front door. After about two days I reached my destination. I rang the doorbell and Drew answered. She was dressed as always in her sharp navy pantsuit and wearing her little pearl earrings. On her feet were slippers, a fluffy baby blue pair that have definitely made a few trips around the coffee table.

"Miss Grimke," she exclaimed, swinging wide the big door and sweeping me in with a hug. "Just the person I need to see today!" Before I had time to apologize for dropping in without notice or for the muddy state of my shoes, she led me into a kitchen the size of Madison Square Garden, sat me down, and placed in front of me a piping hot cuppa Joe.

DGF: "Skim or whole? I also have real cream, of course."
Miss Grimke: Must be nice to have such a big fridge.
DGF: A big fridge? I beg your pardon, I have four bid fridges and two big darn kitchens, plus a little one in our personal space. Actually it's more like a normal size kitchen. We have what's really like an apartment within the house.
Miss Grimke: I guess you need that so you don't get lost.
DGF: Or lose stuff! Lord, why do you think I'm still in slippers? I kicked off my shoes somewhere and darn if I can for the life of me find them.
Miss Grimke: It's not like you have only one pair.
DGF: I am not into shoes. When I find a pair I like I wear them to death. Don't worry I'll manage. But I hate to think what else I can or will lose in this museum. It's like living in a hotel or an institution.
Miss Grimke: You've been institutionalized!
DGF: Definitely. But it's lovely. I keep finding delightful corners and new vistas. Look there: the Japanese maples fill the windows with red.
Miss Grimke: Also you have room for me to move in.
DGF: Now you're pushing it!
Miss Grimke: Be that way. I don't want to live next to Route 2 or whatever that is zooming on the other side of the trees.
DGF: Yes, isn't it funny. In one sense this feels like being in the middle of the country and in another you're right on a major highway.
Miss Grimke: So much to complain about. Too much traffic. Too many rooms. Losing your favorite stuff. Gadabouts dropping in unannounced and tracking in mud.
DGF: It's a hard life, this Harvard Presidenting stuff.

The Really Big Day

I can't believe it! On the biggest day of her life, when the whole world is clamoring for her company, I actually corner Drew Faust in the powder room. I won't tell you where, but it was one of those fancy places where there are easy chairs covered in bright florals. I found her literally sunk into one. I wasn't going to bother her, but she gave me a big smile and invited me to chat a while. Wouldn't you know it I lit into her right away.
Miss Grimke: You were yanking my chain about what you were going to wear to the picnic. You never wear anything but that suit suit suit. Not that it doesn't look just right on you.
DGF: You got that right. I am not going to wear anything that will give anybody any excuse to talk about what I wear. What a boring subject.
Miss Grimke: Now you've hurt my feelings.
DGF: I am sorry sweetheart but I do not want people talking about my clothes the way they talk about Hillary's, so I make it incredibly boring by wearing the same thing all the time.
Miss Grimke: Pretty smart I guess. I do think the ecclesiastical look suits you. That double-breasted president's gown is so you!
DGF: Isn't it though! But it's not ecclesiastical for heaven's sake!
Miss Grimke: Whatever. That ceremony was very impressive. I found myself tearing up a few times, and I couldn't help note that you were using a hanky from time to time. Were you getting all misty Dr. Faust? Were you? Now be honest!
DGF: It was moving, but it was also damp and windy. My nose was running! Give me a break Miss Grimke!
Miss Grimke: Sorry Drew! I did think that speech of your was, well, I think you kitchen-sinked it.
DGF: Pardon me?
Miss Grimke: You put in everything but the kitchen sink. Global warming, diversity, the past, the future, the I don't know what, I started drifting. Frankly, I think the new president of Northeastern had a much better inaugural speech, even if he does look like Mr. Bean.
DGF: (sigh) I agree. That man's speech made me want to get up and do good. But be fair, Northeastern's mandate is a little easier to get your arms around than Harvard!
Miss Grimke: Point taken. It was good enough. I do wonder though what you said to Larry when you sat in the president's chair. You said something in his ear and laughed. What was that all about?
DGF: About how lucky he is not to have to sit in that torture device.
Miss Grimke: By the way, several people called you a rebellious daughter of the South. What is up with that?
DGF: That's the only way Yankees can process a southern lady with half a brain. She must be rebelling against her mother and her motherland.
Miss Grimke: It do vex them so!
DGF: It sure do! And I aim to keep on at it!