Wedding Pictures!!!

Emily Endicott Adams and Steve Hiltebeitel

What is valuable to you?

People spend their money on things that are valuable to (uniquely) them. Food, shelter, clothing: those are all necessities. The amounts that can be spent on those things range very, very widely, from that which barely sustains life, to exorbitant amounts that could be considered even obscene.

Yesterday I spoke with someone who lives in a distant suburb who pays very little in real estate taxes compared with Webster Groves. This person had quite a long discourse on how impossible it would be to live in Webster because our taxes are so high, according to him the highest in the state of Missouri. I didn't argue; our taxes are high. A couple of weeks ago the town's citizens voted to hike them once again in order to make sure the children of our city get the best possible education we can give them, so next year they will be higher still.

But I get something for my money. I live in a beautiful little town with a main street, small shops, bakeries, houses ranging in age from well over 100 years to brand new houses going up just two blocks from me. I can walk to the YMCA for my exercise class. My children walked and biked to school. The trees are old and well established. There is not a Manchester Road cutting an ugly swath through the town with a Wal-Mart and a sprawling acreage of asphalt parking lot. So, yes, I have to pay for that. I signed on for it. I understand it.

I get something for my money which is of value to me.

The person to whom I was speaking yesterday likes to ride motorcycles and smoke cigars. That's valuable to him - so what can I say? To each his own.

Provençe - Webster Groves

As I am viewing the passing Provençal countryside, I am thinking of home as well.

Every dwelling I see from the train is of similar architecture to all the others surrounding it. Stucco over stone for the thick walls, red clay tiles for the roofs, and casement windows with real wood shutters that are operable. Very distinctive, and perfect for the climate.

Contrast that with our home in Webster Groves: two story frame with painted redwood siding, black asphalt shingled roof, double hung windows with no shutters. Most of the homes are extremely distinct from one another. I wonder what French people think of our Midwestern architecture? Do they find it attractive? Unappealing? Maybe just different?

Anyhow, I love our house with the two sweet kitty cats inside. Fortunately, good neighbor Linda Schwartz is tending Woody and the Beence faithfully, and sending missives of their antics, to wit:

Woody and the Beence had a rowdy play session today. They rearranged the rugs in your family room -- Woody especially likes to push around the braided one. He makes me laugh. Then they both collapsed on the floor for some serious petting. They are adorable, as I am sure you are both well aware.

Steve at the BU conference

Distinguished panel: Lorna Rhodes, Delores Custer and Steve Adams

Breakfast in Boston

We're in Boston for a food photographer and food stylist conference. We're sharing a dorm suite at Boston Universtiy with our food stylist friend from London, Lorna Rhodes, and treated her to a great experience: an American breakfast at a local diner called Paramount.

A subway ride and a walk through Boston Commons got us there in about twenty minutes. Then we jumped into the fray of a real dining experience. First you stand in a line to place your order. We all opted for the 2-egg breakfast (not full-English-style, mind you, but two fried eggs, home fried potatoes, 2 pieces of toast,coffee -- and bacon costs extra). Then you stand in another line to pay, then you hope that someone is getting up from their table so that you can grab a space while carrying your plate and mug of coffee.

A little bit greasy, but filled the bill.

Denver IACP

Steve's class went well:

Tango

Tango - that's what everyone thinks of first when you say the word "Argentina" and it originated in Buenos Aires. Our introduction to tango was at Piazzolla Theater. It's an older, restored theater, built around 1910, and now the show includes dinner and about an hour and a half of the most incredible tango performances - music, singing and dance.

Another word synonymous with Argentina is beef, and we both had the most incredible steaks imaginable at the dinner served before the performance. We weren't expecting much to write home about in the way of a meal since it was a place where hundreds of steak dinners were being served. But this meat was also authentic Argentine steak, perfectly grilled and seasoned only with salt and pepper.

A live five piece orchestra accompanied the singers and dancers: piano, guitar, bass, violin and bandoneon. The latter instrument is a cross between an accordion and a concertina, and gives it the identifiable sound of tango music.