I have long read and admired author and lifestyle philosopher, Alexandra Stoddard. Twenty three years ago, my friend Deana lent me a book by Alexandra entitled, “Daring to be Yourself.” As someone who frequently pretended to be someone else, this was big stuff. Alexandra has written about her vacation home in Stonington Borough for many years. To learn more about Alexandra, read about her here: http://www.alexandrastoddard.com/.
Stonington Borough is absolutely charming, just as Alexandra has written. It was incorporated in the 1700’s, with the iconic New England village green. Water Street is the main thoroughfare, with eclectic shops, bistros, well-loved homes and exuberant geranium-filled white window boxes.
I walked to the old lighthouse by the sea and back up Water Street to find lunch. Alexandra Stoddard writes often about the importance of color in one’s life. As I passed by Noah’s Restaurant, I saw Alexandra and her husband, Peter Megargee Brown eating at one of the window tables. What I noticed was Mr. Brown’s very bright madras suit jacket. Talk about serendipity!
I sat at a table a short distance away and ordered a meal for myself, as well as a take-out meal for FB. He was busy with schematics and phone calls back at our hotel. I tucked into some really excellent bread and read, catching discrete peeps at the gracious Miss Stoddard and the dapper Mr. Brown.
Do you ever get that frisson of doubt in the pit of your stomach when you realize that you’ve made a mistake? I get that quite a bit because I make a lot of mistakes. One of my major malfunctions is misplacing my wallet, my cell phone, keys and/or my sun glasses.
Wouldn’t you know that the day that began with a flat tire would find me in the presence of Alexandra Stoddard, so at home in her own skin, cool and pretty in pink…totally flustered about my wallet? I left, telling my server, Judy, that my wallet was in the car parked two blocks away on Harmony Street. It wasn’t there. It was back at the hotel.
I decided that I’d maneuver my way out of the narrow streets which weren’t paved with cars in mind, head back to the hotel and call to advise I’d be longer than I thought. I was so rattled that I couldn’t remember the name of the restaurant and my cell phone was chirping low battery anyway. Then I remembered that it is illegal to converse on a cell phone while driving in the state of Connecticut.
I returned an hour later to the very gracious Judy, who accepted my apologies with good humor and served us the delicious bratwurst lunch I’d embarked on an hour before. I brought FB with me because I was too embarrassed to go back by myself. Alexandra was still there sipping white wine, looking elegant.
May I tell you that Alexandra Stoddard does not leave home without her wallet? She wouldn’t be flustered about it if she had and she certainly would not have forgotten the name of the restaurant. Alexandra does not get hot and bothered. She resonates at a zen frequency.
But I’m me. Alexandra is a friend and follower of His Holiness, the Dali Lama. I’m a follower of Jesus Christ. In my scattered and sometimes stupid ways, I fit right in with the apostles. This is not because of any great spiritual wisdom or holiness on my part, but because Jesus chose the foolish to spread his word. Not by might and not by power but by my spirit, says the Lord.
I am like Jesus’ follower Peter, impulsive and impetuous. I’d like to think that I wouldn’t deny Jesus three times, but sometimes I can deny him with my behavior without any threat of Roman power hanging over me at all. Do you sometimes feel like me? Flustered? Trivial? Silly? Out of control? Rejoice in knowing this truth: God’s power is made perfect in weakness. When we are the weakest, God shows himself mighty.
I’d highly recommend a trip to Stonington Borough WITH your wallet. Noah’s is a wonderful restaurant. Reservations will be helpful for you. The staff is quite understanding, but they’d really appreciate your letting them know if you have to leave for an hour to go back to your hotel.
Noah’s Restaurant
113 Water Street
Stonington Borough, CT
860-535-3925
http://www.noahsrestaurant.com/
Stonington Borough is absolutely charming, just as Alexandra has written. It was incorporated in the 1700’s, with the iconic New England village green. Water Street is the main thoroughfare, with eclectic shops, bistros, well-loved homes and exuberant geranium-filled white window boxes.
I walked to the old lighthouse by the sea and back up Water Street to find lunch. Alexandra Stoddard writes often about the importance of color in one’s life. As I passed by Noah’s Restaurant, I saw Alexandra and her husband, Peter Megargee Brown eating at one of the window tables. What I noticed was Mr. Brown’s very bright madras suit jacket. Talk about serendipity!
I sat at a table a short distance away and ordered a meal for myself, as well as a take-out meal for FB. He was busy with schematics and phone calls back at our hotel. I tucked into some really excellent bread and read, catching discrete peeps at the gracious Miss Stoddard and the dapper Mr. Brown.
Do you ever get that frisson of doubt in the pit of your stomach when you realize that you’ve made a mistake? I get that quite a bit because I make a lot of mistakes. One of my major malfunctions is misplacing my wallet, my cell phone, keys and/or my sun glasses.
Wouldn’t you know that the day that began with a flat tire would find me in the presence of Alexandra Stoddard, so at home in her own skin, cool and pretty in pink…totally flustered about my wallet? I left, telling my server, Judy, that my wallet was in the car parked two blocks away on Harmony Street. It wasn’t there. It was back at the hotel.
I decided that I’d maneuver my way out of the narrow streets which weren’t paved with cars in mind, head back to the hotel and call to advise I’d be longer than I thought. I was so rattled that I couldn’t remember the name of the restaurant and my cell phone was chirping low battery anyway. Then I remembered that it is illegal to converse on a cell phone while driving in the state of Connecticut.
I returned an hour later to the very gracious Judy, who accepted my apologies with good humor and served us the delicious bratwurst lunch I’d embarked on an hour before. I brought FB with me because I was too embarrassed to go back by myself. Alexandra was still there sipping white wine, looking elegant.
May I tell you that Alexandra Stoddard does not leave home without her wallet? She wouldn’t be flustered about it if she had and she certainly would not have forgotten the name of the restaurant. Alexandra does not get hot and bothered. She resonates at a zen frequency.
But I’m me. Alexandra is a friend and follower of His Holiness, the Dali Lama. I’m a follower of Jesus Christ. In my scattered and sometimes stupid ways, I fit right in with the apostles. This is not because of any great spiritual wisdom or holiness on my part, but because Jesus chose the foolish to spread his word. Not by might and not by power but by my spirit, says the Lord.
I am like Jesus’ follower Peter, impulsive and impetuous. I’d like to think that I wouldn’t deny Jesus three times, but sometimes I can deny him with my behavior without any threat of Roman power hanging over me at all. Do you sometimes feel like me? Flustered? Trivial? Silly? Out of control? Rejoice in knowing this truth: God’s power is made perfect in weakness. When we are the weakest, God shows himself mighty.
I’d highly recommend a trip to Stonington Borough WITH your wallet. Noah’s is a wonderful restaurant. Reservations will be helpful for you. The staff is quite understanding, but they’d really appreciate your letting them know if you have to leave for an hour to go back to your hotel.
Noah’s Restaurant
113 Water Street
Stonington Borough, CT
860-535-3925
http://www.noahsrestaurant.com/
1 comment:
Wow, Stoddard? I can't even remember that book! LOL.
I can't believe its been 20 years since Hawaii. wow.
No, we are not old.
Just more seasoned.
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