Knickers & Grandmothers - Jane Tolbert muses

In Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella, Lexi Smart awakens in hospital, with what she terms a “horrendous thought.” “What underwear was I wearing? . . . . This could be the scaggy gray knickers and bra that I only put on when the hamper is full.” I have had similar thoughts because my grandmother always said to wear nice under garments because you never know when you may be carted into the emergency room. Years ago a reporter for the Tampa Tribune said his grandmother gave the same advice. The subject of knickers and grandmothers came up in his talk to a journalism class at the University of Florida. He was in San Francisco at the time of the earthquake in 1989, standing on a hotel balcony when everything started shaking. The first thought that entered his mind, what was he wearing! But there is a price for looking good . . . For those you who want to look your best at your worst moment, here is a link for La Perla. But just the prices may be enough to send you to the emergency room. So far, advertisers for knickers haven't used this type of personal appeal--yet.

Nearly Summer - Bring on the rosé! --Jane Tolbert

Ah, those warm summer evenings. A chilled glass of crisp rosé would be just the thing to accompany pizza from the Bilboquet in Magagnosc (near Grasse), summer salads or seafood . . . . In France, especially in Provence, you can find these reasonably priced rosé wines in all grocery stores. But when you are in the States, grocery store shelves are lined with the pink-colored white Zinfandel. Not the same! Liquor and wine stores provide the main selection of rosé from Provence. So what's the appeal? Traditionally, French cuisine has required specific wines with specific foods (such as red with red meat) and a specific order (if you start with red, you continue with red; if you begin with a white, you can continue with white or move to red). But lifestyles have changed, and consumption of rosé has increased, from 10.8 percent in 1990 to 25 percent in 2010, according to the Vins de Provence website. Most French rosés, which are made from red grapes macerated for a short period, come from Provence--that southern region along the Mediterranean. Provence produces 38 percent of domestic rosé (or approximately 150-million bottles per year) and 8 percent of world production. Among the best are those from Bandol. Right now, in my frig, I have a chilled Moncigale Côtes de Provence. So what's the appeal? More traditional meals or formal settings may require specific wines with specific foods, a rosé goes with just about everything. Now, about that pizza and the Moncigale. . . . Care to join me? Tips on purchasing a rosé--I would purchase from a wine store. Look for labels that carry Appelation D'Origine Controlée, AOC Côtes de Provence. AOC guarantees the origin of the product. Santé! Tchin-tchin! Cheers!

Elusive Dance Space But Love of Tango (Argentine, that is)

Given that we tangueros and tangueras seek that sublime dance connection a partner, we attend milongas in a variety of location—from the divine to the dive. Most often, our dance venues are in places like an Elks or Moose club, a senior center or Masonic Temple. But some milongas are held in warehouses, which look like fire traps or a scene out of CSI. Why don’t we have a dedicated dance space? Probably the source of the problem is lack of funding. Tango does not draw the affluence of ballroom. Tango dancers don’t spend a lot of money on food or drink but will travel to workshops or to Buenos Aires. Our favorite dance place would provide ambience, comfort, good music and friends and the possibility or food and drink. --My favorite tango bar—Jack Blues has been hosting the Tuesday night Milonga Linda (Cagnes-sur-Mer) for nearly a decade (but who would know to walk down this alley to the wine cave, where the milonga is held?)

Not a good time for mailboxes

Thankfully, Zappos packages are delivered to my front door because anything heavier than a 1- ounce envelope will topple my mailbox with its rusted post.

My problem with mailboxes goes back a few weeks. I am sure I backed my moving truck into my neighbor’s mailbox, which began to tilt. My handyman repaired it quickly. It’s upright and looks like new. But now, I have another mailbox problem. Salt air on the Florida coast has rusted my mailbox post, and it’s tilting precariously. I have called my handyman several times in the past two weeks, but he’s not returning my calls. I’ve resorted to duct tape to hold the box onto the post.

House repair departments have mailbox kits that target homeowners like me. Little assembly required or needs no cement to anchor the posts. One type of box requires strength (and a level and hammer), and the other seems to have a very large screw that goes into the ground (again, a level and biceps), with prices ranging from $39-$79.

My handyman’s voicemail is now full. My options are to purchase the post and locate my tools or order Florida kitsch, which would probably be delivered and installed. For a price! But I am not sure I am ready for kitsch. And moreover, even kitsch is costly!