"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affectations glow and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."


Tuesday, October 11, 2011

What A Night! What a Morning!

What's a girl to do when all five of her Gentlemen are all clamouring to escort her in to Willow Manor? Well, take centre stage, of course....two lovely lads on one side and three on the other.  There were a few gasps when some of the ladies in the ballroon recognised Frederic Chopin (Polish pianist and composer extraordinarire) and Thomas Hampson, handsome American baritone.  Of course, David Lean, (visionary film director), Erich Wolfgang Korngold, (passionate composer of Operas, Symphonies and Academy Award Movies) and E.R. Eddison, author of the unusually powerful and romantic "Worm Ourbourous" books) were also greeted with affectionate hugs and raised glasses.


Frederic, who had promised our beautiful hostess, Tess, to play a few Sonatas on her Bossendorfer Piano, readily sat down (after downing a glass of Champagne) and began to play.  The air was heady with the scent of  the many yellow roses displayed around the ballroom.  The candles glowed like the Baritone Moon we all could see shining through the Ballroom Windows...




Applause all round....  and time for some of Tess' delicious food!  (Mr. Hampson and I DID fly all the way from San Francisco...then jumped into our 1931 Studebaker with David  - who insisted on driving well OVER the speed limit - sometimes I think he thinks he IS *Lawrence of Arabia* and E.R. - as he prefers to be called).   Eric K and Frederic drove the Bugatti.... so you know they were not just cruisin'... Amazingly, we were NOT stopped by the Highway Patrol this year.... 

Anyway, we all were ravenous and were sampling the Scottish Quail Eggs and Caviar, when we ran into the incomporable Suki Poet and W.B. Yeats.  Suki looked ravishing with her new, short, spikey *do*....Mr. Yeats was so happy to see the Beatles had also arrived and couldn't wait for an introduction.

I couldn't resist a trip down to the wine cellar , where my *Twin*, Amanda and I had a rather *adventerous* adventure with John Fowles last year.....lots of "Waiting Room" jokes were bandied about.....if you read "The Magus", you understand.  Ah, memories....  no Amanda, no John, but someone was inside, pounding vigourously...and saying some unrepeatable words.... 

Tommy H and I finally strolled out into a pinkly-lilac dawn....the Baritone Moon waning silver in the West.  We both had a great chuckle about *Baritone Moons*.....

Tommy wanted to sing one of Erich's poignant arias from "Die Tote Stadt"..(The City of the Dead)....  for those in the crowd who were sipping Espresso and eating some of Ms. Blue Sky's elegant desserts.  I thought it was sweetly appropro to end another magnificent Willow Ball.



Brava to our FANTASTIC Hostess!!!!  No one can create such ambiance.....

Oooo....the sun is rising, my feet are aching (Manolos look great...but are hard to dance in....)  Tommy is driving me in the Bugatti back to the airport....
I have to be back in San Francisco tonight for the Final Dress Rehearsal of *Don Giovanni*....  Thankfully, I can sleep on the plane.

What a night!  What a Morning!

Love to all,

♥ Robin ♥

18 comments:

  1. Oh to be serenaded so!
    I did have a fleeting moment when I thought Tommy H., was Mr. Hillfiger...LOL!

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  3. Oh you looked so gorgeous in your red gown and necklace. I hope you make it home in time. So nice to see you again on the east coast though and wasnt the ball just delicious.

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  4. Robin 5 dates! I love your moxy! You are clearly one coveted date! The cars blew all the men away, I think for a while they were all standing outside discussing your rides. A pleasure to see you again this year!

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  5. Robin dear *twin* i've arrived at the party!!! and you look simply ravishing! i remember the good time we had last year but this year is looking even better so you can't leave yet - stay and meet my date antonio...

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  6. Delightful meeting you! Yes, I saw a unicorn!

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  7. Through your words, I felt I was there...music, men and all! Your choice of dress and shoes were perfect. Funny, I have that same ruby necklace...but I seem to have misplaced it? Pleased to know you enjoyed the Italian sponge cakes...I really missed a grand time yet glad to know you are back here in San Francisco...safe with only tired toes!

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  8. Hmm. Well, I hope Clark Gable was able to massage your feet... his hands are amazing at re-energizing a woman. And boy, did you bring CLASS to this affair. I admire you, you red vixen - five men and you handled them like they were puppets on a string.

    ANd Yoli is correct... we woman had a bit of competition when those cars arrived... but not for long.

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  9. I'm not a true classical, opera type of gal but I wouldn't mind getting down to having a few semi-quavers with date No.5! What a load of escorting that is! Having fun, though!

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  10. Oh, the Willow Ball! What an evening!

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  11. Thanks for the introduction to your charming company. I look forward to meeting them all again.

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  12. Enjoyed reading your adventure while listening to Chopin. Thanks for this wonderful moment.
    You must have looked stunning! And all those interesting men to accompany you.....lucky girl.

    Have fun now with the memories:)

    ♥M

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  13. Oh my Robin...forgive my veiled accusation. I believe it is due to spending intimate time with English detectives...everything and everyone is suspect! I hope this won't discourage you from loaning me a night out with your Manolo Blahnik shoes...design perfection!

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  14. Wow you do have a lot of dates. If you need to get a little crazy you should take my Eugene out on the floor for a spin.

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  15. It's good to know you helped me by keeping the San Francisco delegation in good standing (we met over on Facebook through Tess with my street name Gregg).

    I love your mix of elegance and a few dark shades thanks to "Die Tote Stadt" and "Don Giovanni".

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  16. i am speechless! such elegance.

    i'm pretty sure erih is gay. were there signs that he appreciated your stunning red gown and bag more than the others? and e.r. edison: i'm not sure about him, robin. did his mustache look okay with his tux?

    what an event!!!! and look at all the people you met! you've done a fantastic job of reporting and recapturing so many exquisite details. thank you, robin, i enjoyed all of it!
    love
    kj

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  17. Hi Gregg.... I am glad you were able to see through to my "Dark Side".... cos' it is there! In fact, I am a *Sturm und Drang* sort of girl!

    So happy we have *met*!

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  18. Hi KJ!.. Yes, the Willow Ball is extraordinary... you would like it.... perhaps you will join us next year?

    At this ball, everyone dances with EVERYONE...women with men, women with women, men with men....it's one big, riotous affair!!!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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