Edith Wharton Porn

Yes, Virginia, we spent the weekend indulging in a massive dose of Edith Wharton porn.

Not exactly the entire weekend.  Part of was spent building one of those heavy stainless steel kitchen rack in a tiny closest the was not much bigger than said rack.  Such a rack usually requires at least two people to put together and space to mover around all sides.  This was a solo project in a 2 X 5 space with a 1 1/2 X 4 rack.  It was not pretty.  After contortions that would get the average person a job with Cirque du Soleil, the rack was erected.  Then there was the Alabama game followed by 36 hours of recovery from rack building.  My body felt like it had been on a rack or on the Western Kentucky offense.  I was aided in my recovery by spending the afternoon on the sofa ensconced in Edith Wharton porn.

Edith Wharton's Library at The Mount

 Richard Guy Wilson's new book on her house, Edith Wharton at Home: Life at The Mount arrived.  I spent a lovely afternoon pouring over the vintage pictures and the new photos by John Arthur.  I would have wanted more photos of the kitchen, but I doubt Wharton set foot in there more than a few times.  I have a photo from a now defunct blog featuring the linen closet at The Mount, another place Wharton probably never saw!  In fact, one of the most interesting sections of the book discusses how little information was kept on anyone who actually worked at The Mount.   Of the cooks, housekeepers, gardeners, and drivers there is only a handful of information on a few; the rest are what Wilson refers to as " the silent backdrop."

 For all the nitty-gritty details there is a wonderful "fact sheet" at The Mount's web site.  Among other things, one will find that the landscaping by Beatrix Jones Farrand cost nearly as much as the construction of the actual house.

Add this one to your Christmas wish list.