A Little Clutter Sometimes Helps

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A few decades ago, Jane Jacobs wrote a whole book on what makes a city tick. Not grandiose planning, she wrote, not vast, empty malls framed by express roads The life of great cities reflects al the clutter and confusion and sometimes purposeful activity of the people who live and work in them. You can get most anything you want in a great city, sometimes within easy walking distance, and often at any hour of the day or night.

I suppose it flatters Wilmington to call it a great city, or even what remains of a great city. It always felll a litle shy of that mark, even in the days (not too long ago) when more than 100,000 souls called it home, and not just during working hours. Its proximity to Philadelphia probably had something to do with that. The big hitters of business and culture, like the big ships on the Delaware, passed by on their way to Philadelphia.

In reference to: Op-Ed Columnist - What Makes Cities Live - NYTimes.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Rained Out

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The Judge and Smarty's Mom were passing through town and called with the good news that they'd like to take us out to dinner.

Trolley Square, of course, offers lots of possibilities. Or so we thought until the Judge added that of course they'd be bringing the Pooch. So we reconsidered.

Our options had been narrowed considerably. To one, in fact. But that one was a very good one, indeed: One of my favorite spots -- the patio at Toscana. We could nibble away at our pasta in open air while the Pooch curled up at our feet. Happens all the time at that happy spot.

Ah, the best laid plans! This morning dawned damp and gloomy -- and cold! Too cold, in fact, to give serious thought to nibbling pasta in open air. If we went to Toscana, we'd have to find a table inside. And if we found a table on the inside, the Pooch couldn't join the party.

So the Pooch's sense of well-being won out in the end. The Deb has conjured up a pasta dish of her own, and we will enjoy it here in the apartment, where it is warm and dry -- and where the Pooch rules!