A MAD, MAD, MAD HATTER'S TEA PARTY


A greenish blue Lady P and I attended a FACT fundraiser party yesterday held at Carousel Farm.





The Missus spent Saturday afternoon building her octopus hat, which brings to my mind the late Isabella Blow, spit curls and all. She also looks like an extra from the musical Gigi: a Technicolor mid-century imagining of fin de siecle Paris. Twenty years, and I still wanna nibble her sweet little toes.



I was far less fabulous, but being a good husband I wore my seahorse cufflinks and coordinated my socks with her ensemble.





The farm was obscenely idyllic. I had to assume it was a hobby farm, since it exclusively produces lavender. The paddocks are home to cattle, donkeys, llamas and a couple Arabians, who bolted about with startling speed.



We wandered into the barn and took in the heady scent of dried lavender, which was hanging in orderly rows all around us. At this point I was wondering where a fellow could get a drink, so we made our way back to the throng.



That's where we bumped into our good friend Morrie, who organized this event! Not given to half measures, Morrie made his hat from a wire frame top hat (I have no idea where he got it, either). The result would give most New Guinea tribesmen a run for their money.



Many curious sights were seen on the grounds: white rabbits, pirates playing croquet, straight men...did I mention the horses crap cotton candy?



The one thing about these outdoor summer FACT parties that I savor is that there's usually at least one moment when you're vaulted out of the world a bit. This time it was when I was walking towards the pagoda out in the fragrant lavender field presided over by a flock of those floating spheres, sporting jellyfish tendrils--all of it to the tune of a Bowie song from the barn. For a few seconds, I was absolutely euphoric. Then I had some sauteed mushrooms.





Towards early evening, art was auctioned off (my sister-in-law picked up a lovely etching), and finally the hat contest was afoot. Who won? Well...



Who knew that hat was a trophy, too?



Many thanks to Morrie and everyone at FACT. We hope it was a successful event!