Canine Central
Golden Doodles - Never heard of them?  Until February '04, neither had we.  Now we're the proud owners of a half-poodle, half-golden retriever named Farkas (Hungarian for "wolf"). According to breeders, doodles are supposed to have the best traits of both breeds -- affectionate, cuddly (although Farkas will eventually grow to about 65 pounds), smart and will shed little if at all.  How can anyone resist?
 

Making Scents
The smell of freshly brewed coffee or newly cut grass -- evocative aromas can enrich our existence.  Smell is also the oldest of our five senses and connects to our oldest brain structures, and these may be the reasons why scents so readily trigger memories and emotions. Demeter is a purveyor of single-note fragrances that recreate familiar smells, from Birthday Cake, Waffles and Creme Brulee to Orange Juice, Flower Show and Leather.  I was lucky to have visited their now-defunct East Village shop in NYC, where they had elixirs available ONLY at that location, such as Chocolate Peanut Butter (both Creamy and Crunchy).  I prefer their food scents, including Tiramisu, Sticky Toffee Pudding and Cappuccino, but I'm also fond of Laundromat and Snow.  BTW,  you can always get creative and combine two of their scents.  I read about one woman who combined  Dirt and Funeral Home to make a blend she likes to call Six Feet Under.  If she added a third Demeter scent, Earthworm, it would really be authentic. 
 

Travel
La Dolce Vita - Molto bene!

V.U. Italy Trip - Almost every year since 1995, we've gone to Europe -- usually la bella Italia -- with a group headed by VU profs Rick Delano (English) and George Radan (Art ).  This web page is in a fledgling state but sure to expand.

Eggheads R Us
MENSA - If I.Q. tests accurately measure intellect, then I'm a brainiac of sorts.  For about two decades I've been a member of Mensa, a global organization for people with I.Q.'s in the top 2%.  Find out more about this group, whose members are among the nicest and funniest people I've ever met.
 

Homonyms - my own extensive list of homonyms