Saturday, January 3, 2015

Royal Flush


         It’s my first blog post of the year and I think it’s important to set the right tone, perhaps even elevate the mind. Here we are entering a shiny new year and it’s always good to get off to a fresh, clean start. So in keeping with that aim, I thought I would begin this year’s posts with . . . .a retrospective of 2014 in bathrooms.

          Admit it. At some point or other we’ve all found it necessary to answer nature’s call in unfamiliar surroundings. On more than one occasion I’ll bet you, too, have been stunned by the experience for one reason or another. Here is a small sample of mine.
           
           There are some ladies' rooms that you almost hate to leave. In April at Orvis' flagship store in Manchester, Vermont I contemplated taking the furniture home. 









      
     In May a bus trip took me to the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
   


Not only does it offer comfy seating -




one of the stalls even boasts 
a fireplace.



     





        In June my travels took me to a restaurant that offered an opportunity for reflection.
 (Sorry, couldn't help myself.)



  



   At the Norman Rockwell 
Museum, also in June, I 
wondered if they'd notice
me crossing the lobby with
this cute side table under 
my arm.

                                                               

                                 
                In August, our annual trip to Cape Cod reminded me that some bathrooms, like this one at a hole-in-the-wall chowder place, are more utilitarian. 





Our trip to Italy in September was a useful lesson in being grateful for American self-indulgence. 




        As unfamiliar as things occasionally were, at least the graffiti proved  that some things are universal.










       I did manage to finish the year on a high note, with this December visit to the facilities at Ventford Hall, in Lenox in the Massachusetts Berkshires. It's one of the surviving Gilded Age "summer cottages" that once belonged to New Yorkers such as the Vanderbilts or J.P. Morgan. 


16 comments:

  1. Lovely surroundings in some of those bathrooms.....personally I'm content with the bare necessities. Any port in a storm lol.

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  2. Well, you have certainly made me think about my photographic interests!

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  3. You make me regret all the pictures I did not take. Weeds growing through the tile floor is a memory you brought back. You've frequented some rather spiffy loo's, too, to even your score.

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  4. I've been in some in my travels that I wouldn't want to stay around long enough to take a photo! You found some really photogenic ones, but as long as they are clean and the door latches, they'll do, right?

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  5. I take pictures of school lunches. I like your toilet idea better, though.

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  6. Yes, some of those places are downright pleasant. And yes, I think they would have noticed if you tried to slip out with that pretty green table under your arm. Thinking of places I've been this year that would take the (urinal) cake. :-)

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  7. It's a good thing you said elevate because it went down hill from there. Interesting post. I'm sure that the beginning of the year will start with a series!

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  8. That stall with a fireplace tops them all! A nice fire burning would make you want to stay a little longer.

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  9. There sure are some fancy facilities there, I don't like the Italian style though. (*~*)

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    1. It reeealy made me assess how great was my need.

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  10. As long as the toilets are clean, the decor doesn't much matter to me. my pet peeve though is those hot air hand dryers which don't actually work unless you stand there for 15 or 20 minutes. the movie theater we go to only has those. really? people rushing out in the middle of the movie don't have 15 or 20 minutes to stand there waiting for their hands to dry.

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    1. Couldn't agree more. But do you remember the days when there was a rotating cloth towel? You'd pull down a (theoretically) clean section when it was your turn. I always wondered if the whole thing was actually only about 2 feet long and we were all just re-using the same dirty towel.

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  11. You're right about those rotating towels. I used to carry big men's hankies to dry my hands and my kids hands. Now I carry a smaller hanky and a tiny bottle of hand sanitiser. Wash, dry, sanitise.

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  12. Wow, not only do you get to lots of places, but you have the wits about you to photograph them! I think I have taken a bathroom photo a couple of times, but I guess the places I go are more utilitarian than your travels.

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Thanks for stopping by and I'd love to hear what you think.